With the controllers’ strike kicking off this Friday, many people are wondering why the SNCF can’t run the trains without these agents, also called commercial service agents. Are the latter – whose function is in particular to control tickets and, if necessary, verbalize travelers without a ticket – really essential?
In fact, the term controller is too narrow a summary. The true term that defines them is that of “lead on board”. Its role is to ensure safety and protection during the trip.
Without these sworn agents, no train can run. For a train to work, three agents are needed: a controller, an engineer and a signalman. If one of these three is missing, the output is not possible. Your presence on board is in fact one of the essential safety standards.
In addition to going through the trains to check tickets and answer travelers’ questions, he participates “in the proper functioning of the equipment, reports any damage or breakdown,” explains the job description of Pôle Emploi.
In the event of a problem, this professional will notify the on-board staff or the police in the event of a conflict that he cannot resolve himself.
Its mission is to ensure “compliance with safety regulations and instructions”. Finally, it gives the driver the stop for the departure of the trains, making sure that no incident or accident occurs at the time of departure. Guarantees compliance with schedules. Its function is “to help the driver for the proper functioning of traffic”.
These missions require a flexible and assertive personality, with “a good nervous balance and a keen sense of important interpersonal skills, especially in the event of a dispute with clients.”
Source: BFM TV
