BUS OPERATOR G121

Metra Transit Bus Operator

Columbus Consolidated Government

$21.57 Hourly

Columbus, GA

Full-Time Regular

Job Number : 2025-00000148

Major Duties and Responsibilities

This position is responsible for operating a METRA transit bus.

• Prepares the bus for safe operation : conducts pre-trip inspection and checks off daily safety prevention checklist for both interior and exterior of the bus.
• Boards and inspects passengers.
• Drives bus and maintains route schedule; monitors fare box, passes, and identifications for the purpose of assuring accurate fare amounts.
• Operates essential equipment.
• Assists passengers with disabilities; operates a wheelchair lift; secures wheelchairs and passengers; assists passengers in distress; notifies dispatcher of bus location and symptoms of passengers in distress.
• Perform duties required by the Office of Homeland Security, assisting customers in safe evacuation from the bus; observing, determining, and reporting activities, packages and substances that are suspicious or out-of-place; ability to use a common sense approach when faced with various emergency situations to ensure public / passenger safety and proper bus operation.
• Provides information and directional assistance.
• Accesses revenue readings for surveys; provides input on route adjustments.
• Operates a radio; reports accidents and emergency situations when en route; assists 911 by reporting inoperative traffic lights.
• Participates in random and mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
• Attends annual driver refresher training; attends courses in defensive driving as needed.
• Notifies dispatcher and obtains necessary repairs and maintenance work at each turn-around point; secures bus in case of accident or engine malfunction; directs traffic around bus as needed.
• Opens the Transfer Center daily; checks employees as they come in; issues buses; handles incoming calls; provides information about routes; manages bus schedules; prepares mileage reports and surveys; maintains a log of daily activities; prepares requests for charters; sells swipe cards; drives charters for special tours.
• Performs the duties of the supervisor in his or her absence and needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Educational and Training Requirements

Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the occupational field, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship / internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship / internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.

Physical Requirements

The work is typically performed while sitting for prolonged periods of time in a driver's seat and / or at a keyboard. The employee must have the ability to : lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds; push an occupied standard wheelchair with weight capacity per ADA standards (600 pounds); open emergency hatch on top of bus; manually lift bus ramp if needed; open emergency exit windows; walk around and inspect vehicle.

The work is typically performed in an office, library, computer room, or outdoors where the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, fumes, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, hot, cold or inclement weather.