Beijing railways expect a soar of daily passenger flow surpassing 300,000 people on Thursday, the highest during the Spring Festival rush season.

Beijing West Railway Station, one of the city's two major railway stations, expects 180,000 passengers who embark their homebound journey from the Chinese capital.

The municipal railway administration plans to launch 62 temporary trains for the peak, said the Beijing News.

The tickets for long-distance trains have already been sold out and those for short-distance trains are in great demand.

The railway station has strengthened control of its waiting room and organized employees to help local police maintain public order.

In addition, the station has opened more than 240 ticket counters to provide 24-hour service.

The other major railway station, namely Beijing Railway Station, has put ahead the check-in time by 20 minutes and opened emergency route ways to cope with passenger rush.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2006)