Volunteers help migrant workers book tickets online

With Spring Festival just weeks away, many migrant workers in cities across China, are starting to ask that one worrying question that pops up every year during the holidays

With the start of China's busiest travel season, train tickets are selling fast. 200 million passenger trips are expected to take place in the run up to the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. About 30 train tickets are sold per second each day, as more and more people go online to secure that seat home. But for migrant workers, who make up the bulk of passengers during the holiday travel rush, buying a ticket is never easy.

With Spring Festival just weeks away, many migrant workers in cities across China, are starting to ask that one worrying question that pops up every year during the holidays: will they be able to get a train ticket home?

I haven't got a ticket yet, although I started to book tickets one week ahead.

Railway authorities have rolled out more ways to buy train tickets, including booking tickets online or by phone. But for many migrant workers, lining up at the train station is still the only choice. To help them, more volunteer services have been set up.

Li Baiquan, Migrant Worker, Baoding, Hebei, said, "I got my ticket in just minutes. My train leaves on January 14th."

Liu Peng, Volunteer, Baoding, Hebei, said, "It's convenient to book tickets online or mobile phone, but for most migrant workers, it's still hard for them. I'm happy to do something for them."

Similar stories are popping up in Shanghai, a city home to millions of migrant workers. Free training sessions have even been held, where migrant workers can learn how to book tickets online.

Hopefully, this will help many migrant workers make it home on time for the holidays.

Xiao Hongmei, Migrant Worker, Shanghai, said, "I used to wait in queues every year, but in the end there were no tickets left."

Chances of securing a ticket online are greater than going to the station, since online tickets start selling two days before train stations do.

But teaching people how to use the service hasn't been easy.

Volunteers have to carefully explain the complexities of booking a ticket online step by step.

Such training courses are open several times a week in the city, and more people are expected to take up the free services in the coming weeks, as the countdown to the Chinese New Year slowly winds down.