In anticipation of the Spring Festival, the following new features have been added to the 12306 Railway Ticket Booking Platform for the coming travel rush:

1. Clear information on ticket discounts 

Discounts will be displayed on the new-version ticket purchase page.

2. Online berth selection for a sleeper ticket

Online berth selection for sleeper ticket purchases is restricted to users with their "Rail Pass" (铁路畅行) enabled and those who have completed real-person ID verification.

3. Lower berth privileges for passengers aged 60 and above

Priority will be given to eligible passengers, including senior citizens aged over 60 (this is determined by the ages shown on their ID cards used for purchasing tickets), when 12306 assigns lower berths.

*Passengers who purchase tickets offline can still choose their own berth types.

4. Convenient transfer channels

The railway authorities have thus far installed convenient in-station transfer channels across 120 major railway stations.

5. Greater number of waiting orders 

Each user can keep six pending orders simultaneously.

Each waiting order can have up to three boarding dates for selection.

No more than 60 trains can be added in total.

Up to nine passengers can be added.

Each waiting order is redeemed no later than twenty minutes before departure.

6. Expand the scope of ticket rescheduling

Passengers can change their pre-sale tickets before and on the same day after departure.

Ticket change fees will vary based on the processing time. Specific rules are available on the Railway 12306 website and station announcements.

7. Purchase of tickets in cash is available at ticket offices铁路各车站人

All railway stations provide ticket offices where cash is accepted for ticket purchases. Additionally, some stations have established courtesy counters to give priority to cash ticket sales, ticket changes, and other services for the privileged passengers including the elderly passengers.

8. More convenience for privileged passengers

Passengers with visual impairments are allowed to bring their certified service dogs on board to assist them in their work and daily life.

Privileged passengers such as elderly, young, sick, disabled and pregnant people may bring wheelchairs and folding baby strollers on board at no additional cost.

9. Ticket allocation

Priority will be given to long-distance passengers in order to optimize the use of transportation resources during periods of limited transportation capacity.

Ticket allocation will be dynamically adjusted to meet the needs of short-distance passengers in the event that long-distance tickets are in sufficient supply. Additionally, certain tickets will be automatically transferred to other stations along the routes at different time intervals.

(Source: Mobile Communication Center of People's Railway Daily Newspaper Co., Ltd.)