Trains, Planes or Automobiles: How do you want to Travel?

As we all know China is the most populated country in the world with busy cities and bustling streets. The land is widespread and citizens need to get from city to city for intentions such as getting to work, seeing family, sight seeing, meeting a business partner, or the delivery of a service or product. Transportation is vital in a country with these characteristics, so the competition for the best mode of transportation creates much rivalry between China’s major inland transporters:  the airline, high-speed rail transit (HSR), and roadway industries.

Airlines and Roads Compete with HSR

The rail system industry faces fierce competition from other modes of transportation. First is the air transportation in China. China airlines have been fighting the war against rail travel since the first day it was instigated. Airline companies are doing everything they can to increase sales. They are opening more flights so citizens can get more places. In addition, airlines have really focused on reducing prices. Does this stand up to the high-speed rail transit though?

The road sectors have also improved over the past years. The Republic of China has intensified its construction and efficiency for road travel. Highways have been groomed and better road designs have been engineered. Imagine driving on bumpy roads with thousands of cars beeping and trying to get off exits to Shanghai or Beijing. That sounds miserable and exactly what China’s citizens have been dealing with, but now it’s seeing gradual development in improved driving conditions.

Railway Expertise

Despite all the preceding information, rail travel in China is travelling on the fast path to success. There are many positive features to jumping on a train and heading to your destination. Yes, the airline and road methods of travel sound appealing and their advancements are attractive, but they don’t match the newly designed rail system. The high-speed rail is not only apparently fast, but there are several other beneficial factors luring customers in.

Captivating Elements

Time Reduction- The greatest advantage of train travel compared to flying is the saved time. To take a flight you have to arrive hours prior to departure, especially in China. There is a long wait to deplane, going through baggage checks, and more. Instead of being jostled and examined through the check-in process, passengers silently and quickly enter the pressurized doors. You can check in on the train within 20 minutes of departure, with no hassle from security or other angry, impatient employees. Also, weather does not play as much as a factor. Snow or rain can greatly delay or cancel travel plans when driving in a car or flying on a plane. 

Price Difference- Train travel is much less expensive than flying and more cost-efficient for both passengers and freight. A plane ticket and other costs that follow with airline travel exceed railway costs. Also when you account for the gas that can be spent by taking a car, that can become just as costly. Speaking of freight costs, rail transits help many companies increase business success by reducing expenses. This will also help clear up highways from large carriers and other transporters of goods.

Energy Saver- Train travel is greener. While millions of cars and planes pollute the world everyday, trains have become electric. Gases and other pollutants are not involved with the trains and help preserve our environment.

More Luxury- Carriages are wide, with far more legroom and headroom compared to airplanes, and most cars. The seats are wide and comfortable, and can also recline, with a folding table between seats. There is an adequate amount of luggage room, and also area to walk around. There is also Wi-Fi for mobile phones and laptops, and power supplies for plug-ins for those who want to take advantage of their time and get some work done. The trains are quiet compared to a plane engine. Food and drink carts come regularly, and are easy to roll down the aisles. The train brings comfort and reliability.

Success of the High-Speed Rail Transit

Many rail transit routes have bridged important cities like Zhengzhou and Xi’an, cutting off airline flights. The rail system has just made so many accomplishments. Travelers prefer a two-hour train ride that cost $57 to a 40-minute flight that cost $73, not including all the extra comfort and ease that accompanies riding on a train. And certainly it is much preferable to the prospect of several hundred million cars on the nation's highways.

Many other countries want this system badly, particularly the United States. Obama says China is making great strides in this industry. They are creating jobs from railway construction, while we are falling behind. Sooner or later, American citizens are going to be complaining that travel from cities like New York to Baltimore, Los Angeles to Denver, Florida to Dallas, or Detroit to Pittsburgh are way too slow and unpleasant. China’s high-speed rail system has excelled any other rail system in the world, and the countries listening to this news are becoming envious.  If given the option, which mode of transportation would you choose: trains, planes or automobiles? I'd say a train...

By: Eric Hickman