Have you ever thought about whether you want to become a bus driver and whether a job as a bus driver could be fun for you in the long run? There are many reasons for working as a bus driver: You are always on the road, so you don’t have a boring office job; as a bus driver you are in an exposed position in road traffic, because with your bus you control a much larger vehicle than a normal car; you have a lot of contact with people of all ages every day and as a bus driver you are responsible for their safety.
The job as a bus driver is extremely varied
There are several possibilities where you can work as a bus driver: Bus driver jobs are available at municipal or private transport companies, at national and international travel companies or tour operators, as well as in on-demand transport at large companies. The work as a bus driver is usually varied and responsible. Your tasks as a bus driver often go beyond driving: it is good if you know about bus technology and keep a cool head in case of breakdowns, for example. Punctuality is of course one of the most important tasks as a bus driver.
It is advantageous if you are an organisational talent as a bus driver and enjoy contact with people. If you work as a school bus driver and transport children and young people, you need patience and good nerves. You should simply enjoy dealing with children and young people. But even if you work as a regular or long-distance bus driver, you need to be able to improvise and keep your cool in stressful situations.
Why you should become a bus driver
The good news is that bus drivers are in great demand in the UK! There are many vacancies for bus drivers, qualified professional drivers are wanted almost everywhere. Driving a bus is also a job for the future, because bus driving is considered a safe and environmentally friendly means of transport. Bus drivers are especially sought after for the many newly established long-distance bus routes within Germany. It is not only in large cities that people of all ages prefer to travel by bus rather than in their own cars. Young people enjoy the offer of the new long-distance bus lines to travel cheaply, comfortably and quickly across Germany.
The profession of bus driver therefore offers young people really exciting challenges. If you have a Realschule or Hauptschule certificate, you can become a professional driver for passenger transport or a specialist in driving operations with a three-year apprenticeship. You will then also take on more commercial or service-oriented tasks. HGV Medical
Bus driver: a secure job that is often paid according to collective agreements
If you are a bus driver, you not only have a secure job, but are also usually paid according to collective agreements. Depending on whether you work for a public or private company, in which federal state, how many years you have been working, what extra pay you get for shift or weekend work and what other extras are offered – the salaries vary, but are usually between 2,000 and 3,500 euros gross per month. You can read more about pay here.
Autonomous driving? Still far from being an issue for the job as a bus driver
The objection that the job as a bus driver could become superfluous at some point if there are more and more autonomous driving vehicles in the future does not count. No bus driver has to fear for his job. Even if at some point buses are to drive partially or fully automatically, there will still be a competent “operator” on board who can intervene in an emergency – and that is a qualified bus driver. So the work of a bus driver will never become completely redundant.
We will provide you with a company car for all entries and exits that you cannot make by bus. Of course, this time is considered working time and will be paid accordingly. Our pay for your job as a bus driver is above average, with bonuses for overtime, weekends, Christmas and holiday pay. You can find more detailed figures here.
Working as a bus driver in a secure job with a permanent contract
Unlike many other bus companies, Schilling has three special features. Firstly: The participation of the Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB AG) in our company secures your job as a bus driver. You get a permanent contract of employment.
Secondly: We are a multicultural team and support everyone who does not yet speak perfect German. We welcome diversity – be it in terms of origin, religion or sexuality.
Thirdly: Your job as a bus driver with us is bus driving! Trained staff take care of the other tasks such as refuelling, washing, maintaining the buses and all other tasks.
State-of-the-art vehicles – expansion of the E-fleet
Our vehicle fleet is state-of-the-art, we are strong supporters of alternative propulsion systems such as electric, hydrogen and natural gas. Together with our partner KVB AG, it is our goal to implement as many environmentally friendly measures as possible in our bus services as well. That’s why KVB AG has already replaced part of its bus fleet with electric buses. As a bus driver, you will work for the Schilling Group in a modern transport company that thinks progressively and sustainably.
