National Development and Reform Commission: It is expected that during the Spring Festival travel period, the total number of inter-regional population movements in the whole society will reach 9.5 billion people, setting a new historical record.

On January 29th, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce the spring transportation situation and work arrangements for the 2026 Chinese New Year travel rush. Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Transport, including Deputy Director Li Chunlin, provided details on the expected travel volume and transportation plans for the upcoming spring festival travel rush, answering questions from reporters. Li Chunlin mentioned that during the spring travel period, the total cross-regional passenger flow is expected to reach 9.5 billion people, setting a new record. Self-driving trips will continue to be the primary mode of transportation, accounting for about 80% of the total travel volume. The rail and civil aviation passenger volumes are expected to reach 540 million and 95 million respectively, surpassing historical peaks in both overall volume and daily peak numbers. Li Chunlin also emphasized the need for continuous full-capacity operation of transportation during the peak spring travel period. The National Development and Reform Commission will work closely with relevant parties to ensure reliable transportation and electricity supply. Xu Qing, Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, predicted that the total national civil aviation passenger volume during the spring travel rush would reach 95 million, representing a 5.3% year-on-year increase. In addition to traditional homecoming trips, outbound tourism and trips to northern snow and southern warmth areas are expected to become popular travel trends. Regarding charging support for new energy vehicles, Gao Bo, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport's Transport Service Department, highlighted the importance of ensuring charging facilities during holidays, spring travel, and the Spring Festival. By the end of 2025, the country had accumulated 43.97 million electric vehicles, with 12.93 million of them registered in 2025. The accelerated popularization of new energy vehicles, especially pure electric vehicles, places higher demands on highway charging service guarantees. In recent years, the Ministry of Transport has continuously expanded the coverage of high-speed highway charging networks. By the end of 2025, the country's service areas had installed 71,500 electric vehicle charging stations, including an additional 20,000 in 2025. The capacity to provide charging services at service areas along highways has significantly improved. The Ministry of Transport will continue to enhance high-speed highway charging network coverage and ensure reliable charging services for new energy vehicle owners during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush. They will implement various measures to optimize charging services, provide real-time information, and enhance the overall charging service capacity at service areas, especially in terms of charging support for high-speed highway service areas. In conclusion, the officials emphasized the importance of safety, service enhancements, and energy support to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience for passengers during the Spring Festival travel rush. The relevant departments will work together to guarantee a successful and comfortable travel experience for the public.