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This approach has resulted in trains exceeding their maximum capacity, complicating the ticket verification process and causing delays. Railway staff and authorities have been confronted with the challenge of managing these situations while ensuring the safety and efficiency of train operations. The 12306 customer service has acknowledged the issue but emphasized that handling such cases depends on the specific situation and the discretion of the on-site staff. Industry insiders have pointed out the critical nature of adhering to safety limits on high-speed trains, as exceeding the safety threshold can trigger an alarm, leading to a halt in the train's journey, affecting passengers on board and causing delays in subsequent trains.

A recent incident on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, which marked the end of the Spring Festival holiday, highlighted the issue. A video posted by a netizen in Henan Province showed the K774 train, en route to its next destination, was overcrowded, prompting railway staff to refuse boarding to some passengers despite them having valid tickets. The train, which originated from Hohhot and was bound for Hangzhou with 24 stops along the way, was forced to deny boarding to some passengers due to overcrowding caused by passengers buying tickets for shorter distances but failing to disembark at their designated stops.

The railway station's staff responded to the incident, acknowledging that it occurred due to the large number of passengers who had bought tickets for shorter distances but failed to disembark, causing the train to become increasingly crowded. As a result, some passengers were unable to board the train, and the station had to take measures to coordinate the situation, with some passengers choosing to refund their tickets and leave, while others opted to take later trains. The 12306 customer service stated that they had not received any information about the incident and that the issue of passengers buying tickets for shorter distances but traveling longer distances would need to be handled by the on-site staff.

The online community's response to the situation has been varied, with some believing that purchasing a shorter route ticket with the intention of riding a longer route is unethical and contributes to the issue of train overcapacity. Others sympathize with passengers who find themselves forced into such situations due to the difficulty of securing tickets during peak travel periods and advocate for 12306 to develop more effective and passenger-friendly solutions. Some have suggested that stricter measures should be implemented to deter the practice, proposing fines for individuals found engaging in this behavior to maintain order and fairness in the transportation system.

Passengers are advised to plan their trips in advance, purchasing tickets according to their actual travel needs or adjusting their travel dates to avoid peak seasons. The importance of maintaining order and safety in railway operations cannot be overstated, and efforts are being made to inform the public about the repercussions of such actions and to find more orderly and efficient solutions to meet the high demand for train travel during holidays and peak periods.