Several subway lines in Beijing took part in a pilot project to transport express parcels during off-peak hours starting this Saturday, with the aim of reducing road congestion and reducing carbon emissions.
Beijing’s urban rail transport network has been expanding in recent years, with 27 lines currently covering a total distance of 807 kilometers, according to Wang Shuling of the city’s Transport Institute.
The capital handles around 15 million express parcels every day, and the majority are delivered via urban road transport.
The pioneering project “takes advantage of the excess capacity of subway systems during off-peak hours,” Wang said. “The measure is expected to gradually ease traffic congestion while reducing carbon emissions.”
To ensure the safe and orderly operations of the pilot lines, the Beijing Municipal Transport Commission has stipulated that transported goods must adhere to a catalog of items prohibited on subways and undergo security checks, according to commission official Zhou Yuan .
Participating companies have designed reusable express delivery boxes that are compatible with the dimensions of urban rail transportation and developed dedicated carts that can facilitate safe and convenient transportation, Zhou said.
Source: http://www.chinahoje.net/metro-de-pequim-lanca-projeto-piloto-de-transporte-de-encomendas-expressas/
