Bus Drivers, Subway Operators, and Other Transit Operators

Nature of work

This group includes workers who drive buses and operate streetcars, subway trains and light rail transit vehicles to transport passengers on established routes. They provide passengers with information, collect fares, and ensure passengers' safety. Tour bus drivers take passengers on local sightseeing trips or longer tours and some also provide information on points of interest during the trip. Bus drivers work for urban transit systems, school bus companies, or transportation authorities and private transportation companies. Streetcar, subway, and light rail transit operators work for urban transit systems.

Job duties

Bus drivers and streetcar operators:

• Drive buses or streetcars to carry passengers along established routes to local destinations.
• Drive buses to carry passengers and goods to intercity or long-distance destinations.
• Drive sightseeing tour buses to carry passengers locally or over long distances.
• Drive buses equipped for wheelchair accessibility and help passengers board.
• Provide passengers with information on fares, schedules, and stops.
• Collect fares, issue, and validate transfers, check bus passes and record transactions.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of vehicle.
• Communicate with passengers, dispatchers or other drivers using two-way radio systems.
• Report delays, mechanical problems, and accidents.
• May provide information on points of interest during sightseeing tours.
• May load and unload passengers' luggage and express freight.

School bus drivers:

• Drive school buses to carry children between school and home or on excursions.
• Make sure children are safe when boarding and leaving buses and crossing street while bus is stopped.
• Maintain control of student activities during travel to prevent distractions or behaviours that could compromise safety.
• May transport adults outside of school hours on chartered trips.

Subway train and light rail transit operators:

• Use subway or rail transit vehicles as part of two-person crew.
• Watch signals at crossings and arrival and departure points.
• Use controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
• Report delays, malfunctions, and accidents to control unit.
• Make sure passenger safety and welfare are protected in emergencies, and direct passengers during evacuation procedures.

Sample job titles

• bus driver
• charter bus driver
• public passenger transit driver
• school bus driver
• shuttle operator
• sightseeing tour driver
• tour bus operator
• transit operator - transportation

Skills

• You should enjoy driving and be able to function under minimal supervision. You must be alert, responsible, and self-motivated. An awareness of safety is important. You must also get along well with people, as drivers often deal directly with customers. For some jobs, you should be willing to drive long distances and for extended periods of time.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• Up to three months of on-the-job training including classroom instruction, is usually provided for all jobs in this group.
• A minimum of one year of safe driving experience is required.
• Bus drivers require a Class 2 driver's licence in Nova Scotia.
• An air brakes endorsement and first aid certificate may be required.
• Experience as a public transit bus driver is usually required for subway and light rail transit operators.
• A three-year program leading to the Certified Professional Bus Operator (CPBO) designation is available for bus drivers.

Other considerations

• Movement to transit supervisory positions, inspector or training instructor positions is possible with experience.

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