Subway & Streetcar Operators
Light Rail Operator, Rail Operator, Rapid Transit Operator (RTO), Train Operator
What they do:
Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
On the job, you would:
- Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
- Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
- Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
Knowledge
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
Business
- customer service
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Skills
Basic Skills
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- talking to others
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
- use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted
- do two or more things at the same time
Hand and Finger Use
- keep your arm or hand steady
- hold or move items with your hands
Visual Understanding
- quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Self Control
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cooperation
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Office suite software
- Microsoft Office software
Word processing software
Education
Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED
usually needed
usually needed
Get started on your career:
Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov
Job Outlook
Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Explore More
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- Taxi Drivers
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about subway and streetcar operators.