Railway stations across China expect to handle a record of 188 million passengers heading home to their families for the Lunar New Year holiday, an 8 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Ministry of Railways.

"With an additional 150 trains in operation, the rail network can carry 4.48 million travelers every day, up 180,000 compared with the same period of 2008," MOR spokesman Wang Yongping said.

Wang said railways across the country will face a great amount of pressure.

The Chinese Lunar New Year falls on January 26 next year.

"Students and employees nationwide are heading for home for an early holiday, while migrant workers are also returning home earlier this year as many manufacturers have cut or ceased production amid weak market demand," said Wang.

"Most people will be moving around at the same time. An earlier-than-usual travel rush is around corner."

Transport safety is MOR's top concern. Railway departments nationwide are examining maintenance and transport facilities to ensure their smooth operation, according to the ministry.

MOR also released an emergency mechanism last Monday in preparation for possible severe weather such as snowstorms and fog.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers were stranded at railway stations in southern China before the last Spring Festival as blizzards paralyzed transportation in January this year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2008)