Real-name train ticket sales begin

In some southern cities, railway station offices and authorized agencies have begun selling name-based tickets. The pilot system to sell tickets based on IDs was launched last week. Passengers could only book real name tickets by phone before Monday.

Passengers flock to Guangzhou Railway Station to buy tickets early in the morning.

The station opened all 50 counters but not everyone could buy tickets easily.

"Your ID card is expired and can not be used to book a ticket."

The real-name system aims to make buying a ticket more convenient and fairer, and foil scalpers.

It requires a valid form of identification.

Those who have problems turn to the inquiry counter.

Inquiry counter staff member of Guangzhou Railway Station, said, "A big problem is that many elderly people's ID cards have expired. Only those under 16 years old can register their residence to buy tickets. And a copy of the ID card cannot be used."

The Ministry of Railways has approved more than 20 different kinds of identification for the real-name system, such as ID cards, student certificates, military service cards, and passports.

Staff at ticket offices have been specially trained to recognize the documents.

Huang Xin, official of Guangzhou Railway Group, said, "Passengers should also be aware that tickets sold at railway stations can only be bought six days before travel. And there is no counter for people to collect tickets booked by phone."

At Shanghai Railway Station, passengers lined up at the ticket office some 20 hours before it opened.

The station issued numbers to people in the queue and suggested they went home. But many still chose to wait, fearing they would lose their place.

Railway stations across the country will see huge crowds flooding home during next month's Lunar New Year. Volunteers will be on hand to help keep order.