At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive buses, connect with your community, and provide essential transport services.
- Company: Join Arriva, a leading transport company dedicated to customer service and community support.
- Benefits: Earn £13.70 - £16.45 per hour, enjoy free bus travel for your family, and access an onsite gym.
- Other info: Full training provided, flexible shifts, and fantastic career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Become a vital part of your community and be one of the most thanked jobs in the UK!
- Qualifications: Must be 21+, have 6 months driving experience, and great people skills.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Start your bus driving career with Arriva at our Ashington depot, where you will be at the heart of your community! Whether it is getting commuters to work, helping customers with popping to the shops or getting children to school - we provide an important service in connecting our customers to what matters to them. As a Bus Driver, you will get to know the familiar faces on your routes, build relationships and even be the highlight of someone’s day. Did you know that Bus Drivers are one of the most thanked jobs in the UK? We are proud of our customer service and how we support our community - and we would love to have like-minded individuals as part of our team.
Pay Rate: £13.70 - £16.45 per hour
- Weekdays - £13.70 first 12 months, £14.00 between 12-24 months service and then £16.00 per hour
- Weekends - £14.15 first 12 months, £14.45 between 12-24 months service and then £16.45 per hour
- Bank Holiday - £30 bonus paid per shift
What’s in it for you?
- Full paid training where you will receive your PCV licence - you will go through our Arriva Training School and learn everything you need to know about being a Bus Driver. The training generally lasts approx. 4 weeks and will take place at our Ashington depot, before you then work with a mentor for a further few weeks.
- Ongoing CPC training.
- 28 days annual leave rising to 33 days.
- Onsite gym.
- Development and great career opportunities - whether that’s into management, support training, or as an expert driver.
- Working for an inclusive and diverse company that puts our customers at the heart of what we do.
- Access to the Mydrive app where you can win a £50 voucher monthly for the top 2 Bus Drivers in the area.
Hours of work and role:
A rotating shift pattern of 5 days in 7, published up to 6-8 weeks in advance so you can plan around shifts. Mornings starting from 04:00, Afternoons start from 12:00 and Evenings from 18:00 on a rotational basis. We cannot offer fixed early, afternoon or evenings separately. Overtime available at request/availability.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years of age for Ashington depot.
- Have been driving for a minimum of 6 months.
- No more than 6 points on your licence.
- Will need to undergo a drug and alcohol test before your assessment.
- Will need to pass an English comprehension test.
- Great people skills.
- Flexibility as your shifts will start as early as 4AM in the morning but will always work no later than 1AM depending on the time that you start.
Benefits:
- Fantastic career progression and training opportunities.
- Free to use staff bus operates a route around the Ashington area in the mornings and evenings to get drivers to and from work at those early start times and late finishes.
- Access to the 'Arriva Village', where you can take advantage of store discounts and offers.
- Free bus travel for you and your family (within the same household) if you do not need to use it then you can nominate someone else.
- An onsite gym at our Ashington depot.
- Arriva Workplace Pension.
- Enhanced rates of pay.
- Long service awards.
- Access to the Mydrive app and road safety scheme where you can get rewarded a £50 voucher monthly for being the top Arriva driver.
At Arriva we strive for inclusion and diversity, we are a community that brings everyone together, not just our passengers.
Trainee Bus Driver (Hiring Immediately) in Ashington employer: Arriva
Contact Detail:
Arriva Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Bus Driver (Hiring Immediately) in Ashington
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Arriva and their values. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a Bus Driver, you'll be interacting with all sorts of passengers. Try role-playing scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence and showcase your great people skills during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible! Highlight your willingness to work those early morning or late-night shifts. Arriva values flexibility, so showing that you're ready to adapt will make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Arriva team and starting your bus driving career with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Bus Driver (Hiring Immediately) in Ashington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for driving and helping others.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. Mention any relevant driving experience or customer service roles you've had!
Show Your Commitment: We love candidates who are eager to learn and grow. In your application, express your enthusiasm for the training opportunities we offer and how you see yourself developing in this role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity right away.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva
✨Know Your Routes
Familiarise yourself with the local area and key routes you might be driving. This shows your commitment to the role and helps you answer questions about customer service and community engagement.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Bus Driver, you'll be interacting with various passengers daily. Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past, highlighting your ability to handle different situations with a friendly attitude.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about safety procedures and handling emergencies. Brush up on your knowledge of road safety and be prepared to discuss how you would ensure the safety of your passengers.
✨Dress the Part
Even though it’s a practical job, first impressions matter! Dress smartly for your interview to show that you take the opportunity seriously and are ready to represent the company well.