(Yicai Global) July 12 -- High-speed railway passengers will soon be able to order meals online and enjoy more diverse dishes, China Railway Corp. said.

From July 17, railway staff will deliver food purchased by travelers to their seats. Grub offered by the train company and other vendors will be available on the train ticket booking website 12306.cn and its mobile app. The meal ordering service will initially cover high-speed railway stations in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and 24 other major cities, CCTV reported.

Passengers will be able to pay with Alipay and WeChat. Railway authorities will supervise food safety and monitor providers, producers, operators and distributors to ensure travelers get reliable food, a China Railway official told CCTV.

The move aims to satisfy demand for more individualized services, China Railway said. Passengers used to only be offered meals from the train's dining car, and a lack of competition often led to high prices, low quality and widespread public criticism.