Special service bus drivers take passengers on trips that regular buses do not make. A special service bus may be hired by a group to go to a certain place. These buses are often hired to take passengers to the theater or to sports events. The passengers do not pay the driver directly. Instead the bus and the driver are hired by the group as a whole. Payment is made to the bus company by the director of the group. Companies that are under this kind of arrangement are called charter bus companies.
Bus drivers who work for charter companies make only a few stops on their routes. Large groups of passengers board the bus at one or perhaps two stops. The drivers generally drop off all the passengers at the same destination. The drivers may make rest stops on very long trips. They usually make the return trip as well. They may drive a different route every day. Generally, charter buses are hired for fairly long trips. Sightseeing buses are also special service buses. Sometimes they are hired by a group. But often the bus company rents the bus to an agency that offers sightseeing tours. Sometimes the drivers themselves guide the tours, describing different points of interest along their routes as they drive.
School bus drivers are another kind of special drivers. They work part time. They must take extra care with their passengers. Unlike most other drivers of special service buses, school bus drivers make a number of stops along their route. They pick up the students at their homes or at designated stops and take them to school. Later in the day they make the same run again in reverse order. There are several rules that apply to school buses. For example, school bus drivers must see that the cars on the road obey the bus's signals to stop while children are crossing the street.
There are also special sendee buses for people with disabilities. On these buses the drivers must help each passenger on and off the bus.
Education and Training
Generally, special bus drivers must pass the same requirements as other bus drivers. They must be at least 21 years old and have a good driving record. They must also be in good health. Most companies like their drivers to have a high school diploma. Almost all companies give their new drivers a written test; they have to undergo a physical examination.
Once applicants have passed these tests, they are put into a company training program. The length of the program may be different for each company. In most cases it lasts for several weeks. Drivers must pass a driving test and a written test on safety and company rules. Only then are they allowed to go out on a run. For the first month or two, the driver works with an experienced supervisor.
Special service bus drivers are given extra training in their field. School bus drivers have different rules to learn. Sightseeing guides must learn the information they will need to conduct tours.
Getting the Job
Special service drivers who run charter buses are taken from the "extra board," or list of substitutes, in a bus company. Applications for special service bus driving jobs other than those for school buses should be made directly to bus companies. If you wish to become a school bus driver, get in touch with the personnel office of the board of education. Openings for these jobs are often listed in the help wanted ads in newspapers. The state employment service also lists these job openings.
Employment Outlook
Advancement for special service drivers is usually in the form of a regular route. When this happens the driver moves off the extra board. School bus drivers can use their experience to get jobs with regular bus companies. Many school bus drivers, however, prefer to keep their jobs because they want part time work.
The job outlook is good. Because people have more leisure time, demand for charter and tour drivers will increase. The high turnover in these jobs will create openings. The growth in population in the suburbs will promote increased use of school buses. Job openings will continue to be available.
Working Conditions
Special service bus drivers generally work from 9:00 to 5:00. School bus drivers work within the school schedule. Their day begins early and usually ends before 5:00 P.M. School bus drivers work 5 days a week. The workweek for other special service drivers is between 4 and 6 days long.
Working conditions vary. Sightseeing bus drivers should enjoy talking with people. School bus drivers must like children and be very patient. In almost all special service bus driving jobs, there is much contact between the driver and the passengers. Traffic can be a real problem for bus drivers as for all people in driving occupations. Drivers may face traffic snarls daily. They must drive in all kinds of weather. Driving is strenuous work and can be very tiring.
Earnings and Benefits
Earnings vary widely, depending on geographic location and on the type of work involved. Special service drivers who are on the extra board are paid for each mile they drive. When they are on duty but not driving, they are paid an hourly wage. In most cases they are guaranteed a minimum weekly salary. Charter bus drivers earn wages comparable to those of intercity bus drivers, which average $22,000 to $31,000 a year.
Benefits vary from one company to another. Most drivers can expect medical insurance and paid holidays and vacations.
