Salary : $50,044.80 - $55,848.00 Annually
Location : Administration Building, 530 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-09
Department: Operations
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Description/Distinguishing Features
Salary Range: $23.14-$25.82
Metro is looking for a full-time Coach Operator (bus driver) to connect people to jobs, healthcare, education and social activities. As a Coach Operator, you would provide our community with the freedom and convenience of reliable, safe transportation.
Offering Excellent Benefits
- Paid training
- Assistance with obtaining CDL
- Paid Holidays
- Annual Leave
- Union benefits
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Uniform allowance
- Freedom of being out in the community year round
- Serving passengers who live and work in the community
Metro is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer and strives to provide a culturally diverse workforce. Metro does not discriminate in employment or services on the basis of race, creed, color, origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
This position is classified as safety-sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing, under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Be available to operate transit buses on pre-assigned shifts.
- Operate a transit bus and support vehicles safely, courteously, and efficiently
- Maintain an established schedule along a designated route
- Promote positive guest relations; greet passengers in a tactful and courteous manner, assist guest with boarding, seating, questions, and related matters
- Collect fares and transport passengers on public transit buses
- Maintain knowledge about all routes, transfer points, and fare
- Perform a complete pre-trip inspection of the bus, safety checks on equipment, and informs maintenance when adjustments or repairs are necessary, at completion of assignment
- Reference and implement route maps, time schedules, and instructions for pull-outs, pull-ins, and detours
- Provide information to passengers concerning transit routes, city street locations, time schedules, public buildings and various points of interest; announce streets and transfer points
- Operate wheelchair ramp and assist passengers with disabilities in boarding, riding, and alighting in a safe manner, which may include pushing a wheelchair up and down the ramp
- Secure all mobility devices in accordance with established safety policies and procedures and clearly communicate the action being taken
- Receives and transmits two-way radio messages involving accidents, emergencies, or bus related matters
- Report on hazardous or dangerous conditions along bus routes and at passenger loading zones
- Maintain an acceptable driving record and comply with all state and local regulations, along with Metro Transit policies and procedures
- Complete any reports as necessary or requested by management
- Collect patronage and revenue data as assigned
- Instruct operator trainees in proper driving habits, proper methods of loading passengers and other policies and procedures of the transit system.
- Care for and turn in lost and found articles
The position will function under the general supervision of the Director of Fixed Route Operations and/or Supervisor(s) of Operations and under the direct supervision of the Operations Supervisor(s).
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or equivalent preferred
- Customer Service experience preferred
- Stable work history
- History good attendance and punctuality
- Minimum age of 18
- Minimum 2 years of driving history
- Oral and written communication skills
- Interpersonal and customer relations skills
Ability to:
- Obtain and maintain a Class B Permit/License with endorsements
- Learn and explain standard transit operating practices and procedures
- Learn and practice safety rules and procedures required in the transportation of guests
- Learn bus routes, schedules, street and locations with Metro Transit's service area
- Obtain and maintain a Class B Permit/License with endorsements
- Tactfully maintain order among passengers
- Be flexible in handling changes
- Understand and follow written and oral instructions
- Work patiently with and demonstrate sensitivity to the elderly and those with disabilities
- Resolve customer complaints courteously and tactfully
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other employees and the public
- Be flexible to work varied shifts including days, nights, split shifts, and weekends
- Exercise sound judgement in stressful situations within scope of responsibilities
Your established driving history must be clear of the following:
- Any suspensions within the past 36 months
- Any six-point violations within the past 24 months
- Any OWI convictions within the past 24 months
NOTE: In order to be prepared and successful in the recruitment process, interested applicants are urged to visit the Michigan DMW website to obtain study guides and prepare for the Class B permit exams. Please click this link to go to the DMW Study Guide: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/resources/forms/michigan-cdl-manual
WORK CONDITIONS
Normal working conditions for this position are working with regular exposure to odors or fumes, working on slippery or uneven surfaces, exposure to moving machinery and/or vehicles, exposure to outdoor weather including extreme heat, cold, dampness and/or humidity, extensive safety training, work irregular hours, split shifts, weekend and work after designated regular hours in case of special assignments or emergencies.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to sit for long periods of time, operate a radio or other telecommunication device and communicate through the medium, stand, bend or twist at the neck, waist and/or knees, push and/or pull, moderate lifting or carrying 26-50 pounds, drive and/or operate heavy equipment, use equipment requiring high hand and finger dexterity, operate foot pedals, and communicate through speech in the English language required.
The benefits for this position are negotiated between the Central County Transit Authority and the Amalgamated Transit Unit (ATU).
01
I understand and agree that all communication related to this application will be made using the email address used to apply for the position.
02
Are you a U.S. Citizen or possess legal documentation authorizing you to work in the U.S?
03
Do you have a current and valid Michigan State driver's license?
04
Please indicate the type of valid Michigan State driver license you possess.
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
- Operators
- Unknown
05
Please list any license endorsements you possess. If this does not apply, enter "N/A".
06
Have you had a valid driver license for a minimum of 2 years?
07
Coach Operators will have to work day, evening, weekend, and/or split shifts. Are you willing to work any or all of these shifts?
08
New Coach Operators will fill in where needed, meaning the Coach Operator will find out by 1pm what the schedule is for the following day. Are you willing to work an adaptable schedule, like described?
09
Were you referred to us by a current employee? If yes, provide the employee's first and last name. If this does not apply, enter "N/A".
10
Have you ever been discharged, asked, or forced to resign from any job? If yes, give name and address of company and explain the circumstances.
11
May we contact your current employer?
12
Describe your customer service experience and what customer service means to you.
13
What does empathy mean to you?
14
Coach Operators are required to assist wheelchair bound passengers with entering and exiting the bus, operating lifts and ramps, and securing the wheelchair during transportation. Are you willing to provide this customer service?
15
Coach Operators may encounter situations where bodily fluids are involved, such as blood, vomit, urine, etc. How would you go about handling these situations with professionalism, dignity, and respect?
16
How do you handle a customer that is unwilling to listen or change their demands?
17
What do you enjoy about serving people or working in public service?
18
What qualities make you a good candidate for this position?
Required Question
