Imagine stepping off a high-speed train and tapping your phone to download your ticket invoice — no paper in sight. This October, the railways on the Chinese mainland will fully phase out paper-based passenger train tickets, marking a major leap in digital services.
China Railway Group (CR) announced that digital invoices will become the standard for all rail travel. Travelers will no longer receive paper reimbursement vouchers. Instead, they can request and download itemized e-invoices for journeys, ticket-change fees, and refunds, up to 180 days after travel via the official 12306 online platform, station ticket counters, or self-service kiosks.
Inclusivity is a key focus: passengers with limited or no internet access can apply for digital invoices in person at stations or authorize a third party to handle the online process. This ensures every traveler can join the digital shift, whether they are tech-savvy business nomads or adventure-seeking tourists.
By swapping paper for pixels, the railways on the Chinese mainland are boosting efficiency, cutting waste, and delivering a smoother, greener journey for millions of passengers each day. It is a small change on the surface but a giant stride toward the future of global mobility.
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China's railways embrace e-invoices in push for digital services
cgtn.com
