The Guardian has a report on the 50th anniversary of bullet trains in Japan.  The wider effects have not always been positive, but the rail passenger experience itself is reported as slightly better than the average Sevenoaks traveller seems to get, including:

• “The most vital aspect of efficiency is that trains run on time, all the time.”
• “[The] trains are cleanest, most courteous in world, run by uniformed, be-gloved staff”
• “Teams of pink-attired “angels” descend on a train as soon as it arrives at its terminal and in five minutes leave it spotless for the return trip.”

However there is one import from Japan we don’t want – the pusher who pushes people onto the train at a railway station during the morning and evening rush hours.   These are officially called “passenger arrangement staff” – showing that euphemisms are common to rail companies world-wide!

We are worried that the crowding from 40% less trains stopping at London Bridge from January 2015 will require such staff at Sevenoaks.

Perhaps that’s what the “170 more customer service staff at key stations throughout each major timetable change” really are?