Bullet train ticket prices set to change in Southeast China

Ticket prices for certain bullet train routes in the southeastern coastal area of China will change from April 21, the People’s Daily reported on Thursday, citing a notice from the National Development and Reform Commission.

Some prices will increase while others will be lowered, depending on the route and train taken, it quoted the State-owned rail operator China Railway Corp as saying.

For example, a second-class bullet train ticket between Shenzhen to Chaoshan currently costs 89.5 yuan ($13). After the adjustment, tickets for this route will sell for 107, 102, 85 or 73 yuan, depending on the schedule of the train.

Last year, 818,000 trips were made by high-speed train each day, on average, in the country’s southeastern coastal area. On a typical day, there were 622 bullet trains operating at more than 80 percent occupancy.

Despite their popularity, some bullet train routes are still not profitable, China Railway Corp said, adding that it will continue to oversee the system according to the laws and regulations.