Public Transit Bus Driver

What is a Public Transit Bus Driver?

Duties

Public transit bus drivers typically perform the following essential tasks on a daily basis:

• Operating small, medium and large public transit buses when necessary for a scheduled or demand/response route efficiently and safely;
• Monitoring and maintaining all equipment, the road and passengers throughout the day and take any action to keep bus riders as well as the public from harmful situations.
• Actively using two-way radio for regular communication between transit vehicles and the base station on any special or necessary instructions.
• Accommodating and supporting the loading and unloading of passengers with special needs and those that are wheelchair bound.
• Recording the bus mileage on documentation for record-keeping, keeping track of ridership in daily worksheets, flagging any issues that arise with the vehicle and related equipment.

Day In The Life

As a public transit bus driver, you have to be highly motivated and able to work unsupervised for long hours. Through the day, you are expected to transport persons from one place to another in a public transit bus with the utmost professionalism. Your routes schedule is usually fixed, and you must announce next destinations to passengers as they are close by. Sometimes, the bus may be on hire for chartered trips or any sightseeing tours, during which time you must transport passengers.

Once in a while, there might be cases of unruly or disobedient passengers, which you must report to the central dispatcher who will give you directions on how to proceed. Being customer-oriented is a must, as you will meet people from various walks of life who might require extra care and assistance, such as those with special needs or injuries. You are also the person who collects money for tickets, passes and transfers while maintaining updated records of transactions made.

Work Schedule And Typical Hours

Do not expect to work a standard 9 am to 5 pm job while working as a public transit bus driver. If working full-time, you will most likely be on a rotating roster for different times of the day – mornings, afternoons, evenings and other split shifts. Alternatively, part time positions provide more stability, with bus drivers working between 15-35 hours per week, with set times for the roster such as on weekdays. Between May to August, drivers have to work the maximum number of hours per week based on the Department of Transportation rules and regulations. Typically, drivers may only drive for 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.

Growth Of The Job

With more and more Americans riding public transportation, the job outlook for public transit bus drivers is very positive. It is expected to grow 10% between the years 2012-2022, as per US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers look for safe and friendly bus drivers to help passengers move around using public transportation. They often offer a sign on bonus for new drivers, flexible work schedules, health benefits and cross-training in the operation of all vehicle types.

Typical Employers

With rotational work schedules and assignments, most public transit bus drivers are hired by government authorities such as Lincoln County, OR, Department of the Army and the Central Intelligence Agency. The private sector has a demand for public transit bus drivers such as Transdev, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, Grace Federal Solutions LLC, Keolis Transit America, etc.