IT is possible to get yourself a job which pays £69,000 a year and you don’t need a degree – although there is a significant catch.
An annual salary of nearly £70,000 is way above the median earnings of a Londoner of £41, 866 in 2022, according to Statista.
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So being a train driver in the capital is financially rewarding and openings are advertised on the Transport for London (TfL) website.
However, there is a big snag as in most cases you have to live within 30 minutes of the depot by transport and prove that you are able to get there at any time of day or night.
It’s unlikely that you would get a job on a mainline passenger train at first, unless you already have experience.
In most cases the usual route is to become a shunt driver initially.
These drivers move trains around depots to gain experience and help progress onto passenger trains.
To get to be able to drive passenger trains you will also have to undergo extensive training.
Your competence is regularly tested and your train driving licence is also periodically reviewed.
Salary is dependent on both the type of train you are driving and your level of experience.
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In London, the average train driver salary is £58,795, according to the recruitment agency Reed.
Starting salaries are around £30,000 but experienced staff can command salaries which often exceed £69,000.
Anyone who fancies driving a bus or tram must have a valid UK driving licence.
Bus vacancies can be found on the TfL website, while trams are outsourced and opportunities appear on the FirstGroup website.
Trams operate out of Croydon’s Therapia Lane Depot and anyone wanting a driving role must be able to get to the depot at all times.
A new driver can expect to get a salary of £19,000 but experienced drivers can earn more than £40,000 a year.
For bus drivers, the pay depends upon the number of hours worked.
The average pay is £17.31, according to Indeed.
So assuming drivers work an eight-hour shift, five days a week, an annual salary work out at £36,004.
Becoming a driver on the London Underground isn’t so easy, even if you don’t need a degree.
Jobs are rarely advertised to the public and roles are invariably only open to TfL colleagues due to an arrangement set up in 2008 between TfL and the unions.
If you do have your heart set on becoming a Tube driver you’ll have to start off working for TfL in a different capacity, usually in a customer facing role, and complete the probation period.
Following that, you can be entered into an internal talent pool or apply for a Tube driver role.
There are then a number of hurdles to overcome in the selection process.
These include an eyesight test, a fitness standard, several aptitude tests measuring written and spoken communication and then a face-to-face interview.
If you pass those, there is then a three to six-month training course and if you fail an assessment, you have to return to your original role.
In2022, an FOI request revealed a Tube train operator’s annual salary was £58,021, with a roster of 3,208 employees.
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