The continuous improvement of the road network layout and the high-speed rail's adoption of a more public transportation-like operation have made travel smoother for passengers, bringing cities in the Yangtze River Delta closer together in terms of time and space, with most places now accessible within a 3-hour reach. On January 9th, reporters learned from the China Railway Shanghai Group that in 2024, the Yangtze River Delta region served 890 million person-time annually, marking an increase of over 10% compared to the 808 million person-time served in 2023 and setting a new record for annual passenger volume.

On April 26, 2024, the Chizhou-Huangshan High-speed Railway linking Chizhou and Huangshan was put into operation, further improving the regional road network structure, facilitating travel for residents along the route, and promoting the development of tourism resources and industry. On October 11, 2024, the Xuancheng-Jixi High-speed Railway connecting Xuancheng and Jixi was opened, further enhancing interconnectivity between multiple areas in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces... Currently, the railway network in the Yangtze River Delta region boasts 29 high-speed rail lines, making it one of the regions with the most developed and comprehensive high-speed rail networks in the country.

The operational mileage of railways exceeds 15,000 kilometers, including over 7,700 kilometers of high-speed rail. The high-quality rapid transit network, integrating high-speed railways, conventional railways, intercity railways, and urban railways, is becoming increasingly dense, significantly enhancing the accessibility and convenience of the network. 

Train services are closely aligned with passenger flow patterns, conducting commuter data analysis for central and sub-central cities in the Yangtze River Delta metropolitan area such as Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Hefei. By understanding the characteristics of passenger flow changes, the frequency of trains during the morning peak on regular days and the evening peak on weekends is increased, forming a "1 to 2-hour transportation circle" between these cities. 

Source: Hefei Daily