Bus Operator G121 Metra Transit

Columbus Consolidated Government; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Consolidated Government is seeking a Transit Bus Operator to safely operate a METRA transit bus and support passengers along designated routes. You will perform pre-trip inspections, monitor fare collections, and ensure passenger safety throughout the trip.

The role requires efficient route navigation, adherence to schedules, and collaboration with dispatchers. Experience with wheelchair lifts and procedures is a plus. High school diploma and valid CDL preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid CDL is preferred.
• Strong safety awareness and defensive driving skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-trip inspections and ensure interior and exterior safety.
• Board and assist passengers, including those with disabilities.
• Drive bus, maintain route schedule, and monitor fare collection for accuracy.
• Operating essential equipment and communicating with dispatcher and passengers.

Skills

Safe driving

Customer service

Communication skills

Independent work

First aid knowledge

Education

Valid CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

Tools

Radio equipment

Wheelchair lift

Job description

This position is responsible for operating a METRA transit bus.

• Prepares the bus for safe operation: conducts pre-trip inspection and checks off daily safety prevention checklist for both interior and exterior of the bus.
• Boards and inspects passengers.
• Drives bus and maintains route schedule; monitors fare box, passes, and identifications for the purpose of assuring accurate fare amounts.
• Operates essential equipment.
• Assists passengers with disabilities; operates a wheelchair lift; secures wheelchairs and passengers; assists passengers in distress; notifies dispatcher of bus location and symptoms of passengers in distress.
• Perform duties required by the Office of Homeland Security, assisting customers in safe evacuation from the bus; observing, determining, and reporting activities, packages and substances that are suspicious or out-of-place; ability to use a common sense approach when faced with various emergency situations to ensure public/passenger safety and proper bus operation.
• Provides information and directional assistance.
• Accesses revenue readings for surveys; provides input on route adjustments.
• Operates a radio; reports accidents and emergency situations when en route; assists 911 by reporting inoperative traffic lights.
• Participates in random and mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
• Attends annual driver refresher training; attends courses in defensive driving as needed.
• Notifies dispatcher and obtains necessary repairs and maintenance work at each turn-around point; secures bus in case of accident or engine malfunction; directs traffic around bus as needed.
• Opens the Transfer Center daily; checks employees as they come in; issues buses; handles incoming calls; provides information about routes; manages bus schedules; prepares mileage reports and surveys; maintains a log of daily activities; prepares requests for charters; sells swipe cards; drives charters for special tours.
• Performs the duties of the supervisor in his or her absence and needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices involved in operating assigned automotive equipment.
• Knowledge of first aid techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of city streets and bus routes.
• Knowledge of traffic rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Skill in the safe operation of assigned automotive and other equipment.
• Skill in the operation of standard office equipment.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to assist customers using patience and understanding.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the occupational field, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Must possess a valid Commercial; Driver's License. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

The work is typically performed while sitting for prolonged periods of time in a driver's seat and/or at a keyboard. The employee must have the ability to: lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds; push an occupied standard wheelchair with weight capacity per ADA standards (600 pounds); open emergency hatch on top of bus; manually lift bus ramp if needed; open emergency exit windows; walk around and inspect vehicle. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Manual Dexterity – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

The work is typically performed in an office, library, computer room, or outdoors where the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, fumes, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, hot, cold or inclement weather.