CEO Sinking Transport Company -1

This is a humorous story . The name is fictitious. It throws light on the art of mis- management of a public transport company.

Cornelius Syphilius is a most wanted man in the government. He is famous as an official with a walking currency chest. He becomes CEO of the Sinking Transport Company, which has over 2000 public transport vehicles, half of which are on the road permanently and in the sick list. The other half fall sick in stages for want of spares, fuel and crew. The annual loss of the Company exceeds 3 million dollars, which the government considers normal and nominal but an achievement considering past performance. The Company also proudly owns 100 boats running inland ferry service. Many operate, why remain, underwater due to overdue repairs, and dearth of funds for salvage operations.

CEO Syphilius makes a survey of the fleet. The ratio of crew to vehicle is15 to 1. Absenteeism is high. Many employees are on leave. The management lacks courage to enforce a system to ensure proper functioning of the fleet. The government tries various alternatives to improve the condition but fails. Remedies based on symptoms of problems do not yield favourable results. For 40000 employees, according to the management, salaries are a big burden. Public borrowing provides only a temporary solution. The unions resent reduction the employee strength. The situation facing the Company is similar to that where a person hit by lightning is bitten by a snake.