Beijing's first medium-low speed magnetic levitation transport line, named S1, entered its preparatory stage for test runs on Sept. 15, with some sections to start trial operations by the end of this year.

The stretch of the line undergoing tests will be a 9.1-kilometer stretch connecting its control center to the Beijing Railway Traffic Command Center. The remaining 1.1 kilometers will open by the end of 2019.

Testing of the Beijing Line S1 will represent the successful commercialization of research on medium-low speed maglev transportation technology.

Line S1 will actively drive industrial structure regulation in the capital's Shijingshan district.

The whole 10.2-kilometer line has eight stations, all of which are elevated. Structure work has been completed at seven stations so far.

Line S1 will put six maglev trains into operation, each able to transport up to 1,032 passengers. Its maximum operating speed will be 80 kilometers an hour.