Subway and Streetcar Operators

What the job really is

Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.

At a glance

• Sector: Transportation & Material Moving
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-4041
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 10
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
• 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.
• Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
• 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.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Office software, Customer-to-operator two-way communication systems, Deadman pedals, Diesel powered train engines, Door opening controls, Electric train engines, In-train public address systems, Multipurpose fire extinguishers, Portable two way radios, Railcar defrosting systems, Streetcars, Track switches

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Locomotive Engineers
• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
• Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
• Taxi Drivers
• Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
• Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
• Air Traffic Controllers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Subway and Streetcar Operators — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.