The Ministry of Railways had banned railway authorities from selling train tickets where there were no seats, to students returning to school from summer vacation, the Beijing Times reported.

The ministry asked the railway authorities to leave enough seats for students to ensure that they return to school "timely and safely," said the report.

Meanwhile, the ministry will provide extra trains for students to ease the travel peak expected in the latter half of August, when university students are expected to return to campus.

Railway passengers have long been complaining about the crowded and frequently delayed trains. Many students have to buy tickets without seats, although they cost the same as tickets with seats.

Railway staff must apologize to passengers when a train was delayed, the ministry said.

Source: Shenzhen Daily