Local railways prepare for holiday travel rush

More than 3.3 million rail trips are expected in Shanghai during the upcoming National Day holiday travel peak, nearly 80 percent of the same period last year, China Railway Shanghai Group announced on Wednesday. 

The rail travel peak for the eight-day holiday will last 11 days from September 28 to October 8. 

The busiest day is expected on October 1, also the Mid-Autumn Festival, with 480,000 rail trips estimated at six railway stations such as Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in the city, according to the group.

Many Chinese tourists are taking domestic tours during the holiday because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while ticketing incentives offered by some destinations in China are also boosting rail travel, the group said. 

The combination of people visiting family and those making business trips during the holiday further pushes up the total, it said. 

More than 40 extra trains will be arranged on routes from Shanghai to cities such as Wuxi, Nanjing and Nantong during the holiday to satisfy demand, the group announced. 

Rail passengers are required to have their temperature checked at railway stations and wear masks throughout their trip.