What Bus Drivers Do

Bus drivers transport people between a variety of places including, work, school, shopping and across state borders. Some drive regular routes, and others transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours. They drive a range of vehicles, from 15-passenger buses to 60-foot articulated buses (with two connected sections) that can carry more than 100 passengers.

Duties

Bus drivers typically do the following:

• Check the bus tires, lights, and oil and do other basic maintenance
• Pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations
• Follow a planned route on a time schedule
• Help disabled passengers get on and off the bus
• Follow traffic laws and state and federal transit regulations
• Follow safety procedures to make sure they and all passengers are safe
• Keep passengers informed of possible delays

The following are examples of types of bus drivers.

Local transit bus drivers follow a daily schedule while transporting people on regular routes along the same city or suburban streets. They usually stop frequently, often only a few blocks apart and when a passenger requests a stop. Local transit drivers typically do the following:

• Collect bus fares, sometimes making change for passengers
• Answer questions about schedules, routes, and transfer points
• Report accidents or other traffic disruptions to a central dispatcher, and follow directions when using an alternate route

Intercity bus drivers transport passengers between cities or towns, sometimes crossing state lines. They may travel between distant cities or between towns only a few miles apart. They usually pick up and drop off passengers at bus stations, where passengers buy tickets. Increasingly, intercity buses are using curbside locations in downtown urban areas instead of stations. Intercity drivers typically do the following:

• Ensure all passengers have a valid ticket to ride the bus
• May sell tickets to passengers when there are unsold seats available
• Follow a central dispatcher’s instruction when taking an alternate route
• Help passengers load or unload baggage

Motor coach drivers transport passengers on charted trips or sightseeing tours. Their schedule and route are generally arranged by a trip planner for the convenience of the passengers, who often are on vacation. Motor coach drivers are usually away for long periods of time because they usually stay with vacationers for the length of the trip. Motor coach drivers typically do the following:

• Listen to and sometimes address passenger complaints
• Ensure the tour stays on schedule
• Sometimes act as tour guides for passengers
• Help passengers load or unload baggage
• Account for all passengers before leaving a location

School bus drivers transport students to and from school and other activities. On school days, drivers pick up students in the morning and return them home or to the designated bus stop in the afternoon. School bus drivers also drive students to field trips, sporting events, and other activities. Some drivers work at school in other occupations, such as janitors, cafeteria workers, or mechanics, between morning and afternoon trips. School bus drivers typically do the following:

• Watch traffic and people carefully to ensure the safety of children getting on and off the bus
• Take care of the needs of children with disabilities
• Keep order and safety on the school bus
• Understand and enforce the school system’s rules regarding student conduct
• Report disciplinary problems to the school district or parents

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition