Is this the start of something?

[Eddie Oliver <eoliver@efs.mq.edu.au>]

On a Sydney - Newcastle interurban this afternoon 19/8, the guard gave
the usual stations-to-be-stopped-at announcement after departure from
Strathfield, then warned people against smoking, and finally said

"If any passengers desire any assistance during the journey, the guard
is located at the rear of the train."

There were expressions of astonishment from many passengers in the
carriage I was in, with declarations that they had never previously
heard an announcement in which a guard offered assistance and stated his
location.

Is this the start of something new? Is it

(a) a new policy
(b) a personal initiative by this guard
(c) something which is supposed to be done but is not normally done
(d) none of the above?

Eddie Oliver