During a recent interview with officials from the Guangzhou Railway Group on October 8, it was highlighted that passenger traffic remained remarkably high throughout the recent National Day holiday week. Over the seven-day holiday period, the group transported a total of 18.67 million passengers, an increase of 640,000 compared to last year, representing a 3.6% year-on-year growth. October 1 emerged as the peak travel day, with an impressive 3.165 million passengers, setting a new historical record. Overall, the passenger transport during the holiday was managed smoothly and efficiently.

According to the Passenger Transport Department of the Guangzhou Railway Group, heavy passenger flow continued on October 8, with an estimated 2.095 million travelers expected to return that day.

Data revealed that this year, 14.862 million passengers, or 79.6%, chose high-speed train travel during the holiday period, while 3.808 million, making up 20.4%, opted for regular trains.

The busiest stations were Guangzhou South Station, Changsha South Station, and Shenzhen North Station. The most traveled routes included the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway, and the Hangzhou-Shenzhen Line. Notably, the newly opened Meilong High-Speed Railway, which launched in September, accommodated 131,000 passengers.

To effectively manage the high passenger flow, the Guangzhou Railway Group maximized transport capacity by adding extra trains, coupling multiple trainsets, and increasing night services during peak days. Throughout the holiday, an average of 3,326 passenger trains operated daily, with 329 additional trains put into service. The peak day was October 7, when a record 3,455 trains were in operation, marking a year-on-year increase of 194 trains, or 5.9%.

To enhance the travel experience, major stations within the Guangzhou Railway network optimized entry and exit flows based on passenger patterns and safety requirements. They reinforced guiding signs to ensure clear and smooth boarding and alighting processes, particularly in key areas such as identity verification zones, security checkpoints, ticketing areas, bridges, underpasses, and elevator entrances. Additionally, they implemented stringent safety checks in high-priority train areas and emphasized food hygiene management both on board and at stations to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort throughout their journeys.