Vice Minister of Railways Hu Yadong announced Wednesday that on April 18, the railway speed limit will be raised for the sixth time, allowing trains in most parts of the country to travel 20% to 30% faster, at speeds of more than 200 and up to 250 kilometers per hour. China has entered an era of high speed railway travel which will benefit both people and economic development.

Passenger transportation capacity to increase by 18%

According to Hu Yadong, 212 pairs of trains will increase their speed to more than 200 kilometers per hour. They are not only operating in eastern coastal areas such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but also in northwest and northeast China. Travel time between big cities will be substantially reduced. The number of trains that set off in the evening and arrive in the morning will increase from 32 to 337. The speed of passenger trains along 18 lines will be increased to more than 120 kilometers per hour.

The increase in train speed does not mean an increase in prices. Taking a train will be more comfortable than ever before. There will be Class A and Class B seats and a dining carriage. Both kinds of seats are very comfortable but in Class A there are fewer seats and there is more room. There will be audio and video systems in the train. Lights and signs in the train all meet international standards. The environment in the train is also much better than the current passenger trains.

The Ministry of Railways has formed four food companies which will supply passengers with different foods according to passenger needs, the season and the region. They will ensure that prices on the train are no higher than those off the train.

Train will be safer

Vice Minister Hu Yadong said China has mastered all the technologies needed for trains to travel at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour. The electricity supply system, railway facilities and train control system are all world class.

He said the Ministry of Railway has always paid great attention to safety on the railways after increasing speed limits. Since 2003, China has invested approximately 100 million yuan in upgrading railway lines.

Cargo transport capacity will increase by 12%

Hu Yadong said the speed limit increase will promote the rail cargo industry. On the new cargo train map, there are 121 lines, 30 more than in 2004. The new train map incorporates 90 major cities and 8 ports across China. "This will be very convenient for the transportation market," said Hu Yadong.

According to the new train map, there has been a substantial increase in the number of direct lines for resource type products such as coal, iron and oil. The number of direct lines for these products has risen to 406, up 226 lines from 2004. A transportation network for resource products will be formed and help guarantee the transportation of key national materials in the future.

By People's Daily Online