The start of China's Spring Festival travel rush began on Jan 13. The days leading up to the New Year's celebrations are considered the world's largest human migration and pay a heavy toll on the transportation system.
A number of government organizations and voluntary groups in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, have dedicated themselves to providing services for immigrant workers as they set off home. From Jan 13 to Feb 21, the span of the travel rush, volunteers will gather at the south square of the city's railway station to offer care and support for the workers.
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A voluntary mascot standing in front of the waiting room at Wuxi's railway station. The volunteer is available to travellers in need of help. [Photo/wxrb.com] |
Volunteers will perform a wide array of tasks including providing basic medical services, hosting artistic events, handing out refreshments, and being on hand to give advice and directions.
Yang Zhiguo, one of the most experienced officials at Wuxi Railway Station, said the authorities will deploy more volunteers to ensure the rush runs as smoothly as possible.
The railway station has been keen to remind visitors of the introduction of Alipay, the country's leading third-party payment platform. Customers can use Alipay to purchase tickets at both the manual ticket windows and self-service ticket machines.
According to official forecasts, more than 1.96 million people will leave from Wuxi Railway Station over the peak period. Most migrant workers will aim to leave the city before the Lunar New Year begins on Jan 27 and return after the festival.
