World's longest high-speed rail line opens in China

On Wednesday morning, China began service on the world's longest high-speed rail line. The rail line will be able to cover a distance in eight hours that is about equal to that from London across Europe to Belgrade, or from New York to Key West, Florida.

According to NY Times, bullet trains that can travel up to 186 miles an hour started regular service between Beijing and Guangzhou. Older trains that are still in service take 21 hours, while Amtrak trains from New York to Miami, which is a shorter distance, still take around 30 hours. The new line will make stops in major cities, which include Wuhan and Changsha, according to Washington Post. More than 150 pairs of high-speed trains will run on the new line every single day. According to International Business Times, s second-class seat aboard the new high-speed line is around 865 Yuan ($138). The new line also has updated equipment that is aimed at addressing possible problems that could occur during extreme weather conditions. According to a bullet train mechanic, inspections on high-speed trains are conducted on an hourly basis to ensure safety.