China’s railway network has witnessed a staggering 230 million passenger trips from January 26 to February 14, marking the first half of the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush. The China State Railway Group (CSRG), the national railway operator, announced on Thursday that this period saw unprecedented movement as millions journeyed across the country to celebrate the Spring Festival.
On Thursday alone, the national railway managed 15.16 million passenger trips, setting a new record for the highest single-day passenger volume during the Spring Festival travel rush. CSRG anticipates transporting an additional 15.3 million passengers on Friday, deploying 1,813 extra passenger trains to accommodate the soaring demand.
As the Spring Festival holiday, which runs from February 10 to 17, draws to a close, returning passenger flow continues to rise. Data from 12306.cn, China’s official railway ticket-booking website, indicates a high volume of outbound passengers from cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Wuhan, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. Simultaneously, cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Hangzhou are experiencing a significant influx of arriving passengers.
The passenger flow is particularly heavy along major routes connecting Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, and the Chongqing-Chengdu area. In Beijing, major railway stations are bustling with returning travelers. The China Railway Beijing Bureau reports that Beijing is expected to send out 535,000 rail passengers on Friday, with 78 additional passenger trains scheduled. The capital is also projected to receive 727,000 passengers on the same day.
To manage the increased demand, railway departments across the country are bolstering their capacities. Additional passenger trains are being introduced on popular routes, alongside measures to facilitate smoother travel and enhanced onboard services. The Beijing Railway Group is collaborating closely with local station area management committees by sharing passenger flow data and adjusting public transport schedules to ensure efficient and orderly passenger connections.
In northern China, the Taiyuan Railway Group has added 73 temporary passenger trains, including 21 night-time high-speed trains from Taiyuan in Shanxi Province to Shanghai and Xi’an. Meanwhile, the Zhengzhou Railway Group in Henan Province is operating 56 night-time high-speed trains and has added 15 passenger trains to destinations such as Jiaozuo, Zhoukou, Taiyuan, and Nanjing.
The Spring Festival, which fell on February 10 this year, is China’s most significant traditional festival. This year’s travel rush began on January 26 and will conclude on March 5, encapsulating a period when families reunite and cultural heritage is celebrated across the nation.
Reference(s):
China sees 230m railway trips in first half of 2024 Spring Festival rush
cgtn.com
