BEIJING-- China's Ministry of Railways (MOR) said Saturday that it transported more travelers and goods than it expected during the first three quarters of this year.

The ministry carried 1.43 billion travelers in the first nine months, up 11.6 percent year-on-year. The figure accounted for 75.4 percent of the ministry's full-year target, the ministry said on its website.

The ministry attributed the increase to the operation of newly-built high-speed railways, optimized operating schedules and improved services.

The country's railways also carried 2.9 billion metric tons of goods during the period, an increase of 8 percent year-on-year, the ministry said.

The ministry said its efforts to enhance efficiency and coordinate resources have boosted its growth.

To ensure supplies of coal, grain and relief materials, the ministry also transported 1.68 billion metric tons of coal, 101.14 million metric tons of oil, 70.27 million metric tons of grain and 64.01 million metric tons of chemical fertilizers and pesticides during the period, the MOR said.