China okays blind passengers to ride with guide dogs on trains

Beijing: China, which has the largest number of blind people in the world, will allow visually impaired passengers to take their guide dogs onto trains from May 1. According to new rules, blind passengers can tell train stations their needs to ride with guide dogs when buying tickets, or calling the railway customer service center 12 hours before train departure.
Passengers can also seek help from staff at stations if they fail to contact the service center in advance, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday night.
China Railway Corporation made the rules after joint studies with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation in an effort to improve barrier-free services to the disabled. When entering a railway station, visually impaired passengers should show their identity cards, disability certificates, as well as certificates for service dogs and for animal health and immunity.
Last year, Beijing approved a regulation that allows visually impaired passengers to take their guide dogs onto subway from May 1. (PTI)