Spring Festival travel peak starts in China

Source: CCTV.com | 01-15-2007 16:33

With the Spring Festival fast approaching, the southern city of Guangzhou saw its first peak travel day this weekend. Over 65 thousand people took to the railways to head back home. Rail authorities predict more people than ever will use train services this year, since there's no price hike for festival train tickets.

With the expected rush, the Ministry of Railways announced earlier this week that ticket prices will not be raised this year.

Ministry of Railways spokesman, Wang Yongping said "The system of floating ticket prices during the festival has eased the burden of transportation to a certain extent during the past years. But in order to let people enjoy their Spring Festival, we decided not to raise the price."

The ministry has also promised to improve its services, as many passengers had hoped.

Seeing is believing. Saturday saw a special train for migrant workers leave from Guangzhou city.

The freeze in ticket prices has also prompted railway authorities to relieve the possible pressure. Some cargo trains will be taken out of service to ensure smooth passenger transportation. And the ministry will increase the number of train routes during the Spring rush.

And within two weeks the rail network can expect a fresh assault by a wave of college students also returning home. On top of that, another two billion journeys are expected on the highways, five per cent up from last year. Though as yet there is no word on bus or coach ticket prices.

Editor:Du Xiaodan