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Improved train service aims to offer more convenience

Reporter: Meng Qingsheng 丨 CCTV.com

07-01-2016 17:34 BJT

July 1st also marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway line. Over the years, the trains traveling along the 'roof of the world' have brought huge changes to people's social and economic life. And the train service itself has also undergone changes. CCTV reporter got on the train, and experienced the whole journey.

Xining, the starting point of the complete Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The "Sky Road" extends into the distance for nearly two thousand kilometers.

Just like ten years ago, it still takes roughly 22 hours to complete the train journey from Xining to Lhasa. And now, it's time to get on board, and explore what's new."

There are now six trains running to Lhasa on a daily basis. They are always fully occupied. For Tibetan locals, the service expands their circle of life.

"I first took the train in 2012. I think the train is very convenient for my life, and it's very safe to travel by," said Dangxiong resident Zhasi.

Martine Bonnet is deeply attracted to the Tibetan culture. It's her first time to take the train.

"The train is quite clean. There are some places that do not exist in France like the seats on the corridor very nice and practice to eat. And I like this idea. Really, it's very nice," said tourist from France Martine Bonnet.

The train has a special carriage for delivering goods to and from Tibet.

"When the railway line was launched, there were only goods traveling to Tibet, and there's nothing from Tibet. Now, the amount of goods from both directions is hugely increasing," said Li Pei, crew member of Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company.

After traveling for 14 hours, we approach the Tanggula Pass, the highest point of the line.

It's 4pm now. The train is traveling at an altitude of more than five thousand meters above sea level. Compared to previous trains, this one features an improved oxygen supply system, and can help passengers better cope with altitude sickness.

With morning approaching, the train's conductor continues her routine checks as her night shift comes to an end.

"I think the hardware, including the train model, structure, and decorations have improved a lot. They are more well-equiped, and more advanced. Besides, most of the crew nembers are in their mid-twenties. This is different from when I started working here," said Wang Xiaoyan, conductor of Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company.

Those improvements have also impressed Ms. Guan. She has taken the train almost every year since it was launched.

"The trains back then were very small, and the environment, especialy the air inside carriages, was not very good. But now, the traveling experience is different. The space is bigger and it's very comfortable," said passenger Guan Xiangyi.

Over the years, the train service has made more than one hundred million passenger trips. And there is a steady annual growth of 15 percent.

The 22-hour journey has now come to an end. We can see from this trip that changes and improvements have been made in the ten years since the service was launched. The railway company has decided to expand its delivery capacity and make this sky road more convenient and accessible.

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