(Going to the grassroots in the New Year) More than 1,500 migrant workers in Jiangxi returned to their hometowns with heartwarming feelings: "Bringing happiness home"

　　China News Service, Nanchang, February 2nd: More than 1,500 migrant workers in Jiangxi returned to their hometowns with heartwarming feelings: “Bringing happiness home”

　　Author Wang Han Li Haitao Wang Qilin

　　On the 2nd, China’s Spring Festival Transport entered its 8th day. At noon, the K4227 train carrying more than 1,500 Jiangxi migrant workers stopped steadily at Nanchang Station in Jiangxi. This is the "Communist Youth League" train operated by China Railway Nanchang Bureau Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "South Railway").

On the evening of February 1, at the Guangzhou Railway Station, Jiangxi migrant workers Liu Fu and his wife took the train back to their hometown with their two children. Photo by Wang Han

　　"Going home for the New Year!" Liu Fu, who works in the decoration industry in Guangdong, took a deep breath of fresh air as soon as he got off the train. Jiangxi was in "rainy mode" and it was freezing cold. He quickly bent over and wrapped the clothes tightly for the two children.

　　"Last year, the income from work was pretty good, and the house in my hometown was renovated. This year, I will go back to my hometown with my lover and children to celebrate the New Year and bring happiness home." Liu Fu's smile rippled along the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "The high-speed rail ticket price for my train is a bit expensive. It's not safe to drive in bad weather. It's very cost-effective for my family to take this train home. We can get there just after sleeping on the train."

　　Jiangxi is a major labor export province. Due to various factors such as economy and geographical location, a large number of migrant workers in this province choose to "fly southeast" to work in neighboring coastal provinces in southern China such as Guangdong and Fujian.

　　The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China, embodying beautiful meanings such as reunion and happiness. "If you have money or not, go home to celebrate the New Year" has been a sentiment of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Public data shows that during this year’s Spring Festival travel period, the number of cross-regional personnel movements across the country is expected to reach 9 billion, nearly twice that of the same period in 2023 and a record high.

On the evening of February 1, at the Guangzhou Railway Station, migrant workers from Jiangxi checked their tickets and boarded the train on the platform. Photo by Wang Han

　　In order to meet the needs of Jiangxi migrant workers in Guangzhou to return home, China Southern Railway launched this train to Guangdong to carry Jiangxi migrant workers back home. The train departs from Nanchang, Jiangxi, goes straight to the destination Guangzhou Station, and then returns to Nanchang. The return trip takes 2 days and 1 night, with a total mileage of 1,912 kilometers.

　　During the Spring Festival this year, the Yingtan Public Works and Machinery Section of the Southern Railway deployed 128 youth members to support the work of passenger trains during the Spring Festival. There are 33 staff members on the above-mentioned trains, with an average age of 21 years old. Most of them are born after 2000. They are all new employees who joined the railway department last year and interns just assigned this year.

On the evening of February 1, at the Guangzhou Railway Station, a child who returned to Nanchang with his parents for the New Year showed a happy smile. Photo by Wang Han

　　At 22:33 on the 1st, train K4227 left Guangzhou Station. "Is this your box? Let me help you put it on it." "Hello, please lift your feet and I will help you clean it up." Not long after the train left Guangzhou Station, a railway employee who had been working for less than half a year said Lin Hua started to get busy. He kept shuttling in the carriage, guiding passengers, packing luggage, and cleaning. After a while, big beads of sweat flowed down his cheeks.

　　"Buzz buzz..." Xu Jinglan, who was in Car No. 7, sent out a high-frequency vibration on her electronic station arrival reminder bracelet to remind her to get off the bus in time. This is a warm arrival reminder service provided by train staff to passengers to prevent passengers from missing the train due to falling asleep.

　　"The service of this arrival reminder wristband is really considerate. You don't have to worry about missing the station." Xu Jinglan, who returned to her hometown in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province from Guangzhou, stared out the window against the glass, then turned around and smiled, "I have been working hard outside for a year, and I miss it very much. The elderly and children at home can’t wait to be reunited with them right away.”

On February 2, the train conductor arranged the luggage rack. Photo by Wang Qilin

　　“We used to queue up all night to buy tickets when we went home for the New Year, and everyone would squeeze onto the train carrying large and small bags of luggage.” She lamented, but now all large luggage is sent home, and transportation methods are more diversified. You can choose high-speed rail, trains, and cars. Wait, the journey home becomes worry-free and easy.

　　After arriving at the station, Xu Jinglan couldn't help but speed up the pace out of the train station, and the train continued to gallop. The Spring Festival is a great migration for reunion. Even if the journey is dusty, you will be happy to return home. (over)