Passenger transport manager

Passenger transport managers use excellent organisational skills to coordinate the people and logistics involved in running a transport system

As a passenger transport manager you'll plan, coordinate and manage passenger transport operations, which may be bus, train, tram, light rail, air, ship or ferry services.

Although the job varies depending on the nature of the transport system and the size and type of employer, the focus is on making sure a quality service is provided at the right price. You'll typically be involved in the day-to-day operations management, finances and budget of the transport services, marketing and PR, strategic development, service planning and people management.

Job titles vary and the word 'passenger' won't necessarily appear in job adverts. Alternative titles include:

• customer services manager
• depot manager
• operations/operating manager
• transport manager.

Responsibilities

As a passenger transport manager, you'll need to:

• make sure the transport operation meets its performance and safety targets, monitoring it and reporting to senior management
• write reports and present options and recommendations to clients and senior management
• advise on policy and strategic developments and examine business decisions (pricing policy, level of service provision, timetable changes) to assess their impact on passengers
• ensure that all operations are carried out in accordance with UK and European Union laws and regulations, particularly relating to health and safety
• manage and supervise staff, organise work shift rotas and coordinate staff training
• negotiate and manage contracts and develop new business opportunities
• minimise disruption and resolve any unscheduled delays, having to make decisions in difficult situations
• meet passengers and customers to deal with complaints and areas of concern
• analyse results of surveys on passenger/customer satisfaction and start new projects to improve performance
• ensure that transport services are available to all through social inclusion initiatives
• market passenger services to encourage greater use of particular routes and methods of transport
• liaise and negotiate with different stakeholders including planning and highways authorities, residents, councillors/politicians, developers and transport providers
• identify existing and possible future transport problems, develop transport models and investigate the feasibility of alternative means of transport
• liaise with passenger watchdogs and other professional bodies
• use IT systems for tasks such as timetabling and managing usage flows
• strategic planning and project management work - this tends to apply to more senior positions.

Salary

• Starting salaries typically range from £20,000 to £24,000.
• With experience, salaries can be in the region of £25,000 to £40,000.
• Senior transport managers can earn around £50,000 to £60,000.

Salaries vary considerably depending on where you're based, the sector you work in and the size of your employer.

Benefits in the public sector can include flexitime, pension schemes and health insurance. In the private sector, benefits may include a company pension and free or reduced-cost travel with the company.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll usually work 35 to 40 hours a week. Shift and weekend work is often required for operational roles. Part-time work or career breaks may be possible.

What to expect

• The work can be office, site or depot based, with visits to see clients.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK.
• The dress code varies but tends to be conservative with business wear.
• Some roles involve regular travel, both within the UK and internationally.
• Self-employment and freelance work are possible, although not common.

Qualifications

You don't need a particular degree subject to work in passenger transport management. Personal skills and experience are often seen as more important than your degree subject. However, you might find the following subjects useful:

• business studies or management
• civil engineering
• economics
• logistics
• marketing
• mathematics
• supply chain management
• transport management and planning
• town planning.

If you're working for a local authority, a degree in a relevant transport or engineering subject can be particularly relevant, for example:

• civil engineering
• transport planning and management
• transport studies
• transportation.

Major suppliers of passenger transport run graduate management training schemes, open to graduates from a variety of subjects.

Although postgraduate courses in transport studies are available, a pre-entry postgraduate qualification isn't essential.

Search for postgraduate courses in transport management.

You can still work in passenger transport management if you don't have a degree, particularly if you have relevant sector experience, although you may need to start at a lower level and work your way up.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• a commitment to teamwork
• leadership and motivational skills
• organisational, planning and time-management skills
• project-management skills
• financial and commercial awareness
• a creative approach to problem solving
• the ability to think logically and make quick decisions
• a flexible approach to work - as operational roles often involve working shifts and weekends
• IT skills
• an understanding of the transport sector
• a clean driving licence
• language skills, which can be useful in international companies.

Work experience

Work experience in a customer-focused environment, or general management experience from any sector, can help show employers that you have the necessary skills.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Employers range from small enterprises to large organisations that form part of multinational operations and include all suppliers of passenger transport in the UK, including:

• rail companies
• bus and coach companies
• airlines and airports
• ferry and cruise operators
• light railway operators
• tram operators
• travel and tourist companies
• tube and metro train companies.

Some companies operate more than one type of transport system, for example buses, coaches and trains, which may provide broader career development opportunities.

Local authorities employ transport managers to work on the planning, implementation and review of transport services.

Organisations that own facilities such as stations, airports and ports recruit staff to deal with passenger information and support services to improve the travel experience.

Opportunities also exist with specialist transport consultancies offering a range of transport-related services, and in environmental consultancies that may specialise in transport management and reducing the carbon impact of passenger travel.

Look for job vacancies at:

• The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK - CILT(UK)
• Jobs in Transport
• Local Government Jobs - for transport manager jobs with local authorities
• Passenger Transport
• Passenger transport company websites - vacancies may be advertised on these.

Professional development

Many of the large suppliers of passenger transport run graduate training schemes. These usually last from six months to two years and consist of a mix of on-the-job and formal training. During the scheme, you'll get to experience work in different departments to get an overview of the whole operation.

Companies with overseas operations usually provide a work placement abroad, particularly if you've got relevant language skills. Most placements provide the opportunity for you to take on research and other projects, as well as to experience operational and strategic duties.

Most companies will provide training in areas such as:

• customer care
• developments in information technology
• health and safety
• organisational decision-making
• security.

If you're working in an operations role, you'll probably need to study for a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Passenger Transport Operations. The CPC is offered by various organisations including CILT(UK).

You'll need to keep up to date with new techniques and legislation throughout your career. CILT(UK) provides support with your continuing professional development (CPD) and offer a range of professional qualifications in areas such as logistics and transport and operations management. With relevant qualifications and several years' management experience, including at least two at senior management level, you can apply for chartered membership of CILT(UK). Find out more at CILT(UK) - Chartered Member - CMILT.

Career prospects

There's no typical career path in passenger transport management and progression will depend to a certain extent on the type and size of employer you work for. In general, there will be more career development opportunities with larger employers.

Career progression often involves taking on a more strategic role. You might also take responsibility for a larger area of the business such as operations, customer relations, marketing, human resource management, facilities development, project management and application of IT systems.

In local authorities, there are often well-established promotion routes to more senior posts. For example, you could progress to become the head of a larger department that employs other professions such as environment or planning.

With experience, you could find work in planning, consultancy, or academia. Alternatively, you could move into the tourism sector, since airlines, coach, ferry and some train companies are just as much linked with holiday and leisure travel as with business and everyday users.