Railway authorities said the online ticketing system has been improved and can better handle the huge number of requests before the coming Spring Festival rush, after the costly website's frequent failures aroused wide criticism during last rush period.

Some 224.5 million trips by train are expected to be made during this year's 40-day Spring Festival rush between Jan 26 and March 6 this year, 4.6 percent more than the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Railways.

Spring Festival rush is the biggest temporary human migration in the world. Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese and an occasion for family reunions. This year's Spring Festival begins on Feb 10.