From January to September, the country’s railways carried 3.33 billion passengers, a year-on-year increase of 13.5%.

According to a report from the China Railway WeChat account on October 19, 2023, national railways in China have seen remarkable growth in passenger transport from January to September, with a total of 3.33 billion travelers. This represents a year-on-year increase of 13.5%, marking the highest figure for this period in history. The overall railway transport has remained safe, orderly, and efficient.

In the first nine months of this year, the China National Railway Group focused on implementing decisions from the central government, emphasizing a people-centered development approach. They have actively responded to the continuous recovery of the economy and the accelerated movement of people by deepening structural reforms in transportation supply. The organization of passenger transport has been meticulously planned, optimizing services to provide reliable support for safe and pleasant travel experiences.

First, passenger transport capacity has been enhanced. By coordinating resources from high-speed and conventional railways, the organization has effectively utilized new routes opened this year. This has allowed for an optimized schedule of passenger trains, with an average of 10,792 trains in operation per day, reflecting a 9.8% increase compared to last year. Additionally, by leveraging big data from the railway ticketing system, they have dynamically analyzed travel demand and accurately allocated transport resources. This proactive approach has led to timely increases in capacity for popular routes, adequately meeting travelers’ needs. During peak travel periods such as the Spring Festival, summer holidays, and other national holidays, the railways successfully managed high passenger flow. From January to September, 1,430 tourist trains were launched, contributing to the development of the tourism economy. Moreover, cross-border transportation has been strengthened, with the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway serving nearly 19.9 million cross-border travelers, a 43.1% increase from the previous year, and the China-Laos railway accommodating 190,000 cross-border passengers. Conventional passenger rail services have also been maintained to support communities in less developed and poverty-stricken areas.

Second, the quality of service has seen significant improvements. The implementation of the 2024 edition of the National Railway Group’s passenger service regulations has introduced new measures aimed at benefiting travelers. The railway’s 12306 ticketing platform has added new features, such as seamless connections for passengers and specialized booking services for students, significantly improving the ticket-buying experience. New ticketing options, including multi-use and periodic tickets, now cover 60 routes, while tourism packages are available on 11 routes. The railway’s e-codes now support all high-speed trains, ensuring convenient transfers at 120 stations nationwide, with over 80 stations offering online meal ordering services. Moreover, the “quiet car” service has expanded to 92 high-speed trains. Enhanced services for elderly, young, ill, disabled, and pregnant passengers have also been introduced, creating a more comfortable travel environment.

Third, transportation safety and stability have been prioritized. With a focus on people’s safety, close collaborations with meteorological departments have been established to effectively handle extreme weather events such as typhoons “Koinu” and “Paru,” and other natural disasters. This has involved rigorous monitoring, line inspections, and equipment maintenance, along with proactive measures to mitigate risks, ensuring the safe operation of passenger trains. The response to sudden surges in passenger traffic included meticulously crafted emergency plans and an intensified focus on station security checks, all contributing to the orderly travel experience for passengers.

Looking ahead, the China National Railway Group intends to closely monitor changes in passenger flow. They will enhance the organization of passenger transport, continuously adjust train schedules, diversify their service offerings, and elevate the quality of service on trains and at stations, striving to create an even better travel experience for all passengers.