The Expanding Subway of Beijing

"Beijing has had the ambition to become the world's leader well before the government projected that 21.4 million people will live in Beijing in 2020. The demand for rapid transit is at a level that has never existed before as Beijing's boulevards become overcrowded with cars, buses, and pollution."

"The Beijing government expects to invest a total 80 billion yuan ($10.8 billion U.S.) in expanding the current 142-kilometer network in the coming years."

"Five subway lines began construction last Saturday and anticipate their completion by 2015. Fifty percent of all public transit use is expected to be by subway, relieving the overcrowded buses and roads. With 561 kilometers of track, Beijing will have beaten every subway in terms of track length except for the New York Subway, which has 722 miles (1,161 kilometers) of track."