Transport sector maps out plan B for bad weather

Lin Liu changed her arrangements to travel from Beijing to Shanghai three times due to bad weather last month.

A frequent commuter between the two cities, she thought she was prepared for delays and always had backup plans, but that didn't help her this time.

At first, she booked a flight because it was faster, then changed her tickets to a bullet train after she saw the weather report.

"Based on my experience, high-speed railways are usually more reliable than flights in summer, but air travel is faster and has more choices. Bullet train tickets from Beijing to Shanghai are always in high demand, especially on Sundays," she said, adding that high-speed railway services were halted unexpectedly and she had to take an overnight slow train.

Lin is one of many travelers forced to change plans because of extreme weather. But she was lucky since the slow train she finally boarded was an additional service operated by the railway regulator due to bad weather. It was one of many measures transport authorities carried out to reduce the impact on the sector caused by extreme weather and to improve service.

Sun Wenjian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, said the ministry guides the industry in making plans for extreme weather, such as floods and typhoons.

The ministry also asked transport regulators to promptly use weather forecasts to divert traffic, stop production and transportation services, as well as to transfer stranded people.

Sun also noted that the ministry is improving emergency response mechanisms, such as maintaining 24-hour on-call duty and enhancing inspections in risky areas.

The ministry will ensure sufficient labor and capital investment in areas hit by extreme weather to help repair transport infrastructure.

The railway sector is implementing a flexible service schedule every day to cater to passengers' needs, national railway operator China State Railway Group said.

Since last month, railway infrastructure and transport order have been heavily affected by extreme weather. The railway department launched an emergency response plan that included organizing teams to repair lines within 24 hours, canceling and adjusting service schedules for safety, and transferring stranded passengers.

Passenger safety is the priority, followed by the resumption of services as soon as possible, the group said.

Zhu Tao, spokesman for the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said safety is the priority. He said that in the flood season, the administration has enhanced flight monitoring and improved the emergency response plan to ensure safety.

For example, heavy rain and hail hit Beijing on Aug 9. The Northern China Air Traffic Control Office, which is in charge of air traffic at two airports in the capital, launched an emergency response mechanism due to extreme weather and implemented a plan that included arranging for more air controllers and increasing communication with weather forecast departments.