Does ban on platform tickets affect you?
- By Wang Yanfang
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China.org.cn, July 1, 2011
It was the first time for Lao Liu to ride the high-speed train after the new rule of demanding valid identification when buying a high-speed train ticket was adopted. Over-seventies Liu, deaf with age, just came out of surgery in Jinan, in Eastern China's Shandong province, and took the train to reunite with his wife in Beijing on June 10.
Coming to the Beijing South Station two hours before the arrival of her husband's train, his wife wished to buy a platform ticket and see her husband at the moment the train arrived.
However, since the new rule was adopted, the sale of platform tickets for high-speed train services that start with letters C, D and G was suspended in Beijing for security concerns.
The anxious wife brought forward a claim to meet her ill husband on the platform at the information desk.
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| The information desk of Beijing South Station |
In some countries, platform tickets may usually be purchased by rail lovers enjoying their train-spotting hobbies. In China, platform tickets are commonly used to walk with their friends and loved ones all the way to the passenger train, enter into coaches and help to put luggage up, but not to use any train services.
"Since the suspension of sale of platform tickets for the high-speed line is implemented, not many people have consulted it," said Xiao Sun, a worker at the information desk of Beijing South Station.
However, a few passengers don't adapt to the new provision by the railway authorities, especially the elderly people or passengers with heavy luggage. They hope to be met on the platform.
Although the notification of the suspension of sale of platform tickets is repeated from the broadcast of the Beijing South Station, some passengers pay scant attention.
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| The waiting hall of Beijing South Station |
As their several companions managed to deliver boxes to the waiting room at the Beijing South Station, they knew about the cessation of the sale of platform tickets.
At the information desk, they learned that the Little Red Cap could help to deliver the luggage through an appointment. The Little Red Cap is the term for porters at the railway station.
The fee for carrying one luggage is 5 yuan, 10 yuan for a big one.
"Although the sale of platform tickets for the high-speed rail line was stopped, some special passengers like the handicapped could be met on the platform through consultation at the information desk, and the Little Red Cap is available to passengers with big luggage," said Xiao Dong, a worker at the information desk of Beijing South Station.
Runqiu Service is another help desk for passengers in need at the Beijing South Station. It consists of 10 staff and distributes a certain quantity of service cards to those in need every day. The earlier a passenger applies for a service card, the more likely he or she gets it.
After realizing the cessation of the sale of tickets, many passengers choose to ride the high-speed trains with as little luggage as possible.
Seven of the ten passengers interviewed said that they don't mind whether the platform tickets are sold or not – which has no effect on their journey – because they usually don't have to be taken to the coach or met on the platform.
At present, platform tickets for the common trains are still sold. Most of those interviewed said that they don't choose the common trains just for the platform ticket.
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