Bus driver

Bus drivers operate buses or coaches, take fares, and look after passengers. They transport people between various places—including, work, school, and shopping centers—and across state and national borders. Some drive regular routes, and others transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours. They drive a range of vehicles, from 15-passenger buses to 60-foot articulated buses (with two connected sections) that can carry more than 100 passengers.

Bus drivers typically do the following:

• Drive safely along designated routes.
• Obey traffic laws, safety procedures, and transit regulations.
• Pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations.
• Follow a specific timetable while on duty.
• Assist passengers with disabilities to get on the bus.
• Prevent or stop unruly behavior from passengers.
• Communicate with passengers and employers regarding delays or any issues along a route.
• Check the bus tires, lights, and oil when needed for basic maintenance.

Bus drivers often wear a uniform. They work outdoors when loading bags or riders. The rest of the time, they are inside the bus. They may be exposed to hot or cold temperatures depending on the season, or can drive in bright sunlight or in the dark.

Bus drivers have a high level of interaction with riders. They must often deal with unpleasant or rude passengers.

Bus drivers often have work schedules that are pre-arranged. They usually work five days in a week, this may include weekends and evenings. They may work part time or full time.

In some locations, bus drivers must follow additional rules to ensure safety. For example, drivers are required to take at least an eight-hour break after driving for 10 consecutive hours. Other rules and restrictions vary depending on types of routes.

The following job titles also refer to bus driver:

intercity bus driver
private bus operator
transit bus driver
public service vehicle operator
passenger driver
international bus driver
public bus operator
touristic bus driver
coach driver
private coach driver
public bus driver
bus operator
driver of bus
bus driving operator
schoolbus driver

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a bus driver.

Bus drivers usually need to have a clean driving record and may be required to pass a background check; they also might need to meet physical, hearing, and vision requirements.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Bus driver is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to bus driver.

trolley bus driver
tram driver
cargo vehicle driver
private chauffeur
taxi driver

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of bus driver. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of bus driver with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aviation safety officer
forestry technician
deck officer
consumer rights advisor
aeronautical information specialist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of bus driver.

• Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.
• Mechanical components of vehicles: Know the mechanical components used in vehicles and identify and resolve potential malfunctions.
• Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.
• Effective perception of transport environment: Know the local transport topography, including roads, traffic hotspots, and alternative routes to reach a destination. Use knowledge to transport the vehicle to its destination in the most time and fuel efficient manner, and minimising safety risks.
• Passenger transport regulations: Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.

These skills are necessary for the role of bus driver.

• Focus on passengers: Transport passengers to their destination in a safe and timely fashion. Provide appropriate customer service; inform passengers in the event of unexpected situations or other incidents.
• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Apply conflict management: Take ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. Be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and be able to deal with a problematic gambling situation in a professional manner with maturity and empathy.
• Control the performance of the vehicle: Understand and anticipate the performance and behaviour of a vehicle. Comprehend concepts such as lateral stability, acceleration, and braking distance.
• Help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations: Know how to use life-saving equipment in emergency situations. Provide assistance if leakages, collisions or fires should occur, and support the evacuation of passengers. Know crisis and crowd management, and administer first aid on board.
• Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
• Drive in urban areas: Drive vehicles in urban areas. Interpret and understand transit signs in a city, the regulation of traffic, and the related common automobility agreements in an urban area.
• Read maps: Read maps effectively.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Manoeuvre bus: Drive a bus in reverse and make turns.
• Communicate clearly with passengers: Speak clearly in addressing travellers; communicate information related to their itinerary. Make announcements to passengers upon approaching the prescribed destination.
• Tolerate sitting for long periods: Have the patience to remain seated for long periods of time; maintain an appropriate and ergonomic posture while sitting.
• Ensure vehicle operability: Keep the vehicle clean and in roadworthy condition. Ensure regular maintenance of the vehicle and provide valid official documents such as licenses and permits where appropriate.
• Stay alert: Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.
• Use communication devices: Operate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.
• Keep time accurately: Measure the passage of time, often with the assistance of a clock or stopwatch.
• Provide information to passengers: Provide passengers with correct information in a polite and efficient manner; use proper etiquette to assist physically challenged travellers.
• Tend to passenger belongings: Handle passenger belongings; assist elderly or physically challenged travellers by carrying their luggage.
• Operate GPS systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Maintain concentration for long periods: Stay concentrated over a long period of time in order to make correct judgements and appropriate decisions.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Interpret traffic signals: Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.
• Ensure vehicles are equipped with accessibility equipment: Ensure that the vehicle is equipped with accessibility equipment such as passenger lift, seat belts, restraining harnesses, and wheelchair clamps or webbing straps.
• Clean road vehicles: Clean and maintain vans, buses and any other road vehicles to ensure safe operating conditions.
• Adhere to transpiration work schedule: Adhere to assigned work schedule as prepared by the transportation company.
• Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.
• Assist disabled passengers: Use appropriate safety procedures to operate lifts and secure wheelchairs and other assistive devices while assisting physically disabled travellers.
• Perform defensive driving: Drive defensively to maximise road safety and save time, money, and lives; anticipate he actions of other road users.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bus driver. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Execute vehicle maintenance: Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, performing non-mechanical maintenance tasks. Service small engines including hydraulic equipment. Check the oil and fluid levels on all equipment. Check vehicles and equipment to insure that they are in smooth and safe working order.
• Handle petty cash: Handle petty cash for minor expenses and transactions required for the daily running of a business.

8331 – Bus and tram drivers

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References

1. Bus driver – ESCO
2. Passenger Vehicle Drivers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Bus Driver Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – The Balance Careers
4. Bus Drivers – Working Conditions
5. Featured image: By Jim Pickerell, 1936-, Photographer (NARA record: 4588217) – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain