Railway sales agent
Also known as: railway station counter agent, railway station agent, railway tickets salesman, agent for railway ticket sales, railway station cashier, railway transportation sales agent
About this occupation
Railway sales agents provide service to customers who visit the ticket counter. They provide information, handle ticket reservations, sales and refunds. They also carry out clerical duties such as maintaining the daily ticket sales balance sheet. They handle requests for seat reservations and examine diagram charts of each car on train to verify the available space on the specified train.
A specialisation of ticket sales agent.
Essential skills and knowledge
- be attentive
- communicate clearly with passengers
- communicate with customers
- handle petty cash
- sell train tickets
- communicate with customer service department
- geographic areas
- adapt communication style according to recipient
- manage difficult clients
- use different communication channels
- react calmly in stressful situations
- process order forms with customer's information
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Travel Agents (O*NET 41-3041.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
- Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
- Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
- Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
- Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
- Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion
US median pay: US$50,160 a year (2025), 55,110 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Travel Guides
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Customer Service Representatives
- Telemarketers
- Concierges
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Retail Salespersons
- Receptionists and Information Clerks
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.