The ministry is resolute to crack down on inside scalpers, with measures including firing any railway employee found involved in scalping and forbidding ticket sellers from taking their cell phones and money with them to work.

"The ministry should open more information to the public in order to totally stem scalping," Hao said.

A widespread online post suggested train tickets should include information such as the ticket seller's employee ID number, so that tickets bought from scalpers can help railway authorities trace the inside scalper.

The name-based ticketing system has been under debate for years, as each year people face ticket shortages in the 40-day Spring Festival period. This year 210 million passengers are forecast to travel by train during the peak traffic period.

While the public believe the name-based system could stop scalpers and make tickets easier to buy, voices against it said the system could not solve the overall problem of ticket shortages.

Last month, the ministry suddenly launched the pilot name-based ticketing system, because of "calls from the public for the real-name system", said ministry spokesman Wang Yongping.

"The trial will establish the public pros and cons of the name-based ticketing system. Whether the system will be implemented across the country will be decided by travelers, especially those who experienced it," he said on Sunday.

However, the ministry has yet to reveal how and when it collates public opinion.