At 6:06 AM on November 5, the inaugural C7001 EMU train operating at 200 km/h departed smoothly from Guangzhou East Station, marking the full completion of the Phase I and II upgrading project for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway (hereafter "Guangshen Railway"). A new train schedule was simultaneously implemented.

Spanning 147 km, the Guangshen Railway connects Guangzhou Station via Guangzhou East, Xintang, Dongguan, Changping, Zhangmutou, and Pinghu to Shenzhen Station, with four parallel lines (I–IV). The recent upgrades focused on Lines I and II. Originally opened in 1911 as the Chinese section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, it became Guangdong’s first double-track line in 1987 and achieved a speed of 160 km/h in 1994. The 2007 quadruple-track expansion enabled metro-like operations, while 2017 saw the introduction of QR-code ticketing, ushering in smart travel.

To enhance passenger experience and support the upcoming 15th National Games, China Railway Guangzhou Group launched the upgrading project in April, drawing on urban rail optimization experience. Post-upgrade highlights include: 1. **Higher speed**: 200 km/h operation reduces the fastest Guangzhou-Shenzhen trip to 57 minutes. 2. **Denser schedules**: Metro-style frequency, with trains every 13 minutes on average (5-minute intervals during peak hours). 3. **Flexible fares**: Discounted tickets start at 75% of listed prices. 4. **More options**: Catering to diverse travel needs. 5. **Seamless transfers**: Improved connectivity. 6. **Premium service**: Efficient downtown access.

**Efficiency Boost**: The upgrade from 160 km/h to 200 km/h unlocks greater capacity. Starting November 5, 178 EMUs will operate daily, including 38 direct Guangzhou East-Shenzhen trains (half-hourly peak frequency) and 36 Guangzhou East-Futian trains (+8 pre-upgrade), meeting business and commuter demand. Stops at Guangmingcheng Station rise to 47 daily, supporting National Games events, while Xintang Station handles 140 daily stops (+17), aggregating Pearl River Delta transfer traffic.

**Ticketing Innovation**: A market-based fare system offers discounts (lowest: 7.5%). For frequent travelers, 30-day/60-trip passes between Guangzhou Baiyun and Shenzhen Stations provide up to 38% savings (e.g., saving ¥1,782 for Guangzhou East-Shenzhen second-class seats). Single-ticket holders can board any same-day train without advance collection, using ID/QR codes for "ride-and-go" convenience.

**Hub Integration**: As a national high-speed rail nexus, the Guangshen Railway links key routes like Beijing-Guangzhou, Ganzhou-Shenzhen, and Guangzhou-Shanwei, enabling efficient intercity and cross-regional travel. For example: - Guangzhou Station connects northward to Baiyun Station and southward to Zhangmutou (via Ganzhou-Shenzhen/Guangshen-Hong Kong HSR to Futian). - Guangzhou East Station accesses Guangzhou-Shanwei and Ganzhou-Shenzhen HSR to Huizhou, Shanwei, etc. - Shenzhen Station links Xiamen-Shenzhen HSR for coastal cities, while Shenzhen North Station offers transfers to Hong Kong West Kowloon and national HSR networks.

Post-upgrade, the railway strings together 14 stations across Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen (36.8% district coverage), enabling doorstep convenience.

**Cross-Border Connectivity**: With China’s unilateral visa waivers and Shenzhen’s multi-entry Hong Kong visas, Luohu Port daily crossings hit 297,000 (top-3 nationally). The upgraded Guangshen Railway now seamlessly integrates with Luohu Port for foot-passenger clearance and offers direct Guangzhou East–Hong Kong West Kowloon trips, replacing the defunct 113-year-old Kowloon-Canton Through Train (terminated July 31, 2024). This shift provides faster (48-minute HSR option), flexible, and comparably priced alternatives, streamlining Greater Bay Area integration.

**Safety & Preparation**: The project involved comprehensive upgrades to tracks, bridges, power supply, and signaling systems, alongside rigorous testing at 200 km/h. Safety protocols, staff training, and emergency drills ensure reliable operations.

(Source: China Railway Guangzhou Group)