Haikou suburban train starts trial operation

The Haikou suburban train line, which links Haikou Railway Station of Hainan's island-looping high-speed railway to the city's Meilan district, started trial operation on July 1.

Early on June 29, the CRH6F-A trains for the line arrived in Haikou by a ro-ro passenger ship and were then transferred to Haikou Raiway Station.

Trains are dislodged from a ro-ro passenger ship to a port in Haikou on June 29. [Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua]

The railway line extends about 38.054 kilometers, and six stations have been set up including Meilan Station, Haikou East Station, Chengxi Station, and Xiuying Station.

The line connects Haikou's major transportation hubs, linking airports and seaports with  the city's major industrial parks and downtown area. In the future, it is expected to become one of the backbone routes in Haikou's rail transit network.

Motor tractors pull the trains onto the rail track on June 29. [Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua] 

According to their respective external design features, the suburban trains are named Kapok, Bee-eater, Coconut Tree, and Pelicans, which are distinctive plants and animals in Hainan province. The designs are a move to promote Hainan's unique scenery and environmental protection efforts.

The exterior of the trains are designed to display Hainan's unique plants and environmental protection efforts. [Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua]

A ceremony is held on July 1 to mark the the trial operation of Haikou's suburban train line. [Photo/Haikou Daily]

Citizens snap a shot of the train on July 1 before they board for a ride. [Photo/Haikou Daily]