Overview
Outlook
Data
Training
Description
Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators drive buses and operate streetcars, subway trains and light rail transit vehicles to transport passengers on established routes. Bus drivers are employed by urban transit systems, school boards or transportation authorities and private transportation companies. Streetcar, subway and light rail transit operators are employed by urban transit systems.
Job Titles
- Bus driver
- Bus operator
- Light rail transit operator
- Motor coach driver
- Public passenger transit driver
- School bus driver
- Sightseeing tour driver
- Streetcar operator
- Subway train operator
- Transit operator – transportation
Main Duties
- Bus drivers and streetcar operators
- Drive buses or streetcars to transport passengers along established routes to local destinations
- Drive buses to transport passengers and goods to intercity or long distance destinations
- Drive sightseeing tour buses to transport passengers locally or over long distances
- Drive buses equipped for wheelchair accessibility, and aid passengers in boarding
- Provide passengers with information on fares, schedules and stops
- Collect fares, issue and validate transfers, check bus passes and record transactions
- Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of vehicle
- Communicate with passengers, dispatchers or other drivers using two-way radio systems
- Report delays, mechanical problems and accidents
- May provide information on points of interest during sightseeing tours
- May load and unload passengers’ luggage and express freight.
- School bus drivers
- Drive school buses to transport children between school and home or on excursions
- Ensure children’s safety when boarding and leaving buses and crossing street while bus is stopped
- Maintain control of student activities during travel to prevent distractions or behaviours that could compromise safety
- May transport adults outside of school hours on chartered trips.
- Subway train and light rail transit operators
- Operate subway or rail transit vehicles as part of two-person crew
- Observe signals at crossings and arrival and departure points
- Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors
- Report delays, malfunctions and accidents to control unit
- Ensure passenger safety and welfare in emergencies, and direct passengers during evacuation procedures.
Workplaces
- Private transportation companies
- Transportation authorities
- Urban transit systems
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Coordinating
- Critical Thinking
- Numeracy
- Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
Abilities
- Depth Perception
- Far Vision
- Glare Tolerance
- Multi-Signal Response
- Night Vision
Personal Attributes
- Concern for Others
- Independence
- Active Learning
- Adaptability
- Attention to Detail
Similar Occupations
- Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators (72024)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be good for Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (73301) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- Several positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
- Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.
Here are some key facts about Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 350 people work in this occupation.
- Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 66%
- Transit and ground passenger transportation (NAICS 485): 26%
- Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 41% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 59% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 28% of bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators work all year, while 71% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- Less than 5% of bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 71% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 28% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 8% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 30% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 15% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: n/a
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $18.00 | $23.00 | $25.72 |
| Canada | $16.00 | $23.00 | $36.00 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.
More Info
View the full occupational profile with details on work characteristics, interests, employment requirements and more on the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS) website.
Related Jobs
There are currently no job listings for this occupation on WorkPEI.