China expands railway network with addition of hundreds of trains
China has expanded its railway network by adding hundreds of new trains. This enhancement is part of the country's ongoing efforts to improve transportation efficiency and connectivity across its vast regions. The new trains are expected to facilitate smoother travel for passengers and boost cargo transport capabilities.
TroibNews 
China has updated its nationwide train timetable, adding hundreds of additional passenger and freight trains to enhance its already expansive railway network. These changes took effect at midnight on Sunday and are designed to improve convenience for passengers, increase freight capacity, and promote greater regional economic integration.
The revised schedule introduces 230 more passenger trains, bringing the total to 13,028, alongside an increase of 91 freight trains, resulting in a total of 22,859.
Notably, cross-border services on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway have been significantly expanded, with daily cross-border high-speed trains now totaling 242. For the first time, direct train services will link Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station with the western and northern regions of China, enhancing travel and business connections between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.
In a bid to better connect regional hubs with the national high-speed network, the new timetable will greatly enhance accessibility for North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. New direct trains from the capital, Hohhot, to Shanghai in the east and to Xining in the west will dramatically cut travel times, fostering economic and cultural exchanges among these areas.
Intercity commuter services around Beijing will also benefit from improvements, with an additional 14 high-speed trains introduced to operate between the capital and neighboring cities. Additionally, longer-distance travel options are expanded with new services linking northeast China with other regions across the country.
The updated timetable prioritizes freight transport as well, with initiatives aimed at enhancing the organization of China-Europe freight train services. These efforts are crucial for ensuring smooth operations along vital international trade routes and helping to stabilize global supply chains.
On the passenger service front, China Railway is continuously enhancing its 12306 online ticketing platform to facilitate easier ticket access for key demographics, including students and migrant workers. Moreover, new measures are being introduced to tackle ticket scalping by unauthorized third-party platforms.
These updates are particularly noteworthy as they occur just before the Spring Festival travel period, a time characterized by significant migration within China as individuals return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Tickets for the new schedule became available for purchase on December 22 last year.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The revised schedule introduces 230 more passenger trains, bringing the total to 13,028, alongside an increase of 91 freight trains, resulting in a total of 22,859.
Notably, cross-border services on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway have been significantly expanded, with daily cross-border high-speed trains now totaling 242. For the first time, direct train services will link Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station with the western and northern regions of China, enhancing travel and business connections between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.
In a bid to better connect regional hubs with the national high-speed network, the new timetable will greatly enhance accessibility for North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. New direct trains from the capital, Hohhot, to Shanghai in the east and to Xining in the west will dramatically cut travel times, fostering economic and cultural exchanges among these areas.
Intercity commuter services around Beijing will also benefit from improvements, with an additional 14 high-speed trains introduced to operate between the capital and neighboring cities. Additionally, longer-distance travel options are expanded with new services linking northeast China with other regions across the country.
The updated timetable prioritizes freight transport as well, with initiatives aimed at enhancing the organization of China-Europe freight train services. These efforts are crucial for ensuring smooth operations along vital international trade routes and helping to stabilize global supply chains.
On the passenger service front, China Railway is continuously enhancing its 12306 online ticketing platform to facilitate easier ticket access for key demographics, including students and migrant workers. Moreover, new measures are being introduced to tackle ticket scalping by unauthorized third-party platforms.
These updates are particularly noteworthy as they occur just before the Spring Festival travel period, a time characterized by significant migration within China as individuals return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Tickets for the new schedule became available for purchase on December 22 last year.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
