Increases aim to defray costs, ease peak loads in China’s railway network

Ticket prices for some bullet trains traveling in China’s southeastern coastal area will be adjusted from April 21, according to China Railway Corp.

The move will affect trains running at 200 to 250 kilometers per hour between Shanghai and Shenzhen, Guangdong province, two major economic hubs along the eastern coast, the Stateowned railway operator said.

The 1,623-km ShanghaiShenzhen link consists of three sections — Shanghai to Hangzhou; Hangzhou to Ningbo; and Ningbo to Shenzhen.

After the adjustment, some prices will increase, while others will be lowered, depending on the route and train a passenger takes, China Railway said.

Prices will go up by more than 50 percent for most first-class seats on bullet trains traveling on the 1,309km section from Ningbo to Shenzhen, while prices for second-class seats on the route will climb by 16 to 20 percent

Price hikes for most first-class seats on bullet trains traveling from Ningbo to Shenzhen

percent. The prices for second-class seats from Shanghai to Hangzhou and from Hangzhou to Ningbo will rise by more than 10 percent.

For example, a second-class ticket between Shenzhen and Chaoshan now costs just under 90 yuan ($13). After the adjustment, tickets for this route will sell for 107, 102, 85 or 73 yuan, depending on the schedule.

Industry observers said the changes are aimed at using price adjustments to compensate the high construction and operational costs of China’s vast high-speed railway network and to help mitigate rail transport peaks, as some price-sensitive passengers are expected to avoid some trains at peak periods