The Chinese traditionally hold family reunions during the Spring Festival. Every year before and after the festival, a large number of people will travel between their hometown and their working or studying places. The travel boom during the Spring Festival period lasts from the middle of January till late in February.

Railway has always been an important mean of transport during the Spring Festival. This time, train journeys will reach 130 million, an increase of 1.6 million on that of last year. Director of the Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Railway, Hu Yadong explains.

“The railway passenger flow during the Spring Festival is composed of students, migrant workers, and many others traveling home for the festival.”

Hu Yadong says the railway departments have offered additional train services to ease the pressure on the tracks. In east China’s Shanghai, where there are many migrant workers, the railway departments have put out more than 100 extra temporary passenger trains.

In Beijing where there are many universities, the Beijing Railway Bureau has arranged special trains for students to return home. A Beijing Post and Telecommunication University student is very happy about the service.

“This year, Beijing Railway Station has opened the No.3 railway car as a special student carriage. It’s quite easy to buy tickets. And all those getting on the train are students. There is a special atmosphere among us, as we are all going home.”

Most passengers choose to travel by coach. It’s estimated that the total number of coach trips will exceed 1.6 billion over the peak season. An official from the Ministry of Communications, Xie Jiajue says they will clamp down on overcrowding to ensure the passengers’ safety and comfort.

“The coach stations must sell tickets in strict accordance with the bus’s capacity. Whoever is responsible for overcrowding, will be severely fined. The heads of the stations will also be punished.”

(CRI January 31, 2003)