Railway's economic impacts

The new line is expected to provide travellers with more options and has wider impact on economy.

PKG

With the opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed rail, more peopleare ready to take a fast ride.

Tickets for the new line started selling at Zhengzhou Station a week before it goes into service.

From Wednesday on, 37 trains shuttle between Zhengzhou and Beijing everyday, in every 19 minutes on each way.

...Beating air travels in terms of convenience.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) PASSENGER:

"I'd like to take the bullet train. The flights may be delayed. But the trains will arrive on time."

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) PASSENGER:

"Speaking of shorter trips like Zhengzhou to Beijing, I'd rather take trains. It's fast and convenient, and there are abundant trains."

To win back passengers, most airlines have offered ticket price cut when the flights' routes overlap with the high-speed rail.

Fares for short- and intermediate trips are cut by up to 60 percent.

Though much faster than China's conventional rolling stock, the ride on the aerodynamic bullet train is smooth.

Passengers can enjoy cosy seats, personal entertainment system and various food and snacks, just like in a flight cabin.

But the cost for such a ride also rivals their flying counterparts.

A second-class ticket from Beijing to Guangzhou is 138 dollars while the cheapest air ticket costs only four dollars more. And flying is 79 dollars lower than first-class train tickets.

Some worry the bullet trains will replace ordinary trains and limits their choices.

But the country's railway ministry is trying to dispel such worries.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) PENG ZHIBING, Railway official:

"Some netizens are worried that more high speed trains will mean fewer ordinary trains, thus limiting their choices. But I am sure that the number of ordinary trains will not be reduced, and the passengers will have more options for travelling."

Official say the new line has a broader meaning and great potential, as it links China's for major economic circles.

It's expected to boost tourism, logistic industry and various others in the future.

Statistics show that 8 percent of the country's cargo will travel on the line.

And the rail will also see 18 percent of trips made by passengers.

TAG

Millions of people will travel across the country in the world's largest annual migration.

That's China's Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February.

Sure it'll be a test for the new line...