Beijing subway takes anti-flu measures

Colder temperatures and dry weather have dragged Beijing into the flu season. The city's public transport system has taken various measures to fight the flu, particularly the A/H1N1 virus.

Workers have been disinfecting facilities on Beijing's subway platforms, more than 5 times a day for months. Areas frequently touched by passengers, including auto-ticket machines and handrails on stairs and escalators have been given the most attention.

Authorities say most subway lines will continue running air-conditioning and ventilation systems, to prevent the flu virus from spreading.

Wu Jinyan, Station Head Beijing Subway Line 4, said, "Generally the systems are required to work for 8 hours a day. But now we keep them on for 24 hours to protect passengers."

Although some trains on subway lines one and two, are not equipped with air-conditioning systems, there will be a guarantee of 16 hours of ventilation each day.

Subway staff routinely disinfect the trains at the end of each day. Trains on the Airport Express Line are disinfected more than twice a day.