Shenzhen anticipates 13 million passengers during Spring Festival travel rush
As the Spring Festival travel season, known as Chunyun, kicked off on Saterday, Shenzhen is expected to receive an estimated 13 million travelers during the 40-day period from January 26 to March 5, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Spring Festival Transportation Office. The number represents a significant 15.3% year-on-year increase.
According to transportation authorities, the surge is expected to peak during the period from February 3 to February 8. Private cars, ride-sharing services, and inter-city shared transportation are becoming increasingly popular, leading to a substantial increase in air, rail, and water transport, while road transport is expected to see a notable decline.
In a notable change in citizens' travel habits, the use of private cars is expected to remain high. The extended duration of this year's Spring Festival holiday is anticipated to attract more residents from Hong Kong and mainland China to Shenzhen for celebrations, shopping, and tourism, resulting in a significant increase in demand for public transportation compared to previous years.
During the 2024 Spring Festival travel period, the city has allocated resources to accommodate the surge in demand. Rail transport is set to deploy an average of 694 train pairs per day, with 611 high-speed trains and 83 regular trains. Shenzhen Airport will see around 1,100 takeoffs and landings daily. The city plans to put 5,500 various types of operating passenger vehicles into service, providing over 240,000 passenger seats. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong shuttle buses aim to operate approximately 900 trips daily, while 18 waterway routes plan to deploy 88 vessels with a total capacity of 18,000 passengers.
In terms of road infrastructure, the city has further optimized and improved its road network, with nearly 400 kilometers of new highways, including 8 highway exits, expected to facilitate increased travel by private vehicles.
With these measures in place, Shenzhen aims to ensure smooth and efficient travel for the millions of people participating in the annual Spring Festival migration.