Bus Driver Job Description

What Does a Bus Driver Do?

Every late bus makes someone late for work or class. Bus drivers carry commuters, students and riders with disabilities along fixed routes for city transit agencies, intercity lines and campus shuttle services, keeping to a timetable through traffic and bad weather.

Also known as: Bus Operator

Bus Driver Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of a bus driver include:

• Drive fixed routes on published timetables, keeping to schedule without cutting safety corners.
• Inspect tires, brakes, lights, mirrors and the wheelchair lift before pulling out of the yard.
• Deploy ramps, kneel the bus and secure wheelchairs so every rider boards safely.
• Announce major stops and transfer points, and answer questions about routes and fares.
• Collect fares or check passes and student IDs, and report fare disputes to dispatch.
• Radio dispatch about delays, detours, breakdowns and passengers who need help.
• Handle disruptive riders calmly and call police or supervisors when a situation escalates.
• Complete accident, incident and defect reports before the end of each shift.
• Adjust driving to snow, ice, heavy traffic and road work while keeping passengers steady.
• Keep the bus interior tidy and report damage, graffiti or lost items found onboard.

Required Skills and Qualifications

To succeed as a bus driver, you will need the following skills and qualifications:

• Commercial driver's license (CDL) with passenger and air brake endorsements
• Clean driving record and ability to pass drug and alcohol tests
• Defensive driving in heavy traffic and bad weather
• Customer service with a wide mix of riders
• Patience and a steady temper
• Knowledge of ADA rules for riders with disabilities
• Punctuality and schedule discipline
• Basic vehicle inspection

Education and Training

To drive a transit bus you will need a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement, and many agencies train new hires for the CDL test themselves. A high school diploma is the usual minimum. With experience, you could progress to trainer, road supervisor or dispatcher.

Salary and Job Outlook

Employment of transit and intercity bus drivers is projected to grow about 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, according to BLS. In fact, agencies in many cities have struggled to hire enough drivers, and BLS expects about 21,100 openings a year. A new driver with a clean record is likely to find work quickly, though split shifts that cover both rush hours are common for newcomers.

Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Bus drivers, transit and intercity.