BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Some 12.9 million train trips were made in China on Saturday, the first day of the three-day May Day holiday, exceeding the daily record set during the same period last year.

According to the China Railway Corporation, 8.5 percent more trips were made on Saturday than on the same day a year ago.

Megacities including Beijing and Shanghai saw huge passenger flows.

The corporation estimated 10.15 million trips nationwide on Sunday.

Extra trains were put into service to cope with demand.

Railway authorities have temporarily prolonged the operating time for online ticketing systems, and travelers can check vacant seat information and book tickets at www.12306.cn half an hour before departure time.