The further increase of train speed on　April　18, for the sixth time and on a large scale, heralds a new era for China’s railway transportation. As a result, the Chinese railway system has edged its way into the world’s leading countries of advanced railway technology.　

“The higher　price　of　the　newly　introduced domestically made CRH (China Railway High-speed) trains at 200 km/h and up, identified in timetables by the initial letter “D,”　are attributed to　a　series　of　factors such　as　the　state　of the　art technology，the enormous　cost　on　research　and　development，and the fast speed and the superb　service. However，the　Ministry of Railways will　consider　bringing down 　the　train fares　according　to　market　fluctuations,” remarked　Wang　Yongping， the　spokesman　from　the Ministry of Railways.

According to Wang，the　Ministry of Railways, based on its　market　predictions,　is making preparations　for　the　forthcoming　May　Day　Holiday　transportation rush. Therefore　it　is　foreseeable　that　the　speedup　for the sixth time will　alleviate during　the “Golden Week" the pressure　on　ticket purchasing　for train travels to some extent.

During　the　period　of　the　11th Five－Year　Plan，China　will　add　17，000 km length of railways, with the total reaching 100，000km by the year　2020. By then　the purchasing　of tickets　will　be　made much　easier. The　current　speedup　to　over　200km/h is a break through　on the basis of China's maximum speed of　200km/h and over on the existing railway　routes，which　is the　highest　speed　 of　trains　currently operating in　the　world. This means there　will　be　no　more large-scale speed-up　on　China's　existing railway lines.

It was reported　that　the　first　high－speed bullet　train　at　300km/h is scheduled to　roll off the production line by　the end of the year.