Posted 2019/2/24
The Beijing Subway is the second busiest subway in the world, with millions of passenger rides made on a daily basis. Running the sophisticated transport system is a tiring, stressful task for subway workers. Nie Jia takes a look at how the working staff deals with daily work pressure.
This is China’s first subway line, dating back to 1969. By 2013, the number of lines had multiplied into an intricate transport web with a staggering 10 million rides made every day. The subway control station is the nerve center of this complex network. The scheduling and dispatching of trains is conducted here.
"The subway is a massive network involving a diversity of disciplines. Dispatchers play a key role." Chen Wen, deputy director of Beijing Subway Control Station, said.
To deal with the surge in the number of passengers, the system has continuously shortened train intervals. During rush hour, train intervals are now kept at 3 minutes. Liao Ming, a veteran driver on line 13, says there is no room for error.
"We can never allow any mistakes, not one. This is very difficult. If any mistake occurs, it directly impacts people’s lives." Beijing Subway Line 13 driver Liao Ming said.
Liao boasts a safe driving distance record of 900 thousand kilometers, roughly equivalent to 22 times around the equator.
Quite a feat, given the stringent rules applied. In case of any mistake, say a five-minute delay, the count starts back to zero.
As a duty manager, Cao Lixin says ushering around the huge crowds is a tiring task, but one she strives to do her best at.
"I came here in 1999. I was out of work at the time because the plant I worked in closed down. So I’m really thankful for Beijing Subway offering me a job. Every day I come here, I apply myself 100% to what I do. Otherwise I feel I’m failing at my job." Cao said.
In the middle of her interview, an emergency arises. Cao is told a suspicious individual is approaching the train station. Cao immediately goes out and gives instructions to keep a close watch on the man.
"He might come to our station, or he might not. The man is drunk and barely conscious. So we have to take precautions." Cao said.
In the early hours of morning, the train staff get off work. Waiting for them is a new day, tiring but fulfilling.
