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Professional
Bus Operators are at the heart of the bus industry. They
typically work in one of five areas: Urban Transit, Accessible
Service, Intercity Bus Service, School Bus Service, and Tour
Bus Service. Each of these areas has its own rewards
and challenges. But no matter which area, all Professional
Bus Operators have a lot of responsibility and autonomy. They
must take their passengers and sometimes luggage to their
destination safely and on schedule, often in adverse weather
or traffic conditions. In exchange they meet new people
on a daily basis and often develop a special connection to
regular passengers. In Intercity and Tour Bus Services
they also get to travel the country or even the continent,
while being paid for it.
General Responsibilities:
- Safely operate the bus in all weather and traffic conditions
- Monitor passengers
- Work largely without supervision
- Have basic knowledge of the mechanical systems of the
bus
Typical Jobs:
Urban Transit Bus Operator:
- Drives on set routes according to a defined schedules
- May work split shifts and some weekends or holidays
- Serves a wide variety of passengers, including people
with disabilities
Accessible Service Operator:
- Operates a bus equipped for wheelchairs and people with
special needs
- Drives passengers door to door and assists them to and
from the bus
- Usually has a fixed schedule, but may have to pick up
passengers on short notice
- Monitors the safety and well-being of passengers at all
times
- May need a First Aid certification
Intercity Bus Operator:
- Transports passengers, including those with disabilities,
from one city to another or into rural areas
- Picks up and delivers parcels and may handle some dangerous
goods
- May drive long hours and nights on highways
- Responsible for the comfort and well-being of long-distance
passengers
- May drive in remote areas and must be able to handle
emergency situations
School Bus Operator:
- Drives students, including those with disabilities, to
and from school in urban and rural areas
- May drive students to and from intramural activities
- Maintains order on the bus and ensures the students' safety
at all times
Tour Bus Operator:
- Takes passengers on sightseeing tours and other special
trips that may last up to several weeks
- May act as a tour guide
- Responsible for the safety, comfort and entertainment
of passengers
- Prepares the bus for the next day's driving
Required Skills:
Depending on their position Professional Bus Operators need
some or all of these skills:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong sense of responsibility and safety-consciousness
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Good organizational skills
- Good record-keeping skills
- Some mechanical skills
Compensation:
$30,000 - $60,000
Training:
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