China’s National Railway Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as China Railways) has reported a historic high in summer travel, with a cumulative total of 887 million passengers transported during the 62-day summer travel season. According to a report from Xinhua News Agency on September 1, the figure marks a 6.7% increase year-on-year, with an average of 14.31 million passengers per day, setting a new record for the summer travel season.
A Surge in Travel Demand
The summer travel season, which ended on August 31, saw a significant surge in passenger traffic. The period from July 1 to August 31 witnessed a high demand for travel, with various types of passenger flows such as students, tourists, and families visiting relatives and friends converging. This surge in travel demand was driven by the strong desire of the public to travel after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Enhanced Railway Capacity
The increase in passenger traffic was well managed by China Railways, which enhanced its transportation capacity to meet the growing demand. The national railway network scheduled an average of 10,905 passenger trains per day, an increase of 636 trains compared to the previous year, representing a 6.2% growth.
New Railway Lines Shine
Several new railway lines made their debut during the summer travel season, showcasing impressive performance. The Huzhou to Huangshan high-speed railway, the Zhuangzhai to Lankao section of the Rizhao-Lanzhou high-speed railway, and the Lanzhou to Wuwei section of the Lan Zhang high-speed railway all saw strong passenger growth. These new lines contributed significantly to the overall increase in passenger traffic.
Cross-border Travel on the Rise
In addition to domestic travel, cross-border travel also saw an increase. The China-Laos Railway and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway segment transported a total of 45,600 and 518,400 cross-border passengers, respectively, with year-on-year growth of 78.1% and 10.7%.
Energy Supply Transport
Amidst the ongoing high temperatures and increasing electricity consumption in many regions, China Railways intensified its efforts to ensure energy supply transportation. Utilizing major coal transport channels such as the Daqin, Haoji, Wari, and Tanghu railways, the company dynamically managed the coal demand of key power generation enterprises. This approach resulted in the transportation of 25 million tons of coal, ensuring that the coal stock levels at 371 railway-powered power plants remained high, effectively supporting the summer peak electricity demand.
A Record-Breaking Season
The summer travel season of 2023 has been a testament to the robustness and resilience of China’s railway network. The record-breaking figure of 887 million passengers reflects not only the increasing popularity of railway travel but also the efficient management and capacity expansion by China Railways.
Conclusion
As China continues to develop its railway infrastructure and enhance its transportation services, the summer travel season serves as a barometer of the country’s transportation capabilities. The success of this year’s summer travel season bodes well for the future of China’s railway system, which is poised to meet the growing demands of its vast population and contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.
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