China-Laos Railway becomes a busy passenger and freight link
The China-Laos railway, which opened in December last year, has experienced significant transportation growth since its launch both in terms of passenger and freight volume, operator China-Laos Railway Company said.
As of May 3, the international rail corridor between China’s southern city of Kunming and Laos’ capital Vientiane had handled more than 2.7 million passenger trips and 2.9 million metric tons of cargo in the five months since opening.
The line transported 1.1 million tons of cargo between April 4 and May 3 alone, more than five times the volume transported in the first month of operation after seven new freight stations between Vientiane and Laos’ northern border have been opened.
The section of the railway in China handled nearly 2.39 million passenger trips, while the section in Laos transported 312,000, the operator said.
Commodities, fertiliser and electronics as cargo
Most of the goods transported by the railway are iron ore, rubber and other commodities, as well as fertiliser, electronics, automobiles and flowers. Agricultural products are scheduled for transport starting in July this year.
The line has transported cargo bound for more than ten countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore. Cross-border e-commerce cargo is increasingly being transported by the railway, mainly originating from Kunming Free Trade Zone in southern China.
Cheaper connections for commuters in Laos
In terms of passenger transport, cheaper services at a slower speed are offered on the Laos section in order to cater to the diverse needs of travelers. Regular trains will travel at up to 120 kilometers per hour for commuters between Vientiane and Boten, a northern border city in Laos.
However, travelers can also take high-speed trains between the two cities that run at up to 160 kilometers per hour at slightly higher ticket prices.
Currently, eight bullet trains and two regular trains are operated daily in Laos, and 36 high-speed trains are operated on the Chinese section. More trains run during holidays in the two countries.
The China-Laos Railway is a project within China’s Belt and Road Initiative and part of Laos’ strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked destination.
The China-Laos railway, which opened in December last year, has experienced significant transportation growth since its launch both in terms of passenger and freight volume, operator China-Laos Railway Company said. As of May 3, the international rail corridor between China’s southern city of Kunming and Laos’ capital Vientiane had handled more than 2.7 million passenger trips and 2.9 million metric tons of cargo in the five months since opening. The line transported 1.1 million tons of cargo between April 4 and May 3 alone, more than five times the volume transported in the first month of operation after seven new...
The China-Laos railway, which opened in December last year, has experienced significant transportation growth since its launch both in terms of passenger and freight volume, operator China-Laos Railway Company said.
As of May 3, the international rail corridor between China’s southern city of Kunming and Laos’ capital Vientiane had handled more than 2.7 million passenger trips and 2.9 million metric tons of cargo in the five months since opening.
The line transported 1.1 million tons of cargo between April 4 and May 3 alone, more than five times the volume transported in the first month of operation after seven new freight stations between Vientiane and Laos’ northern border have been opened.
The section of the railway in China handled nearly 2.39 million passenger trips, while the section in Laos transported 312,000, the operator said.
Commodities, fertiliser and electronics as cargo
Most of the goods transported by the railway are iron ore, rubber and other commodities, as well as fertiliser, electronics, automobiles and flowers. Agricultural products are scheduled for transport starting in July this year.
The line has transported cargo bound for more than ten countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore. Cross-border e-commerce cargo is increasingly being transported by the railway, mainly originating from Kunming Free Trade Zone in southern China.
Cheaper connections for commuters in Laos
In terms of passenger transport, cheaper services at a slower speed are offered on the Laos section in order to cater to the diverse needs of travelers. Regular trains will travel at up to 120 kilometers per hour for commuters between Vientiane and Boten, a northern border city in Laos.
However, travelers can also take high-speed trains between the two cities that run at up to 160 kilometers per hour at slightly higher ticket prices.
Currently, eight bullet trains and two regular trains are operated daily in Laos, and 36 high-speed trains are operated on the Chinese section. More trains run during holidays in the two countries.
The China-Laos Railway is a project within China’s Belt and Road Initiative and part of Laos’ strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked destination.
