Regulation puts passengers in place

From December, high-speed train passengers in Guangdong province who refuse to move after taking other people's seats will face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 yuan ($72 to $295), according to a new regulation.

The Regulation on Railway Safety Management says all high-speed train passengers will be required to take their seats according to their seat numbers, and railway staff and train police will have the right to fine and punish those who refuse to vacate other people's seats.

The regulation, which will come into effect on Dec 1, was passed by Guangdong's Provincial People's Congress on Sept 30 after a number of disputes about seating on trains made national headlines.