What Do Subway or Streetcar Operator Do?

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

What Do Subway and Streetcar Operators Do On a Daily Basis?

• Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
• Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
• Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
• Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
• Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.
• Record transactions and coin receptor readings to verify the amount of money collected.

Subway or Streetcar Operator Needed Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Subway and Streetcar Operators say are important on the job.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Subway or Streetcar Operator

• Bus Operator
• Streetcar Motorman
• Heavy Rail Train Operator
• Shuttle Route Vehicle Operator
• Streetcar Conductor

Job Demand for Subway and Streetcar Operators

In the United States, there were 12,800 jobs for Subway or Streetcar Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Subway or Streetcar Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,300 positions for Subway or Streetcar Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Subway or Streetcar Operator are Texas, Colorado, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Subway or Streetcar Operator Average Salary

The typical yearly salary for Subway and Streetcar Operators is somewhere between $37,310 and $82,100.

Subway and Streetcar Operators who work in Maryland, New Jersey, or California, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Subway and Streetcar Operators in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
California	$57,550
Georgia	$37,500
Maryland	$63,120
New Jersey	$60,510
Tennessee	$49,220
Texas	$46,810

What Tools do Subway and Streetcar Operators Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Subway and Streetcar Operators:

• Microsoft Office
• Word processing software

Becoming a Subway or Streetcar Operator

Are there Subway and Streetcar Operators education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Subway or Streetcar Operator?

Where do Subway and Streetcar Operators Work?

Below are examples of industries where Subway and Streetcar Operators work:

You May Also Be Interested In…

Are you already one of the many Subway or Streetcar Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
• Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.