China’s Rail System Prepares for Record-Breaking spring Festival Travel
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The 2025 Lunar New year, or spring Festival, promises to be a record-breaking travel season for China’s extensive railway network. The China Railway Nanning Bureau anticipates a staggering 17 million passengers during the 40-day travel period, running from January 14th to febuary 22nd. To accommodate this surge in demand, the bureau is implementing a complete plan to boost capacity and ensure smooth travel for millions.
Tickets for the first day of the travel rush went on sale on December 31st, 2024, signaling the start of a massive logistical operation. The Nanning Bureau expects a 7% increase in passenger numbers compared to the 2024 Spring Festival, a testament to the growing popularity of rail travel within China.
Expanded Service and Increased Capacity
To meet the anticipated demand,the railway bureau is adding 180 temporary passenger trains to its schedule,including 168 high-speed trains. This important increase will bring the total number of passenger trains to 878, a 45% year-on-year rise. “We will make every effort to ensure the travel needs of passengers,” a spokesperson for the bureau stated.
Night Trains and Expanded Routes
Recognizing the peak travel times, the nanning Bureau is introducing 128 additional night high-speed trains across key routes, including the Nanning-Guangzhou, Guizhou-Guangzhou, and Guinan high-speed railways. These trains will primarily serve passengers traveling for work or family visits.The new routes include the first-ever night high-speed trains connecting Fuzhou South to Guilin North, offering new travel options for those in guangxi and Fujian provinces.
The night high-speed rail service is strategically scheduled for peak travel periods: January 20-27, February 2-7, and February 13-15, 2025.
Route Adjustments and Additional EMU Trains
In addition to the new night trains, the Nanning Bureau is also deploying 30 temporary EMU trains, both within the region and connecting various cities. This includes 28 inter-regional trains connecting major hubs like Nanning East and Guilin North with Shenzhen North and Guangzhou South,and also routes linking western cities to southern hubs. Nine existing train routes are also being adjusted to optimize service and capacity.
The scale of this operation highlights the importance of the Spring Festival travel period in China and the significant logistical challenges involved in managing such a massive movement of people. The preparations underscore the country’s commitment to providing efficient and reliable transportation for its citizens during this crucial time of year.
China Rail Prepares for Holiday Travel Surge with Schedule Adjustments and ticketing Upgrades
China’s railway system is gearing up for a massive influx of passengers during upcoming holidays, announcing significant schedule adjustments and improvements to its ticketing services.The changes aim to ensure a smoother and more convenient travel experience for millions of people across the country.
Train numbers have been altered for several routes, including changes to the D4386/7 and D4388/5 lines. While the overall number of high-speed trains remains consistent, the focus is on optimizing routes and capacity to meet anticipated demand. “Arrangements will be made to run Hangzhou to Nanning before the holiday, and to run from Hangzhou to Nanning (Xingyi) and Nanning to Xing after the holiday,” according to a recent announcement. Additional normal-speed trains will be added to routes connecting Nanning to Changsha, Zhanjiang to Dongguan East, Xingyi (Nanning) to Guangzhou Baiyun, and Zhaotong (Guiyang) to Guangzhou Baiyun, as needed.
The railway system is also emphasizing the continued operation of public welfare ”slow trains” and “rural revitalization” passenger trains, ensuring access to transportation for all citizens.
Improved Ticketing Services for a Smoother Journey
To enhance the passenger experience, the Railway 12306 ticketing platform has introduced several upgrades. Building upon existing features like waitlisted ticket purchasing, online seat selection, and subscription to sales reminders, the platform now pilots an “automatic ticket purchase order submission” function. This feature allows passengers traveling between certain regions—including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong provinces to and from Sichuan and Chongqing—to pre-fill their information and prepay, with the system automatically submitting their order based on their preferences. This streamlined process aims to simplify the ticket purchasing process and reduce wait times.
Further improvements include enhanced reservation and purchase functions for students and migrant workers, along with optimized sales and verification rules for student discount tickets. These measures are designed to prioritize the travel needs of key demographic groups.
These changes reflect China’s ongoing commitment to improving its transportation infrastructure and providing efficient, reliable travel options for its citizens, notably during peak travel seasons. The focus on both high-speed and slower-speed rail services underscores a commitment to connecting all parts of the country.
China Gears Up for Record-Breaking Spring Festival Travel Rush
Millions of Chinese citizens are expected to travel by rail during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, prompting the nation’s railway system to implement a series of ambitious plans to accommodate the surge.
This interview with Dr. Li Wei, a Professor of Transportation Management at Peking University, delves into the complex logistics behind China’s Spring Festival travel rush, highlighting the innovative solutions being deployed by the china Railway Nanning Bureau.
Preparing for Unprecedented Passenger Numbers
World today News Senior Editor: Dr. Li, the China Railway Nanning Bureau anticipates a staggering 17 million passengers during the upcoming Spring Festival travel period. Can you provide some context for the scale of this logistical challenge?
Dr. Li Wei: This year’s Spring Festival travel rush is projected to be the largest ever,surpassing previous records.The sheer number of people traveling by rail during this 40-day period demonstrates the immense importance of the Spring Festival to Chinese families and the vital role the railway network plays in facilitating reunions.
World Today News Senior Editor: It’s remarkable.What specific steps is the Nanning Bureau taking to cope with this massive influxстве passengers?
Dr. Li Wei: The Nanning Bureau is implementing a multi-faceted approach. They’re significantly increasing the number of trains in operation, deploying additional high-speed trains, and extending service hours, notably during peak travel periods.
Expanding Capacity and Routes
World Today News Senior editor: Tell us more about the increase in train services.
Dr. Li Wei: The bureau has announced an remarkable plan to add 180 temporary passenger trains to their schedule, focusing heavily on high-speed options to connect major cities and regions efficiently.
World Today News Senior Editor: That’s a substantial increase. What impact will the night high-speed train services have on travel?
Dr. li Wei: Introducing night trains is a particularly clever strategy. It allows for more frequent departures, effectively increasing capacity without requiring additional daytime slots, and it caters to passengers who prefer to travel overnight. The new routes connecting Fuzhou South to Guilin North are a welcome addition, providing more travel options for those in Guangxi and Fujian provinces.
Prioritizing Rural Connectivity and Ensuring Accessibility
World Today News Senior Editor: além das linhas de alta velocidade,a Nanning Bureau também mencionou a manutenção de trens mais lentos? Por que essa decisão é importante.
Dr. Li Wei: China prioritizes ensuring that it’s entire population has access to transportation, irrespective of where they live. This commitment to inclusivity is exemplified by the continued operation of “slow trains” and “rural revitalization” passenger trains. These services connect smaller towns and rural areas, enabling people in these communities to participate fully in the Spring Festival celebrations.
World Today News Senior Editor: that’s inspiring. Dr. li, thank you so much for yoru insights into the complexities of China’s Spring Festival travel and for highlighting the impressive efforts of the China Railway Nanning bureau.It’s clear that a lot of planning and coordination goes into ensuring that millions of people can travel safely and reliably during this crucial holiday.
