(ECNS) -- China's railways handled 954 million passenger trips during the 62-day summer travel rush from July 1 to Aug. 31, according to China State Railway Group. 
Railway authorities boosted transport capacity, operating an average of 11,623 passenger trains daily nationwide.
Cross-border travel also grew, with the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong high-speed line handling 6.27 million trips and the China–Laos Railway recording 56,000. Foreign passengers totaled 4.45 million, up 32.2% year on year. 
Railways supported tourism and cultural consumption by running 699 tourism trains and launching 351 customized services, including concert and sports fan trains.
For freight transport, national railways shipped 224 million metric tons of coal during the summer period, helping ensure stable energy supplies.

(By Helen Mo & intern Liu Shuangjing)