From taking tickets to transport advisory: Hayden's journey

What does it take to go from collecting train tickets to advising on major transport infrastructure projects? For Hayden Smith, Principal Consultant in Transport Advisory at AtkinsRéalis, the answer lies in curiosity, persistence, and recognizing opportunities when they arise.

Hayden's story demonstrates that career success doesn't always follow a straight path. Sometimes the most rewarding journeys begin at what might seem like the bottom rung of the ladder. His progression from part-time ticket collector to transport advisory expert shows how passion for an industry, combined with willingness to learn, can open doors you never knew existed.

The rail industry became Hayden's calling early on. At just 19, he joined New Zealand's state rail company, initially part-time. What started as a temporary arrangement quickly became full-time work, setting the stage for a career that would span decades and eventually bring him to Australia. 

Starting from the ground up 

Hayden's early years in rail were hands-on as a guard, helping passengers, assisting drivers with operational tasks, and managing incident records. This role gave him intimate knowledge of day-to-day railway operations that would prove invaluable later in his career. 

"I applied for everything that was going for quite a while," Hayden recalls. This persistence paid off when he moved into the operations office at Wellington's main railway station as a dispatcher. Before electronic signage, this role required manual coordination of train departures, staff scheduling, and problem-solving—skills that translate directly to modern transport advisory work. 

The pinnacle of Hayden's operational career came at age 20 when he entered train driving school. Upon completion at the age of 21, he became New Zealand's youngest qualified train driver, an achievement that speaks to both his aptitude and dedication to the industry. 

Building expertise through experience 

Hayden's career progression continued with supervisory roles and management positions. He oversaw platform operations for Tranz Metro in Wellington and managed train drivers for Transdev. Each role added layers to his understanding of railway operations, from frontline service delivery to strategic planning. 

A pivotal moment came when Hayden served as a subject matter expert for procurement of a training simulator and working for John Holland as a rail safety manager on a major a infrastructure project. This experience bridged his operational knowledge with project delivery, revealing a niche he didn't know existed and led to an opportunity to move into operations advisory for capital projects at KiwiRail. 

"I don't think I realised how much of a market there is for operations people in projects," Hayden explains. "You need people to translate between actual operations staff and engineering teams. They really need people to help inform decisions about what they're building and how they'll build it." 

Discovering transport advisory

The transition from operations to consulting came through relationships built over years of project work. Working with consultants like David Bishop opened Hayden's eyes to opportunities in Australia's growing transport sector. 

His decision to join AtkinsRéalis stemmed from recognising his unique position in the market. "Once I realised it was a thing, I thought 'that's me!' I found my niche and knew I could do that." 

This realisation highlights an important career principle: sometimes the best opportunities exist at the intersection of different skill sets. Hayden's operational experience, combined with project delivery knowledge, created a specialisation that's increasingly valuable in transport infrastructure development.  

The LGC project: putting expertise into practice 

Currently, Hayden's favourite project is the Logan Gold Coast (LGC) project, involving quad-tracking the railway from Kuraby to Beenleigh and installing European Train Control System (ETCS) technology. This complex infrastructure upgrade demonstrates the type of work that draws on his entire career experience. 

The project involves transforming a double-line railway into a four-line system with new yard connections and advanced signalling technology. As operations advisor, Hayden helps develop concept of operations documents that ensure everyone understands what's being delivered and how it will function. 

"The idea is to get the requirements of what you need this thing to do so you can operate trains on it," Hayden explains. This work requires deep understanding of both current operations and future possibilities—exactly the expertise his career journey has built. 

Life beyond the rails 

Hayden's interests extend beyond transport planning. He's passionate about motorcycles, having explored New Zealand's North Island extensively. Moving to Australia has brought new adventures, including discovering Brisbane's food scene—with Pochana Thai restaurant earning particular praise. 

These personal interests reflect the curiosity and exploration that have driven his professional success. Whether navigating New Zealand's winding roads or Brisbane's dining options, Hayden approaches new experiences with the same enthusiasm he brings to transport challenges. 

Your journey starts here 

Hayden's story illustrates that meaningful careers can begin anywhere, even collecting tickets on trains. His progression shows how curiosity, persistence, and openness to opportunity can lead to roles you never imagined existed. 

The transport sector needs people who understand both operations and project delivery. Whether you're starting in frontline roles or bringing experience from other industries, there are opportunities to make significant contributions to infrastructure development. 

If you're interested in exploring how your skills might translate to transport advisory work, or if you're curious about the diverse career paths available in our industry, we'd love to hear from you. At AtkinsRéalis, we believe the best solutions come from people who understand both the technical challenges and practical realities of transport systems. 

Ready to discover your own path in transport advisory? Explore our current career opportunities and find out how your unique experience could contribute to shaping the future of transport infrastructure.