Railway Station Assistant

Also known as:

Station Assistant, Railway
Station Platform Assistant

Introduction

Railway station assistants undertake a range of duties in and around stations. Duties include dealing with passenger enquiries, helping passengers on and off the train and displaying information.

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Work Activities

Railway station assistants carry out a range of general duties in stations and on station platforms. This includes dealing with passenger enquiries and helping passengers with their luggage.

They also ensure that all passengers, including those who have a disability, get on and off the train safely.

Railway station assistants may signal to the driver that all passengers are safely aboard the train. They display posters and timetables and update computerised information boards when necessary. They are also responsible for making sure that customers are aware of any delays, route alterations and platform changes.

In some cases, they may operate closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras.

Station assistants must keep the waiting areas and platforms clean and well presented. In some stations, they also check passengers' tickets. In the station office or information centre they may sell tickets and help passengers plan their journey.

Station assistants work indoors and outside, usually under some form of cover. A uniform is provided.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should have an interest in providing good customer care. An approachable, confident and helpful manner is essential for this type of work. You must have a reasonably smart appearance. A uniform is provided.

Some knowledge of train routes is useful.

You should have a strong sense of responsibility and awareness of health and safety issues. You should be able to work calmly under pressure.

You will need to be quite fit, as some lifting and carrying is involved.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Railway station assistants earn in the range of £15,000 - £18,000 a year, rising to £21,000 - £23,000 a year.

Railway station assistants usually work a 35-40-hour week, which will include shift work, evenings, weekends and public holidays. Overtime is common.

In Scotland the main employer is First ScotRail which currently operates 344 passenger stations across the country. Your duties might involve working both indoors and outdoors.

Train companies (TOCs) operating elsewhere in the UK include Network Rail, London Underground and Eurostar.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

However many train operating companies require people to be 18 or over. This is due to shift work regulations.

Previous experience in dealing with the public and customer service work is an advantage.

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