China's rail authorities roll out new steps to enhance the service

China's railway authorities have introduced a series of new measures to improve the passenger experience, focusing on greater speed, comfort, and convenience, according to the national railway operator China State Railway Group on Tuesday.

Since the beginning of this year, the railway sector has worked to optimize passenger service and meet travelers' growing expectations for high-quality journeys. A range of new train services, ticketing upgrades, and digital innovations are helping passengers enjoy faster and more comfortable trips, the company said.

In the fourth quarter, 266 benchmark high-speed trains — featuring fewer stops and shorter travel times — have been added on key routes such as the Beijing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Kunming, and Beijing-Harbin high-speed railway lines, further shortening intercity travel times.

To make long-distance travel more flexible, new overnight high-speed sleeper trains now link major cities, including Beijing and Chengdu, Beijing and Guiyang, Shanghai and Chengdu, and Shanghai and Yibin. These routes connect key urban clusters such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing region, allowing passengers to travel overnight and explore by day.

Rail operators have also expanded metro-style intercity services in regions with strong commuting demand. The Beijing-Tianjin intercity railway now runs up to 232 trains daily, with the shortest interval between departures just three minutes. The Yangtze River Delta network operates over 1,100 intercity trains daily, while the Greater Bay Area and the Chengdu-Chongqing region run hundreds of high-frequency services, aiming to boost regional integration.

Passenger benefits have also been upgraded. Seniors and young travelers can now enjoy greater rewards and more flexible ticket options, while students benefit from simpler booking through the 12306 online platform and broader discounts that cover all seat classes, including sleepers.

Railway e-ticketing has been fully digitalized nationwide, with flexible ticket types such as multi-trip and periodic passes now available on 73 routes. Additional upgrades include quiet carriages, online meal ordering at 94 stations, pet transport services on 54 trains, and luggage delivery at 19 stations.

Through these initiatives, China's railways are continuing to transform from a fast transportation network into a modern, people-centered service system — helping travelers across the country reach their "poetic destinations" with greater ease and comfort, the company said.