China's first HSR designed for 350 km/h delivers 340 mln passenger trips in 15 years
Updated: August 2, 2023 11:06Xinhua
A train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway leaves the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
BEIJING, Aug. 1 -- A train coded C2551 slowly pulled out of the Beijing South Railway Station and headed for Tianjin Binhai New Area Tuesday morning, marking the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway.
As the first high-speed railway (HSR) with a design speed of 350 km per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation.
Over the past 15 years, the daily frequency of trains running on the rail line has increased from 47 pairs to 128 pairs, and the shortest departure interval has been shortened from 15 minutes to 3 minutes, according to data from the China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd.
Wang Manman, a resident of Wuqing District, Tianjin Municipality, takes the bullet train to work in Beijing every day. The quickest journey takes only about 20 minutes, and there are eleven trains for her to choose flexibly during the morning rush hour from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
The operation of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in August 2008 was strong support for the hosting of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and has accelerated regional integration and development. It has also unveiled a fast-expanding modern HSR network in the world's most populous nation, coupled with its booming economy.
By 2022, China had 42,000 km of operational HSR, ranking first in the world, and the length of high-speed rail regularly operating at 350 km per hour neared 3,200 km as of June 2022.
High-speed trains have changed people's commute circle and lifestyle and greatly optimized resource allocation, noted Cheng Shidong, a transport official with the National Development and Reform Commission.
Passengers wait to board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Tianjin Railway Station in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Passengers wait to board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Tianjin Railway Station in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Passengers are pictured aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A passenger shows a ticket he bought on Aug. 1, 2008 when the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway started operation at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Passengers wait to board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2023 shows the waiting hall of the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
A train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway (L) waits for passengers at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
A conductor presents a 15th-anniversary souvenir to a passenger aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A conductor presents a 15th-anniversary souvenir to a passenger aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A driver is on duty aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, July 26, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
Passengers board a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway leaving the Tanggu Station in north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway about to enter the Tanggu Station in north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
