Faster train service attracts more passengers
More than 66,000 passengers have used 30-hour trains for travel between
the
Vietnamese southern and northern regions since the service made its
debut
two months ago, said Vietnam Railway Union officials.
The cross-country trains has seen occupancy rising to 93% and revenue
reaching VND24 billion ($1.6 million) over the past two months,
according to
deputy general director Vu Xuan Hong.
The rise in passenger numbers is attributed to better services and
unchanged
ticket prices, he added. The railway industry has spent VND100 billion
($6.6
million) on new carriages and locomotives, railroad upgrading and
automatic
warning systems to ensure safety.
The faster trains depart from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City at 11 pm every
day.
The railway sector targets to serve 400,000 passengers annually on these
trains.
The Saigon Times Daily - August 8, 2002.
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