The profession of bus driver
The profession of bus driver is versatile and essential for the functioning of public transport. Becoming a bus driver has future prospects. With the constant need for new employees in cities and municipalities, this profession offers numerous employment opportunities, both in the public sector and in private companies. Training to become a bus driver is a key aspect that offers interested parties a solid professional foundation. In addition to driving, the profession also involves dealing with people and ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. Our guide provides information about training, alternative career paths and earning potential. We also highlight important facts and everyday aspects of the profession to paint a realistic picture.
In our article, we offer a detailed insight into the world of bus drivers. We explain what personal and professional qualifications are required and what a typical working day looks like. We have already talked about the bus driver salary and rest and driving times for bus drivers reported. Here we also look at the challenges and opportunities of the profession, including the importance of customer service and safety. Our information is of interest to both potential new entrants and the general public. The aim is to create a comprehensive understanding of the role and importance of bus drivers in our society, while providing a realistic look at career opportunities in this field.
Training as a professional driver, a state-recognized apprenticeship since 1973, offers a wide range of career opportunities. This three-year apprenticeship usually requires a secondary school leaving certificate, but many companies also welcome applicants without a school leaving certificate. The training is characterized by a high retention rate, and even if direct employment does not take place, the job opportunities in metropolitan areas remain high.
Training as a bus driver is divided into practical experience in the company and theoretical learning at vocational school. In the company, trainees learn how to handle the vehicle and about everyday working life, while basic theory is taught at vocational school, including traditional school subjects and specific specialist areas such as passenger safety and accident management.
Mobility is a constantly growing sector and is taking up an ever-increasing area. If you want to become a bus driver, you can look forward to a varied profession. Contact and proper communication with passengers are just as important as safe transportation. In addition to transporting passengers, activities such as selling tickets, sightseeing or handing out luggage may also be involved.
The bus driver is the first point of contact for the guests and clarifies any inconsistencies. The responsibility is correspondingly high. For trips lasting several days, accommodation and meals are covered by the customer or employer. At agt, we are also seeing a general trend towards ecologically sustainable coach travel and e-mobility. It is also simply worthwhile for groups in terms of price to replace the emission- and cost-intensive individual journey.
Many companies are looking for new employees in order to fulfill their tasks and are competing with each other for the few potential employees. The BDO (Federal Association of German Bus and Coach Companies) estimatesthat there will be up to 87,000 unfilled positions by 2030 (as at 2024). A major correction to the 36,000 bus drivers already identified in 2022.
There is already a shortage of more than 8,700 bus drivers on the roads. To meet the high demand, many companies are offering above-average pay and other benefits. The situation on the bus market is now so tight that many companies are covering the costs of the bus driver's license in order to accommodate applicants.
Facts about bus driver training
Prospective bus drivers undergo a combination of practical work in the transport company and theoretical lessons at vocational school. This training provides all the necessary knowledge and skills for the safe and professional handling of passengers on local public transport.
An exciting field of work
There are jobs for bus drivers in almost every sector. A distinction is usually made between public and private employers. Public companies are usually transport companies that provide local public transport in cities and municipalities. The salaries of bus drivers in local public transport are covered by collective agreements in many regions and are organized in the local public transport union. In general, bus drivers benefit from the trade unions, which campaign for the interests and improved conditions of bus drivers.
Bus drivers for private companies can be needed for a wide variety of tasks. Bus drivers for private bus companies drive guests to their desired destinations and support local public transportation. Some companies specialize in certain routes, such as trade fair and airport shuttles or school trips for schools. In large companies, bus drivers support employees in the form of bus shuttles to work in the form of bus shuttles, or are part of a company transport that has been set up specifically for this purpose. With the trade fair transfer, we offer reliable, comfortable and punctual transportation between accommodation, the trade fair and other important stations.
The range of activities is therefore broad in both public and private companies. Bus drivers in the public sector often enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining coverage and union support, while bus drivers in private companies can benefit from a greater variety of job opportunities. In both sectors, the demands for professionalism and reliability are high, and the role of the bus driver remains essential to the mobility and functioning of public life.
Whether in the public or private sector, bus drivers make a significant contribution to the mobility and connectivity of society. They enable people to go about their daily lives by getting them to their destination safely and on time. This makes the profession of bus driver a responsible and fulfilling job.
As a bus driver, professional behavior is extremely important. Accidents involving buses are particularly serious due to their weight and the large number of passengers. Especially as passengers often do not wear their seat belts. The consequences can be fatal, especially at high speeds. We have summarized some rules of conduct for bus drivers:
- A bus driver should always remain calm and composed and concentrate on the journey
- Make sure your posture is good, even while driving
- Always wear your seat belt when driving
- Drugs and alcohol are prohibited at all times
- If you do not feel well, stop
- Comply with all traffic regulations and the rest and driving times
Bus drivers can work for both public transport companies and private companies, with public employers usually offering higher salaries that are secured by collective agreements.
Private bus companies offer greater variety with specialized services such as trade fair and airport shuttles, school trips, works transport or employee transport.
Bus drivers in public transport benefit from trade union organization and collective bargaining coverage, which campaigns for improved working conditions and salaries.
Regardless of the sector, bus drivers make an indispensable contribution to mobility and enable people to go about their daily lives safely and punctually.
FAQ
How safe is it to work as a bus driver?
According to the Federal Statistical Office, buses are the safest means of transportation. Thanks to special training, bus drivers are well prepared for the challenges of road traffic. This is also confirmed by the TÜV. This makes it all the more important to keep the number of accidents as low as possible. To this end, de-escalating behaviour on the part of the bus driver is important in order to minimize conflicts of any kind. In the event of aggressive behavior towards the bus driver or passengers, the bus driver may expel the offender from the bus and call the police.
Catering and accommodation
On tours lasting several days with overnight accommodation, such as school trips with school classes, coach drivers are part of the tour group and usually stay in the same accommodation. Many hotels have rooms specially designed for coach drivers. Drivers also receive a per diem for food and drink.
Should bus drivers receive tips?
Tipping bus drivers is not uncommon and older people in particular like to give a small tip as a sign of respect and for the service. Tipping is particularly common on so-called coffee trips or longer tours. However, they are not obligatory for guests.
What do you earn as a bus driver after your training?
After training as a professional driver, the starting salary as a bus driver is between 2,200 and 2,800 euros gross per month. In local public transport, salaries are often regulated by collective agreements and can rise to up to 3,500 euros with professional experience. Private companies pay differently, but often offer bonuses for weekend or night shifts.
What are the requirements for bus driver training?
To train as a professional driver, applicants need at least a secondary school leaving certificate and should be 18 years old. A class B driver's license is usually required, as the bus driver's license is acquired during the training. Health aptitude, good German language skills and a clean criminal record are also important.
How long does bus driver training take?
Training to become a professional driver normally takes three years in the dual system. The training period can be shortened to two and a half years if you perform well or have a high school diploma. The training takes place both in the company and at vocational school, with around a third of the time scheduled for school lessons.
What are the working hours of bus drivers?
Bus drivers work shifts, which can include early mornings, late shifts and weekend work. The daily driving time is limited by law to a maximum of nine hours, but can be extended to ten hours twice a week. Rest periods of at least eleven hours are prescribed between shifts.
Does the profession of bus driver have a future?
The profession of bus driver has a secure future, as local public transport is becoming increasingly important. Due to climate change and the transport revolution, the demand for public transport is constantly increasing. Many transport companies are desperately looking for qualified bus drivers, which means good job prospects and chances of being taken on after training.
Our bus world
In our agt Bus World, we provide information about current developments in our company, as well as the latest topics and events in the bus and mobility industry.
In our agt Bus World, we provide information about current developments in our company, as well as the latest topics and events in the bus and mobility industry.