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Transit & school

Bus Driver

A CDL, a route, and a hundred people's mornings.

Typical pay

$38k-$75k

How you get in

CDL with passenger endorsement, 3-8 weeks, usually employer-paid

Outlook

Strong; persistent driver shortages nationwide

Bus drivers operate transit, school or motorcoach routes. Transit pays well with municipal benefits and rough shift rotations; school driving is split shifts with the school calendar off.

A day in the life

  1. 5:00aPre-trip inspection, pull out of the yard
  2. 5:45aFirst run — the early commuters
  3. 9:00aLayover and break at the transit center
  4. 10:00aMidday runs, lighter loads
  5. 2:00pAfternoon rush, standing room only
  6. 6:00pReturn to the yard, fuel and post-trip

How to get in

Employer-paid CDL training

Duration

3-8 weeks

Cost

$0 — the agency or district pays

Credential

CDL Class B with passenger and school bus endorsements

  1. Apply to a transit agency or school district that trains new drivers
  2. Get your CDL permit and pass the DOT physical
  3. Complete their paid training program and road test
  4. Expect a service commitment in exchange for the training

Private CDL school

Duration

3-6 weeks

Cost

$2,000-$5,000

Credential

CDL Class B with endorsements

  1. Pay for CDL training independently
  2. Add passenger and school bus endorsements
  3. Apply freely to transit, school and motorcoach employers
  4. Useful if you want to choose your employer rather than take the one who trained you

School driving into transit

Duration

1-3 years

Cost

$0

Credential

CDL plus a clean driving record

  1. Start with a school district, which hires and trains most readily
  2. Build a spotless safety and attendance record
  3. Move to municipal transit for higher pay and full benefits
  4. Or add a Class A to move into trucking or motorcoach work

What people love

  • · Employers pay for your CDL in most cases
  • · Municipal transit means pension and benefits
  • · School routes leave summers and holidays off
  • · Steady, predictable work

What wears people down

  • · Split shifts are common and eat the whole day
  • · Difficult passengers and occasional conflict
  • · Sitting all shift with strict schedule pressure
  • · Seniority governs routes and hours for years

From people doing it

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