Holiday travel peak continues

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-13-2008 15:01

Another peak period for travel in China began on Monday as the Spring Festival holiday wound up. Severe weather in southern China before the Lunar New Year has prolonged the travel rush, and heavy passenger flow may last until Saturday.

More than 700 additional train services have been put into operation to cope with passenger demand.

On Wednesday, the first day after the week-long Spring Festival holiday, more than 50 million railway trips are expected to be made across China -- two and a half percent fewer than at the same time last year.

More than 700 additional train services have been put into operation to cope with passenger demand.

Meanwhile, road travel is relatively smooth nationwide although there is an increase of vehicles heading north on some highways, including the national artery linking Beijing and Zhuhai, which was paralyzed by heavy snow before the Lunar New Year.

The number of outbound passengers in southern China is dramatically higher than usual, as many more chose to go home after being stranded by the severe weather before the holiday.

Airlines are also busy. Over 660,000 passengers travelled by plane on Tuesday alone, the busiest day in this year's spring festival peak transport period.

Another travel peak is expected on February 21st, as most migrant workers will return to work after the Lantern Festival.

Editor:Zhang Ning