The Spring Festival holiday is the most concentrated period of travel in Dongguan. According to Dongguan Rail Transit Company, passenger traffic during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday this year increased by more than 30% compared with the same period last year. Dongguan Rail Transit has become a preferred means for more and more residents to travel in the city.

Ahead of the Spring Festival, the rail transit department implemented a number of measures to ensure smooth pedestrian flow. For example, service was extended by 2 hours to 1am on Chinese New Year's Eve, much to the satisfaction of residents. Dongguan Railway Station, Xiping Station and Humen Railway Station set up public service spots during the Spring Festival. They provided services such as luggage carts, water and medicine kits for passengers. They also provided baggage transportation services for passengers carrying large luggage items, which was a convenience very well-received by passengers.

According to statistics, from 4th to 10th February, Dongguan Rail Transit Line 2 had 790,200 passengers, an increase of 201,300 (34.18%) over the same period last year. The average daily passenger flow was 112,900, an increase of 28,800 (34.24%) compared with the same period last year. Daily passenger traffic peaked on the first day of the lunar New Year (5th February) at 148,900.

Weather during this year's Spring Festival was relatively warm, attracting large numbers of people outdoors. Compared with last year, the average daily passenger traffic of Hongfu Road Station increased by 181.96%. Passenger flow of Qifeng Park Station hit an all time high on 5th February with daily passenger traffic of 31,400, a year-on-year increase of 9.41%.

(By Stefanie Tan and Sev Pischl)