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The caring conductor getting her success on track
By Pan Zheng |
February 15, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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FU Juanping stood in the carriage, smiling, as the high-speed train from Hangzhou to Shanghai successfully completed its maiden journey on October 26, 2010. "I felt both the pride and pressure of being the conductor of the first train," she said.
Dressed in her professional work attire of deep blue skirt, white shirt and a blue beret, this 30-year-old woman was recently honored as one of the top 10 service stars of the Shanghai Railway Bureau's Hangzhou section. And simply being the conductor on the first journey of the Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed train is also an important accolade on her resume. Recently she has been promoted to a management position.
Fu's success did not come overnight. Nine years ago, when she joined the Hangzhou passenger transportation section of the Shanghai Railway Bureau after graduation, she was not able to fill a conductor role because in college she did not major in transportation service but in train inspection and repair. She even considered quitting.
But at that time, her mother gave her great support that Fu never forgets. "I believe my daughter is the gold that always glitters. I think you'll definitely become one of the best train crew members," she told Fu.
With hard work, Fu has surpassed being a common crew member to become a train conductor. In the past nine years, she has introduced some new services for passengers, including her special way of relieving tinnitus, a schedule checking service and the onboard children's playground. With the perfect customer service she provides and her lovely smile, she has become very popular with passengers.
"We should not always complain about what life has not granted us," Fu said, "but as long as you make efforts, you'll definitely have much more choices, which are also better choices."
There are around 240 female crew members serving in the Hangzhou passenger transportation section. Most of the crew members on the high-speed line are college graduates aged between 18 and 22, and are able to speak good English and communicate with deaf-mute passengers using simple sign language.
"The railway hardware facilities develop so fast, so should our service concept," Fu insisted, recalling the early years of her service career. In the past, most trains were always crowded, especially during the Chinese New Year travel rush. With so many passengers in each carriage, the work of crew members was always tough - many passengers threw litter around, and the only possible way to communicate was by shouting. "But now the environment has changed for the better."
Fu said of her first ride on the high-speed line: "It was the fastest journey from Hangzhou to Shanghai so far, and all 494 seats were full."
The high-speed train travels at 350 kilometer per hour, reducing travel time between the two cities to 45 minutes. It was such a joyful and momentous journey that many passengers took pictures when the speed reached 350 km/h, and Fu's smile features in many of these photographs.
Fu's husband Fu Xiaodong also gives her great support and understanding since he is also a railway employee, although he works for the Chongqing section. Because of their different working time, the couple can only meet at home for about 10 days each month.
In March 2008, Fu gave birth to their daughter while her husband was working in Chongqing. Worried about affecting his work, Fu only sent a short message to inform him the baby was born safely.
"I feel so lucky to have such a strong wife," Fu Xiaodong said.
Now, Fu's parents-in-law take care of Fu's daughter since she's too busy with work, but she always spares some time to be with them.
"I think 70 percent of my life is happiness and 30 percent is toughness," Fu said. "Obviously, the happiness always wins."
Dressed in her professional work attire of deep blue skirt, white shirt and a blue beret, this 30-year-old woman was recently honored as one of the top 10 service stars of the Shanghai Railway Bureau's Hangzhou section. And simply being the conductor on the first journey of the Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed train is also an important accolade on her resume. Recently she has been promoted to a management position.
Fu's success did not come overnight. Nine years ago, when she joined the Hangzhou passenger transportation section of the Shanghai Railway Bureau after graduation, she was not able to fill a conductor role because in college she did not major in transportation service but in train inspection and repair. She even considered quitting.
But at that time, her mother gave her great support that Fu never forgets. "I believe my daughter is the gold that always glitters. I think you'll definitely become one of the best train crew members," she told Fu.
With hard work, Fu has surpassed being a common crew member to become a train conductor. In the past nine years, she has introduced some new services for passengers, including her special way of relieving tinnitus, a schedule checking service and the onboard children's playground. With the perfect customer service she provides and her lovely smile, she has become very popular with passengers.
"We should not always complain about what life has not granted us," Fu said, "but as long as you make efforts, you'll definitely have much more choices, which are also better choices."
There are around 240 female crew members serving in the Hangzhou passenger transportation section. Most of the crew members on the high-speed line are college graduates aged between 18 and 22, and are able to speak good English and communicate with deaf-mute passengers using simple sign language.
"The railway hardware facilities develop so fast, so should our service concept," Fu insisted, recalling the early years of her service career. In the past, most trains were always crowded, especially during the Chinese New Year travel rush. With so many passengers in each carriage, the work of crew members was always tough - many passengers threw litter around, and the only possible way to communicate was by shouting. "But now the environment has changed for the better."
Fu said of her first ride on the high-speed line: "It was the fastest journey from Hangzhou to Shanghai so far, and all 494 seats were full."
The high-speed train travels at 350 kilometer per hour, reducing travel time between the two cities to 45 minutes. It was such a joyful and momentous journey that many passengers took pictures when the speed reached 350 km/h, and Fu's smile features in many of these photographs.
Fu's husband Fu Xiaodong also gives her great support and understanding since he is also a railway employee, although he works for the Chongqing section. Because of their different working time, the couple can only meet at home for about 10 days each month.
In March 2008, Fu gave birth to their daughter while her husband was working in Chongqing. Worried about affecting his work, Fu only sent a short message to inform him the baby was born safely.
"I feel so lucky to have such a strong wife," Fu Xiaodong said.
Now, Fu's parents-in-law take care of Fu's daughter since she's too busy with work, but she always spares some time to be with them.
"I think 70 percent of my life is happiness and 30 percent is toughness," Fu said. "Obviously, the happiness always wins."
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