Job Title: Forward Planner – Bus Services
Location: Sydney / NSW (Hybrid / On-site / Field travel)
Employment Type: Full-time (Permanent)
About Us
We are a leading bus operator delivering safe, reliable and increasingly innovative public transport services across Sydney and regional New South Wales. As demand grows and customer expectations evolve, we're investing in smarter, future-ready networks. We're now seeking a Forward Planner – Bus Services to help design what our services should look like tomorrow, not just today.
The Opportunity
This is a future-focused planning role at the intersection of strategy, data and real-world operations. As a Forward Planner, you'll look beyond current timetables and routes to anticipate growth, changing travel patterns, school demand, infrastructure changes and contractual requirements, and determine whole of semester schedules for the coming year by way of example.
Reporting to the Service Delivery Manager / Network Planning Lead, you'll work closely with scheduling, operations, control centre teams and external stakeholders (schools, councils and transport authorities) to proactively shape service outcomes over the medium to long term.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop forward-looking bus network and service plans, including route, school and contract services.
* Analyse demand trends, patronage, performance data and future growth drivers to inform service design.
* Identify and model future service requirements, fleet needs and resource impacts.
* Prepare business cases and scenario modelling for proposed service changes, including cost, risk and benefit analysis.
* Assess upcoming infrastructure changes (road works, new developments, schools, councils) and plan network responses in advance.
* Undertake field investigations (schools, interchanges, bus stops, growth areas) to validate planning assumptions.
* Ensure future service plans align with legislation, fatigue rules, company standards and contract obligations.
* Engage with internal teams and external stakeholders to influence and support long-term service outcomes.
* Contribute to governance, reporting and planning forums with clear recommendations and insights.
About You
* Tertiary qualification in Transport Planning, Geography, Economics, Logistics or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
* Strong analytical and forward-thinking mindset with excellent Excel skills (VBA, SQL or other data tools desirable).
* Ability to translate data, trends and future assumptions into practical, deliverable service plans.
* Confident communicator with strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
* Organised, detail-oriented and comfortable managing multiple planning horizons at once.
* Experience in transport planning, scheduling or public transport operations is preferred but not essential.
* Familiarity with scheduling software (e.g. Hastus) or willingness to learn.
* Willingness to undertake field travel as part of the role.
Why Join Us?
* Play a key role in shaping the future of public transport and community mobility.
* Exposure to strategic planning within a large, diversified transport operator.
* Clear pathways for career development and progression.
* Supportive, values-driven culture with a strong focus on safety, innovation and customers.
* Competitive remuneration and benefits (negotiable).
* Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and field-based work.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in forward service planning and why you're a strong fit for this role. We encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.