Passenger transport manager : Career development

There is no typical career path in transport management, as progression depends on the employing organisation. There are generally more career development opportunities available with the larger organisations.

Graduate training schemes run by the major suppliers of passenger transport provide the opportunity to become an effective manager. Career development opportunities may include taking on responsibility for a larger area of the business, which could include operations, customer relations, marketing, human resource management, facilities development, project management and application of IT systems. Career progression often involves taking on a more strategic role.

Large companies often encourage, and usually pay for, relevant postgraduate and/or professional training.

It may also be useful to work towards accredited membership of a relevant professional body such as The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK . Membership can provide useful networking opportunities and access to continuing professional development (CPD) resources and opportunities.

There are well-established promotion routes to more senior posts for transport managers working for local authorities. There may be opportunities to become head of a larger department employing other professions such as environment or planning.

Airlines, coach companies, ferry companies and some train companies are just as much linked with holiday and leisure travel as with business and everyday users. This means that it is possible for people specialising in new service development or marketing to move into jobs in the tourism sector.

There are certain jobs in transport planning that are accessible to those with a passenger management background, and there are also opportunities within logistics, fleet management and distribution companies.

Large multinational companies may provide opportunities for managers to work overseas. Experienced transport managers may find work in planning, consultancy and academia.