Beijing will add 21 new subway lines by the year 2020, according to a new urban traffic program issued by the municipal government Thursday.

By 2020, there will be 30 subway lines and 450 stations in Beijing, reaching 1,050 kilometers in distance. Residents within the Fourth Ring Road can walk to a station in 10 to 15 minutes, according to the program plans.

The plan also focuses on increasing the subway coverage of the urban city to encourage more people to use public transit. The coverage rate within the Fourth Ring Road will reach 95%.

Suburban areas will be connected with downtown by new radial lines, according to the plan.

(chinadaily.com.cn May 28, 2010)