There’s much less stress as travelers can now purchase tickets through phone apps, enjoy Starbucks coffee on board, and travel in comfort thanks to China’s new high-speed trains. (Photo : Getty Images)
Travelers are treated to better travel conditions as holidaymakers start to rush to their destinations for this year’s Spring Festival, according to a report by China Daily.
There's much less stress as travelers can now purchase tickets through phone apps, enjoy Starbucks coffee on board, and travel in comfort thanks to China's new high-speed trains.
What caused this overhaul? Experts attribute this to China's economic boom, which boosted investment and growth in information technologies and infrastructure in the country.
According to China Daily, approximately 83 percent of tickets were purchased online this year--a stark contrast to the conditions in the previous years when Shanghai Railway Station's ticket booth would be crammed with people.
Aside from tickets, passengers can also order onboard meals and drinks before their trip, according to Zhu Wenzhong, passenger traffic director of Shanghai Railway Bureau.
Another added convenience is the installation of free wireless Internet in some train stations across the country. Electronic ticketing machines and an online integration system were also introduced in bus stations.
For travelers who aren't keen on taking the bus or the train, car-hailing app Didi now has a car-pooling service that can take passengers across the country.
Traveling on the ground is much easier as the country lifted toll way fees on national holidays for the whole seven-day Spring Festival holiday.
Several train stations across the country have also been renovated and outfitted with the latest equipment. Such is the case with the Nanchang Railway Station, which can now comfortably seat hundreds of passengers waiting for their trains.
According to Sheng Guangzu, general manager of the China Railway Corp., China's less-developed central and western regions will be made accessible as the country plans to invest 800 billion yuan in railways this year.
The Chinese public's ability to fund faster journeys has also kickstarted an air travel boom as Chinese airlines are expected to fly about 54.55 million passengers for the Spring Festival.
With so many passengers, Air China has announced the addition of 2,432 flights in its roster, with an average of 1,160 flights operating daily.
Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines plans to add more than 6,000 flights to ply 155 international and domestic routes during the Spring Festival.
