People seen waiting in long queues for tickets at the Vientiane station.

Tickets for Laos-China Railway to be issued with names of passengers

People will be required to give their full names while booking tickets for the (LCR) as part of the company’s efforts to tackle the problem of agents or brokers buying tickets and selling them at higher prices.
Since the start of operations by the Laos-China Railway, the issue of agents buying tickets to sell them for a profit has been a problem for passengers. People, especially those with limited budgets, have to incur unnecessary expenses while buying tickets from middle men or face other problems.
In order to tackle this long-standing issue, the Laos-China Railway has issued new rules for passengers to book tickets using their names and surnames. This will enable members of the public to avoid unnecessary expenses while travelling on passenger trains.
Under the new rules, passengers will have to present their ID cards, family books or passports to book ticket at train stations. Laos-China Railway staffers will type the names and  surnames of passengers on tickets.
Before boarding trains, passengers will be require to present their ID cards, family books or passports to railway staff so that they can check their names and surnames in the booking system. If the names of passengers do not match the names on the tickets, they will not be allow to board the train.
Passengers will also be required to double check their names and surnames after buying tickets at the ticket office. If any information has been entered incorrectly, they can immediately ask ticket sellers to make corrections before they leave the ticket office.
Passenger will be required to keep their tickets carefully and to avoid any damages to the tickets. If the names on the tickets are unclear or if the railway staff cannot read the names and surnames of passengers, the ticket will be useless or inoperable.
If passengers have to change or withdraw tickets, they should personally go to the ticket office to show the staff their identity proof and the date of buying tickets. If other people come to change or withdraw the tickets, they should present to the railway staff the passengers’ names and surnames with correct information based on their ID cards, family books or passports.
These rules are aimed at preventing agents or brokers from buying tickets and reselling them at higher prices.
Recently, the public and private sectors met the Board of the Management of the Laos-China Railway in Vientiane to discuss the scope of ticket services and other business operations, especially to seek a solution to the problem of tickets being sold at high prices by brokers.
The management team of the Laos-China Railway informed the gathering that it will continue to improve and develop the ticketing system by creating online ticketing services so that people can buy tickets at home and avoid long queues at trains stations.
A senior management officer of the railway said at a recent meeting that operations will gradually improve based on practical actions. The Laos-China Railway will also try different methods to ensure easily access to tickets.
The business sector and members of the public have called on the company to urgently address ticketing issues and improve its system to help local and foreign tourists as part of efforts to promote the modern train service and the tourism industry for the upcoming high season.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 14, 2022)