Beijing makes way for high-tech trains

Three new lines begin their trial runs, with passengers to come by year's end

Two high-tech railway lines and a conventional one begin trial runs on Wednesday in Beijing - a driverless subway line, a mid-to low-speed maglev line and a modern tram - all of which are expected to welcome passengers by the end of this year, according to the Beijing government.

The 16.6-km Yanfang Line is the Chinese mainland's first driverless subway made domestically. It has a seating capacity of 960 and a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour. It eliminates the driver's cockpit in favor of intelligent technology for operations and maintenance.