The price increase of high-speed rail has sparked heated discussions, and experts suggest that green cars can be selected
Friends, there is a hot topic recently, that is, the price of high-speed rail fares is going to rise! From June 15, the second-class ticket price of four high-speed rail lines including Beijing-Guangzhou and Shanghai-Kunming has increased by up to 20%. This is the largest price increase for high-speed rail in recent years.
The new fares will be implemented for the Wuguang section of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, the Shanghai-Hangzhou section of the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway, the Hangzhou-Changzhou section of the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway, and the Hangzhou-Ningbo section of the Hangzhou-Shenzhen railway. But don't be too anxious, these lines will also implement a "rising and falling" floating fare mechanism, with a minimum fare discount of up to 5.5%.
Why is the price going up? On the one hand, it is to improve the operation quality and service quality of high-speed rail, and attract more people to travel by high-speed rail. After all, the comfort and punctuality of high-speed rail are a big selling point. On the other hand, the operating costs of high-speed rail are also rising, and the national railway group as a whole is still in a state of loss, and it is helpless to improve the business environment by adjusting prices.
This wave of price increases is still quite large, and the reactions of netizens are also mixed. Some people support that price increases are good for improving service quality, while others question that the increase is too large and increases the burden of travel costs. For groups with lower income levels, experts suggest that you can choose to take the green car of the ordinary speed train to save costs.
The views of netizens are polarized, and experts support travel to save money
Regarding this high-speed rail price increase, netizens' opinions can be described as polarized. Netizens who support the price increase believe that increasing fares is conducive to improving the service quality of high-speed rail, after all, the operating costs of high-speed rail are rising. Only price increases can provide passengers with a better ride experience, such as more comfortable seats, more delicious meals, etc.
Netizens who oppose the price increase believe that high-speed rail is already a relatively expensive way to travel, and the price increase is as high as 20%, which will undoubtedly increase the travel burden of ordinary people. Especially for some families with poor economic conditions, the increase in high-speed rail fares will undoubtedly become a large expense.
In the face of controversy among netizens, some experts also put forward pertinent suggestions. They said that for groups with lower income levels, they can choose to travel in ordinary speed green cars, although the time is longer, but the fare is relatively much more affordable. At the same time, it also called on the railway authorities to make the discount as large as possible when implementing floating fares, so as to relieve the pressure on ordinary passengers.
On the other hand, the price increase of high-speed rail is also believed to be good for the development of the new energy vehicle market. Due to the rising cost of travel, many people are beginning to weigh the price difference between taking high-speed rail and self-driving. As an energy-saving and environmentally friendly travel mode with low long-term use cost, the relative cost performance of new energy vehicles will be improved, thereby attracting more people to buy.
In fact, in recent years, the mainland government has been vigorously supporting the development of the new energy vehicle industry, and has put forward the goal of striving for 45% of new vehicles to be added by 2027. The price increase of high-speed rail will undoubtedly bring certain opportunities for the development of the new energy vehicle market.
Weigh the pros and cons and call for reasonable price adjustment to protect the rights and interests of travel
Although the price increase of high-speed rail this time is large, it also has a certain reasonableness. After all, the operating costs of high-speed rail continue to rise, and appropriate adjustment of fares is conducive to improving operating conditions and providing better services for passengers. For some groups with poor economic conditions, the increase in high-speed rail fares will undoubtedly increase their travel burden.
From this point of view, the railway authorities should try to maximize the discount when implementing floating fares, so that ordinary passengers can also enjoy affordable fares. At the same time, more preferential policies can also be opened for some special groups, such as students and people with disabilities, to protect their basic travel rights.
On the other hand, the price increase of high-speed rail is good news for the development of the new energy vehicle market. Due to the rising cost of travel, many people will begin to re-weigh the difference between the price of taking high-speed rail and self-driving. As an energy-saving, environmentally friendly and low-cost travel mode for long-term use, the relative cost performance of new energy vehicles will be improved, thereby attracting more consumers.
When formulating the high-speed rail fare adjustment policy, the relevant departments should not only consider the operating conditions of the railway company, but also balance the travel rights and interests of ordinary passengers, and at the same time take into account the development needs of new energy vehicles and other related industries, so as to truly achieve a balance between the interests of multiple parties.
With the continuous development of the mainland's economy and society, people's travel demand will also increase day by day. As a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly mode of travel, high-speed rail will have more and more development prospects. Relevant departments should increase investment to continuously improve the operation quality and service level of high-speed rail, and provide passengers with a more comfortable and convenient travel experience.
It is also necessary to pay close attention to the impact of changes in high-speed rail fares on different groups, and take targeted preferential measures to truly make high-speed rail travel a beautiful experience that the people can afford and enjoy. Only in this way can the high-speed rail cause be stable and far-reaching, and make a modest contribution to the development of the mainland's modern transportation industry.