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Career Exploration

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Also called: Bus Driver, Bus Operator, Motor Coach Operator, Transit Bus Driver

What they do:

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

On the job, you would:
  • Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
  • Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
  • Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
On the job, you'll need:

Transportation

  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Business

  • customer service

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security
  • law and government

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • understanding people's reactions

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Vision

  • see details that are far away
  • decide which thing is closer or farther away from you or decide how far away it is from you

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Spatial

  • know where things are around you

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence

Operating system software

  • Microsoft Windows

Map creation software

  • AOL MapQuest
  • Microsoft MapPoint

Internet browser software

  • Web browser software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $50,890

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.