Reliable Bus Aide Job Description

A bus aide job description involves providing services and ensuring the safety of passengers on a bus. The aide can also perform the same or similar duties on ships, trains and other modes of mass transportation.

Position Description

Along with assisting passengers and handling safety issues a bus aide explains how equipment is used, answers travel-related questions and may even serve meals and beverages.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Bus Aide

• Greets passengers as they board and disembark.
• Announces stops and route changes.
• Facilitates seating arrangements.
• Collects passenger fares, boarding passes and transfers, and tears or punches tickets.
• Counts and verifies seat reservations.
• Records the number of passengers that board and disembark.
• Makes sure no passengers are left behind at rest stops.
• Assists with crying children.
• Responds to passengers’ needs and questions.
• Opens and closes doors for passengers.
• Assists children and adults with special needs.
• Secures wheelchairs and scooters into designated locations on the bus.
• Provides assistance to sick, injured or elderly passengers.
• Enforces all rules on the bus and seeks assistance with unruly passengers.
• Explains safety equipment, procedures and emergency evacuation processes.
• Performs regular safety checks of equipment and exits prior to trip departure.
• Signals for drivers to stop when a passenger is experiencing some kind of problem.
• Transports passenger baggage.
• Adjusts windows, shades and blinds according to passenger requests.
• Inspects dining areas and kitchens to ensure safe and sanitary conditions.
• Reports any bus driver traffic violations.
• Distributes magazines, headphones, pillows, blankets and other items to passengers.
• Cleans bathroom facilities and replenishes supplies.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have excellent customer service skills.
• Must be socially perceptive.
• Must be an active listener.
• Have superior communication skills, is articulate and can enunciate clearly.
• Have good reading and comprehension skills.
• Must have excellent critical thinking skills.
• Must be able to think clearly, react appropriately and remain calm in an emergency.
• Must have excellent dexterity and hand/eye coordination.
• Has the ability to make quick decisions.
• Must be a good time manager and multi-tasker.
• Must have superior complex problem solving skills.
• Possess good negotiation skills.
• Must have good math skills.

Education and Experience

• High School diploma.
• Associates degree in Psychology or Health.
• Knowledge of public safety and security rules.
• Certification in CPR and first aid techniques.
• Knowledge of rules of transportation.
• Fluency in Spanish or another foreign language.

Work Environment

• Must be able to travel and stay away from home overnight or for several nights.
• Must be willing to be at risk for exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.
• Must be willing to be exposed to communicable diseases due to close contact with the general public.
• Must be able to lift heavy objects and move disabled people.
• Must be able to perform frequent bending, kneeling and squatting.
• Must be willing to work nights and weekends.
• Must be able to function calmly in high stress situations.
• Must be able to cope effectively with disruptive passengers.

Salary

• Salaries range from $19,000 to $29,000 with the average salary being $22,000.
• Hourly wages range from $8 an hour to $14 an hour.