A Career in Passenger Transport
Public transport is something we all take for granted, whether going to school, to
work, or on holiday. Even car owners still rely on passenger transport from time
to time.
The work
Working in passenger transport management can involve several modes of transport or
combinations of modes including bus, rail, tram or light rail, air, ship and
ferries. The job will vary depending on the type of organisation but is likely to
include day-to-operations management, service planning, financial control, staff
management, public relations and marketing activity.
A flexible approach to work is essential as shifts and weekend working often go with
the territory for operational roles, whilst there may also be a requirement to relocate
during training or to secure promotion.
The skills
Working in passenger transport requires good communications and customer care
skills, and employers will be looking for:
- Flexible and creative
problem-solvers
- Reliability and a willingness
to take on responsibility
- Teamwork and people management
skills
- Planning and prioritising
skills
- Computer literacy
- Communication skills –
written and verbal
Entry requirements
It is possible to start a career in passenger transport with a few GCSEs/Standard
grades, including English and maths, right through to a degree or post-graduate
qualification.
There are apprenticeship opportunities in transport-related occupations, so it is
worth visiting the Apprenticeship websites to see what is available (there are separate
sites for each of the four nations):
Salary and career development
With experience and professional qualifications, managers can expect to progress to
senior positions within large employers. Salaries vary considerably between
employers, with an average starting salary for a graduate being about £18,000 but
rising to £50,000 plus for senior roles.
There is a range of professional qualifications relevant to the sector from
transport-specific through to more general management qualifications and employees may
be encouraged to study for these either at a local college or by distance
learning. Staff working in operational roles are likely to require a Certificate
of Professional Competence (CPC), an exam-based professional qualification.
Employers
There is a mix of employers from the very small through to the larger organisations
that form part of multi-national, multi-modal groups and include the following
categories:
- Bus and coach companies
- Train operating companies
- Ferry and cruise companies
- Airlines and airports
- Local authorities
Contacts
For more information on passenger transport careers visit the following
websites: