Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks

Overview

Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks, quote fares and rates, make reservations, issue tickets, process cargo shipments, check baggage and perform other related customer service duties to assist travellers. They are employed by bus and railway companies, freight forwarding and shipping companies, boat cruise operators and other public transit establishments and by travel wholesalers.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Ticket agents

  • Answer customer inquiries, quote fares and assist clients in planning travel times and routes

  • Reserve seats for tour companies, travel agencies, wholesalers and the general public

  • Issue tickets, handle cash transactions and check baggage

  • Receive and record bookings for package tours from retail travel agencies and supply information regarding available vacancies when working for wholesale travel companies.

  • Cargo service representatives

  • Quote fare and rates for cargo shipment

  • Compute shipment costs including charges for services and insurance using rate tables and schedules and prepare and maintain shipping and other documents

  • Check in passenger baggage and sort for loading by baggage handlers or may load baggage directly into buses, railway cars or cruise ships

  • Trace lost or misdirected passenger baggage or cargo shipment.

Job titles

  • baggage agent (except airline)
  • baggage agent - railway
  • baggage clerk (except airline)
  • bookings clerk (except airline)
  • bookings clerk - railway
  • bookings clerk - wholesale travel

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

$36,289

Median

$47,343

High

$60,774

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

88

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.

  • Up to 10 weeks of training may be provided.

Additional information

  • Ticket agents and cargo service representatives may perform the same duties depending on the size and location of the operations.

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible through experience.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

No post-secondary education required

No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.

Beneficial post-secondary programs (not required)

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