this post was submitted on 15 May 2025
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Introductions
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It's not a race:
You will be told its not a race by the training department, but you'll be driving on streets where carbrains think its a race. Virtually every car will zoot past you, perceive your bus as an inconvenience, only for you and that car to wind up at the same red light. Even some truck drivers will look at you with scourn (Even though we're both commercial vehicle drivers- especially box trucks)I find car brains more harder to handle than the passengers themselves. I've already had two hit and runs. Be prepared to get cut off and screamed at by these carbrains.
Not only are you going to encounter automobile hazards, but you will encounter cyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrians I feel cant really perceive how fast your bus is going and will dart across the street assuming you're moving less than 10mph.
You will make contact:
The more you drive, the more likely you're going to hit something. I've already smashed a mirror into a tree and swiped the bumper of a dodge pickup, so contact and accidents are inevitable. Try not to do it while on probationary period as the punishments are a bit more harsh during that time. But even during probationary, its more reasonable and cost effective to retrain you than fire you.
The benefits:
I am not going to lie, its the best job I have ever had. Not only is the work stable and meaningful, but the benefits are absolutely stellar. Designer glasses with transitional lenses for only 10 bucks. No copay for exams and only 5 dollars for prescriptions and I finally get to start gender affirming care! I've never had healthcare this verbose, and the agency will pay your healthcare benefits to make sure you're healthy and happy to drive.
Not only is the healthcare stellar but so is the retirement plan. Depending on the agency you work for- you may get a pension plan from the union, a 457b (similar to a 401k) from the agency (and assuming you're in California) a state pension. You wont be paying into social security anymore, but any job you had up until the bus operator role will ensure you get a payout from them as well.
Also you get free bus rides! Just show the driver your work badge!
Every year the union will renew the contract which will mean a pay raise, in addition to that the agency may have a pay scale where ops get a raise after a certain number of months or years before they reach "top pay" and believe me, it will bankroll your life.
Final thoughts (I broke hexbear with my wall of text):
Overall being a bus op is just another job, but its a job that can last a lifetime. Its stable, checks dont bounce, benefits are stellar, and serving the community (at least for me) gives me meaning. I used to work in IT for companies that were in bed with military contractors or made useless doohickeys. It was a stable career until it wasn't. In the never ending chase for profits, silicon valley techbros will enthusiastically torture their workers until the very end and lay them off. Thankfully I got out before I was subject to the layoff part of their gamut of torture. The best part about having that CDL is even if you dont find bus driving fulfulling, having that will open the door to other jobs that are just as impactful to the community and stable (garbage trucks, towing et al).
I'd say consider becoming a bus operator! It has its easy and hard days but I'm confident you'll love it! and uhh
once again, welcome back to Hexbear