Bus Operations Graduate

Arriva UK Bus Limited; Sefton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring programme

Graduate network across Arriva

Structured learning

Job summary

Arriva UK Bus Limited offers a Bus Operations Graduate Programme designed to give you hands-on exposure to how our large-scale operations are planned, delivered and improved. You will rotate across key areas such as service delivery, depot operations, and network performance, while being integrated into a supportive graduate network.

The two-year programme includes mentoring, leadership development, and exposure to senior leaders, helping you build a foundation for a career in operational

Qualifications

• Completed or expected to complete a degree (2:1 preferred; strong 2:2 considered).
• Right to work in the UK permanently.
• Availability to join the programme in September 2027.
• Willingness to travel as part of the programme.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience across Arriva's bus operations (service delivery, depot operations, network performance).
• Contribute to the delivery of a safe, reliable, and sustainable service.
• Analyse performance information and support operational improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver excellent customer service.

Skills

Curiosity

Drive

Ownership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Customer service mindset

Team collaboration

Education

Degree (2:1 preferred)

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Every day, millions of people rely on transport to access the people, places and opportunities that matter most. At Arriva, we're shaping the future of passenger transport and investing in the people who will help lead it. We are one of Europe's leading passenger transport partners, helping people get to work, education, healthcare, family and the moments that matter. Operating across 11 countries, with around 35,000 colleagues and more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year, we're a business with the scale to make a difference and the ambition to keep moving forward. Through our Graduate Programme, we're looking for talented graduates who are curious, motivated to learn and ready to grow their careers with us. If you're ready to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

The Graduate Opportunity

As a Bus Operations Graduate, you'll gain hands‑on experience of the people, processes and decisions that keep our bus services running safely, reliably and efficiently every day. Public transport plays a vital role in connecting people to the places and opportunities that matter most. Through this role, you'll develop an understanding of how a large‑scale transport operation works, gaining experience across different areas of our bus business and contributing to the delivery of services that make a difference to local communities. Throughout the programme, you'll gain exposure to a range of operational activities and teams, which may include service delivery, depot operations, network performance, customer experience, safety, engineering and workforce planning. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues to understand how operational decisions are made and how different parts of the business work together to deliver a safe, reliable and sustainable service. You'll have opportunities to contribute to operational improvement initiatives, analyse performance information, solve day‑to‑day challenges and support activities that help improve outcomes for our customers, colleagues and the wider business. By the end of the programme, you'll have developed a broad understanding of Arriva's bus operations and built a strong foundation for a future career within operational management.

Location

This role will be based within one of our three business areas: Arriva North & Wales, Arriva South, or Arriva London. To give you an idea of where you may be located during the programme, our graduates are typically based from key operational sites such as Aintree, Doxford Park (Sunderland), Wakefield Bus Station, Thurmaston (Leicester), Luton, and either Lacon House or Finsbury Park in London, although exact locations may vary depending on business requirements. The role will provide hands‑on experience across our operations. During operational placements, you’ll be required to work on site five days a week.

What We’re Looking For

We’re not expecting you to have all the answers. We're looking for graduates with curiosity, drive and the confidence to keep learning. People who take ownership, build positive relationships and want to make a meaningful contribution from day one. What matters most is your potential. We're looking for people who are eager to learn, motivated to grow and ready to develop their Arriva Graduate EDGE.

About You

• Enjoy working with and supporting people
• Are curious about how large-scale operations are planned, delivered and improved
• Enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions
• Can balance competing priorities and remain calm under pressure
• Have strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Enjoy analysing information and using insights to support decision-making
• Are interested in delivering excellent customer service
• Enjoy working collaboratively with different teams and stakeholders
• Are motivated to take ownership and make a positive contribution from day one
• Want to contribute to the future of public transport
• Are interested in working in an international environment and collaborating with colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds
• Are comfortable using AI tools to enhance productivity, generate insights, improve problem‑solving and identify new ways of working

The Graduate Programme

Alongside your role, you'll be part of our two‑year graduate development programme, benefiting from structured learning, mentoring, exposure to senior leaders and a connected graduate network across Arriva. The breadth of experience gained throughout the programme will help you explore different career pathways and build a strong foundation for your future career. You'll have opportunities to develop your operational, commercial and leadership capabilities while gaining valuable experience across different areas of the business.

Eligibility Requirements

• To be on track to achieve, or have already achieved, a degree (2:1 preferred, with strong 2:2 applications considered)
• The right to work in the UK permanently
• Availability to join the programme in September 2027
• Willingness to travel where required as part of the programme

The closing date for applications is close of play Friday 27 November 2026.

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike‑sharing systems, on‑demand transport solutions and a rolling‑stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling‑stock leasing company in Romania.

Thanks for your interest in working on our team!!

Our expansion is opening up exciting prospects! As our team grows, we’re on the lookout for the brightest talent to join us. Our ongoing success hinges on this! We’re grateful for your consideration to become a part of our dynamic team!