With our motto "New Beijing, Great Olympics" and our goal to host a "Green Olympics", a "Hi-tech Olympics" and the "People''s Olympics", Beijing is ready to become a truly international city. As is expected, Beijing has made great efforts to improve all kinds of conditions to reinforce its candidature.
Transportation is always a challenge for any city that wishes to host the Olympic Games. In this respect, Beijing is well prepared. By 2007, a fairly sophisticated city transportation network will be completed. The five ring roads with linked expressways the newly built City Rail and the Olympic Subway will contribute to an efficient transportation system.
For instance, the Fourth Ring Road to be completed in the spring of 2001 is a principal expressway connecting the majority of the Olympic venues located in the west, northwest and north parts of the city. The Beijing Municipal Government has officially named the Fourth Ring Road the "Olympic Boulevard." It is designed to have eight-lanes with 147 flyovers to connect with the major streets of the city. A ride of less than 30 minutes can take the athletes and judges back to their lodgings. The City Rail and the Olympic Subway will provide a high-speed rail transport for the Olympic Green.
The Olympic Subway extends 28 km through the city linking over ten busy sections of the downtown area. At the 24 stations, passengers may transfer to two subway lines, three ring roads and twelve public bus lines. This dedicated subway line will provide convenient transport service for the athletes to go downtownfor shopping, sightseeing or entertainment, and for the Beijing residents, it is also an easy access to the Olympic Green to watch games or take part in various activities. All of the hotels selected for the technical officials, judges and referees, media and other staff are located close to the main roads. The ring roads leading to the Olympic Green are within easy reach.
Airports
There are three airports in Beijing that can be used during the Olympic Games in 2008. The Beijing Capital International Airport is the largest international airport in China. It has two runways, two airport bays, and can accommodate 35 million passengers each year. The airport has flights to most large cities in the world. It takes only 20 minutes'' drive from the Olympic Green to the airport. Nanyuan airport in south Beijing and Xijiao Airport can both provide transport services for the Olympic Games.
Buses
There are more than 20,000 buses in Beijing. Half of them use natural petroleum gas. By the end of this year, all the buses in city will be converted to natural petroleum. There are 648 bus routes in Beijing that take 10 million people each day.
Beijing plans to open 50 new bus routes every year. In 2003, Beijing is expected to have 33 percent more bus routes.
Roads
Beijing has a road network totaling 12,852 km in length, including 216 km of expressway. The Fourth Ring Road connects with seven expressways.By 2008, Beijing''s total road length will be more than 700 kilometers after the construction of the Beijing-Kaifeng, Beijing-Miyun expressways.All the towns with populations of more than 50,000 will be linked by expressway networks.
Taxis and Railway
At present, there are 67,000 taxis in Beijing. By the end of 2008, all the taxis will be equipped with a wireless telecommunication system and Global Positioning System (GPS).
Beijing has two subway routes totaling 53.7 km in length. One runs from east to west and the other loop line goes around the city.
The 40.85-kilometer long No.13 subway will be ready by the end of 2002. A branch line to connect the Capital International Airport with the city will be built in 2005. The 27.7-km No.5 subway and its connecting route will be completed by 2007, linking Olympic Green to the city. The 18.93-km Bawangfen-Tongzhou light railway is scheduled to be completed by 2003. By 2008, the total length of subway will reach 140 km.
Advanced Traffic System
Beijing will use advanced intelligent transport systems to improve safety transport services.
There will be special driveways along the routes from the Olympic Village to stadiums to make sure the participants arrive at the destination within half an hour. In addition, more roads signs and display screens will be installed.
A high-tech Transportation Supervision and Coordination Center will play a major role in controlling the city''s traffic.
Other systems including computers, a traffic monitoring and guiding accident reporting system will greatly contribute to better transportation conditions.
