From: Shenzhen Daily | Updated:2024-06-17
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is set to revolutionize transportation by constructing the most dense and comprehensive railway network globally, as per recent developments announced by China Railway Guangzhou Group Co. Ltd.
Commencing on Saturday at midnight, a nationwide railway schedule adjustment witnesses the introduction of an additional 75 passenger trains daily. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity between the central region and the GBA, thereby boosting transport capacity, service quality, and operational efficiency.
Significantly, travel times from the Shenzhen North Railway Station to Changsha, Wuhan, and Beijing have been reduced, which results in travel cuts of 14 minutes, 20 minutes, and 20 minutes respectively.
Looking ahead, the GBA will see the development of a railway network with an operational and under-construction mileage set to reach 4,700 kilometers by 2025. This network will cover central cities, key urban clusters like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and nodal cities within the GBA. By 2035, the operational and under-construction railway mileage in the area is projected to reach 5,700 kilometers, encompassing all cities above the county level.
This expansion will enable commuters to reach major cities in the GBA within 30 minutes from Guangzhou, within one to two hours from key provincial cities, within three hours from nearby provincial capitals, and within four to six hours from cities in the Yangtze River Delta and Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration.
A focal point of the recent schedule adjustment is the enhancement of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen intercity capacity to aid in the creation of a “one-hour living circle” in the area. Notably, 10 new Guangzhou-Shenzhen intercity trains have been added, totaling 162 trains. Among these, 57 new trains connect Guangzhou Baiyun to Shenzhen, marking a 103.5% increase.
The plan also involves constructing the Datian Logistics Center to serve as a top-tier logistics base, enhancing air-rail and rail-water intermodal transportation.
According to the plan, Guangzhou will integrate high-speed rail into its central city area, aiming to transform the Guangzhou railway hub into a world-class transportation hub. Noteworthy additions in the recent schedule adjustment include eight new trains originating and terminating at Guangzhou station on the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail line and 10 trains, including sleeper cars, stopping at Guangzhou and Guangzhou East stations.
With the implementation of the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Intercity Railway Construction Plan,” the development of the Guangzhou Railway Hub will expand to include 14 high-speed rail or intercity railway stations, facilitating easy access to rail travel from multiple points within the hub.