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Age is a better, easier yardstick

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-23 07:44

The newly revised height for children eligible to buy half-price railway tickets is a measure not good enough, says an article in the Beijing News. The following is an excerpt:

The Ministry of Railways has recently raised the top height limit of half-price railway ticket for children by 10 cm above the current 1. 4 m. The previous height limit for children to buy half-price railway tickets stood between 1.1 m and 1.4 m.

Although the revision comes rather late, the ministry has after all tried to keep abreast with the times. But the 10 cm change is a far cry from the people's expectations. It is generally hoped that the age of children, rather than their height, should be the yardstick for eligibility for half-price railway tickets since age is more scientific. In this sense, this revision by the top railway authorities is just a small adjustment of old rules rather than a reform in line with the expectations of the people. So, the public is disappointed.

As we know, age is the international standard for buying children's tickets. Moreover, airlines in China already take age of children as the standard for buying tickets. The non-compliance with the international standards by the railway system is unscientific and may even cause trouble. For example, the measurement of children's height at the check-in gates may cause congestions and even disputes between ticket examiners and passengers. If children can buy tickets according to their age, showing their ID cards can quickly prove their eligibility for buying half-price tickets. It can ease the verification process for railway systems. Therefore, it is easier for railway management.

(China Daily 12/23/2008 page8)