Subway Line 5 to be in pilot runs for one year forward

Railcar base

(BEIJING, Oct. 5) -- The Subway Line 5 will remain in a trial period for one year after it opens to the public on October 7, said Ding Shukui, of the project undertakers.

Ding, deputy general manger of Beijing Track Traffic Construction & Management Co., Ltd., said it is impossible for all equipment to work stably once and for all as there are nearly 100,000 pieces of equipment involved in the operation of the line. The builders have done their best to put the system into a relatively stable operating condition and to minimize the possibility of system malfunction, but there is no guarantee that the system will not break down in the trial period.

For instance, he said, there are 48 safety doors at each station and 23 stations on the line, for a total of 1,104 doors. A low possibility of malfunction of 0.1 percent might cause great inconveniences to the passengers. In any case, he asked for understanding from the passengers, saying that four personnel at each station will be able to deal with the problems instantly.

He said that the pilot runs will take another year, despite the earlier smooth experimental operation of the railcars without loads.

Ding pledged that the line is absolutely safe, however, in terms of traveling on the track, operation, fireproofing, etc.