Reducing　the　number　of　transfers　and　improving　the　operating　speed　are　key　factors　in　enhancing　the　competitiveness　of　urban　rail　transit　(URT)　systems.　This　paper　proposes　an　integrated　optimization　with　tactical　cross-line　planning　and　an　operational　express　train　mode　to　fully　utilize　line　capacities　and　reduce　the　total　trip　time　without　additional　operating　costs　and　investments.　In　this　paper,　a　new　mixed　integer　non-linear　programming　(MINLP)　model　is　proposed　for　systemically　exploring　the　benefits　of　cross-line　express　trains　to　achieve　both　passenger　travel　time　and　operation　cost　savings;　in　this　model,　the　frequencies,　stopping　patterns　and　operation　zones　of　cross-line　express　trains　and　local　trains　are　simultaneously　optimized.　The　characteristics　of　same-line　trips　(SLT)　and　cross-line　trips　(CLT)　under　various　stopping　patterns　are　investigated.　Additionally,　a　genetic　algorithm　(GA)　is　developed　based　on　the　MINLP　model.　Finally,　the　effectiveness　of　the　proposed　model　and　heuristic　algorithm　is　verified　through　a　set　of　real-life　instances　based　on　the　Beijing　URT　network.　The　results　show　that　the　number　of　transfers　can　be　reduced　by　78%,　with　a　3.34%　savings　of　travel　time　and　a　4.66%　savings　of　operating　costs,　when　the　cross-line　express　operating　mode　is　properly　adjusted.