Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC)

Job Title: Service Planner

Job ID: 20220791

Location: Greater Vancouver

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

 

Marketing Statement

 

As the largest operating company in the integrated TransLink enterprise, Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) operates a fleet of clean-fuel conventional and community shuttle buses, zero-emission trolley buses, and passenger ferry SeaBuses in Metro Vancouver, the largest single transit service area in Canada.

At CMBC, one of BC’s Top Employers, we're committed to providing an innovative, healthy, and engaging workforce. This is reflected in our workforce of over 5,500 employees performing over 400 unique jobs, who are committed and empowered to deliver service that attracts nearly 1.1 million passengers daily and connects people, businesses, and communities in the Metro Vancouver region.

We have the important job of helping our passengers get to work, appointments, visiting with family and friends, and back again every day. Metro Vancouver relies on us, and we take that as a point of pride. 
 

Responsibilities

Investigates and develops service initiatives that form part of Quarterly and Annual Service Plans and develops service plans. Researches and prepares service specifications including routing, service levels, hours of operation, vehicle type, stopping procedures, etc. Collaborates with Service Delivery and Transit Communications providing technical expertise with respect to service issues at assigned depots or service areas.   Uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to illustrate data/analysis findings and in the preparation of presentation materials for internal and outside agencies on behalf of the Manager and Director of Service Design. Participates in the presentation of service plans to area municipalities, community groups and outside agencies.  Participates in medium to long-range transit policy studies by providing information and support on planning issues such as examining recommendations for changes to transit facilities and determining cost-effective solutions.  Prepares various performance reports and assists in the development of service evaluation measures to accurately review and evaluate services in detail including establishing steps to monitor and review each service change in terms of stakeholder impact, ridership, actual versus planned costs, operational changes, municipal responses, etc. Under the direction of the Manager and working with Marketing and Communications staff, provides advice as to the scope and parameters of marketing and market research for service changes. Provides planning input for major capital projects, fleet plans and the implementation of new systems. Prepares and oversees implementation of necessary plans for special events exceeding 30 days and long term construction projects that affect regular transit service.  Provides planning expertise to TransLink contracted services.  Researches, prepares and maintains service resource data and documents. Prepares drafts, reports, correspondence and other materials related to a variety of planning issues for the CMBC Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, Senior Management, municipalities and outside agencies.  Investigates, researches and provides verbal or written responses to stakeholder inquiries, complaints, suggestions, requests for new routes or increased service to ensure that stakeholder concerns are properly addressed.  Provides input and assistance to the Manager for working committees or for major corporate or intergovernmental committees. Coordinates schedules with intermodal partners to ensure service integration.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Investigates and develops service initiatives that form part of Quarterly and Annual Service Plans and develops service plans including:

a) Analysing demographic and land-use data and their impact on transit ridership, service levels and overall performance, and analysing ridership and route performance trends of existing routes, using analysis tools such as the Automated Passenger Counting (APC) system and Compass Card data.

b) reviewing and analysing requests or proposals for new service or changes to existing service, including detailed planning analysis and costing to TransLink service planning on proposed service initiatives.

c) developing, analysing and evaluating alternative route networks and service designs including projecting ridership, operating costs, and vehicle requirements, and using scheduling tools such as Trapeze.

d) studying various plans or policies and raising any issues pertaining to land use, routes, service frequency, running times, transfer connections, vehicle types, terminal and bus stopping policies.

e) participates in local area service plans and serves on working committees providing input to the development of plans.

2. Researches and prepares service specifications including routing, service levels, hours of operation, vehicle type, stopping procedures, etc. Liaises with Maintenance and Scheduling to assist in assigning vehicle types and fleet allocation. As part of service implementation, develop signage information at bus stops and provides input on the location and content of on-street information and infrastructure. Works with Scheduling Department to review and assess schedule design and ensure requirements are met.

3. Collaborates with Service Delivery and Transit Communications providing technical expertise with respect to service issues at assigned depots or service areas. This includes.

a) Monitoring day to day operational activities for issues related to service frequency, transfer connections, routing, vehicle types, bay assignments, signage, stopping procedures.

b) Field review including riding of system, interviewing of operators and line management staff and observations at loops and exchanges.

c) Participates in Service Review meetings in conjunction with UNIFOR and Service Delivery to resolve service issues and provides updates on upcoming initiatives.

d) Participates at Bullpen sessions at depots.

e) May serve as a key planning resource on longer-term service projects at any of the Depots.

4. Uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to illustrate data/analysis findings, such as, but not limited to performing service analysis, including route and route segment analysis, origin-destination trip analysis, bus stop usage and catchment area analysis, service and depot coverage evaluation. Uses GIS in the preparation of presentation materials for internal and outside agencies on behalf of the Manager and Director of Service Design.

5. Participates in the presentation of service plans to area municipalities, community groups and outside agencies. Liaises with municipal, regional and provincial staff, special interest groups, employers, developers, and the public-at-large with respect to service changes. May assume a key role in making presentations in the absence of the Manager.

6. Participates in medium to long-range transit policy studies by providing information and support on planning issues such as examining recommendations for changes to transit facilities and determining cost-effective solutions. Works with the Manager to develop Strategic Planning input regarding long range service and fleet plans. May work directly with other agencies on policy studies.

7. Prepares various performance reports and assists in the development of service evaluation measures to accurately review and evaluate services in detail including establishing steps to monitor and review each service change in terms of stakeholder impact, ridership, actual versus planned costs, operational changes, municipal responses, etc. Establishes and maintains databases to record stakeholder ideas regarding service. Records the particulars of service changes and performance evaluations(including changes to budgets) and forecasts and reports to internal departments, such as Finance.

8. Under the direction of the Manager and working with Marketing and Communications staff, provides advice as to the scope and parameters of marketing and market research for service changes, including detailed information on impacted customer groups and local demographic information. Assists Marketing in delivering accurate customer information by reviewing customer information packages and graphics for marketing use, and participating on Street Teams for customer outreach. 

9. Provides planning input for major capital projects, fleet plans and the implementation of new systems such as:

a) determining how productivity and efficiency might affect service plans and customer 
expectations;

b) serving on working committees with municipal representatives and operations staff, and developing public participation programs to review these initiatives;

c) reviewing the scope of longer-term initiatives and detailing the costs and overall impact, identifying service revisions in response to changes such as changes to infrastructure;

d) determining future depot allocations and identifying optimal service provisions from each;

i) assisting in the implementation of new systems, such as the Field Asset Management System (FAMS) and ensure that all stakeholder concerns are addressed. 

10. Prepares and oversees implementation of necessary plans for special events exceeding 30 days and long term construction projects that affect regular transit service. This includes rerouting, fleet changes, negotiating potential cost recovery for CMBC.

11. Provides planning expertise to TransLink contracted services such as West Vancouver Transit, Langley and New Westminster contracted shuttle including overseeing development of potential service change options, field testing, confirmation of change and implementation.

12. Researches, prepares and maintains service resource data and documents such as Bus Service Performance Review, Contemplated Service Changes. Compiles, updates and communicates technical data such as bus stop identification signs, Operators’ Manual, and bus destination signs, using spreadsheet, word processing, GIS applications and other software.

13. Prepares drafts, reports, correspondence and other materials related to a variety of planning issues for the CMBC Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, Senior Management, municipalities and outside agencies.

14. Investigates, researches and provides verbal or written responses to stakeholder inquiries, complaints, suggestions, requests for new routes or increased service to ensure that stakeholder concerns are properly addressed. Develops and maintains automated databases on a variety of demand and service statistics.

15. Provides input and assistance to the Manager for working committees or for major corporate or intergovernmental committees.

16. Coordinates schedules with intermodal partners such as SkyTrain, West Coast Express, West Vancouver Transit, Langley and New Westminster shuttle services to ensure service integration.

17. Performs related duties as assigned, such being items of a minor nature that do not affect the value of the job.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

Requires a university degree in transportation or urban planning or equivalent that includes GIS training or additional GIS courses.  Coursesor training in word processing and spreadsheets is required.

EXPERIENCE:

Requires two (2) years planning experience gained either in a transit environment or other similar environment including experience researching and analyzing data and developing service related plans.  Requires up to one (1) year in the position to become familiar with CMBC’s policies, procedures, service requirements, and the planning cycle, and with various stakeholders and their concerns and requirements.

Other Information

Recruitment Process: An applicant will be required to demonstrate their suitability for this position by meeting the minimum level of qualifications and experience in order to be invited into the selection process. A standard interview format will be used including general, scenario and behavioural descriptive interview questions.

COVID-19 Safety Vaccination Policy

To support public health, and protect the health and safety of our employees, customers, and their families, Coast Mountain Bus Company employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will need to provide proof of full vaccination status in compliance with the employer’s COVID-19 Safety Vaccination Policy.

Accommodations may be applicable under the BC Human Rights Code. Should an applicant be unable to provide proof of full vaccination and should an accommodation be requested, additional information will be required to determine whether the individual is entitled to be accommodated. 

 

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week.

 

Work Designation

Hybrid

This position offers the flexibility of working both on-site and remotely within B.C. 

 

Rate of Pay

Salary starting from: $6,653 per month.

The Total Compensation Package includes Extended Health, Dental, Transit Pass and enrollment in the Public Service Pension Plan. Focus on your development through tuition reimbursement, training, and mentorship programs. Enjoy a variety of health and wellness programs, including access to gym facilities. Speak to us to know more about what we offer.

 

How to Apply

Please go to https://www.translink.ca/About-Us/Careers.aspx to apply for this position and view instructions on the process.

INSTRUCTIONS:  Please save your (1) cover letter, and your (2) resume as one pdf document prior to uploading your application on-line.

Posting Date: October 26, 2022
Closing Date: Open Untill Filled

Please note that only those short listed will be contacted.

Having trouble applying?  Please view the System Requirements & FAQ's by going to http://www.translink.ca/careers.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce that is free of all forms of discrimination. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance during the application process, please reach out! We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds, skills and perspectives.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.  For a confidential  inquiry, simply email us at jobs@coastmountainbus.com.