MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Beijing-Shanghai high speed train link begins commercial operations

Premier Wen Jibao and his delegation were among the passengers of the inaugural five-hour trip

High speed trains linking Beijing and Shanghai made their commercial debut on Thursday on a 33 billion US dollars track China hopes will open a new page to the country’s rail history and help ease its overloaded transport system.

Premier Wen Jiabao declared the link “in operation” at Beijing South rail station before boarding the first sleek-nosed white train that will take passengers to Shanghai, the country's commercial hub, in less than five hours.

He said the high speed line, launched on the eve of celebrations to mark the 90th birthday of China's communist party would be key to “improving the modern transport system ... and satisfying people's traveling needs.”

The line, which has been operating on a trial basis since mid-May, halves the journey time between the country's two main cities and could hurt airlines on the busy route plagued by delays and cancellations.

The fast link, which has been hit by safety concerns and graft, is opening a year ahead of schedule and will be able to carry 80 million passengers a year - double the current capacity on the 1,318-kilometre route.

One-way ticket prices will cost 410-1,750 Yuan (63 to 270 US dollars) subject to further adjustments, Vice-rail minsiter Hu Yadong said earlier this month, compared with about 1,300 Yuan for the air shuttle.

In response, airlines have slashed some ticket prices by up to 65% to below the cost of the cheapest rail pass, state media said on Wednesday, citing travel website ctrip.com.

The railway ministry has said the trains would run between 250 and 300 kilometers per hour on the new link, which is designed for a maximum speed of 380 kph.