Foreword
China finds itself in a new era. In 2013, I prepared a list of 100 suggestions amidst the backdrop of China’s railways only finding their footing after going through some seriously troubled times. Today, the railways are doing far better than we could have expected — having the world’s largest HSR network and the fastest train, continuously innovating and carrying people and cargo across borders… China’s railways have now become world-class.
Beijing’s newest policy buzzword is high-quality development. As a Swiss, you know us for sometimes surreal attention, addiction even, to details, and thus to ensure high-quality products and services. As a Swiss with a Chinese Green Card, I take pleasure in mixing Swissness to details and extensive experience in China’s rail industry to see China develop its railways better.
These 100 suggestions for high-quality Chinese railways are, as were the previous 100 suggestions, offered for free to China Railways. It is our common hope that China builds upon an already successful system and continues to build a world-class, Green, and sustainable rail transport system.
David Feng
Beijing, 14 March 2024
Part 1: Plans and Intermodal Transport
Suggestion 1
Where technology allows it, enable 400 km/h High Speed trains using conventional rail technology to run on routes connecting key economic centres. Deploy more electric multiple unit trainsets using a power car, and use these trainsets on key routes, as well as other routes with significant patronage, to replace conventional push-pull trains.
Suggestion 2
Design a new-generation double-decker train to cater for more needs on routes and during periods of significant, stable demand. Design a sleeper train capable of running up to 350 km/h.
Suggestion 3
Harness AI in a conducive way, and apply new technology in a way which will allow more rail staff to optimise overnight maintenance for High Speed Rail. This can include enhancements to hardware, optimising precision in work, consolidating safety in operations, and fully making use of advanced technology to progressively shorten time needed for maintenance, provided there is no compromise in ensuring safety.
Suggestion 4
In matters concerning rail infrastructure on routes which can support speeds of 350-380 km/h, but have trains running at lower speeds at present, prepare to increase speeds at an early opportunity taking into consideration expected patronage, population along the route, demand for travel, and anticipated future development.
Suggestion 5
In matters concerning lines which could have previously operated at 350 km/h, but were not able to do so, such lines should be optimised to run as regional intercity lines, to maintain operation speeds of 200-250 km/h. At the same time, where anticipated patronage meets requirements as set out by the central government, build new routes optimised for 350-400 km/h.
Suggestion 6
Ensure safety in rail operations. On newer lines and stations, the difference between the nonstop tracks and platform-side tracks should be increased as needed. Automatic platform gates should be placed at intermediate stations with significant patronage. Platform shelters should be placed in such a way at intermediate stations where support poles are not blocking the view on the platform, so to ensure safety on the platform.
Suggestion 7
Where circumstances permit, new High Speed lines should be built with “up” and “down” running lines placed physically separated from one other. Tunnels should be built with a separate tunnel per direction of travel, and there should be connections to either a maintenance/escape tunnel or similar connections.
Suggestion 8
Major cities should built and expand Suburban rail services, so to relieve otherwise busy roads. Where safety can be assured, old railway lines can be given a second life in running Suburban services. With a view to relieve city centres of heavy road traffic, Suburban services should have tunnels built in the urban centre and run to the centre of the city. Design dedicated rolling stock optimised for Suburban railways, including trains with more doors per carriage, as well as an optimised double-decker layout, so to allow passengers to board and leave trains quickly. In principle, railways, including Suburban ones, should be integrated more with other rail transport-based modes of travel. However, for travel corridors connecting hubs of significant scale, as well as such corridors which have a significant role to play in the nationwide rail network, new, and higher-standard railway lines, should be built on their own.
Suggestion 9
Improve railway timetables. On key routes, especially onboard High Speed, superexpress trains should run at every hour, and semi-superexpress trains should run every half an hour. Times should be calibrated to the top of the hour (or at :30) at the station of origin.
Suggestion 10
Allow the railways to relieve busy highways. Allow 200-250 km/h or faster cargo trains to run on a regular basis. Key courier companies should, based on the circumstances, default to running deliveries across major centres by HSR. To increase patronage and provide a better experience for passengers, effort should be put in establishing a railway passenger usability interface, and this should be used to enable passengers to travel better with particular focus on details. Stations should be expanded to deal with possible public emergencies in future. Dedicated exits should be built, and as for non-hub stations, exits as well as transfer routes intended for regular use should be integrated into the main waiting room, provided that there is no flow conflict between passengers boarding and leaving trains. Hub stations should add more dedicated transfer routes. These above guidelines should form the foundation for improving existing stations, as well as for futureproofing with a view towards more passenger flow to come. Special parts of stations with particular characteristics should be kept insofar as they do not cause obstruction to rail operations.
Suggestion 11
The railways should progressively improve support concerning pedal-powered bicycles. In the beginning, a dedicated place to park pedal-cycles should be made available. Later, foldable pedal-cycles should be allowed onboard trains provided a reservation system is instituted. A pedal-cycle carried should be priced at half the full fare for passengers. Electric cycles must be kept out of railway premises (stations and trains). Keep and expand, as needed, the onboard ski conveyance service.
Suggestion 12
In China’s 2035 multi-level transport blueprints, all stations on in particular main routes should futureproof facilities for 600 km/h maglev trains as well as faster-still services to be invented.
Suggestion 13
For railway stations in city centres, popular stations, stations in demand, and stations in more remote places, offer or improve rail connections, which can be done by rail or metro. New stations should not be built in faraway, isolated places.
Suggestion 14
A Park & Ride system with parking discounts should be trialled. Railway passengers should register both their ticket and ID as well as vehicle information. The concerned passenger who has a full entry and exit record concerning this station (taking a train away from the station, and one back, thus closing out this loop) should be given a discount no less than 50% on parking fees.
Suggestion 15
Improve the ID-based ticketing scheme. The China Railway 12306 ticketing system should default to supporting the Resident Identity Card of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong/Macau Residence Permit of the PRC, the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macau Residents, the Taiwan Residence Permit of the PRC, the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, the PRC Passport, the PRC Travel Permit, passports for foreign nationals, as well as the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the PRC, and allow these ID documents to be used for online booking. 1951 Convention Travel Documents should be recognised and be permitted for use for booking by stateless passengers. Where the ID Office is able to verify the identity of a person through a PRC Driving Licence, and is able to issue temporary traveller ID, both the paper-form licence and the digital licence generated on-site should be accepted.
Suggestion 16
Cut-off times for boarding should be standardised. In principle, gates should close 5 minutes before departure. There can be exceptions, but they must be well-publicised.
Suggestion 17
Signage at transport hubs should focus more on details. Railway stations should show the specific metro lines available. Railway stations in airport should show details about airline departure/arrival levels.
Suggestion 18
Establish a nationwide security check norm. Except for security checks for passengers taking planes, all other modes of transport should use a unified norm, so to allow for facilitated access between modes of transport. This norm should eventually be allowed to apply for air passengers departing on an all-mainland flight in future.
Suggestion 19
Improve the ticketing system. Allow annual passes and improvements to the ExpressPay card to be made. The China Railway ExpressPay card should be upgraded, and be useable as a kind of Electronic Toll Collect-like card for the railways, offering more discounts and facilitated ticketing and access. This card should also be accepted on all rail-related matters, including catering onboard and at stations. Allow the use of overseas cards and digital wallets.
Suggestion 20
Integration with China T-Union should happen for the ExpressPay card, so to allow users to travel with just one card in hand.
Part 2: Rail Transport Across Greater China
Suggestion 21
Plan for a railway line crossing the sea connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. Fully utilise, and where needed, prepare for expanding Hong Kong West Kowloon station as needed. For trains involving Macau, roughly split stations served as 50% of trains serving Zhuhai railway station (for access to Gongbei and Qingmao ports) and the other 50% serving Hengqin railway station (for access to Hengqin port). Hengqin railway station should be expanded significantly, so to improve access to Chinese mainland transport from the Macau LRT. Extend the Macau terminus of the Harbin-Beijing-Macau route to Hengqin railway station. When it has been expanded, it should serve passengers remaining in the mainland of China as well as those going to Macau. For passengers to/from Macau, border clearance should be built in a way similar to that at Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station (co-location). On the Macanese side of Hengqin port, rail transport to Central Macau should be optimised. Where possible, direct trains to the Macau peninsula should run from Hengqin port, so to avoid changing trains enroute.
Suggestion 22
Add sleeper trains going to Hong Kong West Kowloon and Hengqin (for the present moment, Macau-bound trains can terminate first at Zhuhai station). This saves time and avoids unnecessary transfers in the mainland.
Suggestion 23
All provincial capitals in the mainland, as well as sub-provincial cities and cities under separate state planning should run trains to Hong Kong West Kowloon station. There should be at least one train a day. Beijing and Shanghai should operate no less than three trains a day to Hong Kong West Kowloon, of which one can be a sleeper train on High Speed rolling stock. Trains to/from Hong Kong West Kowloon from Yunnan should originate and terminate at Yuxi, so to provide easier access to international trains to Southeastern Asia.
Suggestion 24
Both established and newer Tier 1 cities in the mainland should offer trains to Macau (Hengqin). These can also include sleepers to/from Beijing and Shanghai.
Suggestion 25
Allow for mutual acceptance for all modes of payment between the Mainland of China and both Hong Kong and Macau. Stations in Hong Kong and Macau should be encouraged to take payment in Digital Renminbi. Stations prepared as such should take payment using AliPay HK, Octopus, and Macau Pass. All stations on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong HSR should support payment in China T-Union, Octopus, and Macau Pass, and on this line, support for payment in Macanese pataca should be supported.
Suggestion 26
Where new border crossing points integrating rail transport (national rail or metro) are built or expanded between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and between Guangdong and Macau, particular emphasis should be placed on rail links. Collaborate with mainland immigration authorities and install self-service Hong Kong/Macau two-way permit endorsement issuance machines, and offer service centres specialising in travel permits for mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau residents, including offering assisted counters. In the relevant Hong Kong or Macanese side, add services of the respective Special Administrative Region government. Add more traditional staffed counters for border inspections, so to allow foreign nationals to pass through more smoothly. Use the above measures to encourage people to cross the border in a Greener way by rail.
Suggestion 27
Stations in Hong Kong and Macau connected to the Chinese national railway system should have per gate two extra standalone ID document readers, and be from the same manufacturer as those used in other mainland stations. Passengers using these assisted access passageways may not board unless the system has verified their identity.
Suggestion 28
Where required, add new destinations beyond the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong HSR for Hong Kong’s MTR Vibrant Express trains. Allow for more regional rail groups from the mainland to operate services to/from Hong Kong.
Suggestion 29
Allow itinerary slips and expenses receipts to be printed anywhere at railway stations in the mainland, Hong Kong, or Macau.
Suggestion 30
Allow more flexible rebook policies to apply to the entirety of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong HSR instead of just limiting it to between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Futian station in Shenzhen, so to extend availability to stop as north as Guangzhou South.
Suggestion 31
Offer an improved, details-oriented service for passengers travelling from the mainland to Hong Kong West Kowloon. At major stations and counters selling tickets to Hong Kong West Kowloon, offer a Hong Kong Arrival & Departure Card to all persons whom are residents of Taiwan or foreign nationals, so to allow them to fill this in earlier. At Hong Kong West Kowloon station, where a ticket is sold to a foreign national, an Arrival Card for mainland border clearance should be given (except for where this person holds a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the PRC).
Suggestion 32
Plan for shops inside the Mainland Port Area of Hong Kong West Kowloon for passengers about to travel on trains to the mainland of China.
Suggestion 33
ID-based ticketing for trains to/from Hong Kong West Kowloon should also support the PRC Travel Permit. It is also advised to permit the use of the PRC Exit/Entry Permit.
Suggestion 34
Cross-border trains and stations should be in a better position to serve and support travellers using foreign passports, and to this end, staff should be trained better to assist foreign passport holders better.
Suggestion 35
Resume cross-border train services to/from Hong Kong Hung Hom, to serve mostly destinations with a dependable patronage and of a suitable distance. Cross-border train service frequencies should not adversely impact service on the MTR East Rail line. If, following improvement works at Hung Hom station, there remains sufficient space, border crossing facilities should be given more space, or facilitated border crossing services should be offered. Co-location with the mainland authorities, too, can be explored as an eventual possibility if this is realistic.
Suggestion 36
Rail transport across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau should support multiple languages, and all relevant official languages should be used to foster linguistic integration. Use Chinese (Putonghua, simplified, as well as Cantonese, standard traditional), English, and Portuguese across rail transport services across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Suggestion 37
Allow stations and trains in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau to offer a self-service, turn-up-and-go service for passengers with reduced mobility. Should this be successful, it should be introduced to the rest of China.
Suggestion 38
Rail operators across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau should improve Internet-based information services. The MTR and Macau LRT should add presences on WeChat and Weibo. China Railways Guangzhou Group, as well as Guangzhou-based metro/tram operators, should also have presences on non-mainland social media. There should be better integration in how messages to passengers are communicated. Integrate Hong Kong rail mobility apps and connect the MTR apps concerned to the China Railway 12306 ticketing system, so to offer ticketing on at least destinations on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong HSR in standard traditional Chinese and English in the MTR system.
Suggestion 39
Hong Kong should become an important place of contact on rail-related matters between China and the rest of the world. It should promote the exchange of ideas, concepts, and models, amongst others, in promoting the development of the Chinese national rail network, Hong Kong’s own rail transport network, and those in the wider world.
Suggestion 40
As actual conditions may permit, prepare for an eventual bridge or tunnel link from Pingtan to Hsinchu or other parts of Taiwan; also prepare border crossing-related facilities.
Part 3: International Railway Operations
Suggestion 41
Border stations should offer streamlined service for passengers crossing borders. Create a uniform Passenger Border QR Code of the PRC, integrating elements from China Customs/Health Quarantine and Exit/Entry/Immigration authorities’ relevant forms. Passengers will use this digital form and code in place of paper forms at the border. Railway staff should inform passengers about this as per official policy or directives.
Suggestion 42
Create an international ticketing system with the Chinese system as the focus, ready also for integration with non-Chinese systems, using a globally accepted currency also accepting local forms of payment and international ones frequently used elsewhere. Progressively implement e-ticketing. At the same time, maintain open ports to enable integration with ticketing systems for other modes of transport.
Suggestion 43
China-operated railway systems abroad should implement the same ticketing policies as those that apply in China (in matters including e-ticketing, rebook/refund, and child tickets, amongst others).
Suggestion 44
Resume the operation of international sleeper trains. Optimise schedules so to, as much as possible, reduce the impact of waking up passengers at border stations.
Suggestion 45
Fully maximise the potential of the China-Laos Railway. Where actual demand requires it, operate two international trains a day. The first train should start from Kunming South, calling enroute at Yuxi, Pu’er, Sipsong Panna, Mohan, Boten, Muang Xai, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane stations. A second service should start from Kunming (main station), calling enroute at Kunming South, Yuxi, Sipsong Panna, Mohan, Boten, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane stations. The second train is intended to be a faster service and should initially operate where there is significant demand; connections should be readily available at Yuxi and Sipsong Panna for Pu’er station, as well as for Muang Xai and Vang Vieng at Boten, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane stations respectively. Boten border station in Laos should be further optimised. As is already the case at Mohan border station in China, passengers intending to cross the border should not need to use the exit gates, only to re-enter later on. They should be allowed to directly proceed to Customs & Immigration. In preparation for faster border crossings in future, it is advised that Mohan station in China be redone to allow China-Laos border crossing service co-location for passengers leaving China (China outbound checks + Laos inbound checks), and Boten station in Laos be redone to allow Laos-China border crossing service co-location for passengers leaving Laos (Laos outbound checks + China inbound checks), so to speed up the border crossing. The two border stations may need to be expanded in future.
Suggestion 46
Improve ID-based ticketing management on the China-Laos railway. For services starting in China and those involving China, allow the use of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents, as well as the PRC Travel Permit. In Laos, allow the use of all passports, 1951 Convention Travel Documents, and local Laotian ID.
Suggestion 47
Higher-speed passenger travel corridors on standard gauge should be encouraged and built, in particular on routes to countries in Europe or Southeast Asia using different track gauges.
Suggestion 48
Allow the railways to become key arteries of communication for transport, trade, and culture purposes, amongst others.
Suggestion 49
In border stations in China, the Chinese side should add services in the language of the neighbouring country (on signage and for station staff). (For example, at Mohan station, Laotian should be added.) Encourage border stations on the non-Chinese side to add corresponding services in Chinese.
Suggestion 50
Where conditions and policy permit, there should be additional space to allow applications for port visas and temporary (visa-free) entry permits (for transit purposes) to be made. Correspondingly, stations should prepare in advance, and if needed, allow for the station to be expanded.
Suggestion 51
Border stations should host an area welcoming foreign tourists coming to China, and corresponding services should be offered by the neighbouring country. Such services should include, amongst others, currency exchange, SIM card offers, and travel information, as well as recommendations on local smartphone apps in frequent use. Border inspection and cross-border waiting areas, as well as ground transport transfer centres, should be expanded when there is sufficient demand.
Suggestion 52
Standardise the use of foreign languages. Establish a norm which is compatible with other modes of transport with the least differences, and create a newer-generation railway passenger usability interface. Ticketing systems should add support for major languages outside of Chinese and English, as well as support for languages used in the corresponding language, as well as languages where China builds or operates railways (eg: Laotian, Indonesian).
Suggestion 53
All self-service devices (such as ticket machines and itinerary printers) should support the use of passports. This includes activating the use of, or, where one is not present, subsequently installing a passport reader. Passports for Chinese and foreign nationals should be accepted as long as there is a machine-readable zone on the passport.
Suggestion 54
For rail projects built by China abroad, services in both Chinese and English should be realised at the same time, and a Chinese interface be offered. English should be supported as a global lingua franca. At the same time, the status of Chinese should be further improved on the world stage.
Suggestion 55
Rail projects built by China abroad should offer a full connection to local rail transport projects. New lines built by China should connect to the local rail transport systems in cities abroad, including metro and tram/light rail systems.
Suggestion 56
By deploying Chinese technology (such as making use of WeChat), an all-English/other foreign language self-service and assisted service platform should be used. Foreign nationals should have the opportunity to have their problems solved in English. This simply means creating an official China Railways account in English on WeChat and other platforms. (Separate solutions apply for overseas platforms.)
Suggestion 57
For rail projects built by China abroad, if at first only a single-track line is built, a second line (for future dual-track operations) should be futureproofed; if the line runs at first without overhead power lines, such lines should also be futureproofed.
Suggestion 58
Railway stations on lines built by China abroad should be located closer to city centres. Avoid, as much as possible, any situation where the railway station is actually more remote from the city centre than the airport.
Suggestion 59
Both China Railways 12306 and ticketing platforms for rail projects built by China abroad should accept, and integrate, mainstream platforms of payment (including contactless payment methods, such as Apple Pay).
Suggestion 60
Explore the possibility of a networked, transnational ticketing system for “Belt and Road” and BRICS countries/territories, as well as others where there is significant mutual interest for doing so. This transnational ticketing system could base itself on the Interrail/Eurail schemes in Europe, where non-residents can travel at a reduced fare. This system should allow itself to be compatible with other similar schemes.
Part 3: New-Generation Smart Railways
Suggestion 61
Based on the voluntary consent of the passenger, establish a smart passenger information system. Connect different ID documents of the same passenger as belonging to the same person, and conduct identity verification. Improve the frequent traveller points system, and make smart railways be of benefit for passengers. Based on the travel habits of the passenger, suggest, ahead of time, travel plans. Create an option where every passenger can be offered a China Railway Passenger Card (both physical and digital versions), so to offer more personalised service, as well as fulfilling the ID-based ticketing requirement, and integrate this with China T-Union, with options to integrate further with the systems of Hong Kong and Macau. Offer seamless integration services that extend also to family members of the passenger. Follow up and update information of the passenger in the event of changes to the passenger’s name, citizenship, type and number of identity document, and other details. Fully upgrade the China Railway 12306 ticketing system so to remove duplicate accounts based on different ID held by the same person.
Suggestion 62
Offer a smart travel companion service for Business Class passengers. Once a passenger is seated in the chosen seat, having scanned a passenger verification QR code using the China Railways 12306 app onboard the screen, offer personalised travel info services. On Smart High Speed trains, when all passengers are arriving at a station, onboard displays should give, in a non-obtrusive manner, information about the name of the station, as well as the temperature outside.
Suggestion 63
Starting first with all High Speed trains, based on the actual circumstances of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, allow passengers to choose their own individual seat; the present-day system of choosing a type of seating should also be used. Individual seat selection should be a free service for passengers travelling on a train where a 20% or greater discount applies on the ticket; on other trains, a handling fee should apply (currently CNY 2.—). This handling fee can be waived for passengers travelling in Business Class or Luxury Soft Sleeper.
Suggestion 64
Smart HS trains should adjust temperatures inside the train in a way which minimises extremes inside and outside the train. Temperatures in parts of the train close to the doors should be adjusted warmer or cooler, closer to outside temperatures, as the train approaches a station. Once the train has departed, temperatures should resume to the level in other parts of the carriage.
Suggestion 65
Progressively upgrade digital displays in all stations. Integrate the platform car marker display in the white safety line on platforms, supporting text to be displayed in Chinese and English. Regulate on the content displayed on digital displays. Remove any icons and decorative elements which have no real use. Regulate on fonts used, as well as font size, and details concerning scrolling text (including its positioning, speed, and frequency). Regulate the use and display of messages in Chinese and English; also regulate on the display of the position of railway train carriages. Platform numbers are relatively fixed, hence should not be part of the variable part of a display, but instead should be displayed in a fixed form on its own.
Suggestion 66
Progressively improve clocks and their display of the time. Traditional round clocks should be improved so that hour and minute hands, as well as other elements, are thickened or placed in bold. Alternatively, use digital clocks, but ensure the font used is big enough.
Suggestion 67
Regulate and standardise the contents of announcements, including the content of displays inside the train. Further simplify announcements for both High Speed and Classic services, especially High Speed. Regulate on jingles used in announcements. Use a nationwide uniform jingle for each of the following cases: general messages, security alerts, and emergencies (delays, cancellations, change in platform or gate).
Suggestion 68
Further upgrade General Service Centres. Based on this type of ticketing service, make this the “new normal” of ticket offices across all railway stations in China following a station upgrade. Add smart AI devices which are capable of both Chinese and foreign languages. Offer remote video-based assistance, but also keep station staff. Do not remove staff headcount just because smart technology is deployed.
Suggestion 69
In better classes of travel, create space to allow for the dedicated storage of a traveller’s mobile device and identity documents, so to ensure safe storage. Where there is technical support, add USB-C ports.
Suggestion 70
China Railways 12306 should, using both push technology, and displaying in a key part of the app’s main screen, indicate to the passenger information about the train, departure, exit, and seat/berth reservation details. This should be displayed on the main screen of the China Railways 12306 smartphone app in the form of a traditional blue ticket. It should also be available as a widget on supported mobile device operating systems.
Suggestion 71
China Railways 12306 should, by deploying AI technology to the benefit of travellers, operate automatic calls to passengers requiring this service informing them of sudden changes to their journey, including delays, cancellations, change of gates, and others such situations.
Suggestion 72
Taking a more pessimistic look at the trajectory of climate change, revisit and adapt or upgrade policies and measures to be taken in the event of extreme weather conditions. This includes preparing for even more extreme conditions and thus upgrading preventative measures. Implement an enhanced rail infrastructure self-inspection system, so to mitigate extreme weather impact to rail travel.
Suggestion 73
An automatic separator door for Business Class carriages should be put into use again on Smart HSR trains. This door opens when a button is touched. This will make it easy for passengers carrying bulky items.
Suggestion 74
On signage indicating routes to the entrance or exit, as well as from the exit to ground transport connections, add distance indications. Based on dynamic flow sensing, add the time required, allowing this to change variably based on actual flow.
Suggestion 75
Make dynamic predictions on inbound and outbound passenger flow in stations with limited capacity. Where there is limited capacity in underpasses or on footbridges, adjust dynamically separation and space for in- and outbound passengers. Shrink part of the passage with less passengers, and widen those with heavier passenger flow.
Suggestion 76
Where a passenger wishes to obtain information on a journey to be made whilst using an interactive information device at stations, information can be presented either in the form of a printout, mobile phone SMS text message, or to the passenger’s China Railways 12306 account. This is based on matching the passenger’s identity document, mobile phone number, email address, and such matching indicia. Where such conditions are available, a face-scan facility may also be made available.
Suggestion 77
Continuously improve the China Railways 12306 service platform so to better prepare for smarter travels in the future. Non-Chinese versions of the China Railways 12306 ticketing system should have the same set of functionalities as the Chinese version. Develop versions of the China Railways 12306 system in the ethnic minority languages of China, starting with those as printed on Renminbi banknotes. Accept mobile phone numbers from the rest of the world (outside of the mainland of China, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) for registering a China Railways 12306 account.
Suggestion 78
Prepare a smartwatch-savvy version of China Railways 12306 which is oriented towards guiding passengers to their trains. Future editions may also enable ticket purchases by voice.
Suggestion 79
Regulate on the use of VR and AR devices. Offer service to these devices. Regulate firmly the use of these devices on railway grounds to ensure railway safety. China Railways 12306 should futureproof development oriented towards these devices and platforms, so to assist passengers in their journeys.
Suggestion 80
Regulate how smart railway services collect personal information of passengers. Proactively publish such privacy policies as well associated details. Create privacy policies compliant with the jurisdiction of operation and compatible with other modes of transport. Allow passengers to review and change their personal information. Allow passengers to request that all of their data is removed, thus ensuring the “right to be forgotten”.
Part 5: Railway Culture and International Communications
Suggestion 81
China’s High Speed network and Revival Express trains are new icons of China that should be communicated to a wider audience in the world. They should be treated as universal a symbol of China akin to the Giant Panda, Great Wall, Tian’anmen, and the like.
Suggestion 82
Key individuals in China, including diplomats, experts, winners of national accolades, and other special guests, should be given a personalised tour of the railways of China, so to let them understand the network better. Encourage rail entities outside of China to provide corresponding facilitations and treatment for Chinese of an equal position going abroad. Use the railways to build better ties between China and the outside world.
Suggestion 83
Connect deeper with non-Chinese mainland media and influencers. Invite them to China and present them pro bono sessions to introduce the railways, rail rules, facts, and information, and invite them to travel the railways of China. Deepen connections with overseas influencers.
Suggestion 84
Encourage everyone, including foreign nationals, to take part in rail-related contests where role models are chosen. Allow everyone to improve the railways of China.
Suggestion 85
Maximise transnational cultural communications across “Belt and Road” countries, especially culture involving rail elements.
Suggestion 86
Onboard TV on railway trains should add more English-language and other foreign-language programming, and/or programmes in Chinese introducing overseas railways.
Suggestion 87
In addition to China Railways joining Twitter and Facebook, plan for the railways to join other social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and Threads, as well other newer social media platforms.
Suggestion 88
On overseas social media platforms, a channel of communications should be created where users and passengers alike can communicate directly with China Railways. To this end, specialised staff should man these channels of communications. Use AI to the benefit of the ridership; develop a “China Railways version of ChatGPT”, so to speak, in enabling non-Chinese-language-speaking passengers to be served better via the Web.
Suggestion 89
Where railway stations exit active service, they should be converted into railway museums, and such policy should become permanent. Railway stations and their buildings that have exited active service should not be demolished as a general principle. (Separate rules may apply for stations being improved, but demolition should be done in moderation.)
Suggestion 90
Starting first with foreign countries enjoying good relations with China, in diplomatic relation celebrations, rail transport elements should be added. The concerned railway museums should offer beneficial conditions to further people-to-people exchanges. More sister station relations should be established.
Suggestion 91
Encourage the creation of key influencers in becoming civilian spokespersons of the Chinese railways, both for Chinese citizens and for overseas individuals interested in the railways of China. A case study in the transport industry involves the airports of Paris in their communications with China.
Suggestion 92
Create a network of railway museums in “Belt and Road” countries, including venues in and outside of China.
Suggestion 93
Partner with leading brands, such as LEGO, in creating Chinese railways special edition toys with railway elements. Allow kids whom are interested to build their own Chinese trains. Promote this in a conducive way.
Suggestion 94
Resume the railway spokesperson policy. Establish a mechanism for Chinese and overseas media to discover “the making of…” China Railways. Improve international communications; allow non-Mainland China media to engage in interviews on railway grounds, provided they follow Chinese laws.
Suggestion 95
Establish a China International Railways Museum. This museum should be formed of separate sections for China, the rest of Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. People can explore the railways of the world without leaving China. Allow foreign rail entities to promote the railways of their respective countries.
Suggestion 96
Chinese travel agencies abroad should promote Chinese HSR, and, based on the specialities of the country they operate in, create unique travel routes (eg: more mountain-oriented routes for visitors from Switzerland). There should also be more support for other travel agencies abroad in marketing and promoting HSR travel in China.
Suggestion 97
Establish and promote the Icons of China by Rail campaign — allow people to travel between the icons of China by rail, including the Great Wall, Giant Panda natural protection bases, and the like. Promote travel by rail to cities made popular by the Web.
Suggestion 98
Establish a series of stories regarding frequent travellers of the Chinese railways. This should include both role models and commoners, and, through this, associate the Chinese railways with both winners in life and with the rest of us.
Suggestion 99
Open up railway stations with a particular history, provided the station remains well-protected. Stations can also create areas where their history is publicised, making it part of the station.
Suggestion 100
China should be presented as a success story in Green, sustainable transport through the entirety of its national rail, city metro, and tram networks.