According to a recent announcement from the China National Railway Group Co., Ltd. on October 19, during the first nine months of this year, the national railway system transported a record-breaking 3.33 billion passengers, marking a 13.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
In an interview with the head of the passenger transport department at the railway group, it was revealed that the railway sector has effectively coordinated resources between high-speed and conventional rail services. By optimizing schedules and taking advantage of newly opened routes, the railways have increased the average daily operation of passenger trains to 10,792, up 9.8% from last year. During peak travel seasons such as the spring and summer holidays, as well as during holidays like Qingming, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, the railway authorities implemented several measures to accommodate the surge in passenger numbers and enhance service quality.
The department also reported that 1,430 tourist trains have been operated from January to September, contributing to the growth of both tourism and the silver economy.
On the cross-border passenger transport front, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway facilitated nearly 19.9 million cross-border travelers, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 43.1%. Additionally, the China-Laos Railway served 190,000 cross-border passengers.
Furthermore, the railway sector has made strides in promoting innovative ticketing services. The newly introduced tickets for multiple trips and periodic travel have already been implemented on 60 lines, while tourist packages are available on 11 routes. The “Railway Smooth Code” system is now in use across all high-speed trains, allowing for convenient transfers at 120 stations nationwide. More than 80 stations have introduced internet meal ordering services, and the “quiet carriage” service has expanded to include 92 high-speed trains.
Looking ahead, the official indicated that the China National Railway Group will continue to monitor changes in passenger demand closely, enhance transport organization, dynamically optimize train schedules, and expand the variety of passenger service offerings.
