Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Bus drivers (transit and intercity) drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. They assist passengers with baggage and collect fares or tickets.
Intercity transport bus drivers’ duties are to drive passenger vehicles, follow safety procedures for vehicle operation, inspect motor vehicles, measure the level or depth of water or other liquids and provide transportation information to passengers or customers.
Aspirants need to gain a passenger carrying vehicle license and a driver certificate of professional competence to be eligible. This takes about four to six weeks to complete, and the candidates’ driving skills and knowledge, both on a practical and theoretical level are assessed.
A bus driver’s salary varies drastically and depends on skills, experience, location and the type of bus a driver is driving. The average bus driver salary includes housing, transport, and other benefits.
An efficient metro transit career bus driver should have good customer service skills, experience dealing with the public, the experience of driving larger vehicles, defensive driving skills, and knowledge of traffic laws and bus schedule information.
Metro transit careers involve bus drivers safely guiding their buses in traffic and weather conditions. They must inspect buses before the start of a shift, obey traffic laws, adhere to schedules despite conditions and ensure that passengers pay correct fares for tickets or transfers. In addition, a successful bus driver possesses attributes of being personable, willing to lead, calm, dedicated and respectful of others.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Training Course Driving from any Private or Government Training Centre
Tasks
- Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Report delays or accidents.
- Advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
- Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilating systems for passenger comfort.
- Load and unload baggage in baggage compartments.
- Make minor repairs to vehicle and change tires.
- Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
- Assist passengers, such as elderly or disabled individuals, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
- Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
Progression Routes
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