China's railways carried a record 5.18 million passengers on
October 1, the first day of the country's week-long National Day
holiday, said an official with the Ministry of Railways
yesterday.
The source attributed the peak transportation to the increase of
long-distance and short-distance travelers on that day. A total of
282 temporary trains were put into service on Sunday, said the
ministry.
On October 1 last year, the railways carried 4.55 million
passengers, according to the ministry's data.
Railway is the main transportation tool for Chinese travelers.
The sector faces even harder tasks in catering to increasing
travelers during the country's three "golden week" holidays, which
was introduced in 1999 aiming to stimulate domestic
consumption.
The three week-long holidays are featured by the Spring Festival, May Day and National Day.
(Xinhua News Agency October 4, 2006)