Train ticket prices rise by 15-20 percent for lunar new year

The Ministry of Railways (MOR) on Wednesday announced that prices of train tickets will increased before the Spring Festival, China's traditional lunar new year, which will fall on Feb. 9 this year.

The price hike is attempted to control passengers during the peak travel period due to a shortage of space.

Price of hard seat tickets will rise by 15 percent and price of sleeper tickets will rise by 20 percent from Feb. 1 to 7, according to the Ministry of Railways.

Chinese travelers will make an unprecedented 14.5 billion journeys by train during the 40-day peak travel season, which will start on Jan. 25, 4.97 million or 3.5 percent more than the same period last year.

A MOR source said the ministry held a public hearing on ticket price hike in 2002 and the price fluctuation was approved. In the past three years, the Ministry rose train ticket prices during peak season by 15-20 percent.

China's travel season peaks as millions of migrant workers and college students travel home for their family unions.

Source: Xinhua