Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Buses

Just like buses, nothing for a while and then two come along at once.
For buses, read blogs.
A member of my staff took her elderly Aunt out for ride on the Railway. Her Aunt uses a wheelchair. They were one of the unfortunate group who were affected by the recent lineside fire which prevented trains from passing Cyster's Curve. We hired in coaches to take passengers from Bodiam and Northiam back to Tenterden.
My member of staff was very appreciative of the efforts of all K&ESR staff who helped them. They were all "kind, helpful and patient".
Well done to all concerned, even in difficult circumstances, it was great customer service.

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Where did August go?

It has been a while since my last Posting, but it seems like yesterday.
August has flown by - a symptom I'm told of "getting older"!
School summer holidays used to go on and on, but now.....
We have had a reasonable summer at the Railway, hitting our targets, which is very encouraging. Targets - Budgets - are set in September / October of the previous year, so it can be difficult to predict how our income will hold up many months in advance.
Yet we have to measure our performance against something, or we don't know how much we can afford to spend around the Railway.
The projected figures are usually well prepared and prove to be accurate in the long run.
Next year is different. The Olympics.
Not the same as a "World Cup" or an "Ashes Series". The Olympics are mega big and we don't know how we will be affected. More foreign Tourists? Less foreign Tourists?
Will more of the residents in our traditional catchments areas sit and watch it on TV, or leave the area to the Olympic following? Will the recession have got worse with fewer customers coming our way.
Time will tell.