12306 現象 (12306 xian xiang): 12306 phenomenon

Every year during the Spring Festival travel peak, people complain about 12306, the official online train ticket booking system. This year has been no exception, with people complaining about a range of issues, from temporary crashes during peak hours to the complicated identity verification procedure.

Even though problems do exist, the efforts made by the railway department to listen to customers and address their concerns should not be neglected. Moreover, technically speaking, it is not a simple task to improve a real-time trading system, especially one on such a large-scale.

In essence, 12306's predicament is not all of its own making. No matter how much the booking system has improved, the inadequate train capacity and therefore the odds of passengers successfully getting train tickets during the Spring Festival travel rush has remained unchanged. Therefore, the booking system, to a certain degree, is used as a "wall" for passengers to vent their anxiety at not purchasing a train ticket and their anger if they fail to do so.

This is not a unique phenomenon. But after complaining and criticizing the problems that emerge during the country's reform and development, it would be more rational for people to calm down and cultivate a sense of "process adaptation" and then work out ways to solve the problems.

Certainly, the call for such awareness is aimed at creating a positive social environment for reform and development rather than to connive with sluggishness and defend nonfeasance. Take the 12306 booking system for example, as there are questions and doubts from the public about whether it can develop a workable system, it should consider outsourcing or seek a partner in order to boost its efficiency. No matter what the result is, such efforts will be a learning process and help win public understanding.