High-speed cargo next on China's rail agenda｜Markets｜Business｜WantChinaTimes.com
China Railway Group is planning to increase the number of cargo trains on its high speed railway services, reports the National Business Daily.
The spur behind the growing burden on the nation's railways is none other than e-commerce, which is reshaping the country's logistics as it expands at breakneck speed, said an insider. While cargo trains are currently appendages on regular passenger routes, the high-speed rail firm is looking into exclusive cargo lines if demand requires it.
"The policy is quite clear. We want to compete with airlines with our 300-km passenger train services with lower fees, while also increasing our regular cargo trains, which will travel at 160km an hour, to compete with trucks," the source said.
The source said that 160 km/hour cargo trains will be available before the end of the year, though cargo high-speed trains will not be available anytime soon.
High speed train manufacturers said they have no problem manufacturing high speed cargo trains. The cost would actually be cheaper to manufacture cars without seats, luggage racks and interior decoration.
Logistics businesses welcome the policy, said the report. There used to be limited space for cargo on a high speed train and limits on the cargo they can ship. These bans, however, will all be lifted and become more flexible once exclusive cargo trains become available.
Compare with airplanes, trains are less prone to technical problems and inclement weather conditions, and have the environment edge to boot.
China Railway Group is planning to increase the number of cargo trains on its high speed railway services, reports the National Business Daily.
The spur behind the growing burden on the nation's railways is none other than e-commerce, which is reshaping the country's logistics as it expands at breakneck speed, said an insider. While cargo trains are currently appendages on regular passenger routes, the high-speed rail firm is looking into exclusive cargo lines if demand requires it.
"The policy is quite clear. We want to compete with airlines with our 300-km passenger train services with lower fees, while also increasing our regular cargo trains, which will travel at 160km an hour, to compete with trucks," the source said.
The source said that 160 km/hour cargo trains will be available before the end of the year, though cargo high-speed trains will not be available anytime soon.
High speed train manufacturers said they have no problem manufacturing high speed cargo trains. The cost would actually be cheaper to manufacture cars without seats, luggage racks and interior decoration.
Logistics businesses welcome the policy, said the report. There used to be limited space for cargo on a high speed train and limits on the cargo they can ship. These bans, however, will all be lifted and become more flexible once exclusive cargo trains become available.
Compare with airplanes, trains are less prone to technical problems and inclement weather conditions, and have the environment edge to boot.
