Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Bus Driver
A Bus Driver is a professional who operates buses to transport passengers from one location to another. They play a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of individuals within a designated route or schedule. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Bus Drivers.
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Main Responsibilities of a Bus Driver
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Bus Driver:
Adhere to
Adhere to company policies and procedures.
Adhere to established protocols for student transportation and safety.
Adhere to established routes, designated bus stops and keeps to assigned time schedule.
Adhere to safety rules and regulations.
Adhere to the highest level of professionalism by demonstrating honesty, integrity and maturity.
Adhere to workplace health & safety policies, safe work practices and procedures.
Answer
Answer questions regarding route and time schedules.
Assist in
Assist clients in and out of the vehicle when necessary.
Assist customers with their luggage.
Assist individuals with disabilities or special needs.
Assist passengers in and out of vehicle, and operate ramps, lifts and securement devices.
Assist passengers with boarding, exiting, and securing themselves on the bus.
Assist Principal and / or Teachers with children as requested.
Assist residents on / off the bus in a safe manner.
Assist students in the loading and unloading process.
Assist with office and admin tasks.
Assist with other job related duties as requested by your supervisor.
Assist with set up of chairs and tables.
Assume
Assume any other duties as assigned by the YMCA administration.
Assume responsibility for a group of children, if requested.
Assume responsibility for care and maintenance of bus.
Assume responsibility with minimal supervision.
Assure
Assure bus meets regular maintenance schedules.
Attend
Attend mandatory training sessions or workshops for professional development.
Attend monthly staff meeting and other agency meetings as required.
Attend monthly staff meetings and quarterly department meetings as required.
Attend required safety and medical training.
Attend required training sessions.
Check
Check back engine compartment.
Check fuel daily and re-fuel as required.
Clean
Clean the bus before and after each use.
Clean the interior buses at the end of each shift.
Coach
Coach bus at various times for special events or call-outs (evenings and weekends possible).
Collaborate with
Collaborate with Site Supervisor and families to design efficient bus routes.
Collect
Collect fares or tickets and issue valid tickets to passengers.
Collect appropriate tickets through the operation of an electronic fare collection system.
Communicate with
Communicate with dispatch or control centers to report incidents or delays.
Communicate with passengers, dispatchers or other drivers using two-way radio systems.
Compatible
Compatible with the vehicle they will be operating.
Complete
Complete accurate MTO Hour of Service Logs and adhere to MTO Hours of Service regulations.
Complete a written accident report as required by delegate's procedure and other authorities.
Complete disciplinary forms as needed.
Complete logbooks and reports.
Complete pre and post trip duties as per ICBC regulations.
Complete relevant paperwork as required by National Safety Code and legal standards.
Complete required reports or documentation accurately and on time.
Complete trip inspection report for each outing, and reports to Recreations Manager.
Complete Vehicle Check-List form on a daily basis.
Comply
Comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding commercial driving.
Conduct
Conduct daily checklist / inspection every morning.
Conduct periodic emergency evacuation drills.
Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure the bus is in proper working condition.
Confirm
Confirm child head count at every drop off and pick up.
Control
Control emergency situations in proper manner.
Cooperate with
Cooperate with all center and agency staff, sharing talents, ideas, and time as appropriate.
Coordinate
Coordinate with school staff or officials for student transportation.
Create
Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.
Create a welcoming & supportive environment for all staff and clients.
Demonstrate
Demonstrate defensive driving techniques and prioritize passenger safety.
Direct
Direct passengers during emergency evacuation procedures.
Drive
Drive a fixed route with scheduled pick-up and drop-off locations for passengers.
Drive along a defined route according to assigned schedule.
Drive a transit bus and transport passengers safely, timely and efficiently.
Drive for the Metropolitan Action Commission's Head Start program.
Drive safely and responsibly while being prepared for all driving conditions.
Encourage
Encourage passengers / children to share in the responsibility of keeping the van / bus clean.
Ensure
Ensure all bus protocols and policies are adhering to at all times.
Ensure bikes are properly stowed / secured on the bus racks.
Ensure children's safety when boarding and leaving buses and crossing street while bus is stopped.
Ensure that children are never left without an adult present.
Ensure that passengers are safely loaded and unloaded from their buses.
Ensure that the bus always has sufficient fuel, clean, and maintain all transportation records.
Ensure that vehicles are properly parked, cleaned, secured and fuelled on a daily basis.
Ensure the comfort and safety of passengers during the journey.
Establish
Establish and maintain two-way communications with campus, teachers and parents.
Facilitate
Facilitate interesting and engaging activities that are quality age appropriate programs.
Fill out
Fill out bus logs and checklists daily or as needed.
Focus on
Focus on the customer - seek to understand guests and internal and external customers.
Follow
Follow all traffic regulations.
Follow oral and written directions.
Follow bus cleaning procedures.
Follow predetermined routes and detours as required.
Follow prescribed routes for pick-up and delivery of passengers.
Follow proper protocols for fueling and refueling the bus.
Follow the correct end-of-shift procedures.
Greet
Greet passengers, accept fare payment, and maintain a safe environment.
Handle
Handle emergency situations calmly and follow proper procedures.
Handle guest luggage and questions.
Handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
Hand
Hand sanitizers located at the front entrance of buses.
Increased
Increased cleaning of our buses, both internally and externally.
Keep
Keep accurate records of mileage, fuel consumption, and passenger counts.
Keep certifications current.
Keep daily attendance records of participants transported on bus.
Keep operational records and makes simple reports.
Keep records of those entering / exiting the bus.
Keep the bus clean and free of debris.
Know
Know and abide by all policies and procedures, including evacuation and accident procedures.
Laughter
Laughter, fun, empowering activities – essential ingredients for the perfect camp experience.
Learn
Learn the proper methods of bus safety inspections and maintenance.
Lock
Lock in wheel chairs, accessible equipment and mobility aids on bus.
Maintain
Maintain accurate activity logs and van / bus maintenance logs as required.
Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
Maintain a friendly and helpful demeanor at all times.
Maintain a high standard of cleanliness both inside and outside of your designated vehicle.
Maintain an environment in alignment with The Summit Way.
Maintain a professional and courteous demeanor at all times.
Maintain a schedule and ensure timely arrivals and departures.
Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the bus interior.
Maintain cleanliness and supplies on bus.
Maintain communication with the center director regarding any parent concerns.
Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
Maintain current required trainings.
Maintain defensive driving.
Maintain discipline on bus.
Maintain records and reports.
Maintain records as required by the Academy.
Maintain shuttle, van or bus cleanliness.
Maintain trip logs which provide details such as passenger count, route details, etc..
Manage
Manage unruly passengers or difficult situations with professionalism.
Meet
Meet and exceed the expectations of both the customers and the company.
Model
Model appropriate behaviors to staff in line with our Mission, Vision and Values.
Monitor
Monitor and assist students with receiving their meals.
Monitor students during lunch hours and recess as required.
Monitor the behavior and safety of passengers during the journey.
Notify
Notify bus mechanic of any mechanical malfunctions and / or safety hazards.
Notify transportation or proper supervisor of any breakdowns or repairs that need to be made to bus.
Obey
Obey all traffic laws and observes mandatory school bus safety regulations.
Obey traffic laws and observes safety regulations for school bus operations.
Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
Observe
Observe and document children's development in a variety of different ways.
Observe loading and unloading bus procedures.
Operate
Operate buses, school busses or streetcars to transport passengers.
Operate coach in a safe manner, using defensive driving techniques.
Operate hand held radios, GPS and other electronic devices in a professional manner.
Operate the two-way equipment correctly and according to company policy.
Operate vehicles in a manner abiding by all vehicle and traffic laws.
Operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
Operate wheelchair lifts or ramps for passengers with mobility needs.
Participate in
Participate in all trainings and in-services relating to job duties.
Perform
Perform basic maintenance tasks such as cleaning the bus exterior.
Perform chartered service throughout Canada and the U.S..
Perform daily safety and maintenance checks including ensuring the bus is clean.
Perform daily safety inspections.
Perform DOT daily inspections on assigned equipment and fuel equipment as necessary.
Perform light bus maintenance as necessary.
Perform minor repairs such as headlight bulb and wiper blade replacement.
Perform peruse inspection of the bus.
Perform pre- and post-trip school bus inspection.
Perform pre-departure inspection.
Perform related work as required.
Perform routine engine and body maintenance on the bus.
Perform vehicle inspections, including maintaining a clean bus and fueling as needed.
Pick up
Pick up and drop off passengers at designated stops along the route.
Pick up and transport children and / or clients to and from the Academy or other approved sites.
Pick up meals at food source as required.
Pick up passengers and transport them from the airport to the parking lot or vice versa.
Posses
Posses clean driving record and Criminal Record Search With Vulnerable Sector.
Posses clean driving record and Criminal Record Search With Vulnerable Sector Screening.
Prepare
Prepare daily reports on student loads, mileage, type of trip, and standby time.
Present
Present a responsible and professional image.
Promote
Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety.
Provide
Provide a clean Driver's abstract and background check.
Provide a daily checklist (pre & post inspection) and observe all cleaning schedules.
Provide a driver's abstract.
Provide an enjoyable experience for each participant.
Provide a positive and supportive relationship to parents as partners in early childhood education.
Provide excellent customer service and address passenger inquiries or concerns.
Provide excellent customer service in every interaction.
Provide exceptional customer service, always.
Provide information concerning routes, schedules and transfer points.
Provide reports, trip data, gas receipts, etc. as required.
Provide supplementary driving duties as required.
Provide transportation for the Adult Day Centre.
Receive
Receive all paperwork from dispatcher including route and schedule information.
Receive breakfast and lunch deliveries.
Remove
Remove debris and other inappropriate items from the coach.
Report
Report accidents following the Upper Palmetto Transportation guidelines and procedures.
Report any mechanical issues or malfunctions to the appropriate authorities.
Report any moving or driving violations issued by Law Enforcement to your supervisor immediately.
Report any observed mechanical issues with your vehicle promptly to the appropriate parties.
Report any traffic violations to the Director immediately.
Report delays, mechanical problems and accidents.
Report operating and equipment deficiencies.
Report to supervisor immediately of all vehicle maintenance problems.
Represent
Represent the YMCA and the Association in a professional manner.
Save
Save on daycare - bring up to two preschool-aged children to work with you.
Schedule
Schedule behind the wheel training with a Driver Education Specialist (DES).
Schedule destinations of the bus or other vehicles as directed by the Management Team.
Set
Set a good example in promptness, manners, language, appearance and health.
Shuttle
Shuttle drivers must arrive to work on time, drive their vehicles following a set schedule or route.
Stay updated with
Stay updated with road conditions, weather forecasts, and traffic patterns.
Stop
Stop traffic and escort children across streets, when necessary.
Support
Support student recruitment, enrollment, and retention activities as needed.
Tow
Tow trailers of various sizes to and from garages for annual inspection.
Transport
Transport children, parents, staff and equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
Transport Corporate Volunteers to and from the Agency.
Transport passengers safely.
Transport students to and from school, along with other activities and events.
Transport vehicles will be provided.
Understand
Understand Summit processes and policies relevant to the role.
Verify
Verify the necessary supplies at the start of each shift.
Write
Write reports concerning daily duties.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Bus Driver:
Proficient in operating commercial vehicles, including buses.
Knowledge of traffic laws, regulations, and safety procedures.
Familiarity with the assigned routes and locations.
Ability to read and understand maps, route schedules, and bus timetables.
Skill in operating bus-specific equipment such as wheelchair lifts or ramps.
Basic mechanical knowledge to handle minor repairs or maintenance tasks.
Competence in using onboard systems and technology, such as GPS or fare collection devices.
Ability to drive in various weather and road conditions.
Proficiency in performing pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
Understanding of fueling and refueling procedures for commercial vehicles.
Knowledge of emergency protocols and first aid procedures.
Ability to navigate unfamiliar areas or detours effectively.
Skill in operating communication devices such as two-way radios or mobile phones.
Understanding of safety protocols for passenger transportation.
Proficiency in handling documentation and completing reports accurately.
Ability to operate bus controls and systems efficiently.
Knowledge of vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting.
Competence in managing wheelchair accessibility and securing devices.
Skill in managing time and adhering to schedules.
Proficient in defensive driving techniques to ensure passenger safety.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Bus Driver:
Excellent communication skills to interact with passengers of diverse backgrounds.
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Strong customer service skills to provide a pleasant and helpful experience to passengers.
Adaptability to handle changing schedules, routes, or unexpected circumstances.
Problem-solving skills to address challenges on the road or with passengers.
Alertness and attentiveness to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.
Good organizational skills to manage time, routes, and documentation effectively.
Professionalism and a positive attitude in representing the transportation company.
Empathy and understanding towards passengers with special needs or concerns.
Teamwork and collaboration with colleagues and transportation staff.
Conclusion
By possessing these hard and soft skills, a Bus Driver can excel in their role and provide a safe, comfortable, and reliable transportation experience for passengers. It is important for aspiring Bus Drivers to continuously update their skills and stay informed about industry regulations and advancements to enhance their performance and deliver exceptional service.
