Skip navigation

Subway & Streetcar Operators

Also called: Light Rail Operator, Rail Operator, Rapid Transit Operator (RTO), Train Operator

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Army.

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 Hot Technology
Word processing software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$81,180
$48,010
$82,160
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about subway and streetcar operators.