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Hubei province starts first regularly scheduled rail freight service

CENTRAL China province Hubei has inaugurated its first scheduled railway cargo service that runs like a passenger service with fixed time and route.

With the new service, which departs from Wuhan, goods can now be delivered on the same day to customers in Jingzhou and Yichang, another two cities in Hubei, according to Xinhua's report.

Han Feng, manager of a local freight forwarder that is authorise to operate the service, said that the service, which departs from Wuhan's Jinjiadun Passenger Railway Station, will set off on time at 1100 hrs every day no matter how many freight it has collected, and will arrive at Jingzhou at 1430 hrs and Yichang at 1730 hrs.

Generally, a road freight forwarder will wait until they have collected enough cargo to fill a truck to have their truck depart, and will not be able to operate it the same way as the new service does, said Mr Han.

Goods to Jingzhou can be delivered to the doorstep of customers by 1900 hrs, and those to Yichang by 2000 hrs. Customers can also make appointment to have their goods delivered at other time.

Goods under 10 kilogrammes will be charged CNY15 (US$2.45) to CNY23 according to their nature. Those above 10 kilogrammes will be charged the basic price plus CNY1.5 per kilogramme for the excessive weight.

Mr Han said that the service will be expanded to cover all major cities in Hubei in three years. By that time, customers in these cities can also enjoy same-day delivery.