China's railway sector says more than 195 million people are expected to travel by rail between July 1 and Aug. 31 of this year, up 2 percent on 2002.

Officials with the Ministry of Railways say the sector is ready to provide better services for passengers in one of the busiest traveling seasons for China.

They say railway departments will work hard to make it easier for passengers to buy tickets and prevent the unauthorized hiking of ticket prices.

The ministry has also decided to put into service an extra 20 sets of passenger trains during the two month period, in addition to 39 special passenger trains. 

(Chinabroadcast.cn July 2, 2004)