Intercity bus drivers may make only one to two stops between distant cities, or they may stop at towns just a few miles apart. Local transit and intercity bus drivers collect fares answer questions about schedules, routes, and transfer points and sometimes announce stops. Drivers usually verify that buses have proper safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency reflectors. In some transportation firms, maintenance departments are responsible for keeping vehicles in good condition in others, drivers check their vehicles’ tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, and water supplies before beginning their routes. There, they may stock up on tickets or transfers and prepare trip reports before starting their first scheduled routes. Both transit and regularly scheduled intercity service drivers begin a day’s work at their garage or bus terminal. Transit and intercity bus drivers can be further divided into those who work for local transportation agencies, those who drive on regularly scheduled intercity routes, and those who operate motor coaches.
Bus drivers drive a range of vehicles from 15-passenger buses to 60-foot articulated buses that can carry more than 100 passengers. They also cannot let light traffic put them ahead of schedule so that they miss passengers. Drivers must operate vehicles safely, sometimes in heavy traffic. School bus drivers take children to and from schools and school-related activities.īus drivers pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops, stations, or-in the case of students-at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations and school, all according to strict time schedules.
Transit and intercity bus drivers transport people within or across States, along routes run within a metropolitan area or county, or on chartered excursions and tours. There are two major kinds of bus drivers. Bus drivers provide transportation for millions of people, from commuters to school children to vacationers.