Originally Posted by jiejie (Post 17769189)

This brings up a good point about bus services, even at times when their are no strikes. I have observed that most of the bus accidents (and there have been some with heavy casualties in just this last week in southern China) are private or charter services rather than the official public buses. Even though the latter are not immune from dangerous drivers, it's the private enterprises that seem to have the cowboys, take shortcuts by going over capacity, etc. I have been on a LOT of intercity buses in the last 3 months, all publicly scheduled services, and have been amazed at how safe and careful the drivers have been. Every one of them. Also, private services tend to drop you in odd places, as they can't go to the public bus stations. You must be very alert and particularly if not a Chinese speaker.

So, try to ensure that your bus service is a public one--normally buying a ticket at a public bus station window ensures that. Buying on the street, or from a tout or from another business such as a hostel...may get something different. Of course in times of bus strikes, your inexpensive options may be more limited. In these cases, if a train is available even if pokey, consider hard SEAT as a safer alternative. Or if you have the funds, arrange a private car and find some like-minded travelers to share. And for ALL buses, try not to be on the road after dark, the exception being moving through big city traffic in the pre-sunrise or post-sundown period.

Originally Posted by 31570324 (Post 17770321)

Are you sure there is no special ticket stock that could only be sold at the departure city? They told me in Changsha there are no tickets for Nanchang Beijing (and I talked with a english speaking agent at the ticket counter). Next afternoon in Nanchang there was a lot tickets available for this route. It was a Z Train and I got good sleep in it. The Kunming Zhangjiajie Train use his horn almost every minute, but this Z Train didnt.
They also ask for my passport to give me a ticket from Chansgha to Nanchang, I got all other train tickets without registration.

Originally Posted by tycosiao (Post 17770627)

I think all train tickets now require an ID or is it just for the CNY travels?

Originally Posted by tycosiao (Post 17770627)

I think all train tickets now require an ID or is it just for the CNY travels?

Originally Posted by 31570324 (Post 17771467)

There was not only no ID check in the train, they didnt want my passport when I bought the ticket at the counter or through a agent. Only one time, from Changsha to Nanchang, my Passport number was printed on the ticket.

Originally Posted by jiejie (Post 17771662)

Was it a D train? If so, that's why. High speed rail (C, D, G) trains require ID and print the ID/passport on the ticket. The rest of trains up to now (Z, T, K, no-letter) have not.

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 17770744)

No. It's still kind of random with non HSR. I've been asked for my ID onboard randomly since 2006. The few times I haven't had it have not been a problem.