Beijing To Shanghai High-Speed Rail Line Opens
A $33 billion high-speed rail line connecting two of the world's largest cities made its debut on 30 June. The Beijing-to-Shanghai high-speed train has been operating on a trial basis since May, and is finally ready to open to the general public, reported constructiondigital.com.
This line is expected to help improve China's overloaded transportation system. The country has been pursuing several large-scale infrastructure projects to help cut down on airport delays and cancellations. However, the entrance of the new high speed rail line has led some airlines to slash ticket prices by as much as 65 percent amidst concerns that the new rail line could cause a negative effect on the air travel industry. One-way tickets prices will range from US$ 63-270 compared to about US$ 200 for a flight on an airplane between Beijing and Shanghai.
This new high-speed rail line is opening a full year ahead of schedule despite delays in construction as a result of safety concerns. Construction began in April 18, 2008.
Once operational, the new Shanghai-to-Beijing line will cut the travel time between the two cities in half to under five hours. The rail line will be capable of carrying about 80 million passengers a year, twice the current capacity for the 1,318 kilometre route. The line carries 90 pairs of trains every day, including 63 pairs that run at 300 kilometers per hour, which can reach the terminal in 4 hours and 48 minutes, and 27 pairs that travel at 250 kilometers per hour, which can reach the terminal in 7 hours and 56 minutes.
This line is expected to help improve China's overloaded transportation system. The country has been pursuing several large-scale infrastructure projects to help cut down on airport delays and cancellations. However, the entrance of the new high speed rail line has led some airlines to slash ticket prices by as much as 65 percent amidst concerns that the new rail line could cause a negative effect on the air travel industry. One-way tickets prices will range from US$ 63-270 compared to about US$ 200 for a flight on an airplane between Beijing and Shanghai.
This new high-speed rail line is opening a full year ahead of schedule despite delays in construction as a result of safety concerns. Construction began in April 18, 2008.
Once operational, the new Shanghai-to-Beijing line will cut the travel time between the two cities in half to under five hours. The rail line will be capable of carrying about 80 million passengers a year, twice the current capacity for the 1,318 kilometre route. The line carries 90 pairs of trains every day, including 63 pairs that run at 300 kilometers per hour, which can reach the terminal in 4 hours and 48 minutes, and 27 pairs that travel at 250 kilometers per hour, which can reach the terminal in 7 hours and 56 minutes.
