Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    THE Futian railway station opened high-speed trains to Pingshan on Thursday, the first day of new national railway schedule and the first anniversary of the station.

    The first train leaves Futian CBD at 8:45 a.m. and arrives at Pingshan at 9:33 a.m.

    The trip, which takes about 48 minutes, is a little bit longer for morning riders, especially when it stops at Shenzhen North Railway Station for more than 20 minutes.

    “It only takes 10 minutes to get to Shenzhen North Railway Station, but we have to wait for 20 minutes for its departure from the station to Pingshan. Why?” a young rider named Zhang asked.

    According to the operator, the trains between Futian and Pingshan were added to the tight national train operation schedule and must give way to other long-distance trains. It also takes time for the trains to make a U-turn before heading to Pingshan.

    It takes about 45-60 minutes to get to Pingshan from Futian by car if the expressways aren’t congested.

    “Anyway, it is very convenient,” said a woman named Tao who works in Pingshan and lives in Futian.

    “I don’t need to drive or fear traffic congestions,” Tao added. Yao bought a first-class seater ticket for 33.50 yuan (US$4.86) and became one of the train’s first passengers. The fare for a second-class seat is 25.50 yuan.

    “If the train started a little bit earlier and the fare was a little bit lower, it would be better for morning commuters to Pingshan,” Tao suggested.

    The morning train from Pingshan to Futian, which leaves at 7:32 a.m., is definitely good for the morning commute of those who live in Pingshan and work in Futian.

    Tao Yongxin, head of Pingshan New Area Administrative Committee, said that the new area government would work with the railway operator to optimize the fast transit service.

    The operator now operates three pairs of trains between Futian and Pingshan, in the morning, at noon and in the evening.

    Also starting Thursday, Futian Station will operate 12.5 pairs of long-distance trains between Beijing, Changsha, Huaihua, Shaoyang and Yongzhou.

    The trains won’t pick up or drop off passengers at Shenzhen North Railway Station.

    In the new schedule, one pair of intercity trains — C6801/16 — runs between Futian and Huizhou South and five pairs of trains — C7201/2,C7203/4,C7205/6,C7207/8 and C7209/10 — run between Shenzhen North and Shanwei.

    Train C6816 leaves Futian at 6:38 a.m. and arrives at Huizhou South Station in an hour. The morning train leaves from Huizhou at 7:20 a.m. and arrives at Futian at 8:17 a.m.