Trainee PCV Bus Driver

Blackpool Transport Services Limited; Blackpool; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading transport operator in the UK as a Trainee Bus Driver! This exciting role offers comprehensive training to help you become a professional bus driver while providing excellent customer service. With a focus on safety and community engagement, you will be part of a team that connects people through sustainable public transport. Enjoy a competitive salary starting at £23,500, with opportunities for overtime and a generous benefits package including 28 days of holiday, free travel, and a supportive work environment. If you’re passionate about driving and serving the community, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Benefits

28 days holiday per year

Free travel on bus and tram services

Paid PCV Medicals

Employee care programme

Learning and Development opportunities

Smart uniform

Recruit a friend scheme

BTS bus driver of the year scheme

Qualifications

• Must be 18+, have a full UK driving licence, and be customer service-oriented.
• Experience in a customer-focused role is essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure passenger safety and comfort while driving.
• Provide high-quality customer service and handle cash transactions.
• Complete vehicle checks and report any issues.

Skills

Customer Service

Verbal Communication

Numeracy Skills

Problem Solving

Health & Safety Awareness

Education

High School Education

Tools

Bus Driving Skills

Cash Handling Skills

Job description

Overview

Come and join Blackpool and the Fylde’s #1 Bus Company!

Are you ready to embark on an exciting new career journey? We're seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team as Trainee Bus Drivers! If you're passionate about providing excellent customer service, love the open road, and have always dreamed of being behind the wheel of a bus, this opportunity is for you.

Don’t worry if you have never driven anything bigger than a car, you will be paid to learn how to drive a bus by one of our highly qualified Training Team. They will teach you all you need to know on how to become a professional bus driver and customer service champion.

What we need from you

• You must be 18+ years of age (this is a legal requirement)
• Driven regularly for at least 12 months.
• Proof of right to work in the UK.
• A full UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points.
• A drive for quality customer service
• A passion for safe and courteous driving on our open roads

Why us

Blackpool Transport are a leading transport operator in the UK, operating Blackpool’s network of buses and modern light-rail trams. We are on a mission to connect people, businesses, and communities to a better future – through sustainable public transport.

We don’t sit still and our vision to be the most reliable and sustainable mode of travel on the Fylde Coast. We’ll soon introduce the first ever electric bus to Blackpool and have exciting plans to redevelop our historic depot on Rigby Road.

Whilst we have ambitious commercial objectives, we’re proud to be a key part of the communities that we serve and work closely with our stakeholders, partners and customers to deliver a high-quality bus and tram service.

What we offer:

• Your basic salary is £23,500pa, rising to over £27,000 after 12 months. (Pro Rata, working 37 hours per week on the main roster)
• Overtime is often available.
• Full positions available
• A modern and well-maintained fleet of buses

A generous benefits package includes:

• 28 days’ holiday per year rising annually to 33 days after 5 years, inclusive of 8 public holidays.
• 'Recruit a friend' scheme.
• Free travel on all our bus and tram services (with additional passes available for a few of your nearest and dearest)
• An extensive training and development programme to ensure that you are one of the best qualified drivers on our roads and can provide an amazing customer experience.
• Learning and Development opportunities.
• Paid PCV Medicals
• A BTS bus driver of the year scheme, with some great prizes and a chance to represent the company in the national competition.
• Enrolment into the Blackpool Transport pension scheme and access to pension advice if needed.
• Work/life assistance 24 hours a day through Unum LifeWorks
• An employee care programme for help and advice when you need it.
• Exclusive Discounts
• A smart, top-quality uniform

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The biggest priority for all of our bus drivers is to keep everyone safe, using your skills, knowledge and training which will be delivered within your first few weeks as an employee. You'll positively promote the Company’s image and reputation and safeguard the company’s revenue. As you'll imagine, we have a requirement to comply with all legislative requirements of the role and adhere to company policies and procedures.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure all vehicle checks are completed in line with the Company procedures and any faults found are reported.
• Ensure the safety and comfort of your passengers whilst boarding, travelling and alighting.
• Control the boarding, alighting and conduct of customers.
• Provide a high standard of customer service at all times.
• Be polite and helpful to customers. Treat them with respect and show patience when required.
• Drive the Company’s vehicles in a safe, legal and professional way.
• Maintain operating schedules without compromising safety and ensure that you are at the correct take over point at designated time.
• Implement accident report procedures when required.
• Complete and submit appropriate report forms when required.
• Be familiar with vehicle equipment and its use.
• Issue tickets in line with Company agreed procedures and safeguard the Company’s revenue.
• Operate the paying in system correctly and account for all money received and paid in.
• Understand how to deal with customers with disabilities and treat appropriately.
• Give advice about the Company Services.
• Acquire knowledge of the passes recognised by the Company and deal with customers accordingly.
• Keep up to date with any changes to condition of travel, ticket types, fares or promotions by reading notices and briefings from managers.
• Ensure that vehicles display the correct destination information.
• Be alert and courteous at all times.
• Take action in the case of customer illness.
• Be smart and presentable whilst on duty, compliant with company dress code.
• Safeguard lost property and follow the lost property procedure.
• Carry out any other duties which may reasonably be requested by the inspectorate or members of the management team.
• Keep up to date with road closures, diversions or special events which may affect bus services. This is done by reading notices and listening to the on-bus radio.

Qualifications

Person Specification

Requirement

Essential/Desirable (E or D)

How Assessed (s) – used for short listing

• Education/Qualifications/Knowledge
  • High school educated
  • Valid current UK (or acceptable other) drivers licence
  • Knowledge of geographical operating area
  • Understanding of what good customer service is
• Experience
  • Experience of working in a customer focused role
  • Experience of handling cash
  • Professional driving experience
• Aptitudes and Skills
  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Good numeracy and literacy skills
  • Aware of the importance of Health & Safety procedures
  • Ability to drive a vehicle to a competent and safe standard
  • Able to work unsupervised
• Personal Attributes
  • Be a good team player
  • Able to solve problems quickly and decisively.
  • Flexible approach to working hours.