Bus Drivers

Career summary

Bus drivers may also be called coach operators, transit operators, dial-a-ride drivers, intercity or charter bus drivers, or shuttle bus drivers.

#From 6142 Bus & Taxi Drivers, removed some titles, nothing else brought over. Removed reference to 100442 school bus drivers. review 3/26/19 lh

There are three types of bus drivers:

Local

Local bus drivers transport people around town. They follow a time schedule to pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops along an assigned route. They may travel this route several times each day. They answer questions about routes, schedules, or fares. They collect fares. Occasionally they operate wheel chair lifts to move people with disabilities into or out of the bus.

Intercity or charter

Intercity and charter bus drivers transport passengers on trips between cities. They help passengers load and unload their luggage and check passengers' tickets. Charter bus drivers may drive many hours between stops, or take several days to complete their scheduled route.

School

School bus drivers cover the same route twice a day, transporting students to and from school.

All bus drivers must arrive at each stop at a specified time. They must follow traffic laws. Most bus drivers are required to inspect their vehicles before each shift. They examine the bus' tires, brakes, and fuel and water levels. Drivers make minor repairs as needed and report when major repairs are needed.

Bus drivers prepare reports at the end of each shift. They report:

• The number of tickets or fares received
• The distance traveled
• Delays
• Accidents
• Mechanical problems

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Ambulance Drivers
• Couriers and Messengers
• Forklift Operators
• Heavy Truck Drivers
• Light Truck Drivers
• Material Moving Machine Operators
• Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
• Recreation Guides
• Route Salespeople
• School Bus Drivers
• Subway and Streetcar Operators
• Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
• Tour Guides

Military careers

• Vehicle Drivers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to bus drivers.

• Check windshield wipers, brakes, tires, and fuel and water levels before each trip. Make minor repairs when needed.
• Collect tickets and fares.
• Drive bus on a specific route or to a specific place while following a time schedule and obeying traffic laws.
• Announce bus stops to passengers.
• Pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops, stations, or neighborhood locations.
• Help passengers load and unload their luggage.
• Answer questions about schedules, routes, and transfer points.
• Report delays or accidents.
• Record cash receipts, number of tickets, and distance traveled.
• Operate wheelchair lifts for passengers with disabilities.

Common work activities

Bus drivers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Perform for or work with the public
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Teach others
• Assist and care for others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Process information
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Control machines and processes
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, bus drivers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction with riders.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of passengers.
• Must deal with unpleasant or rude passengers weekly.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Communicate by telephone weekly.
• Work on a team. It is very important for bus drivers to work cooperatively with maintenance and scheduling coworkers.

Physical work conditions

• Often wear a uniform.
• Work outdoors often when loading bags or riders. The rest of the time, they are inside the bus.
• Work with contaminants weekly when checking engine fluids.
• May be exposed to very hot or cold temperatures depending on the season.
• Work within several inches of passengers that require assistance boarding.
• Are always exposed to sounds and noises that are distracting.
• May be exposed to diseases or infections carried by passengers.
• Sometimes must drive in very bright sunlight or when it is dark outside.

Work performance

• Must be accurate on the job. This is very important so that bus drivers maintain schedules and safety.
• Repeat the same physical and mental tasks while driving.
• Have the ability to make errors resulting in very serious consequences. Errors while driving can result in accidents and injury to passengers.
• Must keep control of the vehicle and keep pace with traffic.
• Can make most decisions without consulting a supervisor.
• Must meet strict schedules daily.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a five-day work week, if a local bus driver. This may include weekends.
• May work evenings and after midnight, if a local bus driver.
• May work split shifts, if working as a local bus driver. For example, they might work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with time off in between.
• May work any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, if an intercity or charter bus driver.
• Often have work schedules that are determined by a pre-arranged tour schedule, if an intercity or charter bus driver.
• May work any time of the day or evening, if an intercity or charter bus driver.
• May not work more than 60 hours in a seven-day period as a long-distance driver. Drivers must rest eight hours for every ten hours of driving.
• May work part time or full time, if a local or intercity bus driver.

Physical demands

Bus drivers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for bus drivers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See objects in very low light.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for bus drivers to be able to:

• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.

Skills and abilities

Bus drivers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Know one's location in a physical setting and recognize where other objects are located in relation to oneself.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Heavy Equipment Operations
• Truck and Bus Driving

Training

To work as a bus driver, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training;
• have a good driving record; and
• have a commercial driver's license.

Education after high school

Anyone who drives a vehicle that holds 16 or more passengers must have a commercial driver's license (CDL) from the state in which they live.

On-the-job training

Bus drivers learn their skills through formal training given by their employers. Most intercity bus companies and local transit systems provide four to eight weeks of instruction. In the classroom, you study safety rules, driving rules, and safe driving practices. You learn to read schedules, determine fares, keep records, and deal with passengers. You also study safe driving practices, first aid, the special needs of passengers with disabilities, and evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. In addition, you learn how to drive buses.

You must be able to read and speak English well enough to read road signs, prepare reports, and talk to law enforcement officers. You must also pass a written exam on the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the US Department of Transportation.

Drug tests and background checks are routinely required for bus drivers.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be vehicle drivers. Training lasts seven to eight weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Diesel Mechanics and Repair
• Driver Education
• Geography
• Introduction to Mechanics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Intercity and public transit companies prefer applicants who are at least 24 years old. They may also require previous bus or truck driving experience. Federal regulations require bus drivers carrying passengers between states to be at least 21 years old. Some school districts may hire drivers that are 18 years old.

All bus drivers must have good hearing. They also must have at least 20/40 vision, with or without glasses, and a 70-degree field of vision in each eye. They may not be colorblind. In addition, bus drivers may not have been convicted of:

• a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle;
• a crime involving drugs;
• driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or
• hit-and-run driving which resulted in injury or death.

Employers prefer drivers who are dependable and work well with the public. Most employers also require applicants to undergo a background check, be able to speak, read, and write English, and have reliable transportation to work. Some employers require an acceptable five-year driving record, which may include both professional and personal driving experience. A neat and clean appearance is important since the job requires regular contact with people. Employees receive on-the-job training in some positions.

Tips

Customer relations training is recommended by some employers. Independent drivers should be trained in basic accounting and business. A knowledge of mechanics can allow independent drivers to cut auto repair expenses.

Experience driving a school bus or tour bus is helpful. Many employers have a strong substitute driver (entry) program, which allows the new driver to get experience. Experience working in any area of public service is helpful.

#Five-year driving record from Olympia Intercity Transit job announcement for van drivers April 2006, cj.

Costs to workers

Bus drivers must get a commercial driver's license from the State of Washington and pay licensing fees. Drivers may have to pay some of the cost of buying uniforms if they are not supplied by the employer. Drivers who belong to a union pay an initiation fee and quarterly dues.

Licensing/certification

Bus drivers must get a commercial driver's license within a short time of being hired and must pass a state written exam and driving test. They must also get a special passenger endorsement to drive any vehicle that can carry 16 or more people, including the driver. In addition, drivers must pass a physical exam and drug screening. Drivers for urban and rural transit systems are required by federal law to go through testing for drug abuse and alcohol misuse. Some transit authorities require prospective employees to take a video examination. Applicants are tested on their ability to deal with the public in various situations.

For more information on bus driver licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
CDL Program 
PO Box 9030
Olympia, WA 98507-9030
360.902.3900

#Checked licensing info, fees becoming complicated so removed. link should give interested parties enough info 2/8/17 lh updated url 3/26/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Pay varies with route, the service area, and the type of employer. In general, the larger the city, the more bus drivers are paid. Wages also change with the number of hours worked and miles driven.

Benefits vary by the type of route driven. Most intercity and local bus drivers receive health and life insurance, sick leave, and free bus rides. Full-time drivers may receive paid vacations. Local bus drivers may also receive a retirement plan and dental insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Government-sponsored local transportation systems
• Long distance bus companies
• Charter bus companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow steadily. Although job growth will be flat for transit workers, increased demand for curbside intercity bus service will provide good job opportunities. In addition, if gas prices continue to rise, more adults may begin taking the bus instead of driving their cars. Some cities are also creating bus rapid transit systems.

Many job openings will occur as people retire from this occupation. Job prospects are best for people willing to work part time or irregular shifts.

Other resources

Amalgamated Transit Union 
10000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20903
888.240.1196
301.431.7100

American Bus Association 
111 K Street NE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
202.842.1645

American Public Transportation Association 
1300 I Street NW, Suite 1200 East
Washington, DC 20005
202.496.4800

International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO 
25 Louisiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.624.6800

Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union 
1750 New York Avenue NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
800.457.7694
202.662.0800

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (53-3021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Bus Driver (913.463-010) 
• Bus Driver, Day-haul or Farm Charter (913.363-010) 
• Mobile-lounge Driver (913.663-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Social/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Skilled