China Railway Group Ltd plans to deliver express parcels by high-speed trains on some routes, starting soon with the Being-Guangzhou high-speed line, 21st Century Business Herald reported on Wednesday.

The railway bureau in Zhengzhou said discussions on operating the new service are continuing and it will be ready soon.

The bureau has signed agreements with SF Express, China Post and UPS to deliver mail and parcels by rail, the newspaper reported.

Express deliveries currently rely on planes and road vehicles as the two main transportation methods. These deliveries by rail will be at least 50 per cent cheaper than those by air.