Amidst China’s economic downturn, the topic of how to save money during the Chinese New Year has become a hot issue. During this year’s Spring Festival travel rush, there has been a phenomenon of overcrowded “green-skinned trains” and empty high-speed rail cabins.
The Spring Festival travel rush in mainland China commenced on January 14th this year and has exceeded one week. According to the People’s Daily, the number of passengers has reached 13.371 million, which is 328,000 more than the same period last year, representing a 2% increase.
While the number of train passengers returning home has increased, videos on Chinese social media platform Douyin show deserted high-speed rail cabins and overcrowded green-skinned trains during the Spring Festival travel rush. Some netizens questioned why they had to wait in line for tickets but found the cabins empty once aboard.
Chinese netizens expressed their surprise at buying expensive high-speed rail tickets under the assumption of limited availability, only to find vacant cabins upon boarding. Footage showed sparse crowds at high-speed rail stations and no passengers getting on or off at major stops.
One netizen named “Ban Mei” said, “I was deceived by the high-speed rail when I bought my ticket. There were not many first-class or second-class seats available when I purchased. However, upon boarding, I found the entire cabin empty, and the high-speed rail was about to arrive at the next station, but there was still no one.”
In contrast, more people have opted to take the budget-friendly green-skinned trains for their journey home. Videos on Douyin displayed packed green-skinned train compartments with seats filled to capacity, aisles crowded, and even the toilets filled with people struggling to move around.
Many netizens commented below the videos, highlighting the primary reason for this shift being the high cost of high-speed rail tickets compared to cheaper train tickets. With the economic downturn and reduced income for migrant workers, saving money has become a priority, making train travel a reluctant but necessary choice for many.
According to the Ctrip platform, the average price for a high-speed rail ticket from Beijing to Chengdu is around 800 to 1,000 RMB, whereas a hard seat on a regular train costs over 200 RMB.
Reports from mainland China indicated that a temporary passenger train (green-skinned train) from Shanghai to Bengbu in Anhui had a capacity of 1,304 passengers and transported over 2,600 passengers throughout its journey.
Mr. Hu, who returns to Changsha from Guangdong every year for the Chinese New Year, told Radio Free Asia that his friends opted to take the regular train instead of the high-speed rail this year. The high-speed rail tickets were significantly more expensive before the Lunar New Year, prompting them to save expenses even if it meant spending a few extra hours on the journey.
In 2024, despite China’s ongoing economic decline, high-speed rail fares were significantly increased by approximately 20% mid-year.
In mainland China, green-skinned trains typically refer to ordinary trains distinguished by their green external paint. These trains are traditional passenger transportation vehicles of the Chinese railway system, with speeds usually ranging between 40-120 kilometers per hour, considerably slower than high-speed and bullet trains. They are sometimes referred to as “slow trains.”
The popularity of green-skinned trains began to rise in the mid to late 2010s, especially after the extensive deployment of high-speed rail networks. This trend became even more pronounced during and after the pandemic period in 2020, as economic pressures and changes in travel habits further reinforced the demand for regular passengers.
During the Spring Festival travel rush, especially among inter-regional travelers, the allure of lower-priced tickets continues to dominate. Some netizens remarked that although high-speed rail is faster, saving 600 RMB on a trip equals three days’ wages for an average person.