Profession chief conductor

Chief conductors are responsible for the safe performance of all operational tasks on board of passenger trains outside the drivers cab, such as supervising safe opening and closing of the train's doors. They supervise and ensure the continuous care for the safety of passengers, especially in the case of technical incidents and emergency situations. They ensure the operational communication to the driver and to traffic control staff as defined in operational regulations. In case of several staff members attending the train, they supervise the team of conductors. They also provide commercial activities such as ticket control and selling, and provide support and information to passengers, and provide gastronomic services.  

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Social

Knowledge

• Passenger transport regulations

  Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.

• Tramway regulations

  Know the regulations governing tramways and apply these regulations in the daily operations of tram transportation. Ensure that standards are met in relation to safeguarding the well-being of passengers and the tramway company.

• Railway framework legislation

  Know and apply railway framework legislation where requirements for railways in the EU are established. Know legislation that applies to the field of cross-border freight transit.

• Train routes

  Know principal train routes and quickly search for relevant information to respond to customer questions. Provide advice on potential shortcuts and itinerary options.

Skills

• Sell train tickets

  Sell train tickets to railway travellers, taking into account destinations, schedules, and discounts available. Accurately check the validity of a range of tickets.

• Assist disabled passengers

  Use appropriate safety procedures to operate lifts and secure wheelchairs and other assistive devices while assisting physically disabled travellers.

• Communicate reports provided by passengers

  Transmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.

• Ensure passenger comfort

  Ensure the safety and comfort of train passengers; help passengers to get on and off the train using any mechanical aids as necessary. Respond to passengers requests and pursue maximum customer satisfaction.

• Operate railway communication systems

  Operate railway communication systems; make announcements over the public address system or communicate with central train administration.

• Handle petty cash

  Handle petty cash for minor expenses and transactions required for the daily running of a business.

• Operate electronic payment terminals

  Operate electronic payment terminals to collect credit or debit card payments from the travellers.

• Speak different languages

  Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

• Check carriages

  Check train carriages to ensure cleanliness before the start of a train journey. Ensure that on-board services and entertainment (if any) are functioning as required.

• Tend to passenger belongings

  Handle passenger belongings; assist elderly or physically challenged travellers by carrying their luggage.

• Monitor train schedules

  Ensure train schedules are followed; trains should not leave the station too late or too early. Monitor and regulate train dispatch and arrival in order to avoid trains arriving either too late or too early.

• Control the opening and closing of train doors

  Control the opening and closing of train doors during stops. Ensure and enforce security measures for passengers entering and leaving the train. Ensure that equipment, train doors and controls are functioning properly.

• Help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations

  Know how to use life-saving equipment in emergency situations. Provide assistance if leakages, collisions or fires should occur, and support the evacuation of passengers. Know crisis and crowd management, and administer first aid on board.

• Ensure implementation of safe driving practices

  Establish principles and standards of safe driving among staff. Impart information on safe driving practices to staff and ensure that they utilise these in the performance of transport operations.

• Communicate with customers

  Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.

• Check tickets throughout carriages

  Check tickets and travel documents while walking through carriages during the journey. Maintain physical stability and service attitude during inspections.

• Answer questions about the train transport service

  Respond to all questions customers may have about the transportation services on a train. The conductor should posses a broad range of knowledge on fares, schedules, train services, passwords or web services, etc.

• Communicate clearly with passengers

  Speak clearly in addressing travellers; communicate information related to their itinerary. Make announcements to passengers upon approaching the prescribed destination.

• Assist passengers in emergency situations

  Assist train passengers in emergency situations, following specific procedures to ensure their safety; minimise the damage that unexpected situations may cause.

• Handle stressful situations

  Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.

• Provide information to passengers

  Provide passengers with correct information in a polite and efficient manner; use proper etiquette to assist physically challenged travellers.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB