Olympic host city Beijing and six co-hosts are making last-minute efforts to overhaul public transport systems in order to support the upcoming Olympic Games.

China's Ministry of Railway on Wednesday announced that a rapid railway linking Beijing with the co-host city Tianjin will be officially operational on Aug. 1, one week before the Games begin.

The 120-km Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway would be able to run at an operational speed of 350 km per hour, MOR Vice Minister Wang Zhiguo told a press conference in Beijing.

He said the ultra-modern line would cut the traveling time between the two cities from the current 70 minutes to about 30 minutes, giving passengers including Olympic athletes and sports officials an easier commute.

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Source: China View (http://news.xinhuanet.com)