China implemented the real-name policy for bullet train tickets back in June, 2011. In order to crack down on ticket scalping and to alleviate the pressure of the Spring Festival travel rush, the system is now being expanded to all train tickets.

Getting a train ticket for the journey home. This is the wish of hundreds of millions of Chinese people. But to getting a train ticket during the Spring festival travel rush, this is no easy task. In order to combat ticket scalping and alleviate the pressure of the travel rush, a real-name system comes into effect from the first day of 2012.

Yu Xuejin, Chief of Publicity Section, Beijing Railway Station, said, "Passengers who buy train tickets for 2012 should show valid identification, such as an ID cards, or passports. From January 8th, the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush, passengers also have to show their identification to check in. Passengers can also book tickets through phone or Internet, bring their identification to the station, and get their tickets there. "

Beijing Railway Station recently established 12 ticket machines. Passengers purchasing on-line can use their ID card to easily pick-up their tickets through these machines.

The real-name ticket policy has generally been received positively.

Passenger, said, "Its become much more convenient to buy a ticket. I bought the ticket by phone. The real-name system can check the rampant ticket scalping. We really welcome this new policy."

Passenger, said, "I bought my ticket online. Now I can know whether tickets are available for a certain train just by making a telephone call. It's much better."

Though passengers now have more ways to buy tickets, many complain the hotline is always busy, and it's often very slow to log into the webpage. Others worry that the real-name system will complicate the check-in process. Making sure the new system operates smoothly looks set to be a big challenge for the county's railway administration.

In order to crack down on ticket scalping and to alleviate the pressure of the Spring Festival travel rush, the system is now being expanded to all train tickets.