Yarra Trams Hires Airline Workers as Drivers
Melbourne's Yarra Trams recruits 30+ grounded airline workers as drivers and staff
Yarra Trams Hires 30 Airline Workers as Drivers
Melbourne's Yarra Trams has hired over 30 former airline workers as tram drivers and customer service staff since the coronavirus pandemic began, transit officials said. The new employees include former cabin crew, operations staff, and pilots who've transitioned to roles as tram drivers, authorised officers, and customer service employees. The agency said the recruitment effort provides employment opportunities for aviation workers grounded by the pandemic.
Aviation Skills Transfer to Transit Operations
The recruitment initiative addresses staffing needs while offering career transitions for experienced aviation professionals, according to Yarra Trams. Officials said many skills from the airline industry transfer well to tram operations, particularly safety commitment and passenger service standards. Former Virgin Australia cabin crew member Emily Cashen became an Authorised Officer and uses her passenger communication skills in the new role. The agency didn't specify whether the recruitment program will continue beyond the pandemic recovery period.
Former Pilots Navigate Melbourne Streets
Adam Snelgar and Phillip Tarquino, both former pilots who flew together, coincidentally met on their first training day at Yarra Trams and now work out of Southbank Depot. The pilots have found similarities between rail and aviation industries, though Snelgar has occasionally confused tram terminology with aviation language, once referring to the tram as an "aircraft." Tarquino said learning all the streets and routes proved challenging without GPS assistance. Michael Ho, previously an Operations Analyst in aviation, joined Yarra Trams after being fascinated by trams since childhood.
Pandemic Creates Transit Career Pathways
The transitions occurred as the coronavirus pandemic significantly reduced airline operations and grounded aviation workers across Australia. Yarra Trams officials said they're proud to offer vital roles to Victorians affected by the pandemic. The agency didn't provide specific timelines for when the recruitment began or how long training programs lasted. Officials also didn't say whether additional aviation workers are being recruited.
New Staff Serve Melbourne Riders
The former airline employees now serve passengers across Melbourne's tram network, bringing aviation industry customer service standards to public transit. Officials said the recruits' safety training and passenger communication experience benefits riders throughout the system. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for Yarra Trams routes across Melbourne.
