Summary of Key Points
The railway industry has recently introduced two significant improvements: first, a substantial upgrade to student ticket discounts (expanding the types of tickets available, offering flexible discounts, simplifying procedures, and covering both new students and graduates); second, the removal of a 24-hour time limit for connecting tickets. These measures make high-speed rail more convenient and affordable, directly competing with civil aviation. Although civil aviation has seen record passenger volumes, its profits are meager. The short-distance market has been dominated by high-speed rail, and even medium- and long-distance routes are under pressure from the competitive sleeper services offered by railways. More importantly, by targeting student tickets, railways have effectively locked in the travel habits of a whole generation of young people. Civil aviation must shift to long-distance international flights and improve the overall travel experience to stay competitive.
1. Improved Student Ticket Discounts
Previously, students could only purchase second-class tickets for high-speed rail. Now, first-class and sleeper tickets are also available at discounted rates. The discounts are more flexible—instead of a fixed 25% off, the actual selling price (e.g., after seasonal reductions during the Spring Festival travel rush) is further reduced by 25%, with the lowest discount reaching 40% of the published fare. Procedures have also been simplified: there's no need to return to school for a family address verification; changes can be made directly on the 12306 ticketing platform. New students can purchase a one-way ticket to school with their admission notice, and graduates can buy a ticket to leave school with a school-issued certificate, covering the entire period from enrollment to graduation.
For example, a high-speed rail ticket from Beijing to Chengdu might originally cost over a thousand yuan, but after the discount, it's not much more expensive than a regular seat and offers the convenience of sleeping overnight, saving on hotel expenses. This makes high-speed rail a much more attractive option for students.
2. Flexible Connecting Ticket Policies
Previously, there was a 24-hour time limit between consecutive high-speed rail trips (e.g., from City A to City B). This restriction has been lifted, allowing passengers to arrange their travel plans more freely. For instance, one could take a high-speed train to Xi'an for three days and then continue to Lanzhou, still enjoying connecting ticket discounts. In the future, there may even be "province-wide" or "region-wide" ticketing options that include discounts on tourist attractions and hotels, making travel more cost-effective.
3. Why Is Civil Aviation Under Pressure?
Last year, railway revenue exceeded one trillion yuan for the first time, while civil aviation carried 770 million passengers (a record high) but only earned 6.5 billion yuan. The average economy class fare has dropped to 738 yuan, declining for two consecutive years (3% last year and 13% the year before). This reflects a situation where increased passenger volume does not necessarily translate into higher profits. The short-distance market (within 800 kilometers, 3-5 hours) is already dominated by high-speed rail; routes such as those from Qingdao to Beijing have almost disappeared, with only a few remaining for international transfer passengers. Medium- and long-distance routes are also at risk, as high-speed rail offers convenient sleeper services that save on hotel costs. Additionally, civil aviation's speed advantage has been significantly diminished due to long distances between airports and cities, as well as frequent delays during thunderstorm seasons.
4. The Long-Term Impact of Student Ticket Discounts
Current college students will use discounted high-speed rail tickets for four years, gradually developing a preference for this mode of transport. When they start working (in about ten years) and become business travelers, they are likely to continue to choose high-speed rail. By offering these discounts, railways have effectively secured a large portion of future passenger traffic, potentially undermining civil aviation's long-term prospects.
5. Is There Still a Future for Civil Aviation?
Civil aviation still has opportunities in long-distance and international flights (where high-speed rail cannot compete). For example, China Eastern Airlines' "Three Flights Strategy" focuses on international, long-distance, and emerging market routes. Additionally, airports need to improve transportation connections, such as by building intercity railways and express shuttle services, to reduce travel time and maintain any remaining advantages. After all, passengers are primarily concerned with saving money and avoiding inconvenience. The competition is not just about the ticket price but the overall travel experience from departure to arrival.
To be honest, for most of us, we will choose the mode of transport that offers the greatest convenience and value. However, civil aviation faces significant challenges and needs to take immediate action to stay competitive.