Occupation · SOC 53-3052
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Median wage
$57,440
$38,250–$82,640
Projected growth
+4.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
680
per year
Employed (US)
148,980
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
87 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringTime ManagementService OrientationCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningWritingPersuasionComplex Problem SolvingQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesTroubleshootingMathematicsInstructingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesRepairingEquipment SelectionScienceProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
TransportationCustomer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingAdministrativePsychologyMathematicsMechanicalGeographyCommunications and MediaSales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesEngineering and TechnologyEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguageDesignProduction and ProcessingTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryPhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyBuilding and ConstructionChemistryHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine ArtsBiology
Technology & tools
AOL MapQuestMicrosoft MapPointMicrosoft WindowsWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationTraining and Teaching OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDocumenting/Recording InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming General Physical ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkScheduling Work and ActivitiesThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesWorking with ComputersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Assigned transit route — follow under direct supervisor guidance while adhering to posted time schedules on an urban bus line.Vehicle pre-departure checklist — complete by inspecting gas, oil, and water levels before each shift at a transit depot.Bus parking at loading zones — position vehicle accurately under trainer observation so that passengers can board safely.Traffic regulations and right-of-way rules — recognize and apply basic compliance while operating on low-traffic practice routes.Passenger stop announcements — deliver clearly and on time under supervisor coaching during scheduled route runs.Cash fares and transit tickets — collect and verify from boarding passengers following established fare procedures at a fixed-route terminal.Elderly and disabled passenger assistance — provide basic boarding and seating help under direct instruction at a training facility.Routine passenger questions about schedules and routes — respond accurately using provided printed timetables and route maps.Vehicle delays or minor incidents — report promptly to dispatch using radio or communication devices as directed by supervisors.Basic map and routing software — navigate and read assigned route data under guidance in a classroom or yard training setting.
developing
Fixed transit and intercity routes — drive independently on schedule, managing typical traffic conditions across a familiar service area.Pre-trip vehicle inspections — conduct thoroughly and document findings for gas, oil, water, and safety systems before each departure with minimal oversight.Loading zone positioning — maneuver bus precisely at stops and terminals to enable smooth passenger flow during peak and off-peak hours.Passenger boarding and alighting — assist individuals with disabilities and elderly riders efficiently while maintaining schedule adherence on a busy urban route.Fare collection and ticketing discrepancies — resolve common payment issues and enforce fare policies consistently on intercity coach runs.On-board stop announcements and route information — communicate clearly and proactively to mixed passenger groups using the vehicle intercom system.Minor passenger disruptions — de-escalate routine conflicts calmly using practiced verbal techniques while keeping service running on a commuter line.Delay and accident reports — complete accurately and submit to dispatch within required timeframes following standard transit authority protocols.Changing road and weather conditions — adjust speed, following distance, and route decisions independently to maintain passenger safety on suburban runs.Scheduling software and route management tools — use internet-based resources and operating systems to verify assignments and update personal route awareness between shifts.
proficient
Complex urban and intercity routes — operate autonomously across the full service network, consistently meeting schedule targets under variable traffic and weather conditions.Comprehensive vehicle safety inspections — evaluate mechanical condition, fluid levels, and safety equipment thoroughly, escalating defects before they affect service on a transit fleet.Passenger emergency situations — manage medical incidents, evacuations, and security threats decisively using established emergency procedures on a loaded intercity coach.High-demand fare and ticketing scenarios — process diverse payment methods, resolve escalated discrepancies, and enforce fare policy accurately during high-volume boarding periods.Accessible transportation requirements — apply ADA compliance knowledge to assist passengers with varied mobility and sensory needs, ensuring equitable service across all stops.Critical incidents and accidents — document, report, and coordinate with emergency services and dispatch authorities efficiently following multi-vehicle or passenger-injury events.Non-routine route diversions — navigate alternate paths using spatial orientation and digital mapping tools when road closures or emergencies affect scheduled service.Passenger behavior and social dynamics — read and respond to subtle cues indicating distress or conflict, intervening appropriately to maintain a safe and respectful cabin environment.Time management across multiple runs — balance layovers, passenger dwell times, and recovery time on back-to-back shifts to sustain on-time performance across a full workday.Regulatory and public safety knowledge — apply relevant traffic law, transit authority policies, and public safety guidelines accurately across all operating scenarios on the service network.
advanced
Transit operations standards and best practices — develop and communicate route-level driving protocols that improve safety and on-time performance across an entire driver workforce.New driver mentorship and on-road coaching — guide emerging and developing drivers through real-route scenarios, providing structured feedback that accelerates competency growth.Safety culture and incident prevention — lead peer-level safety briefings and debrief post-incident reviews to embed cautiousness and dependability as team norms in a transit division.Service delivery improvements — identify recurring schedule, routing, or passenger experience problems and recommend evidence-based solutions to transit operations management.Emergency response coordination — serve as senior on-scene resource during major incidents, liaising between drivers, dispatch, and emergency services to protect passengers and staff.Accessibility and equity in transit service — champion inclusive passenger assistance practices across a depot, ensuring all drivers meet ADA standards and organizational service commitments.Driver performance evaluation — assess competency against established framework criteria and provide developmental feedback during formal appraisal cycles for transit authority staff.Technology adoption and digital tools — lead implementation and peer training for updated routing software, operating systems, and communication platforms across a bus operations team.Cross-agency and community engagement — represent the transit organization in public forums, explaining service changes, safety records, and route decisions to stakeholders and riders.Organizational resilience and workforce development — contribute to workforce planning, training curriculum design, and succession pipelines that sustain high-performance transit operations over time.
Also known as
32 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Bus DriverBus OperatorCDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver)Charter Bus DriverCharter Coach DriverCharter DriverCity Bus DriverCoach OperatorCourtesy Bus DriverDay Haul Charter Bus DriverFarm Charter Bus DriverInterstate Bus DriverJitney DriverMobile Lounge Driver or OperatorMotor Bus DriverMotor Coach Bus DriverMotor Coach DriverMotor Coach OperatorMotor Coach Tour OperatorMotorcoach DriverMotorcoach OperatorParatransit Bus DriverPublic Transit Bus DriverPublic Transit Trolley DriverStage DriverSubstitute Bus DriverTransit Bus DriverTransit Coach OperatorTransit DriverTransit OperatorTransport OperatorTransportation Bus Driver