What Do Subway and Streetcar Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Subway and Streetcar Operators operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares. They also operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.

Other tasks include:

• Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
• Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
• Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
• Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
• Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
• Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.

We asked Subway and Streetcar Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Subway and Streetcar Operators operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors. They monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.

A typical day for a Subway and Streetcar Operator will also include:

• Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
• Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
• Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.
• Collect fares from passengers, and issue change and transfers.
• Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.

We asked some Subway and Streetcar Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Subway and Streetcar Operators also record transactions and coin receptor readings to verify the amount of money collected. They may also report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Subway and Streetcar Operators Complete reports, including shift summaries and incident or accident reports. They might also Attend meetings on driver and passenger safety to learn ways in which job performance might be affected.

In addition, they Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.

To some Subway and Streetcar Operators, it is also their responsibility to Direct emergency evacuation procedures.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Subway and Streetcar Operator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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