As the whole of China prepare for the Spring Festival holiday period, railway stations in Shanghai are expecting an influx of passengers that would reach 10.3 million during the 40-day holiday period.
The Spring Festival is the busiest holiday of the year for railway stations as many Chinese take the time to travel back home and be with family to welcome the New Year, which would fall on Feb. 19 this year.
Railway companies have anticipated an 11-percent increase in passengers taking their transport this year compared to 2014.
While travelers have flocked to the railway stations as early as the last week of January, records show that the two weeks before the Chinese New Year are the busiest time for railway companies.
Many Chinese opt to travel during this period. Train stations such as the Shanghai Railway, the Shanghai Hongqiao and the Shanghai South Railway Stations are looking at an estimated 420,000 passengers to hit their stations just on Feb. 14 alone, five days before the Chinese New Year.
To address the number of passengers, which are expected to balloon during this period, the Shanghai Railway Station officials have drawn extra measures to upgrade their service. Ticketing offices for the railway firm would be open 24 hours to accommodate passengers.
The company has also set up extra booths for passengers who might need to refund or change their tickets for another schedule or location.
Because a number of people would troop to the stations, the three railway stations have also set up medical booths for passengers who may need first aid during their stay at the station or when they arrive. Basic care would not be charged.
The Chinese railway authority has also considered adding more coaches to accommodate the passengers heading to famous tourist destinations such as Hubei, Sichuan and Jiangsu. No announcement has been made though by the railway authority if it would push through with the said plan.