Group 1 - The core point of the article is that the 2026 Spring Festival travel season will start on February 2 and end on March 13, with an expected passenger volume of 539 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.0% [1] - The peak travel days are anticipated to be February 13 before the festival and February 23 after the festival [1] - Train tickets for the first day of travel will be available for purchase starting January 19 [1] Group 2 - The railway ticketing platform 12306 will introduce new services such as free refunds for mistakenly purchased tickets, and enhance features like ticket waiting lists and online seat selection to improve the passenger experience [5] - Special ticketing services will be provided for key passenger groups, including two additional discount ticket opportunities for 2026 college graduates seeking jobs in different locations, as well as continued services for students and migrant workers [5] - Discounts will be offered for specific groups such as students, children, and disabled military personnel, with loyalty program members receiving significant points for ticket purchases [5]

Core Points - The railway department has optimized and adjusted the ticket sale times for 99 stations, reducing the interval from 30 minutes to 15 minutes and increasing the number of sale time points from 21 to 41 [1] Ticket Sale Time Adjustments - For example, at Beijing South Station, the ticket sale time has been adjusted from 12:30 PM to 12:45 PM daily [3][6] Ticket Purchase and Services - The railway 12306 App provides various services including ticket purchase, refunds, and changes, available for information queries and refunds 24/7, with ticket sales and changes available from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM the next day, except on Tuesdays when it is available until midnight [7] - During peak travel periods, users can utilize the ticket waiting list feature to increase their chances of successful purchases, with the latest order fulfillment deadline being 20 minutes before departure [10] - Each user can hold up to 6 pending waiting list orders, with a maximum of 3 travel dates per order, totaling no more than 60 train trips and allowing for 9 passengers [12] Special Services - Special priority passengers can submit requests online up to 6 hours before departure, or in person at the station up to 60 minutes before the train's departure [14] - The app also allows users to check train delays and arrivals for the past hour and the next three hours, which is essential for planning travel time [14] Electronic Invoicing - Passengers can apply for electronic invoices within 180 days after their journey, following the payment of any refund or change fees [17][20] Online Dining Services - Passengers can order meals online, but must select a delivery station and adhere to the cutoff time for orders, which is 60 minutes before the train departs [20][21] Customer Support - Passengers are advised to use the official railway 12306 App for ticket purchases and can contact customer service for any issues encountered during the process [25]