More than 51 million passenger trips has been made via Guangdong's railways from Jan. 26 to Feb. 21, the first 27 days of the Spring Festival travel rush, according to China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd.

Compared with 2019, this figure increased by 18 percent, with a daily average of 1.89 million trips, making it the busiest holiday ever.

According to the railway authorities, hot rail routes are from Nanning, Guangxi, and Changsha to Guangzhou, Guangzhou to Shenzhen, and Zhanjiang to Guangzhou.

Railway authorities have provided additional trains in response to travel demand, especially on round trips from Changsha, Huaihua, Huidong, and Shantou to Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

In addition, they have also upgraded services at railway stations. For instance, Guangzhou South Railway Station has set up a free service area in front of the A14-A15 ticket gates for elders, children, those with disabilities, and pregnant women. Shenzhen North Railway Station (A2) and Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station (5A) also have the same waiting area.

The railway sector is expecting 1.56 million passenger trips on Thursday (February 22), up 16.5 percent. With large number of travelling students and migrant workers, the passenger flow will reach its peak again during the Spring Lantern Festival.

The Spring Festival, which fell on Feb. 10 this year, is China's biggest traditional festival. This year's Spring Festival travel rush started on Jan. 26 and will end on March 5.