"Passengers entering the station, please use Entrance C!" At 6:30 AM on October 1st, Wang Chao, the duty station manager of Team D at Wangfujing subway station, held a megaphone and guided passengers with his hoarse voice. On the first day of National Day, as dawn broke, tourists from across the country flocked to Tiananmen Square with their love for the motherland, waiting for the solemn moment when the five-star red flag would be raised. Meanwhile, a group of subway workers expressed their deep affection for the country in their own way.
**1,000-Meter Barrier System Deployed Early**
"Each barrier is 10 meters long and weighs over 40 pounds. These mobile barriers stacked outside the station are the result of our team's work over the past few days," said Zhang Yuanyuan, area manager of Wangfujing Station, who coordinated with more than 10 on-duty staff members to adjust the positions of mobile barriers on the evening of September 30th. Starting from September 27th, station personnel began moving these heavy-duty tools piece by piece from underground storage rooms to the surface.
As one of the key equipment pieces for managing large passenger flows, the station area applied for six additional barrier groups in advance. From the four entrances and exits B, C, E, and F to the concourse level, over 1,000 meters of flow guidance facilities outline clear pathways for large passenger flows entering and exiting the station.
Zhang Yuanyuan pays great attention to details, such as leaving space between barriers for passengers carrying luggage and how barriers should be adjusted quickly and optimally when pedestrian flow directions change temporarily.
This year, passenger flow at Wangfujing subway station during the holiday period is expected to increase by 25% compared to last year. Therefore, Wangfujing Station began preparing response measures as early as September 4th. In addition to designing barrier routing, they contacted equipment maintenance personnel to conduct advance status tests on the station's "metronomes" for controlling passenger entry and exit - 29 automatic ticket machines and 8 mobile gates - ensuring stable operation during critical moments.
Based on this year's passenger flow characteristics, for Exit C, which has the largest passenger outflow, one automatic ticket machine was relocated to the Exit C gate cluster, and two rapid evacuation doors were opened at appropriate times. Through mobile gates, exit efficiency was increased.
Beyond barrier systems, the station area added over 130 directional signs at key locations including platforms, concourse areas, exit gates, and corridors to guide passengers quickly in and out. At night, 8 illuminated indicator signs were added at entrances and exits, making convenience tangible and accessible.
**Additional Train Services During Flag Ceremony Dispersal Peak**
At 9:30 AM, crowds visiting the square continuously arrived at Wangfujing Station to take trains. Zhang Yanmei, Party Branch Secretary of Wangfujing Station, came to the integrated control room to check passenger flow conditions at various locations within the station.
"We identified over 100 visualization points one week before the holiday. Control room personnel keep track of on-site passenger flow conditions in real-time. For example, if they notice passengers feeling unwell, they immediately alert staff to provide assistance."
Additionally, platform staff closely monitor the "passenger flow observation line" on the central wall of the platform. When the tail end of queuing passengers crosses the "line," they promptly notify entrance, exit, and concourse level personnel to quickly activate response measures.
To ensure passenger peace of mind, Wangfujing Station coordinates multiple professional teams for caring protection. In response to large passenger flow pressure during post-flag-raising dispersal, Line 1 and Batong Line each added one train in both directions. During post-flag-lowering dispersal, both directions added three trains each. Meanwhile, Fuxingmen and Wangfujing stations each store one empty train in depot tracks, ready to enter service when platform queues become lengthy, relieving platform pressure.
Communication and signaling professionals regularly verify content on 34 passenger information display screens; civil engineering professionals strengthen patrols of over 2,800 meters of tactile paving and platform steps; mechanical and electrical professionals conduct twice-daily inspections of three lifting platforms and 26 elevators.
"These three lifting platforms have been tremendously helpful. From morning until now, we've assisted over 10 wheelchair passengers, which has saved our service staff considerable effort!" said Liu Shan, duty station manager of Team B at Wangfujing Station.
**Over 70 Loudspeakers Fully Charged and Ready**
When station staff guide passengers, the most crucial equipment is loudspeakers. This station has over 70 loudspeakers of five types: handheld, portable, and speaker-type systems. Since different "positions" require different power levels, Deputy Area Manager Xing Yue not only organizes staff to charge them in advance but also labels each loudspeaker and records guidance announcements matching their placement positions.
When tourists, carrying excitement and joy from their visits, follow clear guidance lines into the station and board trains, those hoarse announcements and worn shoe soles silently tell the story of subway workers' dedicated service, making every holiday journey more secure and smooth.
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