In the first quarter of this year, China's railway system handled a total of 1.133 billion passenger trips, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.5%. The launch of many new railway lines has boosted transport capacity, meeting the strong demand for travel. The quarter covered the Spring Festival travel rush and the New Year holiday, resulting in overlapping peaks in passenger flow. During the 40-day Spring Festival period, railways nationwide transported 538 million passengers, up 4.8% year-on-year, setting a new historical record. In March, many regions experienced their first spring break for primary and secondary schools, with outings and tourism driving up railway passenger numbers.

To manage peak travel times, railway authorities strengthened transport organization. Based on ticket reservation and waitlist data from the 12306 platform, additional temporary trains were deployed, multiple units were coupled, and extra carriages were added to conventional trains during high-demand periods to maximize capacity and meet passenger needs. A significant number of new lines opened late last year have expanded the network and enhanced transport capacity. In the first quarter, an average of 12,072 trains operated daily across the country, a 7.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Industry analysts note that the growth rate in transport capacity slightly exceeded that of passenger volume, indicating that railway departments have effectively met travel demand through dynamic capacity adjustments.

Passenger services have also been upgraded. During the quarter, two additional one-way student discount tickets were introduced for the class of 2026 graduates. The railway 12306 customer service center launched a telephone booking service for elderly passengers and implemented time-limited free refunds for mistakenly purchased tickets. The "quiet carriage" service has been expanded to over 8,000 electric multiple unit trains. High-speed rail pet transport services have been further optimized and extended, while the "light travel" service trial now covers 111 stations. These improvements better cater to diverse passenger needs and enhance the overall travel experience.

A total of 627 tourist trains were operated in the first quarter, integrating rail and tourism to stimulate consumption. The combination of the New Year, Spring Festival, and spring break led to a notable increase in passenger traffic. These tourist trains have vigorously promoted the tourism economy and contributed to sustained consumption growth. Trains are increasingly heading toward scenic areas. In the first quarter, distinctive tourist trains such as the "Panda Express," "Tianjin Travel Time," "Hospitality Shandong Qilu No. 1," and "Enjoy Heilongjiang Silver Travel" offered full-package tourism products including winter sports and heritage tours, activating cultural and tourism resources along their routes.

Cross-provincial tourist trains have seen increased frequency. For instance, Jiangxi and Fujian operated four health-themed trains to Kashgar, Xinjiang, under the "Dreaming of the Silk Road" program. Trains from Urumqi passed through Chengdu and Zhangjiajie to cities like Guangzhou and Xiamen. Flower-viewing specialty trains from Guangxi through Guizhou to Yunnan offered a four-day, three-night spring floral journey. Railway authorities have deepened cooperation with government departments, industry associations, and ticketing platforms to operate customized theme trains, including "fan trains," "study tour trains," and "blossom sightseeing trains." These initiatives activate the "theme train plus" economy, create new consumption scenarios, and foster the development of new consumption formats.

Cross-border passenger transport saw substantial growth in the first quarter. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail carried 8.66 million cross-border passengers, up 17.7% year-on-year. The China-Laos railway transported 112,000 cross-border passengers, an increase of 31.6%. International passenger trains between China and Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam, and North Korea maintained stable operations, facilitating cross-border personnel exchanges and economic and trade cooperation.