Major communities get new downtown shuttles

Eight shuttle bus routes will open this month to link two of the largest communities in Beijing with key areas downtown, the first such services in Beijing.

Tiantongyuan and Huilongguan, both in north Beijing, are known for their large populations, which according to media totals 800,000. The new routes are aimed at easing traffic congestion and make traveling to the city center more convenient.

According to Beijing's transport commission, Huilongguan will launch lines to Guomao, Shangdi, Financial Street, Zhongguancun and the Asian Games Village, while Tiantongyuan will run three to Guomao, Zhongguancun and the Asian Games Village.