THE Guangzhou railway group released a contingency plan for the upcoming Spring Festival travel peak, the Information Times reported yesterday (Jan 11).

The railway group estimated that the railway passenger flow in Guangzhou during the peak season would amount to 20.8 million, 3 percent higher than last year, the newspaper said.

According to the plan, if the number of passengers waiting at the railway station for trains exceeds 100,000, schools, parks and theaters neighboring the station would be used as the temporary waiting areas. Some 400 more police officers would be dispatched to the areas.

In case the number of passengers reaches 150,000, more policemen would be dispatched within two hours while traffic control measures would be initiated on roads in the Liuhua area to create more temporary waiting areas.

A public announcement system will also be provided to guide passengers not carrying train tickets, to buses or other means of transport instead. In case of mass train delays or cancellations, the railway group will help passengers with procedures cancel tickets and transfer to different trains.

In addition, the railway station will take actions speedily in case of an epidemic, and form a special team to check passengers' tickets two hours in advance, so that staff workers could have enough time to conduct necessary medical tests.

Starting from Jan. 14, a newly-built temporary flyover at the Guangzhou intercity coach terminal will be put into use to lessen the burden at the existing flyover. A service team, dressed in uniform, will help passengers with luggage, the newspaper said.

Editor: Wing