China's railway passenger trips up 6 percent in first three quarters

China's railway network experienced a surge in passenger trips in the first three quarters of this year, totaling 3.54 billion trips, a 6 percent increase from the previous year, according to the country's railway operator.

This figure sets a record high for the same period in history, said China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., adding that railway transportation remained safe, stable and orderly.

The railway operator fully utilized new railway lines and stations to boost transportation capacity and made flexible adjustments to train operation plans during the first three quarters. On average, 11,087 passenger trains ran daily in this period, a 7.1 percent increase year over year, the company said.

Cross-border passenger transport also gained momentum, with the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the China-Laos Railway handling 23.31 million and 197,000 cross-border passenger trips, respectively, during the nine-month period. This effectively supported personnel exchanges, as well as trade and business activities.

(With input from Xinhua)