Bus Drivers, Subway Operators, and Other Transit Operators

(NOC 7512)

in All Trades and Transportation

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 Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 370 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Both municipal transit systems and school transportation providers have reported difficulty hiring bus drivers in recent years, improving employment prospects for those seeking work in this occupation. Barriers to entry are relatively low: applicants are typically only required to have a regular (class 5) driver’s license and a clean driving history. A free training course is usually provided to those without a class 2 license, and some employers pay an hourly wage during training or a bonus upon completion.

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$24.02

Median

$28.62

Maximum

Annual Pay

$9,344

Minimum

$27,293

Median

$58,102

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

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.

By the numbers

Quick look

2,355

employed in 2016

56.8%

employed full-time

0.9%

self employed

24.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
76%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
56.7

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

46.5%

Halifax

$43,961 median annual income
15.1%

North Shore

$25,035 median annual income
14.9%

Annapolis Valley

$24,810 median annual income
11.9%

Cape Breton

$27,337 median annual income
11.7%

Southern

$25,196 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

62.0%

Transportation and warehousing

27.6%

Educational services

5.9%

Public administration

1.7%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

0.9%

Health care and social assistance

What is the age of Employment?

38.0%

55-64

25.0%

45-54

20.0%

65+

13.0%

35-44

4.0%

25-34

1.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

36.4%

High school

$28,229 median annual income
19.8%

Trade Certification

$27,197 median annual income
18.5%

College Diploma

$27,850 median annual income
16.8%

Less than high school

$25,273 median annual income
5.1%

Bachelor

$35,125 median annual income

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.