Travel surge caps end of Spring Festival holiday

Services increase

To manage the influx of travelers, transportation service providers have implemented a range of measures, including extending subway hours, adding extra buses and coordinating ride-hailing services to handle peak demand.

In Beijing, Tuesday marked the busiest day for returning travelers. The city was expected to see about 2.45 million trips, including 1.08 million arrivals at railway stations and airports, according to the Beijing transport commission.

Authorities extended subway operating hours on 10 lines, increased bus services and encouraged ride-hailing companies such as Didi Chuxing to offer incentives for drivers to stay on the road. Additional buses and taxis were deployed, particularly for nighttime arrivals between 11 pm and 5 am.

China's railway system also set records while implementing measures to handle the massive flow of passengers.

On Monday, 16.45 million passenger trips were recorded, a new high for daily rail traffic during the Spring Festival period. On Tuesday, that number was expected to reach 16.9 million, with 2,196 additional trains scheduled to meet demand, according to China State Railway Group, the national rail operator.

To improve passenger services, railway authorities deployed extra trains and introduced new conveniences. At Nanning East Railway Station in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, for example, express delivery services allowed passengers to ship their luggage in advance to make traveling easier.

Beijing Railway Station and Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station kept their gates open late to guide passengers arriving at night, ensuring a smooth flow of travelers. At Beijing West Railway Station, 82 additional directional signs were installed, and efforts were made to ensure seamless train transfers. Staffing was increased during peak hours, and taxis and ride-hailing services were bolstered to cover the "last mile" of travelers' journeys.

A Beijing resident surnamed Liu, who arrived late Monday night at Beijing West Railway Station with her family, described the process as "very efficient" and "well-organized".

"When I got off the train, it was easy to find the ride-hailing area. I didn't have to wait at all," she said. "Even though the station was crowded, traveling with my kids and luggage was convenient. Everything was well-organized, and we made it home smoothly."