Railway authorities prepare for holiday rush

Guangzhou railway department has started issuing rail tickets with passenger names which authorities hope will curb scalping and ease passenger flows. In other major cities, railway departments have begun to prepare for this year's spring festival travel peak ten days in advance.

Guangzhou railway department's booking hotlines opened at 7 a.m. this morning. The office is expected to sell 200 to 300 thousand tickets on the first day.

One passenger said as the line is busy, he has to wait at least ten minutes. But once connected, the booking process and picking up the ticket are convenient.

A migrant worker rushes to catch his train at Beijing West Railway  Station in Beijing, China, Jan. 20, 2010. The railway peak transport  in Spring Festival season in Beijing started on Wednesday. Millions  of Chinese will rush back home for the Spring Festival, China's Lunar  New Year, which falls on Feb. 14 this year.(Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)