Chinese Vice Premier calls for better preparation for festival travel rush

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang on Tuesday called for better preparation for the travel rush during the upcoming Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year period, and ensuring travelers' safety.

Zhang made the remarks during his tours to the Beijing West Railway Station, stations of coach, bus and subway and airport in Beijing.

The country's transport network was expected to cope with 2.54 billion trips during the transportation peak starting from Jan. 30 to March 10 this year.

The Lunar New Year, China's most important traditional festival for family reunions, will fall on Feb. 14.

He urged traffic authorities to tap the potential of transport capacity and prepare for extreme weather and emergencies to prevent pileup of passengers at railway or bus stations and airports.

Ensuring passengers' safety should the top priority, Zhang said, asking authorities to take concrete measures against any risks.

He also said transportation departments should further improve services to the satisfaction of travelers.

Efforts should be made to enhance transportation of goods and resources such as coal and festival products to ensure adequate supply for people's needs and social and economic development, he said.