The landmark Qinghai-Tibet railway project in the vast western
region will be profitable when it is finally put to use, said the
director-in-chief of the project.
Lu Chunfang, who is also the manager of Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Co, refuted claims that the railway is a political and charitable
cause.
The first phase of the construction was 653 kilometers long at
an average altitude of 3,200 meters. According to detractors, the
average operation cost would be three times as much as the average
transport fees.
They estimated that the operation of the entire railway would
generate an annual deficit of 1.26 to 2 billion yuan (US$154 to
US$244 million). However, Lu believes the railway will earn profits
by way of low maintenance cost and increasing tourist arrivals.
He said the whole railway will require some 400 people for
maintenance and safety, less than one person per kilometer, which
is much lower than the national average -- 20 people per
kilometer.
In addition, the number of tourists to Tibet has been increasing
by 10 percent each year, reaching 29 percent last year. Therefore
by 2007 when the entire railway begins operation, more than 900,000
tourists will visit the region by train and their spending will
increase as well, said Lu.
Although only six passenger and passenger-freight trains will be
regularly running in the early period of operation, two to four
high-class trains will be provided for tourists. Tourists will be
able to watch ethnic performances on the trip and visit major
tourist sites without changing to other vehicles.
"The unique and mysterious scenery of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau will
attract more tourists when the railway is finished, so we are very
optimistic about the operation in the future," said Lu.
(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2003)