China's railway sector sets record with 3.33 bn passengers in first nine months

According to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway), the national railway system transported a record-breaking 3.33 billion passengers from January to September this year, marking a 13.5% year-on-year increase.

Notably, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway transported nearly 19.9 million cross-border passengers, showing a 43.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

The head of the China Railway's Passenger Transport Department explained that this year, the group coordinated resources between high-speed and conventional railways, optimized train schedules for newly opened routes, and maximized transportation capacity. On average, 10,792 passenger trains were operated daily nationwide, representing a 9.8% increase year-on-year.

Leveraging the big data from the railway ticketing platform 12306, the group dynamically analyzed travel demands, efficiently allocated resources, and promptly increased capacity in popular directions and segments to handle peak passenger flows. From January to September, 1,430 tourism trains were operated.

Efforts to enhance cross-border passenger transportation were highlighted, with the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway carrying nearly 19.9 million cross-boundary passengers, a 43.1% year-on-year increase, and the China-Laos Railway transporting 190,000 cross-border passengers.

Moreover, the railway sector prioritized service quality enhancements and introduced new convenience measures. Initiatives such as seamless transfers, specialized services for student ticket bookings, and tailored ticketing strategies were introduced to enhance the passenger ticketing and travel experience.

New ticketing services like trip-based tickets and regular passes now cover 60 routes, while tourist packages cover 11 routes. The Railway QR code system is available on all multiple-unit trains, enabling convenient transfers at 120 stations, with internet meal ordering services available at over 80 stations. The "quiet carriage" service has expanded to 92 multiple-unit trains, continuously improving onboard dining services.

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