Rain Technology reported on June 28 that according to the official news of China Railway Express, starting today, the railway department will pilot the “light-fare travel” service at 19 stations including Beijing West, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South, etc., providing passengers with “door-to-stop” and “station-to-door” luggage handling services in the same city.
The “light luggage” function is launched simultaneously on the railway 12306APP and WeChat mini program. Passengers can make an appointment online, which will effectively reduce the burden of traveling with large luggage and make traveling by train more convenient and faster. This move is undoubtedly an upgrade of railway services, aiming to enhance passengers’ travel experience.
At present, 19 stations including Beijing West, Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai, Hangzhou East, Hangzhou, Hefei South, Guangzhou South, Shenzhen North, Changsha South, Chengdu East, Chengdu West, Kunming South, Kunming South, Dali, Lijiang, Baoshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, etc. have taken the lead in piloting the “light-equipped” service. These stations cover many regions such as North China, East China, South China, South China, and Southwest. It can be seen that the railway department hopes to collect feedback from users in different regions through pilot projects and prepare for subsequent promotion.
Within 35 kilometers from the station in the same city, passengers can choose the following two “lightweight” services according to their actual needs:
The first is the luggage transport service for departure passengers.
After selecting this service, staff will go to the designated location of the passenger to collect luggage that meets the checked requirements and transport it to the departure station. After the luggage is security checked, it will be sent to the passenger’s bus platform or the designated luggage service cabinet (service desk). This service solves the “last mile” problem of travelers from home to station, and is especially suitable for travelers with large luggage or mobility difficulties.
The second is the luggage handling service for arriving passengers “stop to door”.
After selecting this service, staff will collect luggage from the passenger boarding platform or the luggage service cabinet (service desk) designated by the passenger, and transport it to the designated location within the agreed time. This service solves the problem of passengers’ “first kilometer” from the station to the destination, allowing passengers to travel easily after getting off the train.
At present, Shanghai Hongqiao Station and Shanghai Station service desks are luggage storage places, and the remaining 17 pilot stations have set up luggage service cabinets as luggage storage places in prominent locations. Different storage methods may be related to the existing facilities and conditions of the station and may be gradually unified in the future.
When applying for the “door-to-stop” service, you need to make an appointment 48 hours to 4 hours before driving. Staff will collect luggage that meets the check-in regulations at home and transport it to the departure station. After the security check is passed, the luggage will be stored in the service cabinet 30 minutes before driving, or delivered to the platform 10 minutes before driving. The reservation time limit is to ensure the quality of service, and at the same time, it also reserves sufficient operating time for the railway department.
When applying for the “station to door” service, you need to make an appointment 24 hours to 1 hour before the train arrives at the station. Staff will deliver the luggage to the designated location within 5 hours after picking up the item. Considering the needs of different passengers, the delivery time of luggage is also relatively flexible.
The above services can be cancelled at any time before staff pick up the items, and there is no charge for any fees. This policy is very user-friendly and reduces the trial and error costs of passengers.
Before the luggage is delivered to the designated location, the staff will confirm with the passenger phone number that if the passenger temporarily changes in the itinerary such as ticket refunds, change of signs, etc., they will handle the follow-up business in accordance with the agreement and collect the corresponding fees. Pre-confirmation can effectively avoid unnecessary disputes and also help the railway department adjust service arrangements according to actual conditions. It is expected that more complete terms of refund and change of service will be introduced in the future.
