China’s extensive rail network shattered its previous single-day passenger record on May 1st, carrying 24.8 million travelers according to figures released by the China State Railway Group.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported Saturday that railway officials anticipated transporting an additional 19.7 million passengers on May 2nd as holiday travel continued.
To accommodate the massive influx of holiday travelers, several major rail corridors expanded their service by deploying additional trains, Xinhua reported.
Railway operators on the Zhengzhou route deployed 140 extra passenger trains to meet demand, while the Chengdu corridor added 184 additional trains, according to the news agency.
The surge in railway travel highlights the strength of China’s domestic tourism sector, which continues to provide economic stimulus to a national economy grappling with sluggish consumer spending and ongoing challenges in the real estate market.
