China Railway: The number of passengers sent by national railways in the first half of the year increased 5.0% year-on-year

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on July 13, China Railway published an article stating that in the first half of 2026, railways across the country sent a total of 2,348 billion passengers, an increase of 5.0% over the previous year, a record high for the same period.

The original text is as follows:

National railways sent 2,348 billion passengers in the first half of the year

Since this year, China National Railway Group Co., Ltd. has thoroughly implemented the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, adhering to the people-centered idea of development, actively adapting to the diverse travel needs of passengers, accurately and efficiently investing capacity resources, innovating the supply of passenger transport products, implementing convenient and beneficial measures, improving the quality of station bus services, and ensuring safe, convenient and warm travel for passengers. In the first half of 2026, railways across the country sent 2,348 million passengers, an increase of 5.0% over the same period in history.

First, the supply of passenger capacity is accurate and efficient. Coordinating resources for high-speed railways and general speed railways, carefully formulating train operation plans, and increasing passenger capacity investment, railways across the country arranged to operate 11,468 passenger trains per day, an increase of 630 trains over the previous year, an increase of 5.8%. The big data on railway 12306 ticket sales and standby ticketing was fully used to dynamically analyze travel demand, increase capacity in popular directions and sections in a timely manner, and successfully complete the Spring Festival travel season and Qingming, May 1st, and Dragon Boat Festival holiday transportation organizations, providing a good service for travelers to travel during the holidays. On May 1, railways across the country sent 248.44 million passengers, setting a record high in the number of passengers sent in a single day. Cross-border passenger transport organizations were strengthened. The China-Lao Railway sent 188,000 cross-border passengers, an increase of 25.9% over the previous year, and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Rail sent 16.962 million cross-border passengers, an increase of 13.8% over the previous year. Operate international passenger trains between China and Russia, China Vietnam, China, Mongolia, and China and North Korea to promote cross-border personnel exchanges and economic and trade exchanges. Actively adapting to the increase in passenger flow brought about by the national visa-free transit policy and providing convenience for foreign travelers, railways across the country sent 12.314 million foreign passengers, an increase of 33.6% over the previous year. Maintain the operating scale of general speed passenger trains, operate public welfare “slow trains” and rural revitalization trains, and ensure the inclusiveness, balance, and accessibility of railway transportation.

Second, the integrated development of railway travel has achieved remarkable results. Implement 15 initiatives launched by 8 organizations including the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and China Railway Group to promote the integrated development of railways and tourism and expand service consumption, insist on opening trains to scenic spots, actively connect with local cultural tourism departments, vigorously promote the integrated development of railway tourism, carefully arrange the operation of various unique tourist trains, connect beautiful food and cultural attractions along the route, and launch “Panda Special Train”, “Yangtze River Star”, “Central Plains Railway · Grand River South”, “Fujian and Jiangxi Fenghua” and “New Oriental Express”, etc. The “Qilu 1” cultural relics research train between Handan and the one between Shanghai and Hangzhou Special tourist routes such as the “South Lake · 1921”, the “Double Decker Folk Culture Train” from Kunming to Lijiang to Dali, and the “Snow Capital of China · My Altay” between Urumqi and Altay provide travelers with diverse travel options and high-quality travel experiences, meet diverse travel needs, activate tourism consumption potential, and promote the development of the tourism economy and silver economy. In the first half of the year, railways across the country operated a total of 1,797 tourist trains, including 967 special tourist trains and 830 special tourist lines. It accurately matches the schedule of events, exhibitions, and theatrical performances in various regions, and customizes 445 “fan trains”, etc., to activate the “themed train +” economy, attract emerging passenger flows, effectively boost cultural tourism consumption along the route, and promote the expansion and quality of service consumption.

Third, the travel experience for travelers continues to improve. Fully implement the 2026 edition of China Railway Group's “Railway Passenger Transport Regulations” to optimize service measures such as passenger misrides, connecting tickets, and student discount tickets. Improve the functions of the railway 12306 system, and launch a series of convenience and welfare measures, such as telephone booking services for elderly passengers and free time-limited ticket refunds for mistaken ticket purchases, to enhance the passenger ticketing experience. Expanding the coverage of travel tickets, 26 products have been launched. Child travelers can purchase travel tickets, making family travel and parent-child travel more affordable. The Beijing-Zhang high-speed railway provides a “portable bicycle” service at all stations along the Beijing-Zhang high-speed railway line between Beijing North and Chongli. The “silent car” service has expanded to over 8,000 EMU trains, and the “pet friendly” service has expanded to 163 high-speed rail stations and 364 EMU trains. The “light weight train” service covers 212 stations. The Railway Access Code covers all EMU trains. 120 stations across the country can enable convenient transfers. 94 stations provide internet ordering services, create specialty EMU catering brands, improve the quality of train catering services, and strive to provide travelers with a “good box of meals”. Do a good job in providing services for key travelers such as the elderly, the sick, disabled, and pregnant, improve response efficiency and service quality, strengthen convenient transfer guidance services during peak hours, key locations and stations, and ensure the safe and orderly boarding and disembarkation of passengers. Promote and guide civilized travel, carry out extensive volunteer service activities, and jointly carry out publicity activities on the theme of “My Railway Scenery” with the Cultural Tourism Department, creating a warm and harmonious travel environment.

Fourth, railway transportation remains safe and stable. Adhere to the concept of people first, life first, and safety first, strengthen contacts with meteorology, water conservancy and other departments, promptly monitor weather changes in various regions, respond positively to extreme weather and natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, typhoons, and earthquakes, adjust passenger train operation plans in a timely manner, and adopt safe-haven measures such as suspension, speed limits, and detours in advance to actively avoid safety risks. Strengthen flood control and flood control efforts, organize railway cadres and employees to step up line inspections, equipment maintenance, passenger services, etc., thoroughly investigate all kinds of hidden hazards, implement detailed safety and security measures, and ensure the safety and smooth flow of the railway arteries. In response to sudden passenger flows, increase security and verification channels in a timely manner, optimize entry and exit flow lines, increase guidance at key locations, and ensure safe and orderly boarding and disembarkation. Strengthen security checks, cooperate with railway public security authorities to vigorously crack down on illegal and criminal acts, and clean up the security environment.

After entering the summer season, the demand for travelers to travel such as family visits, travel, and business will increase. The railway department will pay close attention to changes in passenger flow, analyze the railway 12306 big data in a timely manner, increase capacity investment in key regions and time periods, and implement various measures to facilitate and benefit the people. Strictly implement all measures for safe driving during the flood season, strengthen monitoring and early warning of dangerous situations, adhere to safety orientation and active safe-haven principles, optimize and adjust passenger train operation plans in a timely manner based on meteorological consultations and risk assessments, prepare for emergency rescue, and make every effort to ensure the safe, orderly and warm travel of all travelers.

This article was selected from the “China Railway” WeChat account, Zhitong Finance Editor: Feng Qiuyi.