A video showing two foreign passengers smoking in the doorway of a high-speed train has sparked controversy online and become a trending topic in China this week — and the response from China’s railway customer service hotline, 12306, has surprised a lot of people.
A reporter from China News Service called the 12306 customer service hotline to ask what the rules actually say. Here is what the operator said.
Smoking on the Platform Is Not Banned — But There’s a Catch
A 12306 customer service representative told reporters that smoking is not strictly prohibited on high-speed railway platforms. However, passengers who smoke inside train carriages and disrupt normal train operations may face travel restrictions or other penalties.
What About Smoking in the Train Doorway?
When asked whether passengers standing in a train doorway with their heads outside the carriage while smoking would also be considered in violation of the rules, the representative said this was a matter of individual conduct that staff could not always prevent. However, if such behavior interfered with normal train operations, the passengers could face corresponding penalties.
Will Staff Step In?
Yes — if they see it. The representative said that staff would certainly step in and discourage such behavior if they witnessed it. The representative added that management would be strengthened, including more frequent patrols when trains stop at stations.
What the Law Says
According to the Regulations on Railway Safety Management, smoking is prohibited on high-speed trains and in designated non-smoking areas of other trains. Smoking on a high-speed (EMU) train can also draw a fine of ¥500 to ¥2,000, according to the official 12306 passenger guide.
Source: China News Service; original report via Guangming Net.
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