Train travel across much of the Yangtze River Delta became a whole lot simpler today, with the launch of an “e-card” service whereby passengers need only use their smartphone at the ticket-check gate to realise train travel as if taking a bus or metro.
We’ve come a long way. Buying a train ticket in China used to be a harrowing experience. In the beginning, it involved a trip to the railway station at least 1 day in advance of the trip in order to buy the ticket after interminable queuing. The tickets were flimsy, pink pieces of paper.
Today marks the beginning of the ticketless era.
Beginning 28 July, the e-card service has been rolled out initially on high-speed trains from Nanjing to Shanghai, Anqing and Qidong, operated by the China Railway Shanghai Bureau Group. More routes are expected to join the ticketless program in the future.
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To use the service, passengers should first open the official China Railway app, 铁路12306, to complete e-card registration and place funds in their account, before scanning their QR code upon entry and exit at the station, whereupon the fare shall be deducted. The balance in the account must not be less than ¥150 upon entry.
With potentially millions of passengers depositing the minimum amount, the new service could be a lucrative money-spinner for China Railway’s Shanghai division. But not one without its associated costs.
On the train, exclusive seats are reserved for e-card users, reducing the number available for those purchasing tickets by more traditional means.
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The service is also at present only available for second-class travel, reports The Paper.
A payment receipt (fapiao) for journeys taken can also be obtained at self-service ticket vending machines in railway stations within 31 days of travel.
While foreigners are not able to use the service at present, the time and hassle saved by their Chinese co-workers as a result of the new initiative remains potentially welcome news for all.
