As the Chinese mainland gears up for the annual Spring Festival, millions are preparing to embark on the largest seasonal migration known as Chunyun. Running from January 26 to March 5, this 40-day period sees a massive movement of people from urban centers back to their rural hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year with family.
To enhance the travel experience during this peak period, China's railway department has introduced significant upgrades to the official ticket-booking platform, 12306. These changes are designed to make purchasing train tickets more convenient and user-friendly for passengers navigating the Chunyun travel rush.
Starting January 11, the waitlist ticket purchasing function has been revamped. Previously, passengers could place up to 2 waitlist orders with a maximum of 9 passengers each. This year, the system allows up to 6 waitlist orders per passenger, accommodating more groups and families looking to secure tickets. If a ticket becomes available through a cancellation, the system will automatically process the purchase based on the waitlist order.
Additionally, during the pre-sale period, travelers can now select any three travel dates and choose from up to 60 \"date + train\" combinations. This flexibility, combined with multiple seating options such as business-class, first-class, and second-class seats, broadens the range of choices to suit diverse preferences and needs.
In response to passenger feedback, the confirmation time for waitlist orders has been reduced from 6 hours to just 20 minutes before departure. This adjustment allows for greater flexibility, enabling travelers to set confirmation deadlines that better align with their schedules.
Complementing these improvements, effective January 15, the railway department will implement optimized regulations for ticket changes. Passengers will now have the flexibility to modify their tickets not only in the days leading up to the train's departure but also on the day following departure, providing additional convenience during the busy travel period.
These enhancements to the 12306 platform reflect the Chinese mainland's commitment to facilitating smooth and efficient travel during one of the busiest times of the year, ensuring that millions can reunite with their loved ones during the festive season.
Reference(s):
Changes in buying tickets for this year's Spring Festival travel
cgtn.com
