Railway travel "rush hours" began on Wednesday in anticipation of the upcoming National Day holiday, a time when 69 million passengers are predicted to take to the country's trains for a 10-day period, the Ministry of Railways (MOR) said. The projected passenger volume represents a year-on-year increase of 8.5 percent, with an average of 6.9 million passengers traveling daily from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7, the MOR said in a statement on its website. The travel peak is expected on Oct. 1, or National Day, when 8.5 million passengers will take trains to see their families and visit scenic areas, according to the MOR. To guarantee safe and smooth railway transportation, the MOR has prepared reserve trains, strictly maintained and examined its equipment and facilities and increased its manpower and logistical support.