Liao Ming, 55, is a subway conductor in Beijing who spends his days driving along one of the world’s busiest transportation network. After 33 years behind the wheel, Liao now holds the world record of the longest safe driving distance of 1.1 million kilometers, which is equivalent to circling the earth 26 times! 

“Other people may think that driving subway trains is easy. They think you just sit there and push the handle,” said Liao. “But that's not true.”

The moment the train stops and the doors open, the driver has to check everything step by step before restarting the vehicle.

During his 17-year service for line 2, Liao learned to “listen to” the trains. For him, the trains are alive. “After running a circle loaded with passengers, the trains also relaxes. It's their rhythm.”

“To cooperate perfectly with the train, the driver must be very familiar with its structure and the rail's condition,” said Liao. “So that when the train gets tired or something goes on along the road, you can react immediately.”

Thanks to Liao's professionalism, many potential accidents were successfully avoided. One day, Liao noticed blue smoke emitting from the bottom of a train. “There could be many possible reasons behind the fume, but the instrument panel indicated nothing, and everything I checked was normal,” Liao recalled. “I had never encountered such a problem before.” Yet, he knew something was wrong. He reported the situation and asked for permission to stop the train and evacuate the passengers immediately. 

It wasn't until the staff went back to check the train that they realized the magnitude of the problem. A screw had come off on the traction motor, leaving the 750-kilogram motor banging on the axle. Had the train continued to run, the axle could have broken while moving through the next turnout.

When Liao volunteered to transfer to Line 13 in 2002, he was in his forties. The train would run underground and then climb back to the surface and the driver had to get used to new ways of doing things. Many said Liao didn't have to leave his comfort zone and learn new tricks at his age. But Liao was pleased to accept the challenge. 

Up to 10 million people take subway in Beijing every day. "The passengers are our customers. They come on board and entrust us with their safety. We must take good care of them," Liao noted.

"There is a sense of achievement in this job, " Liao stated. "Watching the passengers get on and off, bringing them to their destination safely. You are always happy!"

Directors: Lei Rong, Li Wei

Editors: Ma Mingyuan, Mi Xue

Filmed by: Ma Zesong

Designer: Yin Yating

Article Written by Zhu Siqi

Copy Editor: Khushboo Razdan,  Nadim Diab

Producer: Wen Yaru

Chief Editors: Chen Ran, Wang Dewei

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei