Yangtze delta rail handles record passenger trips in H1

The Yangtze River Delta railway network reported a record 455 million passenger trips in the first half, with a daily average of 2.51 million travelers — a 4.6 percent year-on-year increase.

China Railway Shanghai Group said the second quarter saw significant growth over the first, with an all-time single-day high of nearly 4.27 million trips recorded on May 1.

Over 30 million passengers were handled in the eight days surrounding the May Day holiday alone, averaging nearly 3.8 million per day and setting a new benchmark. To meet demand, services were optimized including data-driven adjustments to booking systems. Enhanced transport capacities included an additional 18,253 scheduled trains.

The July and August summer travel period should see over 190 million trips made, the group said. Further capacity expansions, including 28.5 pairs of temporary train services, will accommodate rising tourism and demand for family travel.

"Better railway connections in the delta region make train trips a more popular choice among passengers, and provinces involved in the region more integrated. It is an achievement secured with continuous efforts in transportation infrastructure, especially in high-speed railway projects," said Long Chaocan, an investment consultant with China Galaxy Securities Co Ltd.

According to the local railway operator, seven new HSRs were put into operation in the delta region in 2024. By the end of 2024, its total length of railways in operation reached 15,000 kilometers, with HSR taking up over 50 percent at 7,700 km.

The delta region will see more railway construction and operations this year, with an investment of over 130 billion yuan ($18.14 billion) expected to be made in railway projects, the operator said.

Xinhua contributed to this story.