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First Transit Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

About the Mechanic Position As a Mechanic with First Student, you will help maintain and repair transit vans and medium duty trucks to ensure safety and reliability. Mechanic key responsibilities ...

About the Mechanic Position As a Mechanic with First Student, you will help maintain and repair transit vans and medium duty trucks to ensure safety and reliability. Mechanic key responsibilities ...

About the Mechanic Position As a Mechanic with First Student, you will help maintain and repair transit vans and medium duty trucks to ensure safety and reliability. Mechanic key responsibilities ...

About the Mechanic Position As a Mechanic with First Student, you will help maintain and repair transit vans and medium duty trucks to ensure safety and reliability. Mechanic key responsibilities ...

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First Transit information

See Michigan salary details

$11

$17

$27

How much do first transit jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for first transit in Michigan is $17.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.47 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is First Transit?

First Transit is a leading provider of public transportation contracting and management services in North America. They operate and manage bus, shuttle, paratransit, and other transit services for cities, universities, airports, and private organizations. Their services include everything from daily operations to maintenance, staffing, and route planning. First Transit aims to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient transportation solutions tailored to each client's needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a First Transit bus driver, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Transit Bus Driver, you need a valid commercial driver's license (CDL), a clean driving record, and knowledge of traffic laws and safety regulations. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, fare collection technology, and vehicle inspection procedures is typically required. Excellent customer service skills, patience, and strong communication abilities help drivers interact effectively with passengers and handle stressful situations. These competencies are crucial for ensuring passenger safety, providing reliable service, and maintaining the company's reputation.

What are some common challenges faced by bus operators at First Transit and how are they supported in overcoming them?

Bus operators at First Transit often face challenges such as navigating heavy traffic, maintaining schedules, and ensuring passenger safety under varying conditions. To help address these challenges, First Transit provides comprehensive training, ongoing support from dispatch and management, and regular safety briefings. Operators also collaborate closely with maintenance teams to ensure vehicle reliability and with customer service staff to address passenger concerns. This supportive environment helps operators manage stress and deliver reliable service.

What is the difference between First Transit vs Bus Driver?

AspectFirst TransitBus Driver
Required CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), passenger endorsementCDL, passenger endorsement
Work EnvironmentPublic transportation, fixed routes, urban/suburban areasPublic transit vehicles, routes vary by employer
Employer & Industry UsageTransit agencies, private contractorsTransit agencies, private companies
Common Search/ComparisonFirst Transit vs Bus Driver

Bus Drivers are the frontline employees operating transit vehicles for companies like First Transit. While First Transit is a major employer providing transit services, Bus Drivers are the roles they hire for. Both require similar credentials, such as a CDL with passenger endorsement, and work in public transportation environments. The main difference is that First Transit is an employer, whereas Bus Driver is a job title within their operations.

What are popular job titles related to First Transit jobs in Michigan?

For First Transit jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various First Transit job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,858 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Transit Vehicle Technician (Bus Mechanic)

The Rapid

Grand Rapids, MI โ€ข On-site

$38.38/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 16 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Inspect, diagnose, repair, and perform routine maintenance on transit vehicles including brake systems, fuel and emission systems, steering and suspension systems, and passenger heating/cooling systems.

  • Use hand tools, power tools, hoists, hydraulic jacks, and perform tasks such as vehicle chassis alignments, emission repairs, and minor fabrication work.

  • Perform service calls on vehicles and maintain electronic repair records.


Job description

The Rapid is looking for a Transit Vehicle Technician (Bus Mechanic) - 3rd Shift to join our team!

As a Transit Fleet Maintenance Technician, you'll be part of the team that keeps our community moving. You will use your mechanical expertise to inspect, maintain, and repair a variety of vehicles-from light trucks to full-size transit buses. This role is essential to ensuring that buses are safe, reliable, and ready to serve passengers every day. If you enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, and making an impact behind the scenes, this is a great opportunity to put your skills to work.

What will you be doing as a Vehicle Mechanic:

  • Use hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, precision instruments, HVAC recovery equipment, as well as power tools.
  • Maintains and creates records and work history within electronic repair orders.
  • Inspect, diagnose, repair, replace brake systems, fuel and emission systems, steering and suspensions systems, passenger heating/cooling systems to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
  • Use of hoists, hydraulic jacks to raise equipment for inspection and repair.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance inspections and procedures such as changing oil and filters, lubricating steering, suspension and brake components, battery maintenance, and compressed natural gas inspections.
  • Vehicle chassis alignments.
  • Replace, repair, and perform routine maintenance on internal combustion engines to include gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuel in addition to transmissions and differential units.
  • Repair and adjust seats, doors, and windows, interior and exterior trim and hardware.
  • Emission related diagnosis and repairs.
  • Minor fabrication, welding, grinding, and soldering.
  • Performs service calls on vehicles and equipment.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

To be successful as a Vehicle Mechanic you will need:

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • One or more years of vocation or technical schooling or equivalent work experience (example: transit mechanic, diesel mechanic, heavy equipment technician)
  • Ability to obtain Michigan Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B with Passenger and Airbrake Endorsement
    • The Rapid provides paid training during work hours. Training occurs on first shift for approximately 90 days
  • Possess a valid Michigan Driver's license with less than 4 points and have not had a suspended licenses in the preceding 36 months. Points greater than 4 will automatically disqualify the applicant from consideration.
  • Meet and maintain all Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination requirements including drug and alcohol screening
  • Basic computer skills with the ability to learn new programs as required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Posture: Prolonged standing, short walking, various trunk positions have to be maintained for prolonged periods while performing repairs; sitting only during bus inspections and break periods. Requires normal trunk mobility, bending of knees, cervical mobility, full shoulder mobility, normal elbow/wrist/hand mobility.

Force Required: Occasional to frequent lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying materials weighing up to 85 pounds. Repetitions: Tasks are occurring throughout the workday in repair of buses.

Employee is required to perform job duties in accordance with existing health and safety procedures and policies.

Here's what you can look forward to as a valued member of our team:

  • Competitive Pay Range: $31.72 per hour, with potential earnings up $38.38 per hour (This rate includes the $1 shift premium). Pay range is dependent on experience and ASE or State Certifications.
  • Third Shift
    • Training occurs on first shift for approximately 90 days
  • Health Benefits - medical, dental, and vision insurance options are available the first of the month after hire.
  • Retirement Contribution - 457 retirement plan after 90 days of service, with a potential 6.5% employer contribution.
  • Life Insurance and Short-term Disability - $20,000 in life insurance and short-term disability are provided by The Rapid.
  • Wellbeing and Fitness - We provide an employee assistance program. You can enjoy our onsite fitness center and gym membership reimbursement.
  • Explore your community - Your employee badge is your ticket (and your eligible dependents) to riding The Rapid for FREE!

The Rapid is an EEO Employer. Minorities, veterans, and women are encouraged to apply. The Rapid is committed to employing people with disabilities and making reasonable accommodations for them. Let our recruiter know if you need an adjustment at any point during the application/interview process.