2 Dec 2011

China bullet trains back on tracks

10:34 am on 2 December 2011

China will put back into service 54 bullet trains that were recalled after a deadly train crash in eastern China fanned a furore about equipment flaws.

State news agency Xinhua says the recalled trains, which were meant to be used on the flagship Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line, have undergone "rigorous modifications and testing".

It did not elaborate further.

The trains were recalled by China's second-biggest train maker China CNR Corp Ltd in August, three weeks after 40 people were killed in a high-speed rail crash in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

The crash triggered public fury, bold media coverage and a freeze on approvals for new rail projects.

It also raised concerns about the safety of the country's high-profile and fast-growing rail network and threatened to undermine plans to export high-speed train technology.

Xinhua says some recalled trains have started running since November and all will resume service by 12 December.