The International Passenger Train of the China-Laos Railway Celebrates Its First Anniversary with Increased Quantity and Quality, Accumulating 700,000 Passengers, including 180,000 Cross-Border Passengers

      According to CR, on April 13, on the first anniversary of the operation of the international passenger train of the China-Laos Railway, accumulated passenger volume reached 700,000, including 180,000 cross-border passengers from 87 countries and regions. The departure punctuality rate reached 100%, and the arrival punctuality rate reached 99%, ensuring safe, smooth, and orderly transportation.

　　The person in charge of the International Department of CR introduced that CR has earnestly implemented the important instructions of President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway. CR has strengthened cooperation with the Laos railway authority, carefully organized cross-border passenger transportation, operated the international passenger trains of the railway, and provided safe, convenient, warm, and comfortable cross-border transportation services, injecting new vitality into the exchanges between China and Laos and promoting the development of the local economy and society.

　　Steady growth in cross-border passenger flow has boosted the development of the tourism industry. The international passenger trains of the China-Laos Railway connect tourist cities such as Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane, implementing a "morning departure and evening arrival" operation mode, greatly facilitating international passengers' visits to cultural relics and natural scenic spots along the route. Riding the train to tour Laos and China's Yunnan has become a new trend. Cities in China such as Beijing, Harbin, and Shenyang have adopted a new model of "domestic tourist special train + international passenger train" and organized cross-border travel groups to Laos, further expanding the radiation range of international passenger trains on this railway. Over the past year, the occupancy rate of international passenger trains on the China-Laos Railway has remained at a high level, with a maximum daily occupancy rate of 100%, driving the tourism industry in cities such as Xishuangbanna and Luang Prabang, stimulating new consumption momentum, and promoting cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between both nations.

　　Train operation plans have been optimized to improve transportation capacity and efficiency. The railway authorities, customs, border inspection, and local port authorities of China and Laos have established mechanisms for regular consultation and joint operation. They carefully organized the operation of international passenger trains, optimized train operation plans, strengthened overall operation monitoring, and enhanced safety guarantee measures, continuously improving the operation quality of international passenger trains. On July 25, 2023, the operation schedule of the China-Laos Railway was adjusted, and the inspection and customs clearance procedures were optimized. The operating time of the international passenger train from Kunmingnan Railway Station to Vientiane Railway Station has been shortened from the initial 10 hours and 30 minutes to 9 hours and 26 minutes, with a reduction of over one hour. Since 2024, the number of cross-border seats on international passenger trains of the China-Laos Railway has increased from 300 to 350, with two more stops: Yuxi Railway Station in China and Muang Xay Railway Station in Laos. The number of stops has increased from 8 to 10, but the total travel time has remained unchanged, further expanding the service coverage.

　　Characteristic service measures have been introduced to enhance passenger travel experience. The railway authorities of China and Laos have set up "special ticketing windows" for international passengers at stations along the route, optimized boarding and alighting organization, and provided uninterrupted services. Cross-border and non-cross-border carriages are flexibly arranged according to cross-border passenger flow to meet the needs of different passengers. Passenger service information and broadcast services are provided in Chinese, Laotian, and English. The trains are equipped with language translation devices to facilitate passengers. Train attendants' training is also strengthened to improve language proficiency and business skills, providing thoughtful services to passengers. The trains offer beverages, bread, sausages, and local specialty meals, allowing passengers to taste delicious food from various places and enhance their travel experience.

　　The person in charge introduced that in the next step, CR will comprehensively summarize the experience of the first year of operation of the international passenger train of the China-Laos Railway. They will closely follow the demand for cross-border passenger flow, strengthen cooperation with the Laos railway authority, timely optimize and adjust the operation schedule of international passenger trains, add one pair of international passenger trains between Xishuangbanna and Luang Prabang, and continuously improve the quality of cross-border transportation services, making new contributions to benefiting the people of both nations and building a community of shared future between the two countries.