In a significant step toward market-oriented reforms, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) recently announced that once the Zhunchi Railway is operational, its freight rates will be regulated by the market. This means railway transportation companies will negotiate directly with users and investors to set specific pricing. This marks the first time China has liberalized railway freight pricing, signaling a major shift in the country's transportation policy.
The Zhunchi Railway stretches approximately 180 kilometers, connecting Daxun Station in the north to Shenchi South Station on the Shuohuang Railway in the south. It crosses through Inner Mongolia and Shanxi provinces and is managed by Shenhua Group Co., Ltd., in collaboration with local enterprises. Currently under construction, the railway is expected to begin operations in the first half of this year. Once completed, it will offer coal users an alternative route, enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing reliance on existing networks.
Shi Lixin, director of the Market System Office at the NDRC’s Institute of Economic System and Management, emphasized that this initiative represents a key milestone in the reform of railway freight pricing. He stated that the move toward market-based pricing will have a positive and long-term impact. "This reform is expected to boost confidence among social capital in investing in railways, stabilize market expectations regarding the reform of the railway investment system, and serve as a model for future tariff adjustments," Shi added.
The decision reflects a broader push by the Chinese government to open up the railway sector to greater competition and private participation. By allowing market forces to play a more significant role in determining freight rates, the reform aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainable development in the logistics industry. As the Zhunchi Railway moves closer to completion, it stands as a symbol of this evolving approach to infrastructure and economic growth.
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