At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive buses and support customers on their journeys with a friendly approach.
- Company: Join Arriva, a leading transport provider focused on community and customer service.
- Benefits: Earn £12.71 – £17.87 per hour, enjoy free bus travel, and access discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy fully paid training and fantastic career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, have a UK driving license, and previous customer service experience.
£12.71 – £17.87 per hour Start your bus driving career with Arriva at our Gillingham depot, where customer service comes first, and people are at the heart of everything we do. This is much more than a driving role. As a Bus Driver, you’ll be a front-line ambassador for Arriva, supporting customers throughout their journeys and helping them feel safe, welcome, and valued. From assisting elderly passengers, reassuring nervous travellers, helping parents and children, to supporting customers with accessibility needs — your people skills will be just as important as your driving. If you have previous customer service experience (for example in retail, hospitality, care, or any customer-facing role) and enjoy helping others, this could be the perfect career change.
Why customer service matters in this role
- Greet customers warmly and professionally
- Answer questions and provide journey information
- Support passengers with additional needs
- Handle situations calmly and empathetically
- Create a positive experience, even when things don’t go to plan
Bus Drivers are one of the most thanked jobs in the UK — and that’s because of the human connection you build with your customers.
Pay Rate
£12.71 – £17.87 per hour
During training (first 4–6 weeks): £12.71 per hour
After training: Up to 9 months’ service: £12.71 per hour 9+ months’ service: £16.85 per hour | Overtime & Weekend: £17.87 per hour
What’s in it for you?
- Fully paid training to gain your PCV license — no previous bus driving experience needed
- Arriva Training School with expert instructors
- Ongoing mentoring and support once you’re out on the road
- Overtime opportunities, including bank holidays, paid at premium rates
- Ongoing CPC training
- Career development opportunities into management, training, or specialist driving roles
- Working for an inclusive, community-focused company where looking after customers is a shared responsibility
- Hours of work Rotating shift pattern: 5 days out of 7 Shifts published 6–8 weeks in advance Morning shifts from 04:00 Afternoon shifts from 12:00 Evening shifts from 18:00 Fixed shifts are not available Overtime available
What we’re looking for
- Aged 18 or over
- UK driving license held for at least 6 months
- No more than 6 penalty points
- Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test
- Ability to pass an English comprehension test
- Proven customer service experience is required
- A friendly, patient, and approachable manner
- Confidence communicating with a wide range of customers
- The ability to stay calm, polite, and professional in challenging situations
- Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Benefits
- Access to the Arriva Village — discounts and offers
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free bus travel for you and your household
- Arriva Workplace Pension
- Fantastic career progression opportunities
- Long service awards
- 20 days holiday plus bank holidays
At Arriva, we value diversity, inclusion, and the unique experiences our people bring. By putting customers first, we create better journeys, stronger communities, and a workplace where everyone belongs.
Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.
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Trainee Bus Driver in Gillingham employer: Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited
Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and community engagement. With flexible shifts, competitive pay starting at £16.85 per hour, and unique benefits like free bus travel for your household, this role not only provides meaningful work but also ample opportunities for career progression in the vibrant Tunbridge Wells area.
Contact Details:
Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Bus Driver in Gillingham
✨Get Hands-On with Logistics
Look for opportunities to volunteer or intern with local transport companies or logistics firms. This experience can give you real insights into the industry and make you much more attractive to Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited when applying for the Trainee Bus Driver position.
✨Join Transportation or Logistics Groups
Find and join online communities or forums focused on transportation and logistics. Engaging with industry professionals in places like LinkedIn or relevant Facebook groups can help you stay updated on industry trends and job openings at Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited.
✨Visit Career Fairs and Networking Events
Keep an eye out for career fairs specifically focused on transportation and logistics. Attending these events is a great way to meet potential employers like Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited and create a more personal connection that could land you that Trainee Bus Driver role.
✨Directly Apply on Our Website
Don't forget to head over to our website to apply for the Trainee Bus Driver role at Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited. It’s often the best way to ensure your application stands out, and you'll be engaging directly with our hiring team.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:In the transportation and logistics field, having great organisational skills is key. Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience, like managing schedules or coordinating deliveries. If you've handled logistics in a volunteer role or a part-time gig, shout about it!
Show Your Willingness to Learn:As a trainee, we want to see your excitement about learning and growing in this space. When writing your cover letter, talk about why you're passionate about transportation and logistics, and how you hope to develop your skills with us at Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited in this role.
Use Industry-Specific Language:When crafting your application, sprinkle in some industry-specific jargon that shows you're familiar with the world of logistics. Terms like 'supply chain management', 'route optimisation', or 'inventory control' will help demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the field.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Make sure to adapt your CV specifically for this trainee position. Focus on your educational background relevant to logistics, any pertinent coursework, and highlight any practical experience, even if it’s just coursework projects. Let’s make your application stand out to Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited
✨Get to Grips with Logistics Basics
As a trainee in transportation and logistics, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the basics, like supply chain principles and inventory management. Brush up on these topics and be ready to discuss them, as they might pop up in scenarios during the interview with Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Logistics relies heavily on strong organisational abilities. Be prepared to share examples of how you've handled multiple tasks or managed deadlines in the past. It could be anything from a project at uni to volunteering—showing your potential through experiences can really impress the interviewers.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Industry Tools
Make sure you're familiar with commonly used logistics software or tools like TMS (Transportation Management Systems) or warehouse management solutions. If you’ve used any related tech during your studies or internships, be ready to talk about your experience. It shows you're actively engaged and ready to hit the ground running at Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited.
✨Express Your Eagerness to Learn
As a trainee, your willingness to learn will be just as important as what you already know. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for the transportation-logistics field and your desire to absorb knowledge and skills from those around you. It's all about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but a valuable learning opportunity at Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited.
