China’s Metros and high-speed trains

Jul 17, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – Can you imagine travelling from home to office and back daily in a public transportation system that provides air-conditioned comfort, in comfortable seating and with a peace of mind that you are guaranteed to arrive on time and traffic is not a hindrance? Can you imagine a transportation system that is so safe and easy to use that the elderly and school aged children can utilize it unsupervised? I have experienced this type of transportation system in China, and it has made a profound impact on me.

Life in Guyana for road users is characterised by road transportation via private and public transportation. We Guyanese have adapted American car culture, where the car is seen as a status symbol and public transportation is seen as a wretched last resort. However, this negative perception of public transportation is not held by countries in Europe and Asia where the public transportation system is viewed as the norm and a necessity. Unfortunately, the Guyana public transportation system only includes mini buses and taxis. Car owners must take into consideration gas fees, traffic jams, the possibility of an accident and especially recently the occurrences of road rage.

Ask any Guyanese who has visited China, and they will describe to you a public transportation system that is dignified, orderly and sterile. The first experience is deeply impactful when one uses this type of public transportation. Truthfully, a simple YouTube search of ‘Shenzhen Metro’ or ‘Shanghai high speed train station’ would suffice to show an incredible system of moving people where they need to go for an affordable price. Entering the Shenzhen or Shanghai metro station reveals infrastructure that would commonly be seen at a first-class International Airport. Gleaming surfaces, escalators, X-ray security checkpoints and uniformed station officials are immediately visible. The token or ticket purchase facilities are always functional and numerous. Whether there are 100 or 1000 people transiting the station, the space still feels spacious and flowing which is a testament to its traveller friendly design.

The metro carriages and train seating are all comfortable, well-proportioned and sterile. If you see a piece of plastic or paper discarded anywhere throughout the station, it comes across as a curious anomaly and certainly not the norm. Cool, clean air blasts throughout the station ensuring ventilation. LED screens on the way to the trains and within the trains themselves ensure that you do not miss your destination. Payment is done through QR code or facial recognition, putting aside the need to handle paper money throughout the travel process. Most metros and train stations are integrated with major bus stations and airports, creating a seamless connection between metros, trains, buses and airports.

Metros in China travel as fast as 80 KM/H and the high-speed trains travel at the deeply impressive top speed of 400 KM/H. Based on all of the features described above, it can only be interpreted logically that the transportation system in China is an expression of love and respect shown towards the citizens by the Government authorities in charge of transportation. This is shown through the 24/7 365 day a year operation of the metro and trains at such a high level of efficiency, cleanliness and comfort. If ever there was a love letter from a government to its people, this type of transportation system would embody that message. It indicates that the Government is saying no matter who you are within this society, a child, an employee, an elderly person or a tourist, we respect your basic right to a reliable and efficient public transportation.

In the same way that a parent places their child into a vehicle with care, ensuring they are secured and on their way to the next destination, the same way a government can place the citizens with care into a public transportation system that is sterile, secure and reliable. The type of public transportation system that China has achieved is remarkable, and naturally came with significant costs to create and maintain. However, in developed and orderly societies, the transportation system can be seen as a service and not a profitable business. Again reinforcing the value placed on citizens by the Government. Perhaps, in some appropriate shape or form, Guyana could achieve a metro or subway system in the future. Based on China’s excellent metro and train station systems, it is safe to say that drawing inspiration from China’s system would be a wise choice.

Sincerely,

Justin Gomes

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• China’s Metros, high-speed trains, Justin Gomes, Public transportation

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