Students from the China-Laos Friendship Nongping Primary School are seen on the Lane Xang EMU train in Laos, Dec. 1, 2022. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
Developed with mature technology from the Chinese railway system, the launch of the LCR Ticket mobile application improves great efficiency and passengers can buy tickets through E-wallet services including VISA, UnionPay, WeChat and Alipay.
VIENTIANE, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Passengers traveling on the China-Laos Railway can now easily book and manage their journeys on smartphones by using a new mobile ticketing application.
The Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC) on Wednesday launched its ticketing mobile application, marking the China-Laos railway's official entry into an era of online ticket sales.
The launch of the LCR Ticket mobile application adds to the comfort and efficiency of the passengers during their journey.
As the number of passengers traveling on the China-Laos Railway is expanding, the LCRC has developed an APP system for ticketing online to further facilitate ticket purchases.
"In the past I had to stand in line for hours to buy a ticket without knowing whether there will be tickets left or not. It wasted a lot of time," a 25-year-old woman named Tingkham Phetboulom described how difficult it was to get a train ticket, before the App was launched.
"But now with the LCR Ticket App, I can confirm that I will surely get tickets. It's so convenient!"
A conductor serves drinkable water for a passenger on a train of the China-Laos Railway, Nov. 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
With a few quick taps on a mobile app, passengers can now book their tickets, make cancellations and check information on train schedules, stations, and routes.
In addition, passengers traveling within Laos can pass the ticket check and board the train by scanning a QR code generated by the ticketing system after purchasing their tickets.
"I don't have to worry about losing my ticket, since I can pass the ticket check by just scanning the QR code in my smartphone," Tingkham said.
The launch of the LCR Ticket mobile application has also made the headlines on social media in Laos, with some netizens commenting on the news, expressing their excitement.
"It's so convenient! Now we can buy tickets from anywhere via our mobile phones."
"Travel by the train would become much more convenient because we don't need to line up for hours to get a ticket."
"The app is available in Lao, Chinese and English, which is great because it means tourists will be able to use it as well," said some comments.
Stewardesses wait for passengers beside a Lane Xang EMU train at the Vientiane Station of China-Laos Railway in Laos on May 24, 2022. (Photo by Yang Yongquan/Xinhua)
Passengers across Laos rushed to test out the app from the early hours of Wednesday morning. Some social media users have been posting their tickets online, praising the new ticketing app.
Phoutthala Inthalangsy, who was the first Lao person to buy a train ticket through the LCR Ticket App, said that registering and buying tickets online are only a matter of a few taps on the mobile device.
"Just download the app and follow steps, it doesn't take long to buy tickets. The app is modern and saves time," Inthalangsy explained.
The APP is developed with a mature technology from the Chinese railway system, integrated with the characteristics of the Lao culture, laws and regulations, with various functions to meet users' needs.
Ticket payments can be made through E-wallet services including VISA, UnionPay, WeChat and Alipay.
The number of passengers traveling on the China-Laos Railway is continuing to grow. The Lao section of the railway made a new record on March 4 for carrying 10,197 passengers a day.
From January to February, the railway carried a total of 417,400 passengers, up 256.2 percent compared to the same period in 2022.■