In a milestone for the Chinese mainland’s transport sector, the national railway operator reported 3.54 billion passenger trips in the first three quarters of this year—a 6% leap from last year and the highest on record for this period.
Key to this surge was the rollout of new lines and stations, boosting capacity and enabling operators to run an average of 11,087 passenger trains daily, up 7.1% year over year. “Flexible scheduling and infrastructure investments drove this growth while keeping services safe and stable,” said China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
For digital nomads and travellers, expanded cross-border links have opened fresh horizons. The Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link saw 23.31 million cross-border trips, while the China–Laos Railway handled 197,000, reinforcing people exchanges, trade and tourism across regions.
Economists and business leaders say such gains signal strong momentum for emerging markets and supply chains. “Reliable, high-frequency rail services not only power commuter flows but also underpin regional cooperation and sustainable travel,” notes an industry analyst.
As railway networks continue to evolve, the rise in passenger volumes offers a glimpse into shifting mobility trends—where speed meets sustainability and connectivity fuels global engagement.
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China's railway passenger trips up 6 percent in first three quarters
cgtn.com
