Trial runs on subway for Beijing Olympics to start in June

BEIJING (AP) - Trial runs on a subway line that will serve the Beijing Summer Olympics start at the end of June, state media reported Sunday. 

Construction of the No. 5 line, which cuts through the heart of the city, is finished with workers building the last station, Ding Shukui, deputy manager of the city's rail traffic company, was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency. 

"Trial operations begin on June 30," Ding said. The 27.6-kilometer north-south line runs through the eastern part of the downtown area. Construction began in late 2002 and cost 12 billion yuan (US$1.55 billion), Xinhua said. 

The subway cars will also be equipped with a wireless communication network so live broadcasts of the Olympics can be shown on televisions in each car.