FIGURES released by China's Ministry of Railways show the country maintained strong growth in rail traffic during the first three quarters of this year, despite the impact of July's fatal collision near Wenzhou, which prompted speed reductions on high-speed lines.

Passenger numbers rose 11.6% year-on-year to 1.43 billion, while freight volumes increased 2.9 billion tonnes, with coal accounting for 1.68 billion tonnes.

Passenger traffic during the September 28 - October 7 national holiday reached a record 67.3 million, up 10% on 2010 levels, with a daily record of 8.9 million passengers travelling by rail on National Day (October 1).