[CN] Abandoned HSR Stations

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Built and Forgotten: China’s Struggle with Unused High-Speed Rail Stations

In China, a growing number of high-speed rail stations are being abandoned or left unused, often referred to as "ghost stations." These stations, many of which were built with little regard for demand or cost, symbolize the challenges facing China's ambitious "transportation power" strategy. The Ezhou East Station in Hubei Province, for instance, began operations in 2014 but was closed by 2022. Now, the station is overgrown with weeds, its building stands silent, and only the occasional train thunders by without stopping. The station sits in a desolate area about 10 kilometers from Ezhou’s center, with few surrounding structures and no regular commuters in sight.

Local residents and taxi drivers question why the station was built in such an isolated location, especially considering Ezhou already has other transportation options, including a highway connection to Wuhan, which is just an hour’s drive away. These "ghost stations" have become emblematic of China’s current economic challenges, as well as the unintended consequences of rapid infrastructure expansion. Currently, China has at least 26 such stations, eight of which were built but never opened for public use.

Chinese media reports indicate that local government officials often promote high-speed rail station construction to boost their own reputations and improve their regional image, rather than based on actual public need. This practice has resulted in a significant financial burden on the China State Railway Group, which now faces over 120 trillion yen in debt. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, slowing China’s economic growth and reducing demand for certain transportation projects. Consequently, these unused and abandoned stations stand as symbols of the broader limitations and potential missteps in China's infrastructure policies. As the country grapples with these challenges, the "ghost stations" highlight the need for more carefully considered development plans that balance ambition with practicality and sustainability.

Info based on Japanese Media reports. Source: https://mainichi.jp/articles/20241006/k ... 30/121000c Accessed 2024-10-07