Line 5 of the Beijing Subway was Beijing's first subway with a north-south route. It runs for 27.6 km, in a near straight line, just east of the city centre from Tiantongyuan North in Changping District to Songjiazhuang in Fengtai District. Metro Line 5 is planned to be Beijing's first true north-south line. Unlike Line 2 and Line 13 which north south travel must transfer between portions of the loop and half loop, line 5 is a straight line that more effectively relieves north south traffic pressure in Beijing. In addition, the Line will serve the booming communities of Tiantongyuan in the north which lack any subway connection. It entered into operation on October 2007. After the start of construction, house prices along the line began to rapidly grow. In a short period of 20 days after the opening, the surrounding housing prices along the subway line increased 23.3% , reaching nearly 20,000 yuan RMB / square meter. Line 5's color is  maroon.