BUS DRIVERS drive gasoline, diesel, or electric vehicles to carry people either within or between cities. They operate buses for local transit systems, inter-city bus companies, and tour bus companies. (School Bus Drivers are described separately in California Occupational Guide #578 - School Bus Drivers.)

All Bus Drivers keep records such as the distance traveled, driving time, and total amount of fares received. They also report any mechanical problems or major needed repairs, may keep the bus clean, and may make minor repairs while on the road.

Local Transit Drivers perform the following tasks:

• Transport passengers along scheduled routes, usually within an urban area.
• Collect and hand out transfers.
• Keep eye on cash box for correct fare.
• Verify that bus passes are valid.
• May make change for passengers.
• May call out names of major streets along their route.
• Answer questions regarding routes, schedules, transfer points, and fares.

Tasks performed by Inter-City Drivers include:

• Transport passengers between cities.
• Relate schedules, routes, fares, and other information concerning the trips.
• May pick up and drop off packages.
• May collect cash fares.

Tasks that Charter Bus Drivers perform include:

• Take a group of people to their destination.
• Generally remain at the location until the group is ready to return.
• May travel long distances for several days at a time.

Important tasks for Shuttle Bus Drivers are:

• Drive buses of various sizes between a set destination and passengers' homes. Set destinations can include health clinics, adult day care centers, hotels, fairgrounds, airport terminals, and parking lots.
• Keep to time schedules and route assignments.
• Ensure clients have seat belts fastened properly and wheelchair brakes are locked.
• May lift luggage and personal belongings to and from the bus to help passengers.
• Use hydraulic lifts and own strength to safely help clients on and off bus and into buildings.
• Keep a daily log on passengers served.
• Do routine mechanical checks on the vehicle such as checking brakes, windshield wipers, hydraulic lifts, etc., as well as add gasoline or oil regularly.
• May use cellular phone or radio device to report interruption of service or request medical help.
• May do other duties such as custodial and building maintenance.

• Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to one signal (sound, light, picture, etc.) when it appears.
• Far and Near Vision - The ability to see things close at hand (such as signs) or at a distance.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react the way they do.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to effectively convey information.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Current laws limit driving time to a maximum of ten consecutive hours. Drivers who work a ten-hour shift may experience fatigue, particularly when driving in poor driving conditions. All Bus Drivers can be subject to occasional stress caused by disagreeable or disorderly passengers. Also, they may experience stress from long hours of driving combined with factors such as bad weather, heavy traffic conditions, time schedule commitments, and delays. Local Transit Drivers may be subject to injuries received from physical attacks, disorderly conduct among passengers, and robberies.

Most Inter-City and many local Transit Bus Drivers are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union. In large cities, Local Transit Bus Drivers sometimes belong to the Transport Workers Union of America. Some Drivers belong to the United Transportation Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The number of Bus Drivers in California is projected to grow slower than average compared with all occupations between the years 1998 and 2008. Between 1993 and 1998, the number of licensed Bus Drivers in California grew by nearly 11,000, about 51 percent in the five-year period.

Charter bus tourism and shuttle bus use are on the rise in California, mainly due to the aging population. This has caused the numbers of these types of Bus Drivers to increase in recent years.