Chief Specialist - Scheduling & Transportation Information

Roads and Transport Authority; Dubai; On-site; AED 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai seeks a senior expert to lead public transport scheduling, route optimization, and information systems across the bus network. You will drive strategic network planning, demand analysis, and service quality improvements in alignment with RTA's mobility vision.

You will coordinate cross-functional audits, implement continuous improvement, and oversee school transport scheduling with safety and regulatory compliance in mind.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Transportation, Civil Engineering, or closely related field.
• Master's degree in Transportation Planning or related discipline preferred.
• 11+ years of progressive professional experience with a Bachelor's; 9+ years with a Master's.
• Professional certification in transportation planning, PMP, or scheduling systems administration.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior expert leadership in public transport scheduling, route optimization, and information systems for Dubai bus services.
• Drive strategic network planning, demand analysis, and service quality improvements.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives, audits, and continuous improvement programs.
• Lead school transport scheduling initiatives, aligning routes and safety requirements.
• Determine requirements for promotional and marketing plans to deploy mobility applications and transport information, coordinating with Marketing.

Skills

Leadership

Scheduling

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Transportation / Civil Engineering or related

Master's degree in Transportation Planning or related

Job description

Provide senior expert leadership in public transport scheduling, route optimization, and transportation information systems to ensure efficient, reliable, and customer-focused bus services across Dubai. Drive strategic network planning, demand analysis, and service quality improvements in alignment with PTA policies and RTA's mobility vision. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives, audits, and continuous improvement programs to elevate scheduling excellence and passenger experience.

• Determine public transport demand patterns across Dubai's districts, identify optimal main routes, and design feeder and transit lines connecting key city zones and major cities for integrated, high-coverage bus services.
• Evaluate the need for seasonal and event-based lines, adjusting network capacity and routing to align with changing passenger demand patterns and major city events.
• Study and update reserve ratios of buses and drivers based on actual performance data and recognized international best practices to ensure operational resilience and service continuity.
• Develop and refine policies, procedures, and scheduling standards to enhance the performance, integration, and customer focus of public transport services across the bus network.
• Lead prioritization and implementation of agreed timelines with internal and external stakeholders for network changes, scheduling projects, and improvement initiatives.
• Act as project lead for school transport scheduling initiatives, aligning routes, resources, and service standards with regulatory, safety, and customer requirements.
• Determine requirements for promotional and marketing plans to deploy mobility applications and transport
• information, coordinating with Marketing and Corporate Communication and following up on implementation.
• Lead department director office mandates, including DGEP requirements, Namoos, DCP requirements, audit reports, and management development programs at the section level.

Operations

• Provide comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date transport information on all current bus services, including routes, fares, shelters, and related transport information materials and their budgets.
• Coordinate with the Control Center and bus operations to compare operated trips with scheduled trips, study reinforcements, and address gaps in service delivery.
• Organize and lead monthly scheduling and transport information review meetings to assess performance, issues, changes, and improvement actions with concerned teams.
• Respond to Tarasul letters and related correspondence on scheduling, transport information, and departmental issues within agreed timelines and quality standards.
• Provide expert guidance on creating and maintaining databases of transportation network operations, ensuring data is timely, accurate, and usable for strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee planning and execution of events and manual changes to schedules to ensure accurate service information and minimal disruption to passengers.
• Lead and coordinate bus stop naming and bus stop auditing teams, ensuring accuracy of records, physical compliance, and alignment with network plans.
• Act as main coordinator for confidential internal and external audits at department level, ensuring preparation, follow-up, and closure of all audit requirements.
• Head employee satisfaction and employee happiness initiatives at department level, driving programs that enhance staff engagement, morale, and participation.

Product/Process Improvement

• Analyze operational costs of bus lines, including fuel, maintenance, and salaries, to ensure resource-efficient service planning and optimal budget utilization.
• Evaluate service reliability on the current network through field surveys and data collection, studying planned versus actual trip times to recommend targeted improvement actions.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate public transport network performance and implement agreed improvements to enhance coverage, frequency, and customer satisfaction.
• Solve operational and customer issues innovatively and provide practical, data-driven solutions to complaints and service-related problems.
• Streamline complex scheduling processes and procedures using analytical thinking to make them more efficient, consistent, and easier to apply across all route types.
• Initiate and support tasks and projects that improve scheduling approaches for the transport network and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Physical Working Conditions

• Work primarily in an office environment with frequent coordination meetings and occasional field visits for surveys, bus stop audits, and inspections across the public transport network.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Transportation, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field
• Preferred: Master's degree in Transportation Planning, or a related discipline
• 11+ years of progressive professional experience in the case of a Bachelor's degree; 9+ years in the case of a Master's degree)
• Professional certification in transportation planning, project management (PMP), or scheduling systems administration