Direct high-speed train service launched between Tianjin, Hong Kong

A direct high-speed train service was launched Wednesday between north China's Tianjin Municipality and Hong Kong.

Carrying more than 1,100 passengers, the bullet train G305 departed Tianjin at 10:58 a.m. and will arrive at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station around 10 hours later, according to Tianjin's railway authorities.

The 2,450 km-long route will run through several stations including Baiyangdian Station in the Xiongan New Area. A second-class seat for the 10-hour ride will cost 1,092.5 yuan (about 159 U.S. dollars).

The service is part of a new national train diagram starting Wednesday. Under the diagram, a new batch of high-speed trains will be put into use, and several stops will be adjusted to optimize the country's passenger transport services.

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