The Tyne and Wear Metro is recruiting its next generation of train drivers, who – after completing their training – will earn almost £35,500 a year.
You might think that’s a pretty good wage just for driving a train, but drivers will need to cope with unsocial hours, be comfortable with working for long periods alone, and may not even be able to take the Metro to work.
Applicants will also need to pass tough psychometric and aptitude tests to get onto the Metro driver training programme.
A spokesperson for the Tyne and Wear Metro said, “We are recruiting for the next generation of Metro drivers to continue to deliver the best possible service for the people of Tyne and Wear.”
“The role of a train driver is a varied one, being responsible for the safety of up to 300 passengers, requiring you to be both technically minded and customer focused, whilst being suited to lone working for long periods.”
Metro drivers can find themselves working shifts at any time between 4.30 am and 1.00 am, including during weekends and bank holidays. And if they start or finish their shifts outside of public transport hours, they need their own transport to get to work and back.
Thank you @My_Metro for your happy staff at haymarket today. Made the children @simonsideschool laugh #highfive pic.twitter.com/BXg04zrYtT
— The Real Mrs Little (@realmrslttle) May 17, 2017
Applicants must be over the age of 20. In addition to taking the psychometric and aptitude tests, candidates will need to be in reasonably good health. Their physical fitness will be measured against the Train Driver Medical Standards.
Successful applicants will receive a salary of £17,725 during an initial six-month training period. This will rise to £35,450 once their training is complete. Drivers will also qualify for local government pensions.
Applications should be submitted by 9th June.
The Tyne and Wear Metro serves 60 stations and runs 500 services per day, resulting in almost 40 million passenger journeys annually. The Metro employs 500 staff.
As well as recruiting a new generation of drivers, the Metro has been looking at introducing a new generation of trains, which could boast air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The Metro has also recently launched a scheme to make journeys easier for pregnant women and elderly and disabled people.
(Featured image courtesy of Pimlico Badger, from Flickr Creative Commons)
