The increase in railway fares has sparked heated discussions, and the cost of passenger travel is in a dilemma
Recently, the railway department announced the implementation of fare adjustments for high-speed rail lines, resulting in a significant increase in passenger travel costs, which has aroused widespread concern and heated discussions in the society. This initiative aims to stimulate potential passenger consumption demand, promote passenger flow growth and improve service quality through a market-based pricing mechanism. However, at the same time, it also increases the travel burden of the majority of passengers, especially for the groups that often take high-speed rail.
The price increase is obvious, and the pressure on special groups has increased
According to the announcement, the published fares of the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed railway will be increased by about 20% compared with the current fares, including the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail section of the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed railway, the Shanghai-Hangzhou passenger dedicated, the Shanghai-Kunming passenger dedicated, the Hangzhou-Ningbo passenger dedicated, and the Hangzhou-Ningbo passenger dedicated. Taking Wuhan to Guangzhou South as an example, the latest announced ticket price for a second-class seat is 553 yuan, an increase of 19.3% compared with the current price. Some popular routes have seen higher increases, such as the announced ticket price of 485 yuan for second-class seats from Hangzhou East to Changsha South, an increase of 19.8% from the current price.
For special groups such as students and people with disabilities, the increase in high-speed rail fares has undoubtedly increased their travel burden. According to statistics, there are currently about 25 million disabled people in the mainland, and a significant number of them rely on high-speed rail to travel. Millions of students need to travel home or study in other places every year, and rising fares will also affect their travel plans and household expenses. Travellers have reported increased pressure and are considering switching to other modes of transport.
The railway department called maintenance operations, called for the optimization of the structure
In response to the price adjustment, the railway department explained that the operation and maintenance costs of high-speed rail lines are rising, and the existing single fare mechanism is no longer suitable for market-oriented operation. In 2023 alone, China Railway Group will receive 8.8 billion yuan in government subsidies, and if subsidies are removed, the whole will still be in a state of loss. A moderate increase in the fare of popular routes is conducive to increasing revenue, improving operating conditions and achieving sustainable development.
The railway authorities also called for optimizing the structure of rail transport and increasing transport capacity to provide a better travel experience for passengers. In recent years, the passenger volume and operating mileage of the national railway have continued to grow, and the number of passengers sent in a single day in 2023 will exceed 20 million, a record high. Therefore, through structural optimization and capacity improvement, it may be possible to further meet the growing demand for passenger transport.
There are differences in all sectors of society, and rational choice is the key
There are different voices from all walks of life for this price increase. Proponents believe that a moderate price increase is conducive to the long-term development of the railway industry and the long-term interests of the public. However, some passengers questioned the increase and called on the railway authorities to find a balance between maintaining operations and protecting people's livelihoods.
Experts suggest that the railway authorities can give certain preferential policies to groups such as commuters who often take high-speed rail to avoid overburdening them. Passengers can also choose the mode and time of travel reasonably according to their own situation to minimize the cost pressure.
The adjustment of railway fares is related to people's livelihood and has a wide impact. All parties need to maintain rational communication and seek a balance between maintaining operations and safeguarding people's livelihoods, so that rail travel can return to its original purpose of convenience and efficiency. Through policy guidance and market regulation, we will promote the healthy development of the railway industry and better meet the travel needs of the people.