Report: Beijing-Shanghai rail safe

BEIJING, June 14 (UPI) -- China's much-publicized Beijing-Shanghai high speed rail will begin operation this month but at a slower speed than earlier planned, officials said.

Rail authorities said the service would be safe and reliable and the speed reduction is designed to maximize efficiency, China Daily reported.

The 818-mile Beijing-Shanghai line is a landmark project, whose "technology is advanced, its quality reliable and safety guaranteed," Vice Minister of Railways Hu Yadong was quoted as telling reporters.

The speeds will be between 155 to 186 mph, down from the previously planned top speed of 236 mph. Under the new speeds, the fastest travel time will be about 4 hours and 48 minutes. Fares will be run $63 to $270, the report said.

Speeds also will be reduced on other rail routes to a maximum of 186 mph to make them safer, the report said, adding the new directive on speeds came after the former rail minister was dismissed for serious disciplinary violations, which in turn raised concerns over costs and safety of high-speed rail links.

Earlier reports have said many of China's public works projects have been mired in corruption and the country's top leadership has been cracking down on the problem.

China's high-speed rail system, highly praised around the world, has not come cheap. Some reports have estimated the cost running into the hundreds of billions of dollars.