Tickets to the most popular destinations are expected to rise by 40 to 50 percent, according to the country's transportation ministries.

The State Development Planning Commission has earmarked the period from January 9 to February 17 as the peak travel time for Spring Festival, which falls on January 24.

The commission predicted that some 1.66 billion passengers will travel during this period, a 2.7 percent rise on last year, as Chinese people have the tradition to return home for family reunions, which puts great pressure on the country's transport network every year.

The Ministry of Railways will add 6,000 trains for the peak period but this is expected to fall short of demand, said an official with the ministry.

The ministry intend to renovate the inside of trains and employ more attendants to keep railways in order, to which the extra price rise may offer helps, said Liu Zhijun, vice-minister of railways.

China's major airlines, such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, also plan to put on 20 percent more flights during the 40-day travel peak.

(eastday. com 01/03/2000)