Want to drive the bullet train? Better brush up your Japanese

In addition to other qualifications, knowledge of Japanese language could be a useful asset for those aspiring to drive the super-fast Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train when the project becomes operational by 2023. That’s because the drivers will be trained by experts in Japan, most of whom don’t speak English.

“We are thinking over it; there may be some surprise also,” said Achal Khare, managing director of the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), which is executing the project.

“Globally each place is different, in Japan they took (to bullet trains) from a normal train. Only common element is a psychometry test, which will be mandatory here also, since everybody’s response to a situation is different.” Psychometric tests are designed to measure an individual’s suitability for a role based on his personality characteristics and aptitude.

They identify the extent to which a candidate’s personality and cognitive abilities match to the role he has to perform.

“Another requirement could be knowledge of Japanese language. This is something we will have to take a call on as those on the ground level in Japan don’t know English. And if you are not able to communicate, then how will you learn?. We have not yet decided but this could be one of the criteria,” Khare added.

The foundation stone for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinto Abe last year. The minimum educational qualification for drivers of the bullet train, capable of hitting top speeds of 320-350 km per hour, is likely to be Bachelor’s degree. NHSRCL will initially hire 56 bullet train drivers and around 50 station masters.

“We have to send about 360 people together for training in Japan in 2-3 years of which 56 are drivers.

Others belong to different categories such as track maintainers, signal maintainers, station masters,” Khare added.

“Training in Japan would range from three months to nine months. The hiring process will start by end of 2019 and training will start thereafter,” a second official at NHSRCL said, on conditions of anonymity.

“The technologies are advanced and learning Japanese is not that difficult,” said Sarvesh Kumar, who is an advisor to several metro projects and has worked with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The 35 bullet trains with 10 coaches each, will initially run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. The trains will offer a variety of passenger amenities. The fare range is expected to be from₹250 to ₹3,000.