High Speed, High Price

As China Expands its high speed rail system, some of the country's rural poor have criticized the trains for being too expensive.

1 minute read

May 22, 2010, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"'It is ok if you take it once a year, but too costly for frequent commuters like me and many others,' said Li, an employee with a Beijing-based international trade company.

A second-class ticket costs 58 yuan ($8.49) for the 120 kilometer trip, which takes 30 minutes. Ordinary trains between the two cities take around 90 minutes, but only cost about 20 yuan ($2.93).

The high price for tickets on two other newly-built high-speed railways in the country, the Wuhan-Guagnzhou and Zhengzhou-Xi'an lines, has also been criticized."

But according to officials, there are no plans to reduce the fares.

Thanks to The Overhead Wire

FULL STORY: High-speed rail saves time, but price gives pause

Thursday, May 20, 2010 in Global Times

Social / Demographics Transportation China High Speed Rail Commuters Fares High Prices Rural Poor View More

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