Core Viewpoint - The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has issued the "Opinions on Promoting the Healthy and Sustainable Development of Intercity Railways," marking the first official document focused on intercity railways, aimed at enhancing policy guidance and support for higher quality and sustainable development in this sector [1][2]. Group 1: Background and Importance - Intercity railways are a crucial transportation mode within urban agglomerations, significantly supporting regional strategies and new urbanization efforts. The development of intercity railways has led to the formation of a backbone network nearing 1,800 kilometers, facilitating 1 to 2-hour travel between major cities [1][2]. - The document aligns with major decisions from the 20th National Congress, emphasizing the need for independent operations in monopolistic sectors and market-oriented reforms in competitive areas, thereby guiding future intercity railway development [2]. Group 2: Key Guidelines - **Function Positioning**: Intercity railways are designated as the primary passenger transport mode between key cities in urban clusters, focusing on short to medium-distance travel needs. The document prohibits the use of intercity railway projects to disguise the construction of high-speed rail or urban transit systems [3]. - **Standards and Conditions**: New intercity railways must have a minimum dual-direction passenger flow of 15 million trips per year. Projects with insufficient passenger density after five years of operation will be halted. New railways should generally be at-grade with design speeds between 120-200 km/h [3][4]. - **Implementation Procedures**: Planning for intercity railways will be coordinated by provincial departments, requiring pre-feasibility studies before approval. Significant changes in construction plans must follow established adjustment procedures [4]. - **Regulatory Requirements**: The National Railway Administration will oversee industry supervision, ensuring local governments are accountable for quality and safety. New projects must have at least 50% capital funding from local governments, and projects failing to achieve cash flow balance after ten years will be suspended [4]. - **Management System**: A national coordination mechanism will be established, with responsibilities shared among various departments to ensure effective planning, design, construction, and operation of intercity railways [4]. Group 3: Operational Guidelines - **Resource Utilization**: The document encourages leveraging existing railway capacity to enhance intercity passenger services, promoting collaboration between local governments and railway companies [5]. - **Diverse Operation Models**: It supports various operational models, including delegated and self-operated services, ensuring fair negotiations between railway companies and local governments [5]. - **People-Centric Approach**: The focus is on optimizing operational management to meet public travel needs, improving ticketing and station processes, and ensuring interoperability between different transport systems [5][6].