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- Drive passenger trams, normally in large cities or metropolitan areas
- You'll need practical skills and the ability to concentrate and pay attention
- Progress into supervisory or management roles like depot manager or route manager
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Carrying out equipment checks at the start of your shift
- Driving the tram along set routes
- Picking up and dropping off passengers at tram stops
- Keeping in radio contact with the control room for up-to-date route information
- Making passenger announcements (this may be automated)
- Writing up reports on any incidents that happened during your shift
- Checking travel passes
- Collecting fares
- Dealing with passenger queries
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Free or reduced travel may be offered as an extra benefit. You'll usually work shifts and may need to start early in the morning or to work late at night. Part-time or flexible hours may be available and you'll usually be provided with a uniform.
You'll need
There are no set entry requirements but you'll need good driving skills, strong observational skills and an alert mind, clear spoken communication skills, basic maths skills, good timekeeping, patience and the ability to stay focused, and the confidence to deal with difficult passengers.
You could apply to tram operating companies for tram driver training. Some employers will prefer you to have a few GCSEs, particularly in English and maths.
You'll usually need a driving licence to apply. Experience as a bus, coach or train driver would be useful but is not essential.
Alternatively, you could start as a passenger assistant or conductor and train to become a driver from there by doing a course like a Level 2 Diploma in Rail Services - Tram and Light Rail Vehicle Driving. You could also get into this job through a passenger transport driver intermediate apprenticeship.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into a supervisory role, like depot manager or route manager. With further training you could become a driving trainer, teaching new staff how to drive trams.