Occupations/53-4041.00
Subway and Streetcar Operators
Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
61%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
66%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
82%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
- Mostly routine
Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
- Mostly human
Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
- 02Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
- 03Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
- 04Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
- 05Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
- 06Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks4.00
- Degree of automation2.06
- Time sitting4.24
- Originality (ability)2.00
- Conflict situations3.47
- Hands-on objects/tools4.92
- Outdoors / weather4.04
- Disease exposure2.99
- Decision freedom2.78
Top abilities
- Control Precision4.12
- Reaction Time3.88
- Multilimb Coordination3.88
- Rate Control3.75
- Problem Sensitivity3.75
- Near Vision3.75
- Far Vision3.75
- Auditory Attention3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.12
- Active Listening3.62
- Writing2.75
- Speaking3.38
- Mathematics2.38
- Science1.00
- Critical Thinking3.00
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.62
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
2 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Railroad and Railway Transportation 49.0208 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Railroad and Railway Transportation 49.0208 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |