Slower commuter service to be added to Laotian side of China-Laos Railway

Crew members on a Fuxing bullet train on the China-Laos Railway. [Photo by Yang Zixuan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Starting on Wednesday, passengers using the China-Laos Railway in Laos can take slower commuter trains within the country, the China State Railway Group said.

Regular trains will travel at up to 120 kilometers per hour, for commutes between Laotian capital Vientiane and Boten, a border city.

Travelers can also take bullet trains between the two cities, which run at up to 160 km per hour.

Eight bullet train services and two regular services will go into operation, improving capacity and offering travelers more choice.

The China-Laos Railway began service on Dec 3, and connects Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province, to Vientiane.

The flagship project is the result of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and serves as an effective channel for greater economic and trade flow, balanced development and cultural exchange.

The 1,035-kilometer line, which runs through lush tropical mountains and across the Lancang-Mekong area, has shortened the journey from Kunming to Vientiane to about 10 hours.