Shanghai authorities are implementing comprehensive measures to manage an anticipated record-breaking travel period during the upcoming Spring Festival, with projections indicating nearly 49.15 million passenger journeys through China’s financial capital. The extended 40-day travel rush, officially scheduled from February 2 to March 13, is expected to establish new benchmarks in urban transportation management according to the municipal Spring Festival Transport Office.
Transportation analysts predict a 5% overall increase in passenger volume compared to previous year’s figures, with rail travel demonstrating the most substantial growth at 6%. Air travel is forecast to experience a modest 1% increase, while road traffic is projected to decline by approximately 5%, reflecting shifting transportation preferences among travelers.
The departure peak is anticipated around February 14, with an estimated 1.08 million passengers exiting the city as residents embark on homeward journeys, family visits, and vacation travels preceding the Spring Festival commencement on February 17, which heralds the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The return peak, projected for February 23, expects daily arrivals to reach 1.14 million passenger trips, representing an 8% surge over last year’s corresponding period.
Highway traffic is forecast to achieve unprecedented levels, with average daily vehicle trips predicted to increase between 3-6%, reaching between 1.32 and 1.37 million vehicles. This potential record underscores the massive scale of seasonal migration characteristic of China’s most significant annual holiday period, presenting substantial logistical challenges for urban planners and transportation authorities.