(Ecns.cn)--The first bullet train is set to fly on the landmark Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway at 3pm today, June 30. As many people are eager to sample the long-anticipated premium service, all seats have already been sold out.
Under full operation, the line will offer convenience to the public and ease the flow of people travelling to these destinations. It is expected to boost economies along the line, bringing both opportunities and challenges to these cities.
Single trip within 5 hours
The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line, with a total investment of about 220.9 billion yuan ($34.17bn USD), links three municipalities and four provinces, spanning 1,318 kilometers. There are 24 stations along the line, but bullet trains will not stop at each station.
The Ministry of Railways revealed that 90 pairs of trains will be running on the line every day at two operating speeds. Among the 90 pairs of bullet trains, 63 of them will run at the speed of 300 km/h while the other 27 pairs will run at 250 km/h.
Speed is the mesmerizing factor of bullet-train travel. For a single journey, the fastest travel time of the 300 km/h train on the Beijing-Shanghai line is 4 hours and 48 minutes, while the train running at 250 km/h will take 7 hours and 56 minutes.
Lowest price 410 yuan
The ticket fares will differ according to speed and class of train seats, ranging between 410 yuan ($63 USD) and 1,750 yuan ($270 USD), subject to further adjustments depending on market supply and demand.
One-way trips on the 250km/h train will cost 410 yuan for second-class tickets and 650 yuan for first-class. On the 300km/h train, tickets will cost 555 yuan for second-class, and 1,750 yuan for first-class.
Apart from a lower price compared to airlines, the Beijing-Shanghai line is more punctual and will curtail the time lost on the way to the airport, as well as the security check, before boarding. With inevitable competition, the high-speed line is expected to lure a number of passengers away from airlines.
Convenient ticket booking online
Travelers can book tickets for high-speed trains via telephone or the internet 10 days before departure. Telephone booking requires passengers to pay for the tickets at ticket booths in railway stations, but in online booking, customers must make a payment within 15 minutes.
Travelers can use the website of the China Railway Customer Service Center (www.12306.cn) to purchase tickets for the Beijing-Shanghai bullet trains, and then get paper tickets before boarding.
Opportunities and challenges for cities along the line
It is expected that the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line will bring economic development to many cities. After full operation, it will spur trade and boost the local tourism industry.
In fact, the economic benefits of the high-speed line already exist. In Jinan, the capital of eastern China's Shandong Province, the price of real estate has been increasing in areas close to the railway.
However, cities along the line are also confronted with many challenges. First, they have to improve the ancillary facilities, so as to make it convenient for travelers to move between the terminals and downtown.
Apart from that, local governments need to tackle problems that may create security hazards for the railway. For example, large illegal buildings, unlicensed premises, or manufacturers of inflammable and explosive goods may all pose a danger to the train’s smooth operation, requiring constant supervision.
