China to have world's longest metro rail network.

China is expected to build 8,500 km of subway systems by 2020, giving it the world's longest metro rail network, the government said recently.

Nineteen cities have recently extended their metro systems, with total mileage expected to hit 3,000 km by the end of the year, Chinese Minister of Transport, Yang Chuantang was quoted as saying by state-run China Daily.

Public transit, especially the subway, has had a major effect on easing congestion in Beijing, and the government will inject more funding to promote its development, Dai Junliang, deputy mayor of Beijing said.

Four new subway lines will open to the public this month, which will extend the capital’s subway to 527 km, the longest in the country.

Daily ridership will increase gradually to more than 10 million, the Beijing Commission of Transport said.


HBL