Discount on high-speed train tickets extended

Railway authorities have again extended the discount season for high-speed trains traveling between Shanghai and Nanjing as well as Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Passengers who buy business-class and top-class tickets will continue to receive a discount of up to 30 percent after this month.

This is the third time that the high-speed trains on these two lines have applied a preferential price policy. The price of business-class tickets was first reduced by 30 percent from May 18 to June 20, and top-class tickets were cut by 10 percent. The discount policy was later extended until the end of August.

The Shanghai Railway Bureau said 113 high-speed trains will be available at a preferential price, and some of the discounts will be determined by sales and date of purchase.

According to the railway bureau, the last discount offered increased sales of business and top-class tickets by 10 percent.

Business and top-class seats account for 2 percent of a high-speed train's total capacity.

Many web users posted photos online showing empty compartments on high-speed trains in May, when China's high-speed railways offered discounts for the first time. There have also been people demanding discounts for frequent riders and students, who used to enjoy cheaper tickets on slower trains.

Ma Yiyun contributed to the story.

shiyingying@chinadaily.com.cn