Conductor (train crew)

A conductor, guard (British English), or travelling ticket examiner (Indian English), is a member of a train crew responsible for operational and safety duties. The role is common worldwide under various job titles, although on many railroads, the role has been discontinued. The title conductor is most common in North America, Australia and most other English-speaking countries outside of Great Britain and India, where the title is guard or travelling ticket examiner, respectively. The responsibilities of the role typically include: Ensuring that the train follows applicable safety rules and practices Making sure that the train stays on schedule starting from the stations Opening and closing power operated doors Selling and checking tickets, and other customer-service duties Ensuring that any cars and cargo are picked up and dropped off properly Completing en-route paperwork Directing the train's movement while operating in reverse Coupling or uncoupling cars Assisting with setting out or picking up rolling stock Some rapid-transit systems employ conductors to make announcements and open and close doors, duties otherwise performed by train drivers. The conductors often stay in the center of the train, where they have the best view of the platform. However, most rapid-transit systems are driver-only-operated.