There is so much more to bus driving than, well, driving a bus! There are many skills required for the role of a bus driver, and it can be a very rewarding career path. Keep reading to see if this could be the career for you…
Why become a bus driver?
If you like a role that comes with great responsibility, becoming a bus driver could be a great choice. If you like to engage with other people and have a friendly, outgoing personality, you’re likely to be well-suited to a driving role. Office-based careers aren’t for everyone, so if you don’t like the idea of sitting at a desk all day, getting out on the road could be the best option for you!
What does a bus driver actually do?
Aside from the obvious, the role of a bus driver is wide and varied. You may be transporting passengers locally, nationally, or on overseas journeys, coach trips and airport journeys. A bus driver also takes fares, gives tickets, provides timetable and route information and assists passengers in getting on and off the vehicle where required.
Coach drivers have some additional responsibilities, such as helping with luggage and ensuring passengers are back on the bus after scheduled stops. All drivers must also keep on top of the cleanliness of the vehicle, do basic vehicle checks and report any incidents to ensure the safety of passengers at all times. Depending on their role, bus drivers may also need to be aware of Liverpool LOLER inspections and how to maintain workplace safety when using lifting equipment, such as loading and unloading luggage.
Types of bus drivers
The term ‘bus driver’ doesn’t just refer to your local bus service. Coach drivers and community bus drivers require the same skills, and both can be extremely rewarding roles. There’s the option of working in community transport, which could mean driving schoolchildren, the elderly or hospital patients to their destinations. Coach drivers, particularly if going overseas, will be away from home regularly, and will be required to keep passengers up to date with travel information and work with foreign authorities at border control, as an example.
How do you become a bus driver?
Bus drivers are not only be responsible for passenger safety but must have excellent driving skills and knowledge of traffic regulations. Driving a bus or coach is vastly different from driving a car, so not only will you need to be 18 years old and hold a full EU driver’s license, you will also need to complete several training courses through your employed bus company or independent driving school. Many companies require you to have a few years of driving experience under your belt before you can train as a bus driver.
You’ll also need to acquire both a PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) and a CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification before you can begin, which will take a number of weeks to complete.
Other essentials include a good sense of direction, experience in a customer-facing role, a positive personality and a willingness to engage with the public in a helpful manner.
If this sounds like the career for you, then why not apply for a role with Maghull Coaches? We’re recruiting for PCV drivers in Liverpool and Merseyside, who will be providing a wide range of services including school runs, airport transfers, social excursions, business trips and more!
To join our thriving, friendly team, please visit our Liverpool driving jobs page.