What should conductors be recommended to carry while on duty?

The recommendation for conductors to carry cash while on duty is important for several operational reasons. Cash provides flexibility in handling transactions that may arise during the journey. For example, if there are issues with electronic payment systems or if passengers have inquiries about fares, conductors can use cash to facilitate immediate solutions. Having cash on hand can also assist in providing change to passengers who may need it, ensuring smoother customer service and potentially increasing rider satisfaction.

In the context of onboard operations, cash can serve as a backup to electronic systems, which may sometimes fail or encounter technical difficulties. This preparedness is crucial in maintaining operational continuity and financial transactions without delays.

Passes, identification documents, and passenger lists, while important in their own right for different aspects of the role, do not provide the same immediate flexibility and service reliability that cash can offer in various scenarios that occur on a train.