Passenger transport manager : Employers and vacancy sources

Employers include all the suppliers of passenger transport in the UK, including:

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

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.

Sources of vacancies

• The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK
• Jobs in Transport
• Railway People
• Transport for London
• Local Government Jobs and local authority websites - for transport manager jobs with local authorities.
• Opportunities: The Public Sector Recruitment Weekly - for transport manager jobs with local authorities.
• Websites of major suppliers of passenger transport.
• National press, e.g. Guardian Jobs
• Local press

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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