In the United Kingdom, rail has been king for so long that people often don’t see the forest for the trees. Taking the 2002-2003 business year as an example, we can see that passenger railways remain one of the best ways to get around in Great Britain. The 976 million trips performed by British railways show the need of consumers and business travelers for a reliable passenger railway in their everyday lives. British passengers traveled 39.7 billion passenger kilometers in 2002, which shows the great amount of ground covered by British travelers via railways.
The passenger rail industry has come down from a historic high of customer participation in the 1950s, due to postwar industrial development. There are plenty of licenses still doled out by the Department of Transport to transport operating companies, which can range from local transit systems to national passenger carriers trying to compete in a difficult marketplace. The fact that companies are still opening up and requesting licensing shows that passenger rail is still alive and well in Great Britain. The need for daily travel aboard British railways, coupled with the high standards imposed by the British government, means that engineering professionals should consider a career with passenger rail companies.
Operating passenger engines require the work of skilled drivers and guards. Drivers need to be highly skilled in their particular type of engine, whether it is a traditional combustion engine or modern electrified system. As well, drivers need to be good communicators in order to maintain a clear channel with guards, signal houses, and station personnel. Guards need to also be solid communicators, to ensure the comfort of passengers and the safety of train personnel. As well, guards need to be organized and be able to prioritize tasks aboard the train to avoid unwanted stops and delays.
The passenger railway in Great Britain thrives on a team atmosphere, which means that the ticket agent at a station in London is as important as a maintenance technician aboard a nationwide rail service. Engineers and mechanics need to be aware of a variety of rail technologies, as they often provide service to different types of engines throughout their career. Guards need to be able to speak with professionals of all levels, from customer service representatives to station managers. In all, the passenger rail industry in Great Britain is a good job market for rail professionals.
Human Resources Products on our marketplace
|
Mark Murphy, Business Unit Director for Wynnwith Rail, specialists in Rail Employment.
|
Additional Articles From -
Home |
Business |
Human resources
Seeing The World By Rail: International Jobs In The Railway Industry
There are few better ways to see the world than from the comfortable seat of a passenger train. From the rolling hills of Europe to the beautiful mountainsides of Asia, the slow pace of the train allows sight seeing and relaxing...
Railway Regulation Bodies: Determining The Course Of British Railways
From customer service professionals to rail drivers, the rail transport industry in the United Kingdom thrives on high standards and strong regulations. The British rail industry has been the envy of foreign railways for decades...
Observing Safety Rules And Regulations On The Railway
Railway professionals, like most other industrial workers, have to observe quite a few rules mandated by the government and railway organizations. The full functioning and efficiency of the British railway requires that every pr...
Finding The Best Way To Travel To Work
With the expansion of suburbs taking people further and further away from the workplace, it can often be difficult to find an easy way to get to work. Professionals in industries throughout the United Kingdom need to consider a ...
Domestic Freight Jobs In The United Kingdom
The domestic freight rail industry in the United Kingdom has been on the wane over the last five decades, with truck and air transport taking some of the business away from national carriers. However, the constant need for gover...
Avoiding Fatigue On The Railway
One of the biggest safety concerns for railway professionals throughout the world is fatigue and repetitive stress disorders caused by daily job responsibilities. There are a number of causes for fatigue among railway profession...