This Day, That Year

Item from Aug 15, 1988, in China Daily: Today, traveling by train is becoming more of an ordeal than anything else.

For most passengers, the trip in a packed train guarantees thirst, swelling feet and fatigue.

Train trips are much faster, more convenient and comfortable for passengers as the China Railway Corp looks to improve service and raise speed.

Since its debut in 2008, the country has built the world's longest high-speed network, stretching 22,000 kilometers by the end of last year, which sees high-speed trains run in the 250-350 kilometer per hour range.

By last year, there had been more than 5 billion passenger trips on the country's bullet trains in eight years.

Unlike the past crowded carriages, the seats for bullet trains are like those on an airplane only bigger and with more legroom with small tables in the front and a rack for magazines, trash bags and directories in the back.

In addition, the dining car waiters and waitresses are attired in smart uniforms similar to those worn by aircraft cabin crew as they push food-and-drink trolleys down the aisle.

Last month, passengers on bullet trains at 27 high-speed rail stations in 24 cities could order food online from restaurants and have it delivered to their seats.

Chinese bullet trains have been bought by various countries including Indonesia, Russia and India.

Engineers are working on next-generation bullet trains with a maximum speed of 400 km/h.