What is a key aspect of a conductor's role regarding passenger counts?

A key aspect of a conductor's role regarding passenger counts is determining train capacity. This responsibility is crucial for ensuring that the train does not exceed its maximum allowable number of passengers, which is vital for both safety and compliance with regulations. By accurately assessing how many passengers are on board, the conductor can make informed decisions about additional train services, manage any potential overcrowding, and maintain safe operations throughout the journey.

While fare collection verification, safety inspections, and seating arrangements are also important tasks that conductors perform, they are secondary to the fundamental responsibility of managing passenger counts to uphold safety and operational efficiency.