ADB Grant Helps Expand China's Passenger Rail System

January 31, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

The government identified railway development as a priority and envisages expanding the rail network from 75,000 kilometers in 2004 to 100,000 by 2020, said ADB.

To improve operational efficiency, the Ministry of Railways (MOR) is planning to separate passenger and freight trains on key rail corridors, given that increasing urbanization and high economic growth rates are pushing up the demand for passenger transport.

Under the TA, a team of international and national experts will review current practices in the country, research international experiences and recommend actions to help MOR manage rail passenger operations more efficiently.

"Even though China's railways in recent years have made significant progress, they are unable to meet increasing demand for passenger transport," said Manmohan Parkash, an ADB senior transport specialist. "MOR has an ambitious plan to develop 12,000 kilometers of dedicated passenger rail network by 2020. This is a new concept for the country requiring a different kind of management and planning than it is accustomed to."

The method, basis, process and planning for train operations on a dedicated passenger network as well as other operating issues are different from those of conventional railways lines, said ADB. Safety, reliability and punctuality are key parameters to decide the number of trains that can run between destinations.

Other concerns are the viability of passenger operations and the supply of support services, such as passenger amenities, stations and information and reservation systems.

The estimated total cost of the TA is $780,000, of which MOR will finance about $180,000 in counterpart staff and facilities. MOR is the executing agency for the TA, which is due for completion around the end of September 2007.

Source: Asian Development Bank (ADB).