FOR a career that’s really going places why not consider being a bus driver?

As passengers return to bus travel following the pandemic there is a real need for drivers and First Bus is offering competitive salaries and incentives in a mass recruitment drive.

Becoming a bus driver is not just for people who have experience. It’s a career open to people who may not have considered it before.

Recent new starts have included people from the retail, hospitality and social care industries who have all successfully made the transition to becoming a bus driver.

First Bus drivers can earn up to £32,000 per year with overtime and there are both full time and part time positions available. 

The importance of being able to connect with others was made starkly apparent during the pandemic and bus travel is one of the ways communities can connect, pointed out Paul Clark, Head of Operations at First Glasgow.

“Being a bus driver is helping people to do that so being a driver with us is more than just about driving – it is about being happy to talk to people and engage in some fun conversation with our customers, connecting people and getting entire communities moving in a congested world,” said Paul Clark.

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“It is a challenge but also very rewarding and we give all the support you need.We are looking for people who are safe drivers, reliable, calm under pressure, good communicators and get on well with people.  

Clark added: “Our aim is to provide a reliable service around the clock to enable the people of Glasgow to go around their daily lives, so we are keen to speak to people who are able to operate outside of the nine to five. 

“The role of bus in society is growing and we need more people to drive the change alongside our continued investment in zero emission electric vehicles, Tap On Tap Off payment technology. There is no cash handling and we’re continuing to take steps towards transitioning to a cashless operation.”

STATE-OF-THE-ART FLEET
THE vehicles are modern with WiFi on board and with many also offering USB charging points

Anyone with a full driving licence with no more than three penalty points can apply and those who do not already hold a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence will be put through their training. They will start on £11 per hour while drivers who hold a PCV licence will start on £12 per hour. 

There are full time positions of 38 hours per week and part time positions of up to 25 hours per week at First Bus’s depots in Scotstoun, Blantyre, Overton, Dumbarton and Glasgow city centre.

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New recruits are automatically enrolled into the company pension scheme which includes life insurance and there are employee shares, save and reward schemes, paid annual leave plus public holidays. 

A smart uniform is provided and there are excellent social and leisure facilities, including a gym in four of the depots. 

There is also unlimited bus travel for drivers and their family members as well as discounted rail travel with First Bus’s partner train companies Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway and the TransPennine Express. 

This means, for example, that drivers can travel by rail from Edinburgh or Glasgow to London for £6. 

In addition, First Bus offer free continuous development towards the renewal of the driver qualification card and there are flexible working options for part time drivers. 

To see an example of how rosters and shifts would be set out in the role, please email glasgowrecruitment@firstbus.co.uk or see www.firstbus.co.uk