China tests measures against rail ticket scalpers

China's railway police began a 60-day campaign on Tuesday against ticket scalpers - who buy tickets only to sell them at higher prices - ahead of Spring Festival.

Though some say the measures could actually make scalping easier, during the country's busiest travel season.

According to China's Ministry of Railways, police have stepped up monitoring of those who have a police record of ticket scalping dating back two years.

While mobile phones and Internet accounts involved in scams over train tickets have been blacklisted and will be closely watched.

Spring Festival, also known as Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on February, 10th this year and is an important occasion of family reunions.

The ministry says the busiest travel period will likely span from January. 26th right up until March 6th.

More than 224 million passengers are expected to travel by train during that time - 4.6 percent more, than last year.

But due to limited capacity, supply often fails to meet demand, during the New Year season...

And desperate passengers are willing to pay higher prices - making ticket scalping a profitable business - and a tough target for police.

This year, the rail operators rolled out several measures to make it easier to get a ticket.

Passengers can now pick up tickets booked by telephone at any railway station nationwide...

But critics say that might also make tickets easier for scalpers to get.

To close the loophole, police will closely monitor incoming calls on booking lines and single out suspicious ones.

And say as in previous years, they will step up efforts to crack down on counterfeit tickets, buying tickets with fake IDs and, online scalping...

To maintain stability, as millions move across the country.