Subway trains get digital TV

Workers were busy on Sunday installing a digital television system on two of Beijing's subway lines to prepare for live broadcasts of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Passengers will be able to watch the Games, get news reports and traffic updates on 56 trains on the Batong Line and 24 trains on Line 13. Each carriage will have six screens, according to Beijing Mobile TV - the company in charge of the project.

Subway trains on Lines 1 and 2, and Line 5 which will start operation in September, will also feature live broadcasts. The installation comes after a one-year trial operation.

Broadcasts of digital television programs were first launched on Beijing's surface transit system in 2004. About 5,000 buses have been equipped with digital television, and 12,000 more buses and 30,000 taxis will have it before next year.

The company plans to expand the technology to private cars, buildings and public places - part of Beijing's efforts to create a hi-tech Olympics.

Source: China Daily