China's summer rush ends with record high railway passenger trips

Passengers are seen on the platform at the Tianjin West Railway Station in Tianjin, north China, July 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's 62-day summer travel season has concluded, with the railways handling a record 887 million passenger trips between July 1 and Aug. 31, up 6.7 percent year on year, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said Sunday.

During the period, the daily average number of passenger trips handled by the country's railways was 14.31 million, according to the company.

Meanwhile, more than 14.32 million student tickets were sold during the summer travel rush, according to the China Railway.

A total of 670 million tonnes of goods were also transported by railways, including 250 million tonnes of thermal coal, during the period, according to the company.

To ensure safe, orderly travel and stable operations, the company prepared a transportation plan, increased capacity and implemented passenger-friendly measures well in advance.

The summer travel rush is usually a busy season for the country's railway system as college students return home for the summer vacation, while family visits and tourist trips also increase during the period.