PASSENGERS can avoid lengthy waits at Metro X-ray checks by offering their bags to station staff for manualinspection, the operator said.

Metro chiefs are encouraging passengers to opt for this "fast-track" approach in a bid to reduce congestion as the subway gears up for another busy week after last week's record-breaking numbers.

Since the World Expo began in May, all luggage has been subject to X-ray checks at every Metro station.

Some X-ray scanners may be retained at stations after the Expo, according to Metro authorities. However, details of security check rules after the Expo have not yet been decided, said Metro police.

Luggage inspectors at major Expo-traffic Metro stations started adopting the new fast-track rule last weekend. Daily Metro turnover hit a record 7.15 million last Friday, as visitors flocked to the Expo.

Large numbers of passengers led to long queues at X-ray machines in busy Metro stations, especially those on the Expo routes.

"To save time, we have opened a fast-track option at some high-traffic stations around Expo sites for passengers who are willing to open their bags for inspectors to complete a manual check of the contents," said Lang Tian, a media coordinator with Metro managementyesterday.

"We especially encourage those with small bags to show these voluntarily to inspectors. Checks will be completed very quickly."

The stations offering fast-track entrance include 12 stops leading to Expo sites on Metro Line 5,6,7,8,9. Among these are Yaohua Road Station, Xizang Road S. Station and Madang Road Station.

Numbers of police and luggage inspectors have been doubled at busy stations since the weekend.

The Metro is expected to get even busier until the end of the month as last-minute visitors head to the Expo.

• operator [´ɔpəreitə] n.操作者；接线员 (初中英语单词)
• security [si´kjuəriti] n.安全；证券；抵押品 (初中英语单词)
• willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
• management [´mænidʒmənt] n.管理；处理；经营 (初中英语单词)
• yesterday [´jestədi] n.&ad.昨天；前不久 (初中英语单词)
• encourage [in´kʌridʒ] vt.鼓励；怂勇；促进 (初中英语单词)
• offering [´ɔfəriŋ] n.提供；礼物；捐献 (高中英语单词)
• inspection [in´spekʃən] n.检查；视察；参观 (高中英语单词)
• luggage [´lʌgidʒ] n.行李；皮箱 (高中英语单词)
• decided [di´saidid] a.明显的；决定的 (高中英语单词)
• manual [´mænjuəl] a.用手(操作)的 n.手册 (英语四级单词)
• subway [´sʌbwei] n.地铁；地道 (英语四级单词)
• weekend [´wi:kend, ,wi:k´end] n.周末休假 (英语四级单词)