Spring Festival travel peak

As the Spring Festival approaches, China's transportation system is gearing up for the traditional travel peak. It's estimated the number of passengers travelling by road or water will rise this year, and officials pledged to ensure smooth transport of passengers.

The communication departments estimates more than 2.2 billion people will travel by road during the spring festival travel peak, 7.5 percent more than last year. While the number of passengers travelling by water is estimated to hit 32 million, rising more than three percent year on year.

Migrant workers make up a big portion of the travellers during the Spring Festival. Data shows that more than 100 million migrant workers from the west and central areas took jobs in eastern areas in 2009.

He Jianzhong, Spokesman of Ministry of Transport, said, "We estimated that around 150 million migrant workers will travel during the Spring Festival. It creates big pressure on road transportation."

The Ministry of Transport says 820 thousand large and medium-sized buses will run during the Spring Festival travel peak nationwide, and 10 thousand buses will be on stand-by.

Meanwhile, around 20 thousand ships with nearly eight-hundred thousand seats will be operated for passenger transport during the festival. Direct sailings from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan will become busy during the traditional new year, so in addition to the regular 14 ships, five more are arranged to stand-by during the period.

The Ministry of Transport will also add buses shuttling from cities to scenic spots nearby.

"We will not only ensure that every passenger can travel on time, but also ensure that they will get good service. We can promise that passengers will not have to be stranded in bus stations or at docks." He said.

The ministry has also urged local communication departments to offer convenient ways of transition for passengers in stations, airports or docks.