SNAFU: ID Required for Train Ticket Purchase
Nov 3, 2011, 2:01 am
#241
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Thanks for the explanation, I have never understood why on the business tickets it is my job to kick people out of my seats. I do love to watch the Chinese people argue over the seating.
Maybe it is a cultural thing I also do not understand, but all the floor in front of lav sitters spend the entire trip talking on their cell phones. I can not understand how they will not spend money for a seat yet spend it for the cell phones. It is truly amazing to me. Those floors are filthly. And I would think safety would be an issue as I have seen many falls when the trains lurch.
Maybe it is a cultural thing I also do not understand, but all the floor in front of lav sitters spend the entire trip talking on their cell phones. I can not understand how they will not spend money for a seat yet spend it for the cell phones. It is truly amazing to me. Those floors are filthly. And I would think safety would be an issue as I have seen many falls when the trains lurch.
Nov 3, 2011, 2:13 am
#243
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ, PVG
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Ex-UA-1K
Posts: 430
I was ignored completely both times when they saw that I had a foreign passport.
And this was twice out of maybe 30-35 trips on the HSR since the ID system was started
FYI, trips were from Shanghai to Zhengzhou and Wenzhou to Nanjing
Nov 3, 2011, 2:23 am
#244
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ, PVG
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Ex-UA-1K
Posts: 430
I don't think I've actually seen wuzuo sold online directly. Anyone know a website where this is possible? I assume what would happen is you'd buy a second-class ticket but then be told (hopefully) that second class is sold out and your ticket is actually a wuzuo (if you still want it).
Nov 3, 2011, 11:51 pm
#246
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
Thanks for the explanation, I have never understood why on the business tickets it is my job to kick people out of my seats. I do love to watch the Chinese people argue over the seating.
Maybe it is a cultural thing I also do not understand, but all the floor in front of lav sitters spend the entire trip talking on their cell phones. I can not understand how they will not spend money for a seat yet spend it for the cell phones. It is truly amazing to me. Those floors are filthly. And I would think safety would be an issue as I have seen many falls when the trains lurch.
Maybe it is a cultural thing I also do not understand, but all the floor in front of lav sitters spend the entire trip talking on their cell phones. I can not understand how they will not spend money for a seat yet spend it for the cell phones. It is truly amazing to me. Those floors are filthly. And I would think safety would be an issue as I have seen many falls when the trains lurch.
Nov 4, 2011, 1:18 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Ok, after trying to the work the system a bit I think here lies the options for foreignors:
1. Train station - old fashioned get in line to buy from a person
2. Hotel or other service - requires copy of PP and small fee
3. China railways website - requires use of China bank card and then pick up at train station (or authorized ticket place for small fee)
4. Ctrip - requires PP# and will deliver (for small fee)
5. Automatic ticket machines
- Either the machines don't have ID requirements (the ones at Shanghai now do)
- Or you borrow the ID of the guy behind you who just wants you to hurry up so he can buy his ticket
Did I get this right?
jiejie, when you get back from vacation may be worth updating the master transportation thread.
1. Train station - old fashioned get in line to buy from a person
2. Hotel or other service - requires copy of PP and small fee
3. China railways website - requires use of China bank card and then pick up at train station (or authorized ticket place for small fee)
4. Ctrip - requires PP# and will deliver (for small fee)
5. Automatic ticket machines
- Either the machines don't have ID requirements (the ones at Shanghai now do)
- Or you borrow the ID of the guy behind you who just wants you to hurry up so he can buy his ticket
Did I get this right?
jiejie, when you get back from vacation may be worth updating the master transportation thread.