As the spring travel season unfolds, the railway network in the Yangtze River Delta region is gearing up to accommodate a record-breaking 86 million passengers from March 14 to April 14, marking a 6.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to China Railway Shanghai Group Co Ltd.

To better handle the surge in travelers, a comprehensive railway network transportation plan has been unveiled.

The plan focuses on key routes such as the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway, Shanghai-Kunming High-speed Railway, Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-speed Railway, Hangzhou-Shenzhen Railway, and Jinhua-Wenzhou Railway.

The railway authority plans to add 29 pairs of passenger trains in the delta region, including 28 pairs of high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains.

Additionally, EMU trains will be reconfigured and extended to increase transport capacity and seat availability, particularly in major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, and Hefei in Anhui province, as well as popular tourist destinations such as Huangshan Mountain and Thousand Islets Lake.

Officials from China Railway Shanghai Group have noted that in recent years, tourists have been shifting their focus from traditional spring outings and tomb sweeping to leisure-focused trips, with tomb sweeping serving as a secondary activity.

Additionally, new forms of recreation, such as sports events and concerts, are becoming increasingly popular.

Over the past two years, the efficient transportation system has not only enhanced travel convenience but also boosted the region's overall economic vitality during the bustling spring travel season, according to data from the railway department.

Source: Shanghai Observer