A migrant worker rushes to catch his train at Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, China, Jan. 20, 2010. The railway peak transport in Spring Festival season in Beijing started on Wednesday. Millions of Chinese will rush back home for the Spring Festival, China's Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 14 this year. [Photo: Xinhua]
Beijing railway sector enters the Spring Festival travel period on Wednesday, ten days ahead of the national timetable, according to the city's railway bureau.
China National Radio reported that the adjustment was made mainly for college students who had started to go home as the winter vacation began, said Song Jianguo, an official from Beijing West Station. Some migrant workers are also expected to join the rush ahead of the travel peak.
It is estimated that the Beijing railway system will receive a volume of over 750,000 passengers a day during the peak travel period starting on February 11, according to Fan Yingshu, Director of the Department of Passenger Traffic at the Beijing Railway Bureau.
Railway administrative authorities have decided to add more than 100 temporary trains to cope with the surge. Supporting facilities and services will also be offered to benefit passengers.
Beijing West Railway Station, one of the biggest stations in the country, will open its south wing for passengers to enter the station or buy tickets, the Beijing Times reported.
A total of 135 temporary ticket booths will be set in the station and tickets are to be sold 24 hours a day. A window for migrant workers to buy group tickets was opened on Tuesday.
This year's Spring Festival travel period will last until March 10 and 210 million passengers are expected to travel by train during the period, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
Passengers rush to catch their trains at Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, China, Jan. 20, 2010. [Photo: Xinhua]
Some students arrive at Beijing Railway Station to catch their trains in Beijing, China, Jan. 20, 2010. [Photo: Xinhua]
Passengers queue to go inside Beijing Railway Station to catch their trains in Beijing, China, Jan. 20, 2010. [Photo: Xinhua]
Passengers queue for tickets at Beijing West Railway Station on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. The Spring Festival travel period started 10 days ahead of schedule in Beijing on Wednesday. [Photo: Xinhua]
Passengers surge at Beijing West Railway Station on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. The Spring Festival travel period started 10 days ahead of schedule in Beijing on Wednesday. [Photo: Xinhua]
