Beijing (TDI): China’s railway system handled a record-breaking 4.01 billion passenger trips in the first 11 months of 2024, surpassing the 3.86 billion trips recorded for the entirety of 2023, according to data released by the China State Railway Group Co. on Wednesday.
This marks the first time passenger trips on China’s rail network have exceeded the 4 billion mark, reflecting a robust recovery and growing travel demand post-pandemic.
Passenger turnover during the period reached 1.49 trillion passenger-kilometers, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total passenger turnover, the company stated.
Experts attribute this growth to increased investment in railway infrastructure and improved services, according to Global Times.
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Sun Zhang, a railway expert from Shanghai Tongji University, noted that ticket availability during peak times has significantly improved, contributing to the rising passenger flow.
However, he pointed out that hinterland regions still hold untapped potential for expanding railway usage.
Investment in China Railway System
From January to October, fixed-asset investment in the railway sector hit 635.1 billion yuan ($87.38 billion), up 10.9% year-on-year.
By November’s end, China’s railway network spanned 160,000 kilometers, including 46,000 kilometers of high-speed rail, reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in rail transportation.
The network now connects 99 percent of Chinese cities with populations of 200,000 or more and serves 97 percent of cities with over 500,000 residents via high-speed rail.
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Cross-border passenger transport has also surged, with the China-Laos Railway handling 249,000 cross-border trips during the period.
Winter tourism has further boosted demand, particularly in Northeast China.
According to China Railway Harbin Group Co., travel to ice-and-snow attractions such as Yabuli and Mohe has risen significantly, with 85,000 tourists traveling on 163 themed train trips to popular resorts in Heilongjiang Province by late November.
