Ground and Water Transport Ticket Agents, Cargo Service Representatives and Related Clerks

(NOC 6524)

in All Sales and Service

These workers quote fares and rates, make reservations, issue tickets, process cargo shipments, check baggage and perform other related customer service duties to help travellers. They work for bus and railway companies, freight forwarding and shipping companies, boat cruise operators and other public transit employers and by travel wholesalers.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

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  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$16.94

Median

$28.80

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$37,399

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

These workers quote fares and rates, make reservations, issue tickets, process cargo shipments, check baggage and perform other related customer service duties to help travellers. They work for bus and railway companies, freight forwarding and shipping companies, boat cruise operators and other public transit employers and by travel wholesalers.

Job duties

Ticket agents:

  • Answer customer questions, quote prices and help 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.
  • Take and record bookings for package tours from retail travel agencies and give information about available openings when working for wholesale travel companies.

Cargo service representatives:

  • Quote price and rates for cargo shipment.
  • Calculate shipment costs including charges for services and insurance using rate tables and schedules.
  • 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.
  • Find lost or misdirected passenger baggage or cargo shipment.

Sample job titles

  • bus ticket agent
  • cargo customer service representative
  • counter service agent
  • freight agent
  • luggage checker
  • railway passenger agent
  • reservations clerk - cruise line
  • ship cargo agent
  • station agent
  • stowage clerk
  • ticket agent

Skills

  • You should be poised, organized, tactful, and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Knowledge of the travel industry will be required. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages and an additional language may be required.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • Up to 10 weeks of training may be provided.

Other considerations

  • Many of these jobs are influenced by tourism activity in Nova Scotia. Employment levels vary throughout the year and from year to year. Employment tends to peak in the summer months. Ticket agents and cargo service representatives may do the same duties depending on the size and location of the operations. Movement to supervisor positions is possible through experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

55

employed in 2016

90.0%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

90.0%
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10%
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36.1

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
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39.9%
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37

median age

Where will I likely work?

66.7%

Cape Breton

$48,784 median annual income
16.7%

North Shore

N/A
16.7%

Halifax

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

100.0%

Transportation and warehousing

What is the age of Employment?

50.0%

25-34

30.0%

35-44

20.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

36.4%

High school

N/A
36.4%

College Diploma

N/A
18.2%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A
18.2%

Diploma Above Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Railway Association of Canada
Ottawa, ON
Nova Scotia Tourism Talent
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources