It is a modern-day version of David and Goliath - one man facing down the mighty Ministry of Railways in court over a ticketing dispute.

Yet, Yang Jinzhu has no desire for fame or fortune; he just wants the authority to publish its policy on seating passengers in dining carriages.

The 41-year-old unveiled his case against the ministry at Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday, claiming that the sale of tickets for catering cars puts lives at risk and infringes passengers' rights.

"It would be dangerous in the event of a fire," he told the judge, his hands shaking with excitement.

The case follows Yang's experiences buying a 301-yuan ticket for an overnight train from Beijing to Shanghai on Nov 1 last year, when he and 40 others were seated in a car with a food service counter and a pile of spare bed sheets.

He said he complained to staff but was told it was a matter for the ministry. Yang got off the train at Wuxi in Jiangsu province nine hours later.

After calling the ministry for an explanation and receiving no reply, he filed a lawsuit on Nov 25. "I want a written reply from the ministry, no matter whether it has a regulation (on dining car tickets) or not," he said.

Sun Weihong, an attorney with Shanggong Law Firm who was representing the ministry, said there is "no regulation on dining car tickets" and added: "It's the business of local railway stations."

In an earlier interview, ministry spokesman Wang Yongping said the dining car "is reserved for diners" and that the sale of tickets for the dining car is "not in accordance with regulations".

Yang, who hails from Lianyungang in Jiangsu and travels the rails for work, said has spent 6,000 yuan on bringing the case to court.

"Maybe I will lose, but I will insist on my rights using other measures, like an appeal or civil action," he said. "Someone should protect the public interest."

A verdict is pending.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/25/2011)