China launched its 5th nationwide train speed increase beginning April 18. After the trains speed up, running time of trains is largely shortened. Yet, ticket prices remain unchanged.

Direct express trains for the first time shows up on the operation map of Shenyang Railway Bureau after trains speed up. For instance, running from Beijing to Changchun, the Z61 direct express train only takes 8 hours and 20 minutes, 2 hours less than the former one. In addition, Shenyang Railway Bureau added 2 pairs of express trains, Shenyang to Chengdu and Dalian to Hankou.

According to the railway bureau, after the speed acceleration, average technical speed of passenger trains has been promoted to 77.6 kilometers per hour from the previous 70.3 kilometers per hour. And that means, running time of passenger trains would see an obvious cut. In addition, to meet the transport demand, Shenyang Railway Bureau also expanded operation distance of some transport routes. The railway authority says, though railway speed was increased, ticket price would remain unchanged. And with a nationwide booking network, passengers could make ticket reservations in a 180-day advance.

(Northeast Network April 21, 2004)