The annual big migration in China

Even if weather was great (which it wont be), clearly its not easy to manage these shocking numbers: 2.8bn trips will be made for the next 40 days, from yday on through to Feb27 across CNY when migrant workers/students return home, and holiday-makers go on trips. But hang on, isnt there only 1.3bn people? Times 2, and you still get less than 2.8bn. So transits are counted multiple times, I guess? Its already described by the press as 史上最艱巨的春運. These commentary from a Shanghai newspaper captures well the sentiment of the wider public: 上海報章《東方早報》昨日發表文章質問說︰「我們能夠辦好奧運和世博，我們修了世界最長的高鐵，我們回家為甚麼就這麼難？」

Indeed, why is it so hard? Its sad to see why such a predictable situation every year will be such a mess. There were promises of HSR back in 2007 or round about, but of course now the department said it wont be done til 2015. Also you cant find a worse customer experience (yes, the concept of CEX is a elusive one at best in China) - of course there are the mandatory long queues (there's a person whos #3 in the queue who still didnt manage to get tickets, so he stripped off his clothes and went protest naked in the station) - but also the design of the stations/sales booth is horrifying: 上海和寧波等地火車站因售票窗口設計太低，令乘客買票出現「低下頭顱，彎下脊樑，曲起膝蓋，蹺起屁股」。大部份乘客在窗前都要伏身、低頭、撅臀與售票員交流。網民指出，窗口的設計可能是方便售票員坐着賣票。但火車站人員卻辯稱，售票窗口的高度符合國家標準。

To be clear, there are efforts made to alleviate the discontent a bit. For example Qingdao opened a "customer complaint center" in the station with a customer rep at the gate listening to grievance of those who cant get tickets, who missed a train, etc. (Bravo, Qingdao Govt!). Guangzhou station has 50 volunteers in a program called 情暖春運 to give info, direction, etc.

Another problem is of course what happens after CNY. Migrant workers might not return to GD if there are jobs locally. GD minimum wage will go up 18.6% to RMB1300. But is that enough?

Breaks my heart to see those images of people struggling to go home to spend time with their family, after a tough year of hard work. Lets hope they all got home safely and swiftly.