Trainee Bus Driver - EASTBOURNE

Stagecoach Group plc; Eastbourne; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading transport provider in Eastbourne seeks friendly and safety-conscious Bus Drivers. The role includes gaining a PCV licence through a paid apprenticeship, providing excellent customer service, and fostering a welcoming environment. A full UK driving licence is required, along with a positive attitude and commitment to training.

Benefits

Training costs covered

Competitive hourly rate

Career progression opportunities

Pension benefits

Discounts for employees

Free travel for you and a companion

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old with a valid driving licence.
• Willingness to learn and be part of a team.
• Positive and friendly attitude.

Responsibilities

• Drive the fleet safely and smoothly.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Complete required training and secure PCV licence.

Skills

Customer service

Safe driving

Teamwork

Education

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Salary

£15.47 per hour (£31,373 per annum) following training and 3 month qualifying period.

Looking for a job with real purpose? 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 Eastbourne depot.

No experience driving a bus? No problem! We’ll pay you to train whilst we invest significantly in your training. You’ll gain your PCV licence as part of our Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship, which will equip you with everything you need to not only succeed but flourish on the road. The apprenticeship gives you a structured training programme and an externally recognised qualification, with no impact on your role, pay or hours. 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.

Our working environment

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 and your family’s health and wellbeing.

Our Eastbourne Depot

At our Eastbourne Depot, we operate a fleet of 55 buses covering the area of Eastbourne and as far as Hastings and Tunbridge Wells, with a team of 165 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. Ready to get behind the wheel? Let’s go!

Why choose Stagecoach?

• We’ll cover all your training costs, so you earn while you learn
• Gain a Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship, with structured training and an externally recognised qualification
• Competitive hourly rate of £15.47 following training and a 3 month qualifying period, plus plenty of opportunities for overtime.
• Great career opportunities growing into leadership or training roles across the company
• A permanent, stable career in a respected market leading organisation with a great future focussed on sustainable, clean energy vehicles
• Our benefits including pension, 20 days holiday (plus 8 Bank Holidays), free travel for you and a companion, 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 which form part of gaining your Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship
• Driving our fantastic fleet safely, smoothly with confidence
• Making sure every single customer 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 shifts, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Our first bus leaves the depot at around 05:00 with the last bus coming back in after midnight, so you will need to be able to commit to this on a rota basis.

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 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

Ready to take the driver’s seat?

Click apply now to start your Stagecoach journey today. We can’t wait to welcome you on board!

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.

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 Eastbourne Depot Birch Road, Eastbourne East Sussex BN23 6PD