China slows down high-speed trains by 50 km/h

Category: Top News
Published: Wednesday, 24 August 2011 14:36

China's high-speed trains are cutting back trips,

slowing down and slashing prices at the order of the State Council. The cutbacks, which start on Tuesday, focus on the Beijing-Shanghai Railway, and coastal railway lines of Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou, Wenzhou-Fuzhou, and Wenzhou-Xiamen in Zhejiang Province. The decision was made after last month's deadly train crash near Wenzhou.

Not as fast as before, but much safer.

China's speedy trains slow down on Tuesday as a new operation system takes effect.

High-speed trains from Shanghai to Hangzhou, and Beijing to Tianjin are reduced from 350 kilometers per hour to 300 kilometers per hour. The ticket prices also see a five percent decrease.

Other lines that are affected by the new operation system include the Ningbo-Wenzhou and Wenzhou-Xiamen lines. Their speeds are adjusted from 250 kilometers per hour to 200 kilometers per hour. Passengers are expected to spend more time travelling.

A passenger said, "It will take me some 30 more minutes to get to my destination. I can accept it."

Meanwhile, the number of high speed train services is also adjusted. The number of dual trips running daily between Beijing and Shanghai are cut to 66 from the previous 88.

After all the ups and downs, safety has now been made the top concern rather than breaking speed records for China's high-speed trains.