Visually impaired passengers will be allowed to take guide dogs onto trains from May 1, according to new rules announced by China Railway Corporation.

The company made the rules after joint studies with the China Disabled Persons' Federation in an effort to improve barrier-free services to the disabled.

Visually impaired 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, the temporary rules read.

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.