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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.
Other titles employers use
Bus Driver · Bus Operator · Charter Bus Driver · Coach Operator · Motor Coach Driver · Motor Coach Operator · Transit Bus Driver · Transit Coach Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- Announce stops to passengers.
- Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
Subjects to know
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
Useful strengths
- Far Vision
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Depth Perception
- Spatial Orientation
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.1 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 1.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 3.9 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.5 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 97%
- A certificate or some college 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Operating system software
- Map creation software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 38,700
- Job openings each year
- 5,010
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 38,700 | 5,010 | 8.1% |
| New York | 21,350 | 320 | 17.8% |
| Illinois | 10,090 | 1,290 | 4.6% |
| Texas | 9,440 | 1,240 | 16.1% |
| Washington | 9,220 | 1,310 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 8,810 | 1,150 | 12.4% |
| New Jersey | 5,690 | 720 | 1.2% |
| Ohio | 5,560 | 710 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 5,360 | 700 | 10.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,240 | 670 | 5.4% |
| Colorado | 5,160 | 680 | 19.4% |
| Connecticut | 4,710 | 620 | 19.2% |
| Georgia | 4,500 | 590 | 16.3% |
| Virginia | 4,390 | 570 | 8.1% |
| Arizona | 4,070 | 520 | 6.5% |
| Minnesota | 3,530 | 460 | 8.6% |
| North Carolina | 3,530 | 460 | 16.9% |
| Michigan | 3,190 | 410 | 1.3% |
| Nevada | 2,770 | 390 | 61.0% |
| Kentucky | 2,380 | 310 | 9.2% |
| Missouri | 2,370 | 310 | 12.9% |
| Wisconsin | 2,190 | 280 | −1.4% |
| Massachusetts | 2,000 | 260 | 12.4% |
| Indiana | 1,940 | 250 | 4.9% |
| Tennessee | 1,800 | 230 | 3.4% |
| Iowa | 1,500 | 200 | 11.9% |
| West Virginia | 1,470 | 190 | 5.0% |
| Alabama | 1,350 | 170 | 7.1% |
| Oklahoma | 1,150 | 150 | 12.7% |
| Alaska | 880 | 120 | 12.8% |
| Utah | 860 | 110 | 21.1% |
| Louisiana | 680 | 90 | 6.3% |
| South Carolina | 660 | 90 | 11.9% |
| Mississippi | 650 | 90 | 8.3% |
| New Mexico | 630 | 80 | 12.5% |
| Nebraska | 620 | 80 | 6.9% |
| Idaho | 590 | 80 | 15.7% |
| Puerto Rico | 550 | 70 | 7.8% |
| Arkansas | 540 | 70 | 5.9% |
| Delaware | 500 | 60 | 2.0% |
| Vermont | 500 | 70 | 13.6% |
| Kansas | 460 | 60 | 9.5% |
| Montana | 390 | 50 | 11.4% |
| Maine | 370 | 50 | — |
| North Dakota | 360 | 50 | 16.1% |
| South Dakota | 280 | 40 | 7.7% |
| Wyoming | 170 | 20 | 21.4% |
| Guam | 120 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Rhode Island | 80 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.