Train conductors look after passengers and equipment on board a train. They check that everyone has a valid ticket and sell tickets to those who don't. They are also known as train managers.
The Work
You could be:
checking with station staff that it is safe for the train to leave and making sure the train doors are closed before departure
helping passengers who need assistance, for example with wheelchairs
walking through the train while it is in motion, checking and selling tickets, giving change and processing credit and debit cards
explaining routes and fare systems and dealing with passengers’ enquiries and complaints
dealing with disruptive passengers
making public announcements through the public address system to passengers
checking equipment such as toilets, doors, heating and lighting and reporting faults
looking after the safety of passengers especially in a breakdown or emergency.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Pay at Scotrail is £23,045 during training (up to six months). On completion of training, the Scotrail salary rises to £37,553 a year.
There may also be a discount on the cost of rail travel for yourself and your immediate family.
Conditions
You could work on long or short journeys.
You would spend a lot of time walking and standing on a moving and possibly crowded train.
You would carry a ticket machine and money bag which might be heavy.
There may be some other carrying and lifting involved.
You would wear a uniform and, where necessary, protective clothing.
You would have to work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, nights and weekends.
Getting In
A good general education is useful. A satisfactory standard of English is important, together with the ability to handle money with confidence.
It is useful to have experience of cash handling and customer service and of working in a field where health and safety is paramount.
Candidates selected from the initial applications complete some online assessments and if successful, then attend an assessment centre. The next stage is an interview.
If successful at the interview, you have to pass a medical examination which would include testing for alcohol and drugs.
You must be generally fit and healthy, with good eyesight and hearing.
You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
You must be at least 18 years of age.
ScotRail, which operates 2,300 train services per day across Scotland, is the main employer. But there are also national rail companies operating in Scotland such as Virgin Trains, Cross Country and TransPennine.
Initial training is organised by the train operating company. With ScotRail the training lasts up to six months, but other companies may be different.
This training will include railway rules and regulations, first aid, fire safety, emergency procedures, fares and timetables, ticketing and customer service.
The training will also include on the job training with an experienced conductor.
You may have to attend further training courses from time to time as regulations, fares or timetables change.
Getting On
With experience and further training, you may be able to get promotion to posts such as senior conductor, conductor team manager, train crew team leader and senior manager.
A conductor can also be considered for training as a train driver.
2025
