Charter
& Tour Bus Driver
School Bus Driver
Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
Bus drivers transport passengers over established or
special routes and on chartered journeys or tours. Bus drivers transport people to and from various locations in buses and
coaches using established routes. They collect passengers at intervals along
their route, and stop so that passengers can
disembark at scheduled stops.
They maintain radio contact with a base, control the lighting, temperature
and ventilation of the bus, collect fares, issue change, and provide
information to passengers about scheduled stops and destinations. Some bus
drivers may also help passengers with their luggage, or use public address
systems to issue important information to passengers.
ANZSCO ID & Description:
731211: Drives a bus to transport passengers
short distances on scheduled intra-city services over established routes
(registration or licensing is required).
Alternative names: Coach Driver
Specialisations:
School Services Driver: A school services driver transports school children to and from home/ school, collect fares or check that travel pass complies with the school route. School services drivers may be required to pass a national Working with Children Check prior to employment.
Knowledge, skills and
attributes
A bus driver needs:
-
a good sense of direction
-
excellent driving skills and knowledge of traffic regulations
-
the ability to work with people from a range of backgrounds
-
a friendly, courteous manner and helpful when dealing with the public
-
a patient manner and responsible attitude
-
good driving skills and a knowledge of defensive driving techniques
-
good communication and people skills
-
an understanding of health and safety issues
-
the ability to read traffic signs and follow instructions
-
good numeracy skills
-
able to pass a company or government medical examination that includes eyesight and colour vision tests
-
to be responsibile and honest.
Duties and Tasks
As a public transport bus driver, you would travel along established routes, making scheduled stops along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. Bus drivers may perform the following tasks:
-
stop at designated locations to pick up or set down passengers
-
adhere to set bus timetables
-
open and close doors before and after passengers board or alight
-
control lighting, heating and ventilation on buses
-
collect fares, give change and issue tickets
-
advise passengers on destinations
-
use a public address system to provide information or tour commentaries to passengers.
-
taking fares and giving tickets
-
checking transport passes
-
giving timetable or route information
-
helping passengers who are having difficulty getting on or off the vehicle.
Working conditions
Bus drivers work with large vehicles designed for public transport such
as buses, coaches and trams. They usually work alone as a driver, but if
operating a tourist coach, they may work alongside a tour guide. Some
urban bus drivers may also be joined by security personnel on occasions.
They usually work in shifts, which may include early mornings, late
nights, weekends and public holidays. Their work may be stressful at
times, as they may have to deal with difficult passengers, and drive
during peak hour and in bad weather conditions. Uniforms are required in
this occupation.
Tools and technologies
Bus drivers may be required to drive several different models of buses.
In addition to this they may need to use maps, Global Positioning
Systems, log books and ticket machines.
Education and training/entrance requirements
You can work as a bus driver without any formal qualifications and get
training on the job.
You must be at least 21 years old to become a bus driver in Australia. You must obtain the relevant licence class, along with an F
(bus extension), and have at least four years unrestricted driving
experience. You may be required to obtain a Heavy Rigid licence
depending on the size of the bus you want to drive.
You can also become a bus driver through a traineeship in driving
operations. The traineeship takes 24 months to complete.
Additional Information
Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised,
additional skills under the Transport and Logistics Training Package
that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.
Employment Opportunities 
To gain employment with State Government bus services, you must pass a
selection test. You must also hold a current and unrestricted Australian
drivers’ licence. You may be required to undergo a National Police Check
and a Working with Children Check. Requirements will vary from State to
State. You would receive on-the-job driver training, the duration of
which depends on previously held licences and experience.
You can also become a bus driver through an apprenticeship or
traineeship in Driving Operations. Entry requirements may vary, but
employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or
equivalent.
Private bus companies offer on-the-job training, although you may need
some prior experience in driving heavy vehicles.
|
Did You Know? By the late 1980s Sydney had the largest Mercedes bus fleet in the world comprising approximately 1500 vehicles. By the 1970s the internal combustion engine bus running on pneumatic rubber tyres had become the most widespread form of urban street transport in Australia. Articulated single-deck buses (‘bendy buses’) were introduced from the mid 1970s, appearing in Canberra.  Compressed natural gas (CNG) has been used as an alternative to fuel for government buses, introduced on a trial basis in Sydney in 1992 and in Canberra in 1993. These produce about 25 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than diesel Buses. By 2003 some 23 per cent of the NSW State Transit fleet of almost 1900 buses powered by natural gas. The future of buses sharing the crowded roads with cars continues to be a problem and in some cities, bus-only lanes have been established during peak periods. In Adelaide the O-Bahn busway, operating on a dedicated guided pathway which provides faster, uninterrupted transport, was introduced in 1986. A bus transit way was opened in Sydney from Liverpool to Parramatta in 2003 with 35 specially built stations, 21 km of off-road lanes and 10 km of on-road lanes. (Source: Short History of Buses in Australia) |
Charter
and Tour Bus Drivers drive coaches to transport passengers on
sightseeing, educational and other tours.
ANZSCO ID:
731212Alternative names: Charter Driver, Charter Services Driver, Coach Driver, Coach Tour Driver, Tour Driver, Motor Coach Driver,
Specialisations:
-
Charter Services Driver: A charter services driver drives a group of people (for example, a community club) to a particular destination, where the bus is hired by the group for a fee and individual passengers do not pay fares to the driver.
-
Coach Tour Driver: A coach tour driver drives tour buses to tourist sites, or may provide long distance services between towns. Their tasks may include researching routes, planning food and toilet stops, providing a commentary on the history, culture and industry of particular locations, conducting inspections and performing minor maintenance of the coach.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- Customer service skills, as charter bus drivers have to interact with passengers on a daily basis and provide high quality tours
- Organization skills, charter bus drivers need to organize the tour schedule
- Physical health, as some medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, may interfere with the safe operation of passenger vehicles.
- Patience, as bus drivers must remain calm and composed when driving through heavy traffic and congestion or when dealing with rude passengers.
- Bus drivers must have good hearing
- Dexterity, as bus drivers must watch their surrounds and operate a vehicle to avoid hazards.
(Source:
Live Career)
Duties and Tasks
Your duties as a coach driver would be similar to those on a
bus, but the journeys would be longer. You could, for example, drive
between cities, or drive people on day trips or holiday tours. Other
tasks may include:
- Loading and unloading luggage
- Stops at set locations to pick up and set down passengers.
- Opens and closes doors before and after passengers board or disembark.
- Controls lighting, heating and ventilation on buses.
- Advises passengers on destinations.
- Maintains conduct of passengers.
- May use public address systems to provide information and tour commentaries to passengers.
- May assist coach passengers with baggage and accommodation bookings.
- Making sure that all passengers are back on board for the return journey, and after any scheduled stops - accounting for all passengers and recording no shows
- Addressing passenger complaints in a polite and professional matter
- Keeping the tour on schedule
- In some cases, they may also play the role of tour guide
- Keep passengers informed of possible delays
- Perform basic maintenance (check the bus tires, lights, and oil)
- Keep the bus clean and presentable to the public
You would be responsible for keeping the coach clean, doing
basic vehicle checks before taking your vehicle out and
reporting any incidents to inspectors back at the depot.
Working conditions
Coach drivers working in the tourism industry may be
away from home for long periods of time. The
hours a charter bus driver works can vary on what tours and trips
the operate. Most will work full time, but part time roles are also
available. Some bus drivers will work normal working days, whereas
others may have to work evenings, weekends, holiday periods and/or
spend time away from home if the trips are over a few days.
Education and training/entrance requirements
You can work as a Charter and Tour Bus Driver without
formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in driving
operations may be useful.
|
Did You Know? ABC News 5 March 2020  |
A school services driver transports school children to and from home/
school, collect fares or check that travel pass complies with the school
route. School services drivers may be required to pass a national Working
with Children Check prior to employment.
As a school bus driver, you are responsible for bringing children to
and from school, ensuring timely pick-up and safe drop-off in the
process. Bus routes may be in highly-populated, high-traffic urban
areas; on the other end of the spectrum, routes may be in very rural
areas with poor road conditions. In any area, driver's may provide
transportation for events, including field trips, during and outside
of school hours, or for private groups. While you are on the road,
you are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for everyone
inside the bus.
Training for school bus driver's includes completing specialized
courses and obtaining the required driver's license. This usually
involves passing theoretical and practical exams. You must also keep
a clean driving record, provide a police record check and pass drug
and alcohol tests. Apart from driving, integral skills to have
include patience, attentiveness to your environment and effective
decision-making.
ANZSCO ID:
731211
Alternative names: School
Services Driver,
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- completion of a government-certified driver training program
- professional driver's licence with school bus endorsement
- 3+ years professional bus driving experience
- 1+ year working with children
- clean five-year driving abstract and no at-fault accidents within the last five years
- familiarity with the assigned driving zone
- strong interpersonal and communication skills
- clear police record check
- valid first aid certificate
(Source:
Segeseats)
Duties and Tasks
- transport students to and from school and special events
- adhere to an assigned schedule
- arrive at pick-up and drop-off points in a timely manner
- ensure the safety of all bus passengers
- complete maintenance records and incident reports
- maintain a high standard of cleanliness inside the bus
- conduct daily inspections of the vehicle prior to operation
- recognize and report any required bus maintenance
Working conditions
Being a school bus driver requires lots of patience and being able
to handle noise - lots of noise. You need to be aware of students
and their bus stops. You need to develop strategies to help lower
the noise level.
Education and training/entrance requirements
Training for school bus driver's includes completing specialized
courses and obtaining the required driver's license. This usually
involves passing theoretical and practical exams. You must also keep
a clean driving record, provide a police record check and pass drug
and alcohol tests. Apart from driving, integral skills to have
include patience, attentiveness to your environment and effective
decision-making.
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Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA
[Bus
Driver; ]
CareerHQ [Bus
Driver; ]
The Career Project [Charter
Bus Driver; ]
Glassdoor [School
Bus Driver; ]
Live Career [Bus
Driver; ]
Your Career [Bus
Driver; ]
