Han Ximin
THE city is expected to handle 9.45 million passengers during the Spring Festival travel season between Jan. 19 to Feb. 27, an increase of 3.4 percent compared with the same period last year.
Around 4.9 million would travel by air, railways, buses and ferries during the 15-day pre-festival season, a joint meeting of 45 member institutions of Shenzhen Spring Festival Transport Office was told yesterday.
The estimated peak departures for Spring Festival travel would be between Jan. 29 and Feb. 1, the eve of the Chinese New Year and the return peak between Feb. 9 and 11.
Because this year s Spring Festival comes 11 days earlier than last year, the flow of students and migrant workers returning home and business travelers would overlap, presenting a challenge for railways.
Most passengers departing Shenzhen would return to Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Because the railway could only carry 960,000 passengers during the pre-festival period, the authorities hoped holidaymakers would take other modes of transport.
Long-distance bus companies were required to ensure sufficient buses by operating about 9,000 buses a day during the transport period. Buses are expected to carry 3.3 million passengers during the pre-festival period. Shenzhen airport will schedule 500 flights a day for arrivals and departures during peak periods.
Shenzhen railway authority will continue to issue ID-tickets. Shenzhen Railway Station and Shenzhen West Railway Station are required to update information about ticket sales and open more ticket outlets across the city.
Safety was given priority at the meeting. By Nov. 30, the country s railway system reported 142 accidents involving the deaths of 3 people, with 762 people injured.
