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Online train ticket rush overwhelms new system
By Zha Minjie |
December 30, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Shanghai railway operator's online ticket booking system was overwhelmed with huge volume yesterday upon its debut before the coming spring travel rush, leaving some to worry that they could not book their tickets successfully and get home in time.
Passengers said the website, www.12306.com, could not be opened. Some claimed they failed to book tickets despite having paid the fares on the Internet.
The rail operator, on the other hand, encouraged travelers to book tickets online, calling it "convenient" and saying it had a "sufficient supply."
"I doubt it," said Zhou Chenxi, who just graduated from a local university and whose hometown is in the northwest Qinghai Province. Zhou tried to log onto the website several times but was told the "system is busy."
Compared with the rather smooth process beforehand, the rush season put stress on the website. Zhou finally was able to grab a ticket home after more than an hour. Others were not lucky enough to get tickets online.
Railway officials said the system was still in its testing phase even though it's in use.
Passport holders, such as foreign travelers, can use their passports to buy tickets online too, said the operator. Passengers should acquire paper tickets before boarding.
"It's a nationwide network, making it a busy one," said Wu Zhenrong, a station master with Shanghai Railway Station. "As a whole the technologies will supervise the volume and ensure that the system will not break down when facing a huge turnout."
The daily online booking volume is about 15,000 and will reach over 20,000 during peaks, said the operator.
Railway staff said if the online booking system shows one type of ticket has been sold out, it means the tickets booths also don't have tickets. But passengers can check back online in case other riders refund the tickets.
The coming rush begins January 8 and will last for about 40 days. Shanghai's three major railway stations are expected to handle more than 7 million passengers.
Passengers said the website, www.12306.com, could not be opened. Some claimed they failed to book tickets despite having paid the fares on the Internet.
The rail operator, on the other hand, encouraged travelers to book tickets online, calling it "convenient" and saying it had a "sufficient supply."
"I doubt it," said Zhou Chenxi, who just graduated from a local university and whose hometown is in the northwest Qinghai Province. Zhou tried to log onto the website several times but was told the "system is busy."
Compared with the rather smooth process beforehand, the rush season put stress on the website. Zhou finally was able to grab a ticket home after more than an hour. Others were not lucky enough to get tickets online.
Railway officials said the system was still in its testing phase even though it's in use.
Passport holders, such as foreign travelers, can use their passports to buy tickets online too, said the operator. Passengers should acquire paper tickets before boarding.
"It's a nationwide network, making it a busy one," said Wu Zhenrong, a station master with Shanghai Railway Station. "As a whole the technologies will supervise the volume and ensure that the system will not break down when facing a huge turnout."
The daily online booking volume is about 15,000 and will reach over 20,000 during peaks, said the operator.
Railway staff said if the online booking system shows one type of ticket has been sold out, it means the tickets booths also don't have tickets. But passengers can check back online in case other riders refund the tickets.
The coming rush begins January 8 and will last for about 40 days. Shanghai's three major railway stations are expected to handle more than 7 million passengers.
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