On hand, helping the needy in transit

wheelchairs, a microwave and a nursing room. Free hot water and blankets are provided.

“There are only four of us on a shift, and we had to serve about 500-600 passengers a day during the Spring Festival travel rush,” Liu said.

Last year during the Chinese New Year, he managed to get a day off to get married. This year, he hardly had time to spend with his wife and five-month baby.

“There is no other way,” he said of his work. “We have to be on duty to ensure that everything is in proper order.”

His job requires a keen eye, extreme patience and quick reactions.

Not long ago, he had to deal with a migrant worker from neighboring Jiangsu Province, who had leg injuries from a work accident. She needed to get home to have treatment covered by medical insurance.

At a stopover in Shanghai Railway Station, she was suffering severe pain. Liu called an ambulance.

“We opened a green channel for her,” he said. “At first she didn’t want to go anywhere but home, but we finally persuaded her to see a doctor here. We accompanied her to hospital and booked tickets for her relatives to come to Shanghai.”

For Liu, the unexpected is not uncommon. He once had to lead a group of eight blind passengers through green channel to take a train. On another occasion, an elderly woman vomited all over his uniform.

“I am now trying to build contacts with associations that care for the disabled and elderly so that I can share information with them and learn how to provide more convenience for such passengers,” he said.