It has been eight years since Shanghai started to enforce metro security checks. However, it seems that Shanghai citizens have not yet become fully accustomed to the enforcement.

Back in 2010, Shanghai Metro started to carry out security checks to prepare for the opening of the Expo 2010 Shanghai. Since then, the custom has been maintained. Now, Shanghai’s metro lines carry more than 11.1 million passengers per workday, with the number peaking at 12.35 million. An average of 3.2 million bags per workday are checked in the city’s 395 metro stations.

After visiting several subway stations, Jiefang Daily reporters have found that security checks vary at different times. Checks during rush hours are less strict than at other times, as the speed of passenger flow is more important.

By rough calculation, an X-ray machine can scan around 900 packages within one hour. However, in some heavily populated stations, the passenger flow can reach 3,000 to 5,000 at a single security checkpoint during peak hours.

A backlog of large crowds at security checkpoints also poses a security threat, such as a stampede. Disputes between passengers and security staff can also arise. How should Shanghai Metro cope with the contradiction between efficiency and security?

Some industry insiders have formulated a few solutions, which should also increase the security check rate. First of all, the opposing relationship between passengers and security staff has to be eliminated so that both parties can jointly safeguard security at the metro stations. Second, training in work attitude and behaviors of security staff needs to be strengthened. Third, advanced technologies or equipment should be employed for security checks, for instance, walk-through metal detectors. Last but not least, in terms of legislation, related laws are also necessary to specify passengers’ obligations and responsibilities of undergoing security checks.

If these measures can be enacted then the sight of passengers dodging around or brushing off security guards, while the latter try to encourage them to have their bags scanned, can become a thing of the past. This would ensure both the security and comfort of passengers can be increased, while security staff can feel more valued.