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- Work on a train, providing passengers with information, tickets, and general support
- You'll need good people skills and the ability to deal with passenger queries and emergency situations
- Progress into other railway related roles, like train manager, or with further training and study, train driver
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Checking the carriages are clean before the start of a journey
- Making sure equipment, doors and controls are working properly
- Walking through carriages during the journey
- Checking tickets and travel documents
- Answering passengers' questions about routes, arrival times and connections
- Making announcements over the public address system
- Making sure passengers get on and off the train safely
- Dealing with unexpected delays or emergencies, for example a passenger falling ill
- Writing reports
- Detailing any delays or incidents that occur during each journey
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll often work on a shift system including early mornings, late nights and weekends. You'll work from a cab on the train, but may also spend time on the platform. Your employer will supply you with a uniform.
You'll need
There are no set entry qualifications if you want to apply directly to train operating companies, although employers will expect you to have a good standard of English and maths.
You'll also need excellent customer service skills, a clear speaking voice for making passenger announcements, the ability to deal professionally with upset or angry passengers, and good maths skills for handling cash and payments.
Experience of working with the public in retail or customer service could give you an advantage.
You may be able to get into this career by completing a passenger transport onboard station team member intermediate apprenticeship with a train operating company. You could also do an intermediate apprenticeship in rail passenger services.
You could also do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service.
You may also be able to move into this job after first working as a member of the train station staff team.
If selected for interview, train operating companies (TOCs) will usually test you on your maths, communication, and customer service skills.
You'll also have to pass a medical and be screened for drugs and alcohol.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Train operating companies often promote existing station staff to conductor jobs, so you may be able to transfer from a platform assistant or onboard catering host role. With experience, you may be able to progress to senior conductor or train manager, or transfer to a driver training programme.