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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 4 (July 1, 1935.)

Railway Progress in New Zealand — General Manager's Message — The Day's Work

page 8

Railway Progress in New Zealand
General Manager's Message
The Day's Work.

Some interesting information has come to hand recently regarding special efforts made on some of the British railways to improve service and to increase business. Amongst these, perhaps the most notable are the institution of a “punctuality week,” and the preparation of a roster design with graphic figures to indicate from time to time the relative increase or decline of business at the respective stations on the system (the idea being to cheer up the successful and to stimulate the laggards to emulation).

It may not be generally known to the public that special attention to these two features, punctuality and business progress, is a constant objective on the railways of this country. Here, every week is a punctuality week. The running of every train every day is closely analysed, delays are investigated with a view to their elimination, and when serious difficulty is experienced in running a regular scheduled train to time, an inspecting officer of the Department concerned is sent to ride the train and solve the problem of its late running.

In the matter of business development at the respective stations, the Department's statistical service places in the hands of District Managers full particulars of variations in business secured; and comparison is made weekly, four-weekly, and with the corresponding returns in previous years. Explanations are required regarding all variations, and from the details supplied by all stations on the system the general movement of traffic is gauged, weak points are detected, and measures are taken to reinforce the efforts to hold and increase business all along the line.

These and other matters relating to the safety of the service, economy in its working and efficiency in its results are, of course, all part of the day's work. There is a saying, “look after the pence and the pounds will look after themselves.” Equally truly may it be said “look after the days and the years will look after themselves.” It is the daily application to the matter in hand which makes or mars the year's returns.

For the individual the same rule applies, and I can safely say this of every member of the service, that if he does his daily job to the best of his ability, he will follow the course most likely to secure satisfaction for himself and the material appreciation of the Department.

General Manager.