Get Started as an MBTA Heavy Rail Operator

Here's what a typical day could look like for you:

• Arrive to work and prepare to start your shift 
• Meet with an inspector for a uniform and time check
• Operate a heavy rail vehicle along the Red, Orange, or Blue Line
• Open and close train doors at stations
• Announce stops
• Respond courteously and professionally to all inquiries
• Take a scheduled break
• Meet with an inspector again for a uniform and time check
• Collect any lost items left on the train
• After your shift, make sure another operator is there to work the next shift
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned

To keep riders safe, you must:

• Report mechanical problems, accidents, and vehicle or right of way (ROW) defects. The ROW consists of all tracks where our trains and authorized rail equipment operate.
• Help line officials correct problems with the train when needed.

1. Start as a full-time heavy rail operator
2. Move up to spare inspector after you:
   • Gain two years of experience in heavy rail transportation
3. Move up to inspector after you:
   • Gain three years of experience in heavy rail transportation
4. Move up to spare dispatcher after you:
   • Complete five years of service at the MBTA
   • Gain knowledge of subway operations rapid transit lines, particularly in train dispatching operations
5. Move up to dispatcher after you:
   • Complete five years of service at the MBTA
   • Work full time in roles with knowledge of subway operations rapid transit lines, particularly in train dispatching operations
6. Move up to supervisor of operations control (OCC) after you:
   • Gain seven years of transportation field operations experience, including two years of related experience in an operations control center dispatching or subway/bus transportation day/night supervisor role
7. Move up to superintendent after you gain:
   • Six years of experience in bus or rail transportation field operations
   • Two years of related supervisory experience in transportation field operations
   • Experience in training, education, development, and/or program management
8. Move up to division chief of OCC for rail after you:
   • Earn a bachelor's degree
   • Gain seven years of experience in bus or rail transportation operations or related maintenance
   • Gain five years of management experience in bus or rail transportation operations or related maintenance
   • Gain two years of experience as a deputy division chief, superintendent, or similar role
   • Possess one year of experience conducting or administering transit-related training or similar programs

1. Start as a full-time heavy rail operator
2. Move up to spare inspector after you:
   • Gain two years of experience in heavy rail transportation
3. Move up to inspector after you:
   • Gain three years of experience in heavy rail transportation
4. Move up to instructor after you:
   • Gain five years of experience in heavy rail transportation, including at least two years as an operator
   • Work in specified roles on the rapid transit line (RTL), qualified to drive a heavy rail train without restriction
5. Move up to training supervisor after you:
   • Gain five years' experience in public transit field operations and related supervisory experience
6. Move up to superintendent after you gain:
   • Six years of experience in bus or rail transportation field operations
   • Two years of related supervisory experience in transportation field operations
   • Experience in training, education, development, and/or program management
7. Move up to division chief of training for bus and rail after you:
   • Earn a bachelor's degree
   • Gain seven years of experience in bus or rail transportation operations or related maintenance.
   • Gain five years of management experience in bus or rail transportation operations or related maintenance
   • Gain two years of experience as a deputy division chief, superintendent, or similar role
   • Possess one year of experience conducting or administering transit-related training or similar programs