What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Complete reports, including shift summaries and incident or accident reports.
  • Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.
  • Attend meetings on driver and passenger safety to learn ways in which job performance might be affected.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.88/5
Operation and Control 3.88/5
Active Listening 3.62/5
Speaking 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Reading Comprehension 3.12/5
Service Orientation 3.12/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Dependability, Stress Tolerance, Self-Control, Attention to Detail, Integrity

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 4.12/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.88/5
Reaction Time 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.75/5
Rate Control 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.75/5
Far Vision 3.75/5
Auditory Attention 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Microsoft Office software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.67/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.59/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.53/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.45/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.24/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Combined Rail Operator Electric Motorman Elevated Motorman Light Rail Operator Light Rail Train Operator Light Rail Transit Operator Light Rail Vehicle Operator (LRV Operator) Monorail Operator Motor Operator Rail Operator Rail Transit Operator Rapid Transit Operator (RTO) Service Vehicle Operator Shuttle Route Vehicle Operator Streetcar Motorman Streetcar Operator Subway Conductor Subway Train Driver Subway Train Operator Track Car Operator Trackmobile Operator Train Operator Tram Driver Tram Operator Trammer Transfer Car Operator Transit Operator Trolley Car Operator Trolley Operator Vehicle Operator