The launch ceremony for EMU train service between Lyuliang Railway Station and Taiyuan South Railway Station is held in Lyuliang, Shanxi province, on June 26. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The Lyuliang-Taiyuan South section of Taiyuan-Zhongwei-Yinchuan Railway, a vital rail route connecting North and Northwest China, opened electric multiple units (EMU) train service on June 26. 

On the day, a green EMU train departed from Lyuliang Railway Station for Taiyuan South Railway Station, via railway stations in Jiaocheng and Wenshui counties and the county-level city of Fenyang. 

The green EMU train waits to depart from Lyuliang Railway Station on June 26. The train consists of nine carriages, has a design speed of 160 kilometers per hour and can accommodate 720 people. Compared with ordinary passenger trains, the EMU train has a more spacious seating arrangement. Each row of seats is equipped with sockets and USB charging ports. The trains' adjustable seats, barrier-free facilities and full Wi-Fi coverage make travel more comfortable. [Photo/Yellow River News]

In response to the demand from passengers, China Railway Taiyuan Group will operate 12 EMU trains between the two stations every day at the beginning of the new rail service. The fastest one-way travel time will be around one hour and 20 minutes. 

It has shortened the travel time between Lyuliang and surrounding cities and has marked that all 11 cities in Shanxi province have access to high-speed rail transportation services. 

Currently, Shanxi has formed a two-hour traffic circle around provincial capital Taiyuan that connects 45 cities, counties and districts across Shanxi. It has also created a three-hour economic circle directly reaching cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Xi'an, Zhengzhou and Hohhot in North China, providing strong transportation support for Shanxi's high-quality development. 

A cultural performance is staged on the first EMU train running from Lyuliang Railway Station to Taiyuan South Railway Station on June 26. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Lan Fo'an, governor of Shanxi province, stated at the EMU train's launch ceremony that Shanxi will further promote the construction of a pilot province for transportation and focus on building a modern comprehensive transportation system. 

In particular, the province will advance the construction of high-speed rail and train projects this year. The local authorities will ensure that the EMU train service between Taiyuan South Railway Station and Liulin South Railway Station will be launched before Oct 1, and accelerate the construction of high-speed rail projects such as the Jining-Yuanping High-speed Railway and the Xiongan New Area-Xinzhou High-speed Railway.