What Is a Bus Mechanic and How to Become One
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What Does a Bus Mechanic Do?
Bus mechanics perform routine maintenance and repairs on bus fleets, usually for school districts or citywide transportation departments. You need expert-level experience working with diesel engine buses to carry out your responsibilities successfully. In this role, your primary responsibilities include inspecting the engine, brakes, and other key components to ensure that they work properly; performing oil, filter, and fluid changes; repairing and changing tires; and ordering necessary replacement parts. You also make adjustments to improve the performance of each bus. Bus mechanics usually work full-time for a bus or mechanic garage, though many are available on-call nights and weekends for emergency repairs.
How to Become a Bus Mechanic
As a bus mechanic, it is your job to maintain and repair school buses, public buses, and private buses. Your duties include maintaining the brakes, steering, suspension, and engines of these vehicles, and providing repairs as needed. A career as a bus mechanic requires you to have a strong mechanical background. Most bus mechanics have multiple years of experience working on diesel and hybrid diesel-electric engines. You should have at least an associate degree in diesel mechanics or experience gained through a technical or vocational program. Additional qualifications include excellent technical skills and knowledge of all relevant tools and equipment.
