April 15, 2005 marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Beijing Subway. From the trial operation of the first phase project on Jan.15, 1971 to Apr.14, 2005, Beijing subway passenger traffic volume amounted to 8.9 billion person-times, making it the backbone of the capital public transport system, and making important contributions to the urban traffic development of the capital.
The first phase project of Beijing subway got started on Jul.1, 1965, and completed on Oct.1, 1969. Ever since then, the history when China had no subway has gone. On Apr.5, 1970, Beijing Subway, former PLA Railway Corps Beijing Underground Operation and Administration Section was established. The trial operation of the first phase project was started on Jan.15, 1971. In March 1976, the administration of Beijing subway was transferred from Railway Corps to Beijing Municipality, since then Beijing subway has started to transform from combat readiness to operation production, and has gradually established safe operation-centered guiding principle of serving the modernization construction drive, displaying its due status and role in the capital economic construction. For the past 35 years, the Beijing subway operation lines has increased from one to four, with operation mileage extended from 23.6km to 114km, and the number of daily running trains has increased from 69 to 1235. The minimum interval between two trains has shortened from 14 to 3 minutes, and annual passenger traffic volume has increased from 8.28 million to 607 million person-times. The revenues from subway tickets in 2004 surpassed 800 million, and Beijing subway has become an integral part of Beijing public transport system.
After 35 years of development with turns and twists, Beijing Subway has become a specialized large state-owned wholly-funded enterprise engaged in the operation and management of Beijing rail traffic routes. Its operation business includes vehicle transport, passenger traffic organization, power dispatch, power supply, communication signal, mechanics and electrics and routes. Besides, it also operates diversified businesses focusing on the development of subway-related resources, mainly including advertisement, underground communication, real estate development, commerce and trade, tourism and vacation, education and training, construction installation, vehicle manufacture, engineering supervision, vehicle lease, design research and consulting as well as cultural industry. These businesses have expanded the service range of subway, and met the service needs of passengers.
At present, Beijing subway employs 94 employees per kilometer, lower than the standard of the Ministry of Construction, 100-120 employees/km, so it is taking the lead at home. Beijing Subway is a technology-intensive enterprise with more than 1500 technical people, complete management means, management system, and rich management experience.
The subway lines under construction in Beijing include Line 5, Line 4, Line 10, and Olympic Line. With the work guidelines, i.e. “Safety is the foundation, service is the root, efficiency is the goal, management is the means, and reform is the momentum”, Beijing Subway is making efforts to maintain its professional operation, and improve its core competitiveness so as to forge international elite brand to meet the demand for competition in the future.
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary, Beijing Subway will hold anniversary conference, employee photo, calligraphy and painting exhibition, and distribute memorable treasure up tickets. The theme activities offered the chance for the whole staff of the company to be educated in striving, reform innovation, and glorious tradition, enabling them to remember the treasure up course, motivating and mobilizing their enthusiasm to add momentum to the development of the company, and make efforts to build the company into an outstanding modern enterprise with strong competitiveness.
