Chinese railways to see 647 mln passenger trips in summer

Passengers arrive at Chongqing North Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing, July 1, 2018. China's railway network is expected to see 647 million passenger trips in this year's "summer transport" from Sunday to the end of August, according to the China Railway Corporation. The figure is 7.6 percent higher than the previous year, representing a daily average of more than 10 million passenger trips, the company said. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

BEIJING, July 1 -- China's railway network is expected to see 647 million passenger trips in this year's "summer transport" from Sunday to the end of August, according to the China Railway Corporation.

The figure is 7.6 percent higher than the previous year, representing a daily average of more than 10 million passenger trips, the company said.

In response to heavy summer traffic, the company is taking measures to raise capacity and improve services.

Starting from Sunday, the country's railway network will adopt a new set of train schedules, with the addition of 37 pairs of medium- and long-distance passenger trains.

During the 62-day summer transport season, the number of China's Fuxing bullet trains in operation will reach over 170 pairs each day, where normally it is just over 114.

Designed and manufactured in China, the Fuxing (Rejuvenation) debuted on the Beijing-Shanghai line in June 2017, with the maximum speed reaching 350 kph. The trains are more spacious, reliable and energy-efficient than previous models.

The company will also improve passenger travel experience by providing services, including air conditioning in stations and on trains, online meal ordering, and check-in with facial recognition technology.