China's railway system handled over 456 million passenger trips from July 1 to August 1 during this year's summer travel rush, up 3.6 percent year on year, according to its operator.

The passenger volume growth reflects continuous improvements in rail transport capacity. Since implementing a new national railway operating plan on July 1, China's railway network has maintained a daily average of 11,416 passenger trains, representing a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase, said China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
During the peak summer travel period, railways have effectively responded to robust tourism demand by operating specialized services including parent-child excursions, educational tours, red tourism routes, and senior-friendly "silver-haired" trains. In July alone, the national railway system organized 266 customized tourist trains.
China's railway services achieved new upgrades this summer, with 19 major stations nationwide rolling out innovative luggage handling services.
"The growth in passenger traffic during the summer travel rush demonstrates how China's railway system has effectively stimulated market demand through consumer-oriented service innovations, while also showcasing new progress in optimizing transportation structure," said Lu Chengyun, a researcher at the Institute of Transportation Research under the National Development and Reform Commission.
The summer travel rush is usually a busy season for the railway network as college students return home and families travel. This year's summer travel rush will last for 62 days from July 1 to Aug 31.