Passenger transport manager
A passenger transport manager is responsible for managing, planning and coordinating passenger transport operations, including delivery and organisation of services. The transport industry covers both the private and public sectors and includes road, rail, air and sea services.
Transport managers manage people, equipment and budgets, working closely with colleagues in finance, marketing, planning, market research and strategic development in order to ensure a quality service is provided at the right price.
Job titles vary and the word ‘passenger’ will not necessarily appear in job advertisements. Alternative titles include transport manager, operations/operating manager, depot manager and customer services manager, depending on the focus of the role.
The work activities of transport managers vary significantly depending on the industry or sector and the size of the organisation.
Senior posts encompass strategic planning and project management work, while junior posts are more involved in customer contact and routine staff supervision. In general, however, typical work activities include:
Although this is a career open to all graduates, a relevant degree/HND in the following subjects may increase your chances:
Because of the nature of the skills required, professionals working in transport can come from many different disciplines and, generally speaking, personal skills and experience are more important than the degree subject. Major suppliers of passenger transport run graduate management training courses open to graduates from a wide range of subjects.
Transport managers working in local authorities often have a degree in a relevant transport or engineering subject, such as transport planning and management, transport studies, civil engineering or transportation.
Postgraduate courses in transport studies are available, but a pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential.
Entry without a degree may be possible for those with relevant sector experience.
Relevant work experience in a customer-focused environment, or general management experience from any other sector, will be an advantage.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Some companies operate abroad or deal with international passengers, so language skills can be useful. A clean driving licence may also be necessary.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Many of the larger suppliers of passenger transport operate a formal graduate training scheme, lasting from six months to two years. Trainees receive a mixture of on-the-job and formal training, as well as guidance from a mentor, providing them with the necessary to skills to become future leaders. Training usually involves rotation round several departments, including health and safety, HR, finance, fleet, training and marketing, giving trainees an overview of the whole operation.
Training also usually involves operational and strategic work placements that ensure trainees acquire a wide range of knowledge and experience working with a variety of clients. Companies with overseas operations will usually provide a work placement abroad, particularly for those with relevant language skills. Most placements also provide the opportunity for trainees to take on research and other projects.
Trainees may also need to study for a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), as every site operating a transport business has to have at least one person with this qualification.
In other organisations, most training will take place on the job and will vary according to the sector and transport provision.
It is essential to keep abreast of new ideas, techniques and legislation through continuous professional development (CPD). The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK offers a number of qualifications, which are recognised throughout the industry. They include:
The courses cover areas such as:
Masters courses in transport and related topics, for example the MSc in International Transport and Logistics run by CILT and the University of Glamorgan, are also available. These are mainly aimed at managers already working in the transport sector, although large companies may support graduate trainees to gain industry-specific Masters qualifications.
Graduates can also work towards accredited membership of the relevant professional bodies, including:
Most organisations also provide in-house training in areas such as health and safety, security, customer care, developments in information technology, organisational decision-making and problem-solving.
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.
Employers include all the suppliers of passenger transport in the UK, including:
Some companies may operate more than one type of transport system, for example buses, coaches and trains, which may provide broader career development opportunities.
Local authorities also employ transport managers to work on the planning, implementation and review of transport services.
Organisations that own facilities (stations, airports and ports) also recruit staff to deal with passenger information and support services in order to enhance passengers' travel experience. For example, the British Airports Authority (BAA) recruits staff for the seven UK airports it owns.
There are a number of specialist transport consultancies offering a range of transport-related services, and there are also opportunities in environmental consultancies that may specialise in transport management and reducing the carbon impact of passenger travel.
Although organisations usually recruit graduates directly, recruitment agencies can be a useful source of vacancies. See the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) consultancy finder for a list of member agencies.
Job titles vary and the word ‘passenger’ will not necessarily appear in job advertisements. Alternative titles include transport manager, operations/operating manager, depot manager and customer services manager, depending on the focus of the role.
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