Passengers of the Lane Xang EMU train arrive at Vientiane, Laos, July 31, 2022. (Photo by Yang Yongquan/Xinhua)

　　The number of passengers travelling on the China-Laos Railway is continuing to grow, posting an increase of 256.2 percent year on year in the first two months of 2023.

　　VIENTIANE, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway's Lao section made a new record of 10,197 passengers last Saturday, according to a report issued on Monday by the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC).

　　The number of passengers travelling on the China-Laos Railway is continuing to grow. From January to February 2023, the railway carried a total of 417,400 passengers, an increase of 256.2 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

　　Aerial photo taken on Aug. 9, 2022 shows cross-border goods being transported at Vientiane South Station of China-Laos Railway in Laos.(Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

　　The railway also transported 647,700 tons of goods in the two months, an increase of 320 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the report.

　　In a bid to ensure the smooth operation of rail services, the LCRC is monitoring passenger volume and planning train journeys accordingly, as well as improving travel arrangements and allowing tickets to be purchased further in advance of travel.

　　Meanwhile, the LCRC has announced that its long-awaited ticket reservation mobile application will go live on March 15. The mobile application will make booking train tickets much more convenient for passengers.