Train station worker

Train station workers sell tickets, provide travel information and help passengers on the platforms.

Also known as: Railway station assistant

• Starter salary£24,000 a year
• Experienced£29,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 45 a week

What you'll do

As a train station worker, your exact duties will depend on your role, for example, you could:

• give information on services, routes, train times and delays
• sell and inspect tickets
• help passengers get on and off trains safely
• deal with lost property
• signal the guard or driver to depart
• update message displays showing passenger information
• make passenger announcements on a public address system
• operate CCTV cameras
• carry out regular safety and security checks

Working environment

You could work at a ticket office or on a station platform.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and crowded.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of public safety and security
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to become a train station worker

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could do a college course in customer service, which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job. This may help when you apply for work.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, for example:

• Passenger Transport Operative
• Customer Service Practitioner

These take around a year to complete and combine on-the-job training with study in the classroom with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Direct application

You can apply directly to train operating companies . Employers will expect you to have a good standard of English and maths, with some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

Experience of working with the public in retail or customer service could give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

If your application is successful, you'll be invited to an assessment day, where you'll:

• be tested on your maths, communication and customer service skills
• have an interview

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• pass a medical check
• be screened for drugs and alcohol

Career path and progression

With experience, you could be promoted to customer service or station team supervisor, assistant station manager and eventually station manager.

You could also become a ticket inspector or revenue protection officer.

Career tips

It's a good idea to check out a train operating company's passenger charter so that you are familiar with the company's standards and values, before making an application.

Guides for this industry

• Transport & Logistics: pay, interviews and getting started →

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