Trainee Bus Driver - Ballater

121 Bluebird Buses Limited; Ballater; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

28 days holiday

Free travel for you and a companion

Training paid to PCV licence

Job summary

Stagecoach Ballater Depot is seeking friendly, safety-conscious individuals to join our team as trainee bus drivers. You’ll be paid to train and our PCV licence costs are covered, with a typical annualised salary around £31,950 and weekly earnings of £614 before overtime.

Based at Ballater Depot, full UK driving licence required and a great attitude to learning is essential. We offer extensive training, development opportunities, and a supportive, inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service attitude and communication skills.
• Safe driving mindset with focus on passenger welfare.
• Willingness to learn and complete PCV licence training.
• Good teamwork and reliability in a busy transport environment.

Responsibilities

• Complete industry-leading training and obtain PCV licence.
• Drive our fleet safely and confidently, ensuring passenger safety.
• Deliver high-quality customer service and a welcoming experience for all.
• Support colleagues and contribute to a positive depot culture.
• Work flexible shifts, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Skills

Customer service orientation

Safety-conscious

Willingness to learn

Team player

Job description

Salary

Salary Weekly earnings of £614* with opportunities for overtime. Typical annualised salary of £31,950* *Based on working 42 hours / week Weekly earnings of £614* with opportunities for overtime. Typical annualised salary of £31,950*

• Your new career starts here at Stagecoach, no experience needed
• Earn while you learn, we provide fully paid training to help you gain your PCV licence
• Based at our Ballater Depot, located at Pannanich Road, Ballater.
• Pay rate during training of £14.63 per hour (training will last 6 – 8 weeks)
• Normal working week is 39 hours
• Annualised earnings of £31,950*
• Shift patterns of 5 over 7 *based on working 42 hours per week

Looking for a job with real purpose? A career that moves you forward?

A career that moves you forward? At Stagecoach, we don’t just offer jobs; we offer careers. Our drivers are the heartbeat of our communities, connecting people to work, school, friends, and family. And now, we’re looking for more friendly, safety-conscious people to join our team at our Ballater depot. No experience driving a bus? No problem! We’ll pay you to train, cover the cost of your PCV licence, and equip you with everything you need to not only succeed but flourish on the road. All we ask for is a great attitude to learning, a genuine desire to make a positive difference to people’s daily lives, a passion for exceptional customer experience and a full UK driving licence.

We offer a welcoming and inclusive work environment across Stagecoach, where colleagues support each other, and managers are committed to creating great places to work. We also have a wide range of employee networks to ensure everyone feels valued and included, along with a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to support your health and wellbeing.

Our Ballater Depot At our Ballater depot, we operate a fleet of over 48 buses covering the areas of Ballater and Shire with a great team of Drivers. This isn’t just about driving a bus—it’s about making a difference every day. You’ll be a friendly face in someone’s day, offering a warm welcome, answering questions, and helping people feel safe and supported on their journey.

Why choose Stagecoach?

• We’ll cover all your training costs, so you earn while you learn
• Competitive hourly rates, plus opportunities for overtime
• Great career opportunities growing into roles such as Inspector, Controller, Instructor alongside leadership and cross functional openings across the UK
• A permanent, stable career in a respected organisation with a great future focussed on sustainable, clean energy vehicles
• Our benefits including pension, 28 days holiday, free travel for you and a companion and a wide range of discounts

What will you be doing?

• Completing our industry leading training, securing your PCV licence followed by ongoing CPC training and professional development
• Driving our fantastic fleet safely, smoothly with confidence
• Making sure every single passenger has a great journey
• Delivering top-notch customer service, helping people of all ages and backgrounds
• Creating a welcoming environment where customers feel respected, cared for, and looked after, especially those who rely on us most
• Working flexible shifts, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends

What do you need to apply?

• You need to be 18 years old and hold a driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
• Right to work in the UK (You will need to have been in the UK for a minimum of 183 days as a part of DVLA requirement)
• A patient, safe and courteous approach to driving
• Being the face of Stagecoach, a positive, friendly attitude and a passion for delivering great customer service
• A willingness to learn and be part of a brilliant team
• Our recruitment process is simple; a short application (around 3 – 4 minutes), followed by an interview assessing your experience & behaviours

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation or age. We also live by our five values across Stagecoach; We plan for the future, We do the right thing, We are stronger together, We are down to earth and We support communities.

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation or age. Location: Stagecoach Ballater Depot, Pannanich Road, Ballater AB35 5PA

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, or age. Location: Stagecoach Ballater Depot Pannanich Road Ballater AB35 5PA

Founded in 1980, Stagecoach has established itself as the UK’s largest transport operator, with services connecting more than 100 major towns and cities in England, Scotland, and Wales. We work with our partners to deliver a greener, smarter, safer, healthier, and fairer country. Providing extensive expertise in commercial and contracted markets, we assist national and regional government to deliver on ambitious plans for their citizens, communities, and local economy. Our team of 26,000 employees are proud to serve our customers and be an integral part of their local communities.