| Operating Department in particular has its role in producing a service called Transportation. In this activity, Operating Department harnesses the efforts of all the departments of the Railways and optimizes usage of operational assets viz. track, signals fixed installations and rolling stock. Broadly, the functions can be categorized as under:
Planning of Transport Service – It involves both long as well as short term planning. Passenger trains are planned to be run and detailed timetable issued once every year. Arrangements of rolling stock and locomotives are made to meet the expected demand. Similarly, facilities of wagons have to be made available for the goods traffic.
Running of trains and continuous monitoring – Transportation staff, both at originating and terminating as well as roadside stations, are busy round the clock to ensure timely and safe running of trains.
Safety – Safety is an integral part of operations and it is the responsibility of Operating department as well to ensure that trains are operated in a safe manner. This requires rigid observance of rules and procedures of safe train operation.
Economy and efficiency – Operating Department is, therefore, responsible for the productivity of the system. This is measured in terms of operating indices like tonne kilometers and passenger kilometers. | 
