By尹倩芸, China News Service
September 1, 2024
China’s summer railway travel season, which concluded on August 31, has set a new historical record with a total of 887 million passengers transported over the 62-day period. According to data released by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as China Railway), from July 1 to August 31, national railways saw a year-on-year increase of 6.7%, with an average daily passenger volume of 14.31 million, marking the highest ever for the summer travel season.
Record-Breaking Numbers
The summer travel season is traditionally a peak period for Chinese railways, as students, tourists, and families take advantage of the school holidays to travel. This year, the demand was particularly high, with consecutive days of record-breaking passenger volumes. From August 10 to 12, the daily passenger volume exceeded 16 million for three consecutive days.
Enhanced Transport Capacity
The China Railway Group has attributed the record numbers to the enhanced transport capacity of the railway network. This summer, the student traffic, tourist traffic, and family reunions were all at peak levels, said a spokesperson from the China Railway Group’s Transport Department. Our transport capacity has increased, meeting the high demand for travel.
The national railway system has been averaging 10,905 passenger trains daily, an increase of 636 trains from the previous year, representing a 6.2% growth. This increase in train services has played a significant role in accommodating the surge in passengers.
New Railway Lines Shine
Several new railway lines, including the Huzhou to Huangshan High-Speed Railway, the section of the Rizhao-Lanzhou High-Speed Railway between Zhuangzhai and Lankao, and the section of the Lanzhou-Wuwei High-Speed Railway, have performed exceptionally well during their first summer travel season. These new lines have seen a robust growth in passenger traffic, contributing to the overall increase in the number of travelers.
Cross-Border Travel
In terms of cross-border passenger transport, the China-Laos Railway and the Guangshen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway have cumulatively transported 45,600 and 518,400 cross-border passengers, respectively, showing a year-on-year increase of 78.1% and 10.7%.
Energy Supply Support
Amidst the ongoing high temperatures and rising electricity consumption in many regions, the railway sector has intensified its efforts to ensure the transport of energy supplies. Utilizing major coal transport channels such as the Daqin, Haoji, Wari, and Tanghu railways, the national railway has transported 250 million tons of coal. This has ensured that the coal stock at 371 direct-powered power plants across the country has remained at a high level, effectively supporting the regions’ peak summer electricity demand.
Conclusion
The summer travel season’s success is a testament to the growing demand for railway transportation in China and the railway sector’s ability to meet this demand. With the continuous expansion of the railway network and the improvement of services, it is expected that the railway system will continue to play a vital role in the country’s transportation landscape.
This article is based on information provided by the China News Service and reflects the achievements and developments of China’s railway sector during the summer travel season of 2024.
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