The Work

As well as collecting fares, other functions carried out by the Bus Driver include:

• Maintaining documentation, i.e. passenger report forms
• Vehicle maintenance check list, operating tachography, where appropriate, and related documentation
• Customer information/complaints

In practical terms a bus company also expects a Bus Driver to keep radio contact with a control base. This is to keep drivers informed on essential information such as traffic and roadwork conditions. This also allows drivers security, especially on the late night services. Long distance Bus Drivers now have strict laws governing the hours drivers should work. Drivers on express routes are responsible for the loading and unloading of passengers' suitcases.

There are a number of types of bus driver including:

Intercity bus drivers who report to a station where their journey begins. They pick up passengers and transport then to another station where they will pick up more passengers for the return journey. They also pick up passengers at designated locations along the way.

• Urban Bus Drivers who transport passengers on short journeys around cities and suburbs.
• School Bus Drivers travel the same route every day collecting school children. They collect them from school in the evenings and return them to their homes.

Many airports and hotels run shuttle buses to transport customers to their required locations. There are also bus hire services where people can hire buses with a driver for periods of time.

Further Information

• Bus Driver - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Bus Driver - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Bus Driver - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

It is essential to be an experienced driver before becoming a Bus Driver.

Those in private industry must also have completed successfully a commercial vehicle driving course. Coach tour operators must have courier experience. There is a strict selection process for Dublin Bus.  
Bus Drivers will undergo driving courses for buses and coaches. Drivers will also take basic motor mechanical training. It is essential that all drivers have an understanding of transport legislation, basic law, Road Traffic Acts and EU transport regulations. Other skills that will be utilised are administration, record keeping and basic reporting skills.

Key Skill certs

-Garda vetting & security check may form part of the (CPC) cert of professional competency and application for D class bus driver license.  

-First Aid & Health & safety

Training & Development 

Traineeship Bus & coach driving search our FET coursefinder 

-Skills to compete & FET centre part time programs Bus driving & coach courses search our FET coursefinder 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €50k

Salaries vary depending on route from base, employer Semi private/ private, location, experience, Shift pattern, experience, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Talent/ Payscale/ Dublin Bus

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was negative for this occupation, with little change in employment levels since 2020. Most are employed as taxi drivers and bus and coach drivers; although employment levels remained unchanged for taxi drivers between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022, there was a fall in the number of persons employed as bus and coach drivers. At 43%, the share aged 55 years and older far exceeded the national average and may lead to an increase in replacement demand across the roles in the coming years. Issues with recruiting taxi drivers that occurred with the reopening of the economy post-COVID-19 appears to have eased somewhat; the data does not point to any evidence of shortages.

In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications, the National Transport Authority noted issues with retaining and recruiting bus drivers in a time of full employment. There have been advertising campaigns (e.g. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann) to recruit new bus drivers. As a result of issues with recruitment, a quota for 1,500 new permits for bus and coach drivers was added in December 2022 which has yet to be reflected in the data. The Skills for Growth data also indicates issues with filling vacancies for bus drivers (including for those with good communication skills). Despite the negative employment growth for this occupation overall, skills shortages have emerged for bus and coach drivers.

• Bus Atha Cliath - Dublin Bus

  • 59 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 873 4222
  • Click Here

• Iarnrod Eireann

  • Connolly Station, Dublin 1
  • Click Here