China travels the most by train, based on the total passenger-kilometres accumulated annually. This metric represents the sum of the distances traveled by all passengers, offering a comprehensive measure of rail usage.
China's vast railway network and large population contribute to its leading position in global rail transport. Following China, India ranks second, and Japan third, showcasing significant rail usage within their respective countries.
Top Countries by Rail Usage (Passenger-kilometres)
The following table highlights the leading countries in terms of passenger-kilometres for rail transport:
Rank | Country/Region | Passenger-kilometres (billions) |
---|---|---|
1 | China | 1,550 |
2 | India | 1,157 |
3 | Japan | 446.7 |
4 | Russia | 133.6 |
Data sourced from List of countries by rail usage - Wikipedia.
Understanding Passenger-kilometres
Passenger-kilometres is a standard metric used to quantify the total distance traveled by passengers on a transportation system. For example, if 100 passengers each travel 10 kilometers, the total passenger-kilometres would be 1,000 (100 passengers * 10 km). This metric provides a more accurate representation of overall usage compared to just the number of journeys or passengers, as it accounts for the distance covered.