Bus Operator

RTD - Regional Transportation District of Denver, CO (RTD); United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

RTD is seeking a Bus Operator to safely operate transit buses on routine and special routes, ensuring courteous service and adherence to all laws. You will perform pre-trip inspections, assist passengers, and provide clear information using the automated stop announcements system.

The role requires high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to work non-traditional hours, including weekends and nights. Starting pay is competitive for the Denver area.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of work demonstrating readiness for the Bus Operator role.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with the public.
• Must be able to work non-traditional hours, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Operate transit bus in revenue and non-revenue service in compliance with RTD policies and traffic laws.
• Provide courteous customer service and information to passengers.
• Perform pre-trip inspections and report maintenance needs.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

2 years relevant work experience

Job description

About RTD

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections! When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community. RTD provides public transportation services in an eight-county region centered in Denver, Colorado. As a public agency, employees are dedicated to serving the public and providing for the transportation needs of over 3.1 million area residents as well as visitors to the region. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand-responsive services, vanpools, and more. The agency’s dedicated workforce epitomizes RTD’s mission of making lives better through connections. In 2024, the system had more than 65 million boardings, a number that has seen year-over-year increases since 2020. RTD employs over 3,100 people and has an operating budget of $1.5 billion. Together, RTD employees work hard to keep this region moving day and night.

Benefits

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits (RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

Job Summary

This position involves all duties and responsibilities associated with transit vehicle operation. Duties include carrying out those functions pertaining to the safe, courteous, and efficient operation of assigned transit vehicles on routine and/or special service routes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, employing defensive driving techniques, maintaining professional courtesy while under stress, making public address announcements, properly answering questions and solving transit-related concerns of passengers, and exercising prudent judgment under a variety of constantly changing operating conditions. This is a safety sensitive position subject to the rules and regulations of the RTD Drug and Alcohol Policy.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Essential: Operates transit bus in revenue and non-revenue service while in strict compliance with RTD policies, directives, and procedures and all Federal and Colorado state traffic laws and regulations. This includes using proper defensive driving techniques.
• Conducts self in an appropriate manner as a representative of RTD, working effectively in a diverse work environment, using prudent judgment at all times, performing duties in a safe manner, and assuring professional quality of services to all external and internal customers.
• Maintains working knowledge of streets, current bus routes and stops within the District as well as RTD's current fare structure and bus pass programs.
• Maintains current knowledge of and adherence to all RTD operating policies, directives, and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge of and is in strict compliance with Federal and Colorado traffic laws and regulations as well as Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations.
• Performs RTD pre-trip inspection of transit bus for mechanical problems prior to beginning scheduled run. This includes conducting an external/internal visual inspection of the transit bus and pre-testing all necessary equipment, operating/safety devices, and transit bus controls for use while in service.
• Also conducts an internal visual inspection at the end of revenue service to collect and turn-in lost items.
• Completes accident and incident reports accurately and legibly as necessary at the end of scheduled shifts.
• Completes farebox, passenger, and bus maintenance defect reports and maintenance repair orders as necessary upon completion of scheduled shifts.
• Provides customer service information in a courteous, professional manner. This includes operating the automated stop announcements system and/or stating stop and public information announcements over the public address system, and properly answering questions and solving transit-related concerns of passengers.
• Stocks the on-board bus schedule racks with appropriate bus schedules and RTD approved brochures, issues official information fliers and surveys as required.
• Operates farebox, inspects various bus passes, and distributes and collects bus transfer slips in a professional, courteous manner. Also records and maintains passenger counts as necessary.
• Complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in operating the transit bus. This includes providing accessibility for disabled passengers to board and de-board by properly operating the accessibility lift and safely securing such passengers in a courteous manner, announcing designated stops, and pre-testing all passenger accessibility lifts and equipment during pre-trip inspections.
• OTHER: All job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two (2) years of work that demonstrates readiness for the Bus Operator role which may include: Commercial driving experience transporting people or goods and/or Experience working with the public in roles requiring interpersonal communication and problem-solving, demonstrating the ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Relevant experience may be gained in industries such as Retail and Hospitality; Healthcare and Caregiving; Community and Social Services; Military and Public Safety; Education; or Transportation, Logistics, and Delivery.
• Substitution - An additional two years of experience as detailed above can serve as a substitute for the High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least nineteen (19) years of age.
• Must have possessed a valid driver's license continually for the past 2 years.
• No DUI, DWI, and reckless driving in the past 5 years.
• Must maintain an acceptable driving record as determined by RTD. This includes, but not limited to disqualifying CDL violations, DUI, DWAI, reckless or careless driving, etc. Points and or violations obtained in either an RTD or personal vehicle count toward this requirement.
• Ability to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination by obtaining a DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate for a minimum of a one (1) year qualifying period and then maintain a current DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate thereafter.
• Ability to pass a RTD required Physical Ability Assessment (PAA) related to the physical requirements of the essential functions of the job.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a current valid Colorado Commercial Driver's License with an air brake and passenger endorsement (Class B-P).
• Ability to successfully complete the Bus Operator Training Program, which includes achieving the required minimum scores on all written and driving tests and evaluations.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Ability to tell time and keep a timely schedule.
• Ability to meet satisfactory attendance, which includes the ability to report to work in a punctual manner.
• Ability to read and understand maps and time tables, which includes determining directions and following a mapped-out route.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, split shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.
• Demonstrated physical ability to climb stairs, reach above shoulder level, walk for an extended distance, bend, stoop, lift, and push/pull up to 50 pounds without assistance as well as sit for an extended length of time.
• Ability to work in an environment with dust, fumes, exhaust, various noise levels, various temperatures, and chemicals for an extended length of time as well as in various outdoor weather conditions as required.
• Ability to perform various physical duties to successfully complete job responsibilities. These can include, but are not limited to, boarding and de-boarding transit buses, operating the disabled passenger accessibility lift, properly securing disabled passengers, properly operating all transit bus controls and operating devices, and loading and unloading passenger baggage as required. May be required to install tire chains in inclement weather to ensure safe operation of the transit bus.
• OR An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Key Competencies & Characteristics

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse workforce.
• Ability to work and maintain professional composure while under stress and pressure.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, while interacting with customers and RTD staff in a courteous, professional manner. This includes providing good customer service by attending to the needs of a diverse customer base in a sensitive manner.
• Ability to use prudent judgment and common sense in making quick, safe decisions with minimal supervision and adapt to constantly changing operating environments.
• Knowledge of and the ability to use standard defensive driving techniques.

Work Environment

Works in a dynamic, public-facing transit environment and is responsible for safely operating revenue vehicles, with regular exposure to changing traffic, weather, road, and passenger conditions. Must maintain continuous awareness of surroundings, traffic patterns, pedestrians, cyclists, and hazards. May encounter congestion, construction zones, and unpredictable road conditions. Schedules include early morning, evening, weekends, holidays, split shifts, and non-traditional hours. Interact frequently with passengers, coworkers, supervisors, and the public. May be exposed to vibration, vehicle noise, temperature changes, inclement weather, vehicle exhaust, dust, and other operating conditions. Requires prolonged sitting, frequent use of hands and feet, and sustained visual and auditory attention.

Career Map

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Supervisor.

Pay Range

Pay Range: $28.89 - $34.67 Hourly

EEO Policy & ADA Accommodations

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [e-mail], or the Talent Acquisition team [e-mail]. To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. RTD participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.