When it comes to high-speed rail, it's a love-hate topic. Recently, as soon as the news that the high-speed rail fare will rise by 20% came out, the Internet exploded, and everyone talked about it.
Think about it, the ticket that was originally 500 yuan has to pay 600 yuan, which is not a small amount. Especially for those of us who travel a lot or like to wander around, this price increase is no joke.
Let's do the math first, for example, from Hangzhou East to Changsha South, the second-class ticket price jumped directly from 405 to 485, and the increase of 80 yuan is not a small amount.
For another example, from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East, the one-way ticket price has risen from 73 to 87, which is also a tight increase. Also, the second-class ticket price from Wuhan to Guangzhou has risen from 463 to 553, which is a distressing increase.
The reactions of netizens are also varied, some question the reasonableness of the price increase, and some are worried about whether the service quality after the price increase can keep up.
12306's response is that price increases are market behaviors that will respond by improving the quality of service. But to be honest, can this improvement in service quality really keep up with the increase in ticket prices?
"Tickets used to be cheap, but now they are expensive and I can't afford them." This sounds quite sad, but it does reflect the voices of many people. There is nothing to say about the convenience of high-speed rail, but if the fare becomes the threshold, is this convenience worth it?
There are also netizens who have calculated that now not only high-speed rail, but also food, clothing, and use, almost all daily necessities are rising in price. The rate of wage growth is far from keeping pace with the rate of price increases, so how can this stimulate consumption? How to expand domestic demand?
What's more interesting is that some people who understand say that high-speed rail was originally for white-collar workers and business people, who don't care about price increases, they care about time and convenience.
It sounds a bit harsh, but it makes sense. No matter how rich the migrant worker brothers are, they may not choose to take the high-speed rail, which is indeed a reality.
Let's take a look at the cost of high-speed rail. The construction and operating costs of high-speed rail are indeed high, but the fare has risen too sharply. The gross profit margin of most industries is less than 10%, and the high-speed rail has risen by 20% all of a sudden, which is really not low.
Moreover, is the decision-making process of this price increase really transparent? Is the public's opinion really being fully heard? These are questions worth pondering.
Let's take a look at the international situation. Japan's Shinkansen, France's TGV, and high-speed rail fares in these countries are not low, but they are still acceptable relative to local income levels and price levels.
In contrast, is the increase in high-speed rail fares in China a bit out of the affordability of ordinary people?
To be honest, the price increase of high-speed rail may bring certain economic benefits in the short term, but in the long run, it may damage the public welfare and inclusiveness of high-speed rail.
High-speed rail should not only be a speeding train, but also a warm bridge connecting the hearts of hundreds of millions of people. It's okay to raise the price, but please give the public a reasonable explanation, an acceptable reason.
What we look forward to is the simultaneous improvement of service quality, the openness and transparency of the decision-making process, and the full respect of public opinions. Otherwise, the price increase of high-speed rail will only become a game of "cutting leeks" with no winners.
In the final analysis, the price increase of high-speed rail is not a simple number game, it is related to everyone's travel cost and social fairness and justice.
What we need is a solution that can not only guarantee economic benefits, but also reflect social care. After all, isn't the original intention of high-speed rail to serve the people and facilitate travel?
So, the high-speed rail department, can we sit down and have a good chat and find a balance that can meet the needs of development without discouraging the people? After all, the price increase of high-speed rail is not a trivial matter, it is related to the daily life of thousands of households and the vital interests of everyone.