Region tipped for surge in holiday train travel

A total of 37.25 million passengers are expected to depart by train from the Yangtze River Delta region during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, said China Railway Shanghai Group on Tuesday.

The travel rush for the Mid-Autumn Festival will last from Thursday to Sunday, and from September 28 to October 7 for the National Day break.

China Railway is expecting a surge in passenger traffic during the breaks compared with last year. Some 9.86 million people are predicted to travel during Mid-Autumn Festival and 27.4 million during the National Day holiday, up 15 percent and 10 percent respectively.

More than 220 extra trains have been prepared to facilitate the travel rushes. Meanwhile, "12306 Passenger Service Centers" will start operation in 21 train stations in the delta region, including Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, before the breaks.

The service centers will provide information, ticket exchange, express delivery, lost and found, as well as baggage services.

Railway authorities suggest passengers arrive at stations one hour ahead of departure.