A bullet train runs on a bridge in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongheng)
Intercity bullet trains that can run up to 160 kph have started operation in Xinjiang in order to replace older and slower models.
URUMQI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Intercity bullet trains that can run up to 160 km per hour have been put into operation in order to replace older and slower models in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China.
The electric multiple units (EMU) train is named Fuxing, the same as the 350 km/h model that runs between Beijing and Shanghai. It can run on the existing rails in the region but has sealed compartments, internal temperature control and lower noise.
The first such trains started operation on August 8 from Urumqi to Korla, with a total of three pairs of trains running daily. The train can cut intercity travel time from five hours to three hours.
In the future, there will be 20 more sets of Fuxing trains linking multiple cities in the region, according to China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd.
"Now that Fuxing trains have been put into operation, more people can experience the convenience and improved service of bullet trains," said Song Qiang, deputy director of the passenger transport department of China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd.
The region received about 75.9 million visitors in the first half of this year, up 46 percent compared with the same period last year, according to regional officials.
