Job description Operator, Urban Transit in the Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River Region

Find out what work is like for an operator, urban transit in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301).

Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators

Description

Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators drive buses and operate streetcars, subway trains and light rail transit vehicles to transport passengers on established routes. Bus drivers are employed by urban transit systems, school boards or transportation authorities and private transportation companies. Streetcar, subway and light rail transit operators are employed by urban transit systems.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Bus drivers and streetcar operators
  • Drive buses or streetcars to transport passengers along established routes to local destinations
  • Drive buses to transport passengers and goods to intercity or long distance destinations
  • Drive sightseeing tour buses to transport passengers locally or over long distances
  • Drive buses equipped for wheelchair accessibility, and aid passengers in boarding
  • Provide passengers with information on fares, schedules and stops
  • Collect fares, issue and validate transfers, check bus passes and record transactions
  • Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of vehicle
  • Communicate with passengers, dispatchers or other drivers using two-way radio systems
  • Report delays, mechanical problems and accidents
  • May provide information on points of interest during sightseeing tours
  • May load and unload passengers' luggage and express freight.
  • School bus drivers
  • Drive school buses to transport children between school and home or on excursions
  • Ensure children's safety when boarding and leaving buses and crossing street while bus is stopped
  • Maintain control of student activities during travel to prevent distractions or behaviours that could compromise safety
  • May transport adults outside of school hours on chartered trips.
  • Subway train and light rail transit operators
  • Operate subway or rail transit vehicles as part of two-person crew
  • Observe signals at crossings and arrival and departure points
  • Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors
  • Report delays, malfunctions and accidents to control unit
  • Ensure passenger safety and welfare in emergencies, and direct passengers during evacuation procedures.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 73301), and a list of similar occupations:

  • bus driver
  • bus operator
  • light rail transit operator
  • motor coach driver
  • public passenger transit driver
  • school bus driver
  • sightseeing tour driver
  • streetcar operator
  • subway train operator
  • transit operator - transportation

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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