Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Career Overview

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

Also Known As

• Bus Driver
• Bus Operator
• Motor Coach Operator
• Transit Bus Driver

Alternate Job Titles

• Bus Driver
• Bus Operator
• CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver)
• Charter Bus Driver
• Charter Coach Driver
• Charter Driver
• City Bus Driver
• Coach Operator
• Courtesy Bus Driver
• Day Haul Charter Bus Driver
• Farm Charter Bus Driver
• Interstate Bus Driver
• Jitney Driver
• Mobile Lounge Driver or Operator
• Motor Bus Driver

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.
• Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
• Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
• Announce stops to passengers.
• Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
• Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
• Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Transportation
• Customer and Personal Service
• Public Safety and Security

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Operation and Control
2. Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Far Vision
• Control Precision
• Depth Perception
• Multilimb Coordination
• Response Orientation
• Spatial Orientation
• Reaction Time
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Rate Control

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Self-Control
• Cooperation
• Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Support
• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Windows

Tools & Equipment

• Bus kneeling systems
• Cell phones
• Digital surveillance camera systems
• Electronic destination signs
• Emergency first-aid kits
• Lube guns
• Minibuses
• Passenger buses
• Passenger vans
• Portable fire extinguishers
• Powered service doors
• Public address PA systems
• Rear lifts
• Tablet computers
• Tire pressure gauges

Work Environment

• Spend Time Sitting
• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
• Contact With Others
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
• Frequency of Decision Making

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$38,250
Median	$57,440
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$82,640

Workers Employed Nationally: 148,980

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.