Although the peak season of Spring Festival passenger transport is still two months away, Guangdong Railway Group has taken the lead in launching an online ticket booking service Dec.1.

Targeted at travel groups, the service will run until Dec. 15. Enterprises have to register and apply online 10 days ahead of their ticket booking. Guangdong Railway Group will evaluate the enterprises' qualification before they begin to deliver the service.

Buying train tickets during the Spring Festival period has always been a nightmare for migrant workers in Guangdong Province. They often have to wait in long queues before buying the ticket to their hometown.

In order to alleviate the pressure on buying tickets, Guangdong Railway Group has injected 8 million yuan (US$810,000) into the research and development of an online ticket booking system.

With this group booking service, individuals in Guangdong's enterprises can benefit from the tailor-made booking plan, which includes tickets from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8 departing and reaching nine railway stations such as Guangzhou, Huizhou, Shantou and Dongguan within Guangdong Province. Starting Dec. 1, group customers can log onto www.eticket.gzrail.com.cn to register and book train tickets.

(Shenzhen Daily December 6, 2004)