At UTA, it’s our business to transport people, thousands of people every day to hundreds of places along the Wasatch Front. And even though we’ve grown to over eighteen hundred employees since our start in 1970, we still feel like a company family.
Driving a bus is a very rewarding career for many people, but it’s not for everyone. As you consider becoming a bus operator we suggest that you obtain a DVD from the UTA offices, view the video with your family and discuss the requirements of the job and the impacts it may have on your personal and family life.
Thank you for your interest in joining Utah Transit Authority as a bus operator. We’d like to give you a preview of what a day in the life of a bus operator is like, to show you the benefits of working for UTA, the realities of the job, and some of the challenges you’ll face as a UTA bus operator. Meet Sam:
Hi, my name is Sam. I have just started my job with UTA as an extra board operator. I have completed the 6 weeks of training and have been driving on the extra board for about six months now. The training department taught me what I need to know to operate the bus safely, to feel comfortable with driving various routes, and what I need to know about the Department of Transportation rules and UTA’s policies. They also taught me how to handle different situations with customers.
All of UTA’s operators start out on what’s called the extra board. This is a group of drivers available to drive routes for senior (regular) drivers who may be on vacation, taking personal days off or are out sick or covering other pieces of work that don’t fit into a regular schedule. While I am on the extra board I can expect to do different work every day. I’ll work 5 days a week, with unusual hours that change from day to day. I expect to be on the extra board for 2 to 4 years before I can bid for a regular route.
Today is Tuesday and today is an early day for me because I need to have my bus out on the street during the times when people are commuting. Most days I’ll work a split shift. This is because we need to have more buses out during the times when people are commuting the most. The first part of my day will usually start early in the morning and I’ll work a few hours and the second part later in the afternoon. I know when I get up in the morning I need to be on time because people are depending on me. UTA has a strict punctuality policy. If I am more than a minute late, another extra board operator will be given my work, I will not be paid and what’s called a miss out will reflect on my history. I know how important it is to be on time because people are relying on me to take them to work, school, appointments and other places. It is important to them to be on time too.
I start out my day right by getting enough sleep the night before. I know that I need to get enough sleep to be a safe driver. I feel confident in my ability to do a good job. My uniform is pressed and I look very professional.
After I do my pre-check of my bus, I head out on the road. I know there are many situations I must be able to handle while out on the road such as maneuvering a cumbersome vehicle, staying on route, keeping on time, answering customers’ questions, dealing with customer concerns, being courteous, avoiding collisions and keeping cool all at the same time.
Once I’ve completed my morning split, I head to lunch with my wife. Today I have 3 hours before my afternoon split and we’re planning to use that time to have lunch and play some miniature golf. We like to get together during the times I have off.
After I have completed my afternoon shift, I am done for today. I know I did a great job today. I kept the bus on time, I helped a customer answer a question about a route and kept everyone on the bus safe. I head back to the garage where I’ll complete my post-check on my bus and get my schedule for the next day. It feels good to know I am able to contribute to a higher quality of life for people in this community. I know driving a bus is a rewarding career for me, but it’s not for everyone. I am responsible for my own work, I get to see different parts of the city everyday and meet all kinds of interesting people. I know there are a lot of challenges everyday but I get a lot of satisfaction in knowing I did my best. For many people being a bus operator is a very rewarding career and UTA is a great organization with a bright future. If you enjoy driving, want excellent benefits and are up to the challenge, click on the link below to get to the careers page and get started on your application: Apply Now
I hope to see you behind the wheel of a UTA bus soon!