Rail transport between Shanghai and Ningbo was adversely affected after more than 100 meters of railway track suddenly subsided on Monday morning in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province. Passengers traveling from Shanghai to Ningbo have been forced to take long distance buses.

Railway officials say that they don't know how long it will take to fix the tracks.

"People who want to reach some minor stations along the line to Ningbo can still take trains. Only those who want to go all the way to Ningbo have to find other means of transport," said Wang Lushan, an official with Shanghai Railway Station.

"Routes for fourteen trains running between Shanghai and Ningbo had to be changed yesterday", she added.

In addition, Wang said that three routes have been suspended and will not resume operations until the line is repaired. More than 20 trains plying this line have been affected so far.

Wang added, "Travelers can get a full refund for their tickets."

The suspension of rail services led many travelers to take interprovincial buses. "Almost every bus to Ningbo was full today, much busier than average and as busy as during the May Day holidays," said an employee of the Hengfeng Road Long-Distance Bus Station yesterday.

At the time of reporting, the affected line had not resumed normal operations.

(Shanghai Daily May 11, 2005)