Qiongzhou Strait to Enter Return Peak on Lunar New Year, Hainan Authorities Announce
HAIKOU, China – The Qiongzhou Strait is expected to enter its peak return period on the seventh and eighth day of the Lunar New Year, with record-high numbers of passengers and vehicles being transported, announced Li Guantao, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Transportation at a press conference on February 12.
The return peak is expected to begin today and peak on February 16th and 17th, with a daily number of passengers exceeding 160,000 and the number of vehicles exceeding 40,000, according to Guantao.
Since the start of the Lunar New Year on January 26, the transportation demand in the Qiongzhou Strait has been strong, leading to a significant increase in vehicle and passenger flow. As of February 11, there were 2.11 million passengers and 485,000 vehicles in and out of the Qiongzhou Strait, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 32.75% and 16.78% respectively.
In order to ensure the smooth return transportation during the Spring Festival in Qiongzhou Strait, Hainan Province will open more flights, striving to operate more than 300 flights per day, and invest in no less than 6 new energy vehicle flights. Furthermore, their aim is to continue to fully implement the appointment crossing system and the vehicle entry management system.
Cai Qinbo, deputy director and spokesperson of the Hainan Provincial Meteorological Bureau, warned of intermittent heavy fog in Qiongzhou Strait from the 13th to the 17th, which may affect normal navigation in the strait.
To guide people and vehicles to enter the port in an orderly manner, the transportation department will release information on vehicle queues, reservations for entering and exiting the island, ship suspension and resumption, and port emergency movement through radio, television, Internet, and other media in real-time. Stranded passengers will be provided with catering, hot water, toilet, and other services to ensure their comfort during the busy period.
Zhou Pinghu, deputy director and spokesperson of the Political Department of the Traffic Police Corps of the Hainan Provincial Public Security Department, also reminded passengers to be cautious of scam information such as scalpers scalping tickets or paying more to board the ship in advance, and to purchase tickets first before heading to the port.
With the return peak expected to hit the Qiongzhou Strait in the coming days, authorities are taking all necessary measures to ensure the smooth transportation of passengers and vehicles during this busy period.