BUS DRIVERS AND SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS California Occupational Guide Number 2 Interest Area 5-C 1996
THE JOB
BUS DRIVERS operate gasoline, diesel, or electric powered vehicles to transport people either within or between cities. They operate buses for local transit systems, intercity bus companies, tour bus companies and school districts.
Local Transit Drivers transport passengers along scheduled routes within a metropolitan area. Drivers collect and distribute transfers, observe cash box for required fare, and verify the validity of bus passes. In some areas, drivers make change for passengers, but as more and more city bus companies require their passengers to have the exact fare or posses a monthly bus pass, making change is being eliminated. Drivers may call out names of major streets along their routes to accommodate passengers who are unfamiliar with the area or not paying close attention as the route progresses. Drivers also answer inquiries regarding routes, schedules, transfer points, and fares.
Intercity Drivers transport passengers between cities. They handle various forms of tickets, collect cash fares, and must know facts such as schedules, routes, fares, and other information concerning the trips. Drivers make "unscheduled" stops to board and discharge passengers, assist with baggage, and pick up and drop off packages. Drivers who operate chartered buses take a group of people to their destination and generally remain at the location until the group is ready to return. On extended charter trips, drivers may be away from their home base for several days at a time.
On school buses, drivers are responsible for keeping order while enroute. They must exercise particular caution when children are getting on or off the bus and may oversee the children as they cross streets, highways, or roads. School Bus Drivers usually drive the same routes each day, stopping frequently to pick up pupils in the morning and returning them to their homes in the afternoon. They may also drive students to off- campus activities such as athletic events and field trips. Prior to pupils boarding, drivers make sure that the bus is in safe mechanical condition. They check the brakes, steering mechanism, lights, mirrors, windshield wipers, and related devices to ensure that they work properly. They also make sure that the required safety equipment such as first- aid kits and fire extinguishers are available and working.
Bus Drivers keep records such as the distance traveled, driving time, and total amount of fares received. They also keep the bus clean, make minor repairs on the road, and report any bus malfunctions or major needed repairs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Current regulations limit driving time to a maximum of ten consecutive hours. Drivers who work a ten-hour shift may experience fatigue, particularly when driving in poor or uncommon conditions. All Bus Drivers can be subject to stress caused by disagreeable or disorderly passengers. Also they may experience stress from long hours of driving, combined with factors such as bad weather, heavy traffic conditions, time schedule commitments, and delays. Local Transit Drivers may be subject to injuries received from attacks, disorderly conduct among passengers, and holdups. School Bus Drivers must deal with unruly or disruptive student passengers.
Most local transit Bus Drivers must join either the Greyhound Amalgamated Transit Union or the United Transportation Union one to three months after completion of training. In some municipalities, it may not be mandatory for Bus Drivers employed by local school districts to join the union.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
Bus Drivers Estimated number of workers in 1993 21,290 Estimated number of workers in 2005 23,480 Projected Growth 1993-2005 10% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 4,890
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Bus Drivers-School Estimated number of workers in 1993 16,330 Estimated number of workers in 2005 19,790 Projected Growth 1993-2005 21% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 3,950
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Employment growth in the occupation is expected, but it will be below the average for all occupations.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Transit Drivers start out in the $5.00 to $13.00 an hour range after about a 30 day training period. Maximum pay ranges from $11.00 to a little over $16.00 an hour after three years of work experience. Hours vary from part time to somewhere around 50 hours a week for full-time drivers.
Most Interurban drivers are paid on a mileage-driven basis with a minimum daily guarantee. Starting wages can range from $5.00 to about $13.75 an hour. Experienced drivers earn between $6.00 and $15.00 an hour with wages as high as $20.00 in some metropolitan areas. The higher wage may include mileage pay.
Drivers may be on-call at all times, work weekends, or be away from home for several days on extended charter trips. Work may not be year round due to the fact that demand for this type of transportation tends to be seasonal in nature.
School Bus Drivers earn from about $4.75 an hour to around $16.00 an hour, depending on the size and location of the school, the size of bus and the job longevity of the employee. Many positions are part time and most full-time School Bus Drivers work a ten-month year except in districts that have year-round sessions. Most of them are hired to work part time for up to four hours a day.
Benefits usually include medical and dental insurance, holiday and vacation pay, and retirement programs.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
To qualify for the required Class B license with passenger endorsement, applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment physical examination and must have good eyesight with or without corrective lenses. The legal minimum age is 18 years to drive a bus within the State. Drivers must be at least 21 to drive a bus across state lines. Drivers over 70 must pass an annual exam.
Employers require a good driving record. School Bus Drivers must have a clean police record. Most employers check official motor vehicle records. Some employers require drug testing prior to hiring, and may test employees randomly.
Applicants must be able to read schedules, baggage tags, package express labels, and traffic and road condition signs, and keep accident and mileage record reports.
Some employers require successful completion of a company-sponsored driver training school. Many bus companies do not require prior bus- driving experience. However, prospective drivers must be able to obtain a California Class B driver's license. Tour bus companies require Bus Drivers to obtain a Tour Bus Certificate from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
School Bus Drivers must pass the California School Bus Drivers Certificate, School Pupil Activity Bus Certificate, and/or the Youth Bus Certificate examination as well as a first-aid test, all of which are administered by the California Highway Patrol. Applicants must complete a 40-hour training program (20 hours of classroom and 20 hours of instruction behind the wheel) to qualify to take the exam.
School Bus Drivers must pass oral and written exams given by school districts.
ADVANCEMENT
Bus Drivers can promote from part-time status to full time after a period of months or years on the job with an employer. Companies that operate different shifts often start newly employed drivers in less desirable time periods, such as early morning or evening shifts. Seniority can lead to the choice of shifts that they may choose. Sometimes, a bus driver can promote into management.
FINDING THE JOB
Jobseekers should apply directly to private and bus transportation establishments and school districts. They should also register with local unions and with the California Employment Development Department's Job Service and check newspaper help wanted ads and network with drivers who are currently working.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
American Public Transit Association 1225 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 898-4000
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Truck Drivers, Heavy No. 255
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Bus Driver 913.463-010 Bus Driver, School 913.463-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Bus Drivers 971080 Bus Drivers, School 971110
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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