Subway Line 2
From Beijingology
| Subway Line 2 Ditie Er Hao Xian 地铁二号线 地鐵二號綫 aka Loop Line (环线) | |
|---|---|
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| Number of Stations | 18 |
| Color | Navy Blue |
| Length | 23.61 km |
| Interchange Stations (total: 10; 6 currently in use) | Xizhimen (Lines 4 and 13) Fuchengmen (Line 6) Fuxingmen (Line 1) Xuanwumen (Line 4) Chongwenmen (Line 5) Jianguomen (Line 1) Chaoyangmen (Line 6) Dongzhimen (Line 13 and Airport Express) Yonghegong (Line 5) Guloudajie (Line 8) |
| Termini | None (loop line), although Xizhimen is denoted as station #1 in Line 2 |
| Depots | Taipinghu Depot |
| First Service | () |
| Last Service | () |
| Coverage | Northern half of 2nd Ring Road (Fuxingmen - Deshengmen - Andingmen - Jianguomen), Beijing Subway Station, Xuanwumen, Hepingmen, Qianmen, Chongwenmen |
| Rolling Stock | Changchun Car Company ("Plaster") Prefixed T (Taipinghu Depot) |
| Journeys | |
| Year Opened / Last Extension | 1969 (officially in 1971) 1984 |
| Notes | |
| [[]] | |
Line 2 of the Beijing Subway forms a loop around the inner 2nd Ring Road in Beijing. It is colored navy blue on a map (not to be confused with the aqua Line 10).
The line services areas central to Beijing, including all areas adjacent to the 2nd Ring Road as well as Chongwenmen East Street, Qianmen East Street, Qianmen West Street, Xuanwumen East Street and Xuanwumen West Street.
The naming convention for the northwestern part of the line is a bit odd -- there is no stop at Deshengmen, with the closest stop instead at Jishuitan. Xiaojie Bridge, Deshengmen Bridge, Yuetan North and South bridges and Xibianmen Bridge are not served by Subway Line 2, thus reflecting the age of the line (built before bridges were added to the 2nd Ring Road).
Line 2 is part of Beijing's "three ring" system in the underground railway network. The other two lines are Line 10, which runs between the 3rd Ring Road and 4th Ring Road, and Line 13, which, along with the northern part of Line 2, runs a loop service from Xizhimen through to Dongzhimen.
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History
Beijing's Subway Line 2 was once part of Line 1. The part between Fuxingmen and Beijing Railway Station was only split off from Line 1 after the entire loop service (Line 2) was completed.
The first subway line in Beijing in the 1960s (Beijing Railway Station through to Pingguoyuan) included part of what is now Line 2, as well as part of what is now Line 1. The bulk of the loop -- from Beijing Railway Station via Dongzhimen and Xizhimen through to Fuxingmen -- went into service in the 1980s.
In November 2007, new trains were used in Line 2, which feature through passageways across all six cars.
Recent Developments
- Mid-April 2008: Reports of trains suddenly braking and stopping in tunnels are reported as problems momentarily arise after Line 2's move to a new unified control center in Xiaoying.
Route
Line 2 is often confused as the line running underneath the 2nd Ring Road. This is false if the entire 2nd Ring Road is meant, as there are no subway services for the ringway from Xibianmen Bridge through You'anmen Bridge and Zuo'anmen Bridge through to Dongbianmen Bridge.
A geographically correct description of Line 2 is that the subway line runs around the Inner City, with the southern part under what is frequently termed Qiansanmen Avenue, passing through Chongwenmen, Qianmen and Xuanwumen.
Some bridges are missing a Line 2 station. This is the case with Xiaojie Bridge, Dongzhimen North Bridge, Dongbianmen Bridge, Xibianmen Bridge, Yuetan North and South bridges, but most notably with Deshengmen Bridge.
Stations
Line 2 consists of 16 underground stations. The table below shows all clockwise, starting from Xizhimen station. Data is given only for the Line 2 parts of interchange stations.
All stations on Line 2 have central island platforms (those at Chongwenmen, Hepingmen, Xuanwumen and Changchunjie are narrower than other Line 2 platforms), as well as split halls on Underground Level 1. Passengers must choose their exit before leaving the platform on Underground Level 2.
| Name | Location | Exits | Platforms | Platform Level Livery | Times Served | Disabled Access | Interchanges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xizhimen (西直门) | Xizhimen Bridge, Xicheng | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | Lines 4 (2009) and 13 | |
| Jishuitan (积水潭) | Jishuitan Bridge, Xicheng | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Guloudajie (鼓楼大街) | Gulou Bridge, Xicheng | 2 (A, B) | Central island | 05:05 - 23:37 | None | Line 8 (2011) | |
| Andingmen (安定门) | Andingmen Bridge, Dongcheng | 2 (A, B) | Central island | 05:07 - 23:35 | None | ||
| Yonghegong Lama Temple (雍和宫) | Yonghegong Bridge, Dongcheng | 3 (A-C) | Central island | 05:09 - 23:33 | None | Line 5 | |
| Dongzhimen (东直门) | Dongzhimen Bridge, Dongcheng | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 05:13 - 23:29 | None | Line 13, Airport Express | |
| Dongsi Shitiao (东四十条) | Dongsishitiao Bridge, Dongcheng | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 05:15 - 23:27 | None | Line 3 (projected) | |
| Chaoyangmen (朝阳门) | Chaoyangmen Bridge, Dongcheng | 2 (A, B) | Central island | 05:17 - 23:25 | None | Line 6 (2012) | |
| Jianguomen (建国门) | Jianguomen Bridge, Dongcheng | 3 (A, B, D) | Central island | 05:16 - 23:22 | None | Line 1 | |
| Beijing Railway Station (北京站) | Beijing Railway Station, Chongwen | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 05:10 - 23:20 | None | Chinese national railways | |
| Chongwenmen (崇文门) | Chongwenmen, Chongwen | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 05:13 - 23:16 | None | Line 5 | |
| Qianmen (前门) | Zhengyangmen Gate, Chongwen | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 05:16 - 23:14 | None | Line 8 (projected) | |
| Hepingmen (和平门) | Qianmen West Street, Xuanwu | 8 (A-D, two per letter) | Central island | 05:18 - 23:12 | None | ||
| Xuanwumen (宣武门) | Xuanwumen East Street, Xuanwu | 8 (A-D, two per letter) | Central island | 05:20 - 23:14 | None | Line 4 (2009) | |
| Changchunjie (长椿街) | Xuanwumen West Street, Xuanwu | 8 (A-D, two per letter) | Central island | 00:00 - 00:00 | None | ||
| Fuxingmen (复兴门) | Fuxingmen Bridge, Xicheng | Central island | 05:16 - 23:19 | None | Line 1 | ||
| Fuchengmen (阜成门) | Fuchengmen Bridge, Xicheng | 4 (A-D) | Central island | 05:13 - 23:22 | None | ||
| Chegongzhuang (车公庄) | Guanyuan Bridge, Xicheng | 2 (A, B) | Central island | 05:11 - 23:24 | None | Line 6 (2012) |
Interchanges
Xizhimen
The interchanges with Line 13, at Xizhimen and Dongzhimen, were extremely poorly executed. Original plans showed a "full" linkage, with moving footpaths and integrated shopping, but in a cost-cutting exercise this was deemed too expensive, and so the Line 13 termini are some distance away from the subway stops that connect to them. The shortcomings of this "design" have become painfully apparent at peak times and in poor weather, and there are now proposals for remedying the situation. Ironically, as reported widely in the Beijing press, implementing any of these proposals will cost far more than the amount "saved" by the initial decision. The above-ground solution was implemented to avoid possible congestion using underground routes. Minor changes were made on October 7, 2007, with a new passageway saving passengers the need to touch to "touch in" their Beijing Super Passes again; however, interchange passengers had to walk through this convoluted, above-ground passageway, which in heavy traffic simply aggravates the situation.
On June 9, 2008, a new, all-underground transfer passageway at Xizhimen went into operation; however this was only available for passengers headed to Line 13, not the other way around. Returning passengers to Line 2 had to make do with the original, above-ground transfer.
In October 2008, the two staircases used to enter the Line 2 part of the station from the Line 4 platforms were sealed. Passengers transferring from Line 13 back to Line 2 had to make do with an even longer reroute. It appears that the Line 2 and Line 4 interchange will use new transfer passageways instead of the pre-built interchange passageway.
When Line 4 opens on September 28, 2009, Underground Level 3 on the Line 2 part of the station will be put into use.
Xuanwumen
Dongzhimen
- Interchange with Line 13 and the Airport Express
On October 7, 2007, a wholly-underground passageway at Dongzhimen opened for Line 2 passengers headed for Line 13, finally ending the above-ground interchange hassle. On July 19, 2008, connections were made with the Airport Express through two passageways.
The interchange at Dongzhimen sees Line 2 continuing on its loop trek to Yonghegong or Dongsi Shitiao, while Line 13 continues further north to Liufang and points beyond. The Airport Express starts out east, only to turn northeast later to head for Beijing Capital International Airport.
The Dongzhimen interchange is linked to the Dongzhimen Public Transportation Hub.
Jianguomen and Fuxingmen
- Interchange with Line 1
The older interchanges with Line 1 are also sub-optimal, but efforts have been made to make traffic flow one-way, which, although it results in a slightly round-about transfer in some directions, remains relatively free-flowing even at peak times. Line 2 passengers transferring to Line 1 need only use a staircase to change, although returning passengers to Line 2 need to walk through long passageways (longer at Fuxingmen than at Jianguomen).
Of note is the interchange at Fuxingmen -- the first-ever interchange on the entire Beijing Subway network.
Yonghegong Lama Temple
- Interchange with Line 5
The Line 2 part of the transfer passageway with Line 5 is easier to use; all access paths are concentrated on Underground Level 2, at the western end, near exits A and D in the Line 2 section. Transfers from Line 5, however, can get more complex as some staircases are exit-only!
Chongwenmen
- Interchange with Line 5
In the Line 2 part of Chongwenmen station, transfer staircases for passengers transferring to and from Line 5 are located in the center of the platform, which facilitates incoming transfer passengers, but encumbers those Line 2 passengers already on the platform.
Planned Interchanges
- Chegongzhuang (with Line 6): Subway Line 6 is expected to bisect with Line 2 in the west at Chegongzhuang station, near Guanyuan Bridge on the western 2nd Ring Road.
- Chaoyangmen (with Line 6): Line 6's eastern crossing with Line 2 will be at Chaoyangmen station, right underneath Chaoyangmen Bridge on the eastern 2nd Ring Road. This station will use mid-platform stairs on the Line 2 part to connect with Line 6, which uses a central island platform.
- Guloudajie (with Line 8): Line 8 is expected to cross with Line 2 at Guloudajie station, between Gulou Bridge and Zhonglou North Bridge, right on Beijing's north-south axis.
Future Interchanges
When the entire Beijing Subway network is complete (according to the 2015 plans), Line 2 will feature up to 10 interchange stations in use, thus making over half of Line 2 stations interchanges. (All figures in this paragraph make reference to interchanges with Beijing Subway lines only.) Of particular note will be the "super interchanges" at Xizhimen and Dongzhimen, which will feature three subway lines under one roof.
At least three more interchanges are planned for Line 2 even after 2015. The interchange at Dongsi Shitiao is likely to enter service with Line 3 in operation. This will make the 18-station Line 2 a major interchange line, with 14 stations serving as interchanges.
Platforms
All Line 2 platforms are central island platforms. Doors always open on the left.
Trains
Line 2 used to use rolling stock from the 1980s (which are nearly totally gone; they will have left Line 2 altogether by the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympics). The present rolling stock was first used on November 7, 2007. The new trains are known as The Plaster (创可贴) by Subway fans, as both the front of the train appears to have a plaster affixed to it (in terms of design; note a massive bit of white which appears to resemble a plaster), and as the doors appear to resemble plasters on the tube train. The sole Line 2 maintenance facility is at Taipinghu Depot not far from Jishuitan Subway Station; all Line 2 trains are prefixed T (not to be confused with Line 5 TP trains based at Taipingzhuang North).
Problems occurred with Line 2 trains in spring and early summer 2008, involving suddenly braking trains (new trains were able to adapt to the new Line 2 signalling system, but older rolling stock had to make do with existing light-based signals) as well as what is sometimes described as "in-car rain", or leaking air conditioners.
A design fault of the new Line 2 trains is the new "Door Opens This Side / Door Opens Opposite Side" indicator. Since all of Line 2 uses central island platforms, the left door always uses the "Door Opens This Side" indicator, whereas right doors always use the "Door Opens Opposite Side" indicator. Line 2 is the only line in the whole Beijing Subway system where doors always open on the left, and central island platforms are always used.
Fares
Line 2 uses the same networked fare system as all other Subway lines (except for the Airport Express) -- CNY 2 with unlimited mileage and transfers. Except for the Airport Express, transfers to other immediate Subway lines will not incur extra fares.
Security
No Line 2 station (as of yet) feature platform screen doors, although the new signalling system now in place hint at such doors (as trains are able to stop no more than 10 cm away from a designated point). This, therefore, leaves Line 2 with a present safety hazard until platform screen doors are installed. Their installation, however, has been delayed as city planning officials regard the existing platforms "too narrow" for platform screen doors.
Potential problems can arise at interchanges, especially at Chongwenmen station, where an already narrow platform is made even narrower with installed staircase walkways to the Line 2-Line 5 interchanges. The platforms at Jianguomen and Fuxingmen are wider, but this time, the interchange staircases are narrower.
Narrow platforms are used at Chongwenmen, Hepingmen, Xuanwumen and Changchunjie stations. Platforms in other Line 2 stations are noticeably much wider.
| Beijing Subway Line 2 (Inner orbital; northern half of 2nd Ring Road and Xuanwumen - Chongwenmen) 18 stations • 23.61 km • Minimum 2 minutes between trains | 
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| Beijing Subway System (Current as of July 19, 2008) | 
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