Subway Batong Line
From Beijingology
| Subway Batong Line Ditie Batong Xian 地铁八通线 地鐵八通綫 | |
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| Number of Stations | 13 |
| Color | Standard Red |
| Length | 18.9 km |
| Interchange Stations (total: 2; 2 currently in use) | Sihui Subway Station (Subway Line 1) Sihui East Subway Station (Subway Line 1) |
| Termini | Sihui (western terminus) Tuqiao (eastern terminus) |
| Depots | Tuqiao Depot |
| First Service | () |
| Last Service | () |
| Coverage | Eastern Chaoyang District, urban Tongzhou District |
| Rolling Stock | Nicknamed "Long Snake" Prefixed TQ (Tuqiao Depot) |
| Journeys | |
| Year Opened / Last Extension | December 27, 2003 |
| Notes | |
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The Batong Line of the Beijing Subway extends Line 1 from Sihui through to Tuqiao, extending subway services form the eastern 4th Ring Road all the way east until urban Tongzhou District, almost nearing the eastern 6th Ring Road.
The Batong Line, along with Line 1, is part of Beijing's four west-east lines in the underground railway network, according to 2015 projections. The other three west-east lines are Line 6, Line 7 and the horizontal portion of Line 14 from Lugouqiao through to Songyu South Road.
Contents |
History
The Batong Line came into being beginning in 2002, when tracks were laid in the center of the Jingtong Expressway. The tracks then proceeded south towards urban Tongzhou, in eastern suburban Beijing.
Operations were scheduled for December 28, 2003; however, services began a day ahead.
At first, trains on the entire Batong Line ran at uncomfortably wide intervals, with the average train coming in only once every 10 minutes. Beginning in 2007, however, intervals were shortened, first to around five minutes, then down to the present minimum of around three minutes.
New trainsets were used on the Batong Line shortly after the entire line entered operation.
One station which has underwent extensive name changes is the present-day Communication University of China station. At first, it was supposed to be named Dingfuzhuang, but then the naming changed to the Broadcasting University station, and finally, with the August 2004 change in name, to the Communication University station in late 2006.
Announcements made in English on the Batong Line were made by an expat using British English. However, the voice of the announcer is considerably less attractive than Emma Clarke of London Underground fame.
Recent Developments
- June 2008: The Batong Line is expected to switch to 6-car trains instead of the present 4-car trains, especially during rush hour. This will relieve the subway line from chronic crowds inside the trains, which are particularly painfully noticeable around major interchanges.
Route
The Batong Line runs mainly in a west-east manner from Sihui through to Chaotong Bridge, just east of Guanzhuang. After passing through Baliqiao, the line heads on a sharp turn southeast, and continues in a mainly southeastern direction for much of the stretch in Tongzhou District.
The stretch from Sihui through to Baliqiao see it running parallel to the Jingtong Expressway, while the stretch from Baliqiao through to Tuqiao see it next to National Highway 103. The section from Gaobeidian through to Baliqiao see the line run in the middle of the Jingtong Expressway.
Stations
The Batong Line consists of 13 ground-level or above-ground stations. The table below shows all stations beginning from Sihui, heading east. Data is given only for the Batong Line parts of interchange stations.
All stations on the Batong Line have side platforms (those in Sihui East actually mixed island platforms). For Gaobeidian, Guanzhuang and Tongzhou Beiyuan stations, all exits are in the form of underground passageways only.
| Name | Location | Exits | Platforms | Platform Level Livery | Times Served | Disabled Access | Interchanges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sihui (四惠) | Sihui Bridge, Chaoyang | 2 (A, B) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | Line 1 | |
| Sihui East (四惠东) | Jianguo Road, Chaoyang | 2 (A, B) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | Line 1 | |
| Gaobeidian (高碑店) | Gaobeidian Bridge, Chaoyang | 4 (A-D) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Communication University of China (传媒大学) | Communication University of China, Chaoyang | 2 (A, B) | Side platforms | 05:07 - 23:35 | None | ||
| Shuangqiao (双桥) | Shuangqiao Bridge, Chaoyang | 5 (A-E) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Guanzhuang (管庄) | Shuanghui Bridge, Chaoyang | 4 (A-D) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Baliqiao (八里桥) | Baliqiao Toll Gate, Chaoyang | 4 (A-D) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Tongzhou Beiyuan (通州北苑) | Beiyuan, Tongzhou | 1 (A) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Guoyuan (果园) | Southwest of Guoyuan Roundabout, Tongzhou | 1 (A) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Jiukeshu (九棵树) | Southeast of Guoyuan Roundabout, Tongzhou | 1 (A) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Liyuan (梨园) | Liyuan, Tongzhou | 1 (A) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Linheli (临河里) | Linheli, Tongzhou | 1 (A) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Tuqiao (土桥) | Tuqiao, Tongzhou | 4 (A-D) | Side platforms | 00:00 - 00:00 | None |
A number of station names have been changed from their original names (current names are given in bold):
- Bawangfen East (八王坟东) -- Sihui East
- Dingfuzhuang (定福庄) -- Communications University of China (known as Broadcasting University between December 2003 and 2007)
- Yangzha (杨闸) -- Guanzhuang
- Beiyuan (北苑) -- Tongzhou Beiyuan
- Tiyuchang (体育场) -- Linheli
In the final plans, services were extended to Sihui, one station west of the original terminus at Sihui East.
Interchanges
The interchanges at Sihui and Sihui East can be very confusing, as signage is poor (the signs for the Batong Line, as well as the direction signs for Line 1, can get a bit on the small side). Passengers must climb stairs to change from Line 1 to the Batong Line (the same applies if you're changing from the Batong Line to Line 1). At Sihui station, the sole inlet for passengers from the Batong Line heading into Line 1 is virtually without a signpost and can, at times, be extremely easy to miss; it is very easy to lose yourself in the transfer maze.
| Beijing Subway Batong Line (Sihui - Tuqiao) 13 stations • 18.9 km • Template:MBatongInterval | 
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| Beijing Subway System (Current as of July 19, 2008) | 
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