Passengers travelling on any of the 13 high-speed trains between Guangzhou and Shenzhen will be entitled to discounts of up to 20 percent before the end of October — but only if you’re travelling business class, first class, or VIP.  These trains operate on the newest high-speed line between Shenzhen North Station and Guangzhou South.  The Nanfang reviewed the journey last year.

Qualifying Guangzhou-bound trains include the G6234, G6236, G6238, G6242, G6244 and G6246 (all depart after 8 p.m.). There are also seven Shenzhen-bound trains leaving before midday that qualify for discounts, though it is unclear precisely which ones. Travellers are therefore recommend to first check before purchasing tickets. English-speaking counters are usually available at both stations.

Based on the information in the report, it would appear there are no qualifying trains between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (midday) and 8 p.m..

“The discount policy isn’t attractive to me because it doesn’t include second-class seats, which most passengers use. The railway authority should give discounts on all seats in off-peak seasons, like many airlines do,” a passenger surnamed Li told Shenzhen Daily yesterday.

Meanwhile, waiting times on “10 of the worst bus routes” in Shenzhen are expected to be improved following complaints from local residents. Route 704, between Nantou checkpoint and Bao’an District, was picked out as being especially slow during rush hours.

On Monday, transport authorities confirmed that normal service had resumed at Guangzhou Railway Station following severe disruption by Typhoon Utor which hit the province hard last week and over the weekend.

Earlier today, The Nanfang reported that a new Guangdong-Singapore dual-currency smart transport card is expected to be launched in the first half of next year.

Photo credit: People’s Daily