Why?

3rd Jun 2005 @ 5.10pm

I read this recently reported story in Metro - there must be so many stories like this out there. I certainly remember a similar one from BT not so long ago. It just goes to show how a little initiative and investigating why things are as they are can make a difference.

The story is about a 17 year old work experience girl, Ade Sodeinde, who moved to Britain from Nigeria last year. She spent weeks looking into Central Trains’ timetable data to understand why an average of 84 trains per month were late setting off from their depot – causing passenger delays and a fine of £4,500 each time a train missed its departure slot.

The teenager found that because drivers and conductors were not able to board trains on time as a result of safety checks and cleaning being carried out, they began to turn up late, throwing the whole system out of sync. Her findings resulted in the board’s decision to invest in more people, which has improved punctuality and saved the company at least £250,000 - with up to £750,000 savings potentially made by the end of the year.

posted by Alison Esse
filed under Stories