I love trains! Ever since I was a little kid.
It started of course with Thomas the Tank Engine.
Which I thought was a documentary. Then it was all the toys!
Then it was how I got to school. And for so many people
catching the train and public transport is a huge part of life.
But with so many people catching trains everyday,
there’s some trouble and that’s where transit officers come in.
They’re the ones that deal with emergency situations
and make sure things run smoothly.
So I am here to find out more. All aboard! (train whistle)
I love that.
Transit officers usually do a whole bunch of jobs,
including making sure everyone has the correct ticket,
keeping large groups of people under control and overseeing passenger safety,
every single time they step on board a train.
But what is the job really like? And could it be the one for you?
Well, there’s only one way to find out,
we have to talk to someone that does it for a living.
- Glenn! - Hans!
- How are ya mate? - Good mate. How are you?
- Good. - Hey, you’re a transit officer.
I wanna find out more. Can you help me out?
Yeah, no dramas mate. On one condition though.
- Go on. - No whistles, we don’t use them anymore.
That would be stupid.
- So, Hans, what would you like to know? - Glenn, you’re a transit officer.
You spend all day here at the train station protecting and serving,
but what does a transit officer actually do?
Ultimately, we’re here to ensure the safety and security of all the passengers
travelling within the public transport network, whether it be trains, buses or the ferries.
Very cool. So if any kind of problem arises, you’re there first on the scene.
- Fixing it, making it happen! - Yes, we’re there.
Cool alright. So, talk me through a typical day? What time do you turn up?
And what sort of things do you have to do?
The normal day crews will start before the trains actually start operating.
We’ll come through, rig up, put all our gear on, and then we’ll make our way on to the platforms
and do security sweeps and ensure that the station is safe and secure,
so people can start travelling their daily commutes to and from work.
- Wait you have to rig up with all the stuff, right? - Yep.
Do you do like a quick montage?
Because I know you got pepper spray there.
You’re like a one man SWAT team.
What sort of situations to you find yourself in?
What’s the most challenging part of being a transit officer?
The most challenging part would definitely be dealing with violent offenders.
But, otherwise, there’s no set routine with this job. Every day is completely different.
Everything from basic customer service related queries, all the way through to arresting violent offenders.
How did you get into it? How did you become a transit officer?
For me, my last job essentially started just writing at a desk and I wanted to give back to the community,
I wanted to engage with members of the public and went onto the government website,
found the job for transit officers and applied. Here I am!
And here you are! Why do reckon transit officer is an important job?
Well, for me personally I’ve got an elderly family and also young sisters in law,
and I know they travel the public transport system quite regularly,
and as long as I know that they’re safe, then I know I’m doing an important job.
That’s brilliant! But it’s time for The Edge questions, are you ready?
- Yep. - Three questions, quick fire: here, number one.
If I want to become a transit officer and do what you do, what do I have to do?
Jump on the government website, have a look for transit officer
and fill out the paperwork.
And then start training?
- Start training. - Awesome! Alright, question number two.
If I want to be a really good transit officer and be successful in that career
what do I have to do?
You need excellent communication skills, work well as part of a team.
You need to have great interpersonal skills, work well under high pressure situations,
and great conflict management resolution skills.
Yeah, because you’re going to get some stuff thrown at you, maybe sometimes literally.
- Yeah, yeah you do. - Fair enough! And the last question,
if you could offer a piece of advice to someone who is thinking about being a transit officer,
what would you tell them?
Research the job. This job isn’t for everyone.
So make sure you know what you’re getting in for.
Yeah I can imagine. But if it is for you, then you love it.
You’ll love it.
Great! Thank you so much for answering my questions.
That’s my train! Come on man! (Train whistle)