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Career Exploration

Subway and Streetcar Operators

Also called: 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.
On the job, you'll need:

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

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

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

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software

Word processing software

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $88,260

Education

High school diploma/GED is usually needed.