Adelaide Bus Driver Careers

[DHB]

I'm looking at making a career change and becoming a bus driver. I understand that I would need to obtain LP Accreditation and an HR Licence before applying to work at Torrens Transit. I also was told that I'd need at least a year's experience of heavy vehicle driving first. Does anyone know the prospects of being taken on after that?

I also need to work out the viability of a bus driving career and how it would fit in with my family commitments. Does anyone have information regarding hours and shift patterns as well as rates of pay and annual leave entitlement?

[Adelaide Hills DD]

Shifts are generally split into 3 different types. Split shifts (Morning then Afternoon runs) - Day runs (generally Late morning to early afternoon runs) and then Night runs (Evening to late night)

If I have missed anything just add to this (I just based that info on Hills runs)

[Lt. Commander Data]

Split shifts are also known as Broken shifts, a few runs in the morning then a few in the afternoon.

[The Phonj]

Providing that you meet the experience and licencing requirements, and pass a practical driving test in an articulated bus, then you would stand in good stead of obtaining a position.

There are two main types of shifts; straights and brokens. Broken shifts can start from first bus, but must finish by 1930. These shifts have a large break in them, of up to five hours. Straight shifts can be sub-categorised into AM, intermediate and PM shifts. AM shifts can start from first bus and the last will generally sign on at about 0800. The latest I've seen an AM shift sign off is about 1800. Intermediate and PM shifts (they're generally considered together) avoid the morning peak hour, signing on between about 1000 and 1600, finishing after the PM peak, from about 1900 to last bus. Drivers will generally be placed onto an "AM" (consisting of AM straight and broken shifts) or "PM" roster (incorporating intermediate and PM shifts) subject to their preferences and availability of space on that roster.

As a full time driver (FT3), you would be expected to work any five days out of the seven day week (including weekends), and have the opportunity to pick up overtime on a rostered day off.

For details of pay and annual leave entitlements, and further details on shift and rostering provisions, I would suggest referring to the Industrial Agreement currently in place, which can be found at the Fair Work Commission's website at https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/docume ... 405362.pdf (direct link).

It may be worth your while catching a few Torrens Transit buses and speaking to the drivers if you're interested in pursuing the career opportunity.

[DHB]

Thank you all for the information, it's exactly what I was after. As far as experience requirements go is a year's HR driving compulsory?

[The Phonj]

I think so - it may pay to give them a call during the week to clarify the matter.

[DHB]

As far as obtaining an HR Licence goes there's a few different companies in Adelaide that offer training. Would anyone be able to recommend one in particular?