How to get into the Bus and Coach Industry

There are more careers in the industry than you might think.

Coach Driver

Most new entrants to the industry take start as coach drivers, but the term “driver” doesn’t really do justice to the role they play, they are host to a group of travellers and will be the principle contact with customers on board.

The job offers opportunities for working locally, this often presents better opportunities for flexible working, or for those who like to travel further and can be away for longer periods, there are opportunities to progress to touring which will take you across the UK and Europe.
It is not the easiest of tasks to describe a typical day as very few days are the same.

The variation is brought about because of the different types of work you do and each group of passengers is very different.  You could be transporting passengers on local, national or overseas journeys

It’s a responsible job and passengers will rely on you to get them to the right place as safely as possible.  This calls for skill, flexibility, understanding, professionalism and patience.

Although each day differs, the start of each day is much the same. Whether away on tour or beginning a job from the operating centre, a check of the vehicle must be carried out in the interest of safety.

You will also be responsible for keeping the coach clean, doing basic vehicle checks before taking your vehicle out and reporting any incidents to inspectors back at the depot.

What do you need to become a coach driver?

 

How to become a coach driver:

 

Operations Assistant

Operations Assistants are usually employed in larger operations to assist the Controllers and Transport Manager. The operations assistant’s duties will vary from company to company but will typically involve the administration of the journeys and driver’s duties, ensuring all the required details are ready in time and briefing the driver on their duties for the day.

Its common in many companies for operations roles to be combined with some driving so those who have progressed from driving can still expect an opportunity to take the wheel from time to time.

How to become an operations assistant:

 

Operations Controller

The Operation’s Controller will be responsible for the efficient day to day operation of the coach fleet and drivers, ensuring that all bookings have the required vehicle and a driver allocated, that the drivers can undertake the duties within their permitted working/ driving hours and that they are rostered according to the need for rest periods.

Driver’s working and driving hours are strictly controlled and it is the responsibility of the controller to ensure that day to day, drivers work within the rules and that any discrepancies are identified and investigated, and the driver is notified of them. The controller will usually be the first point of contact for drivers on the road if anything goes wrong – breakdowns or anything  that may disrupt a journey – so an ability to work under pressure and to take a leading role in dealing with issues is an important aspect of the job.

How to become an operations controller:

 

Tour Programme Manager

This role is a key one for any business which runs its own tours, day excursions or other leisure related trips. The role will involve all aspects of planning and running a programme of tours and excursions, as it requires a keen interest in this side of the industry, together with some knowledge of the customer base, it is often associated with those who have had experience on the road as a driver.

The role entails planning the programme as well as individual trips, working to strict budgets, liaising with operations colleagues, organizing marketing material such as brochures and maintaining websites. It will often require arranging hotel accommodation, theatre or attraction tickets and negotiating with suppliers on price and contract issues such as cancellation conditions.

It requires a keen eye for detail and as well as the desk based part of the job, it will entail some travel to view hotels and attractions, attend trade fairs and perhaps promotional activities.

How to become a tour programme manager:

 

Vehicle Technician

A vehicle technician carries out servicing and maintenance on a firm’s vehicle fleet, ensuring they meet the exacting standards expected of the industry.

They must have an enquiring mind and an eye for detail together with a logical approach to their work. They must also be able to work with the varying workload that a vehicle workshop brings and be able to make decisions when faced with breakdowns and collisions.

How to become a bus technician:

 

Operations or Transport Manager

As an Operations or Transport Manager (TM) you will be responsible for the overall control, coordination and planning of the vehicle operations. Coach operation is a highly regulated industry and the TM will be required to ensure that all legal requirements for drivers and coaches are met, and that controls are in place to ensure this.

Depending on the size of the business, you may have a more “hands on” role in terms of day to day control of vehicles and drivers but in the larger fleets, TMs generally rely on one or more controllers to undertake the direct control of drivers and vehicles. TM’s must also be commercially aware and always have a keen eye on ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

TMs are required to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence in Passenger Transport Operation.

How to become an operations or transport manager:

 

Compliance Manager

This is a role more usually exists in larger operations and will monitor the operations function to ensure policies and procedures are in place to ensure compliance and safety, and to monitor that they are maintained and are being followed.
 
They will work closely with the department to identify any failures, taking both a pro-active and a reactive approach to analyzing the operational data, investigating failures and introducing measures to ensure that these are not repeated.
 
They must have a sound knowledge of the rules and regulations, a close eye for detail and a methodical approach.

How to become a compliance manager:

 

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become an inspector, depot manager, transport manager, tour manager and coach tour operator or driver training instructor.

There is also the opportunity to set up your own business. For this you'll need the Transport Manager CPC in Passenger Transport.

You could also work in community transport, where you would be driving the elderly, those in rural areas or those who have difficulty accessing services due to lack of mainstream transport.