Some travelers aiming to purchase tickets for the Spring Festival travel rush were caught off guard when additional train services unexpectedly released tickets ahead of the scheduled time. This left many who had set alarms for the official sale time unable to secure seats. One passenger reported planning to buy a high-speed train ticket for February 15, which was supposed to go on sale at 8 a.m. on February 11. However, upon checking the evening of February 10, they discovered the tickets were already sold out.

In response, the official 12306 customer service acknowledged that certain trains, particularly extra services added for the holiday period, had indeed experienced early ticket releases. The service apologized for the inconvenience and stated that the issue has been reported for system improvements to enhance the booking experience.

Industry analysts noted that the affected trains often depart during late-night or early-morning hours and are typically temporary additions. These services are characterized by late confirmation of operation but early sales initiation, leading to the premature ticket availability. Railway authorities make last-minute decisions to add trains based on waitlist data, resulting in these services being approved later than the standard advance booking period.

Numerous passengers shared similar experiences online, with some noting that after they successfully purchased tickets during the unscheduled early release, the system reverted to showing the tickets as not yet on sale. Many expressed frustration, arguing that the unpredictability disadvantages those who follow the official schedule.

Ahead of the Spring Festival, China State Railway Group announced it would increase nighttime high-speed train services on major routes, with tickets for these additions initially set to go on sale five days before departure. On February 11, the group adjusted this to a tiered presale system, allowing sales 10 days, seven days, and five days in advance.

Analysts explained that unlike regular trains, which have fixed sale dates, extra services, especially nighttime ones, are added flexibly to handle peak travel demand. These temporary trains aim for high occupancy and often release all sections of tickets at once, which may affect the standardization of the ticketing process.

The practice of early ticket releases has drawn criticism, with comparisons made to previous incidents involving ticketing platforms like Damai.cn, which faced backlash for not adhering to announced sale times. Legal experts suggest that platforms have an obligation to ensure accurate information and transparency. If system errors prevent users from purchasing tickets as expected, affected individuals should be offered reasonable compensation.