Zhao Yujun displays a ticket in the 1950s, the oldest in his collections, Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Sun Xiaoyu)
At present, China is promoting e-tickets for high-speed trains nationwide, allowing passengers to swipe their mobile phones or ID cards to enter and exit train stations without carrying paper tickets.
Although e-tickets may lead to the end of Zhao's collection of train tickets, he is pleased to see the historic transformation.
Along with the improvements of China's train tickets is the modernization of the railway network and increased capacity.
Working in the railway industry his whole life, Zhao has witnessed many historic moments and improvements in China's railway system, from the slow green trains to the high-speed bullet trains, from the hardboard tickets to the paperless e-tickets.
The advent of high-speed trains and the advanced ticketing system have made the travel rush a smoother and more comfortable experience than the notorious ordeal of the old days, Zhao said.
"Gone are the days when travelers were stranded at train stations due to insufficient capacity. Now almost everyone can get to their destination on time thanks to the advancements in our railways," Zhao said.
