About 210 million people are expected to travel by train during this year's 40-day spring rush, which started last Saturday, according to figures released by the National Development and Reform Commission, a major policymaker.

One migrant worker trying to secure passage to his hometown for Spring Festival is Yu Xin, 28. He was sat on four large woven bags in the large open square outside Beijing Railway Station while his friend waited in line to buy tickets to Qiqihar in the far northeastern Heilongjiang province.

"I used to work in Shenzhen (in Guangdong) but I changed to Beijing last year because it became too difficult to get tickets back home in time for Chinese New Year," he said as he shivered against the strong, icy wind. "I always had to transfer in Beijing and each time had to sleep several nights outside the station because it took so long to get a ticket. It is a painful experience but I must go home. It's the only time of year I can get together with my family."

The migrant worker said he loathed scalpers and hoped the new system will drive them away. "Their tickets are too expensive, and we cannot get tickets because they buy them all," he said angrily.

One scalper approached by China Daily in Beijing laughed when asked about the new ticketing system. "The government is bluffing," he said. "They are just trying to make us panic, but I know the system is not going to happen nationwide. You cannot imagine how many people are making money from the current system."

Scalpers have good reason to be bold. At the main station in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, on Jan 14, huang niu could be easily spotted bargaining with potential customers in loud voices despite being surrounded by at least 50 patrolling police officers and 20 chengguan, urban management officers.

"We only make sure that the station is clean and not too crowded," said a chengguan surnamed Huang who has worked at the station for more than five years.

A police officer stood close to several scalpers said: "We policemen only take care of things that are our duty."

Scalpers in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, were also unfazed by the introduction of the new booking system. A man surnamed Li operating in the city's main station - one of those piloting the new system - offered to buy tickets for a China Daily reporter from a friend working at an official sales point.

"My friend sells tickets in a booth at the station. You can use your own ID card and have your name on the tickets. There is nothing to worry about," said Li, who advertises his services and publishes his contact information on local Internet forums.