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Q: Now that there are so many bullet trains around, will you take planes less?
It's certainly a lot easier to just head down to the train station and hop on a train rather than go through customs and wait for planes etc. Although the prices of the bullets aren't that cheap I too.
10 years 44 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
If it's a short distance I'll take the bullet, though long distances can be expensive. For example, Handan to Shenzhen is 800 kuai. I can fly to Shenzhen for half that if I book early.
Rin:
I've been here three years, always had an airport, but only flys to bigger cities.
Nope.
The lines were built too fast. Stable high speed train rail bridges require a certain element in their construction to be safe and stable beyond a year or two. Can't remember the name off the top of my head, but I do know that though the railway ministry of course claims they used it, they can't have. They built more bridges than there was world supply of this element.
The crashes will begin soon.
woody:
The component is fly ash and it is a byproduct of efficient coal fired power stations. Apparently China does not produce enough of this to meet the needs for all the high strength concrete it uses. I am no structural engineer but I would think that this will probably not lead to rapid failure of the elevated high speed lines. Rather it will become a maintenance issue. As long as the track geometry remains within limits all should be fine for the trains. The track geometry would be accurately evaluated on a regular basis by track recording cars or by onboard geometry measuring systems within some of the trains.
Yes. I'm an avid train/plane traveler, but bullet trains are extremely convienent to get to places where it costs 2-10 times more for a plane ticket. I use bullet trains as often as possible, since the slower variants are screwed up.
If I want to go from my current city to Beijing by speed train, it will take me maybe 3-4 hours, but it will cost two or three times less than a plane ticket.
Yes, I like traveling on the high speed trains. The toilets are always clean and in good condition too.
I love train travel. My preferred method of overland conveyance in Europe.
Been on a bullet train twice in China and although an improvement over the trains of yore, still not so "bullet-like". Too many stops, too crowded - some bullets sell SRO tickets - and the "dining" cars are too small and not so inviting...
Like many posters have said, flying can be cheaper and more convenient despite the security checks and departure delays.
I'll fly. Unless I'm not in a hurry.
I am also a train lover.My job in Australia means I am heavily involved in track inspection and maintenance although not in the high speed area. i have a decent understanding of the types of systems that are used to maintain geometry at safe levels, ultrasonically test rails & wheels so that they don't break ect. so I don't feel unsafe. So with reasonable confidence in the technology I can sit back and enjoy the real benefit of rail travel. The view out the window and the ability to deliver me into the heart of each city. By the way I love the old trains too.
