The Guangzhou Railway Station added 42 temporary trains Sunday to meet the surge in travelers for the Spring Festival travel.

A record 153,000 travelers left for home Saturday, 25 percent more than in the same period last year. In the past five days, 600,000 passengers passed through the station, 20 percent more than in the same period last year.

There was a surge of passengers Saturday as the railway company started selling tickets for trains departing Feb. 2.

At the Hanjin Ticket Office, queues extended to Renmin Road North.

Another travel peak was expected from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6 when most migrant workers break for the holidays.

The railway company closed the booking office in the Facun Village sports center Monday. Passengers can book train tickets at No. 99 Huangsha Road, the Jinhan Exhibition Center, the Guangtong Booking Office on Baiyun Road, Tongtong Hotel at Guangyuan Road West and No. 1814 Guangyuan Road East.

Meanwhile, the Guangzhou Provincial Bus Terminal added inter-provincial coaches from Guangzhou to Changsha, Changde and Wuhan. Travelers can dial hotlines (020) 8669-2865, or log onto www. 96900.com.cn to book tickets.

(Shenzhen Daily January 31, 2005)