At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive buses and connect your community while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Arriva, a diverse company dedicated to community support.
- Benefits: Earn £13.05 - £15.84 per hour, with free travel for you and your family.
- Other info: Enjoy flexible shifts and access to exclusive discounts and rewards.
- Why this job: Start your driving career with full training and great progression opportunities.
- Qualifications: Must be over 18, have driving experience, and great people skills.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Start your bus driving career with Arriva at our Durham 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.
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: £13.05 - £15.84 per hour
- Weekdays - £13.05 first 6 months, £13.47 between 6-18 months service and then £15.54 per hour
- Weekends - £13.35 first 6 months, £13.77 between 6-18 months service and then £15.84 per hour
- Bank Holiday - £40 bonus paid per shift
Pay Rate Increase from 28th of June 2026: £13.70 - £16.00 per hour
- £13.70 first 6 months
- £14.00 between 6-18 months service and then
- £16.00 per hour after
- Bank Holiday - £40 bonus paid per shift
Training: 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 Stockton depot, before you then work with a mentor for a further few weeks.
Ongoing CPC training.
28 days annual leave rising to 33 days.
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, and what a responsibility for you to be transporting our precious cargo ensuring they get to their destinations.
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 around 05:00, 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 over 18 years of age.
- 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 Durham area in the mornings and evenings to get drivers to and from work at those early start times and late finishes.
- A shuttle service to get you from the depot to the City Centre bus station.
- 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.
- 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 in North East employer: Arrivatc
CrossCountry is an exceptional employer, offering Train Managers at Bristol Temple Meads a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same. With benefits like free unlimited train travel, a competitive salary that increases post-training, and a strong focus on employee development and safety, you will be part of a supportive team dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service while enjoying a fulfilling career in the rail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Bus Driver in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Arriva. Understand their values and community focus. This will help you connect with them during your chat and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a bus driver, you'll be interacting with all sorts of passengers. Try role-playing common scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence and communication skills before the big day.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible and ready to adapt! The job involves a rotating shift pattern, so make sure you’re prepared to discuss your availability. Showing that you can handle different shifts will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and keen to join the Arriva family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Bus Driver in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for becoming a bus driver shine through! We want to see that you care about connecting with the community and providing great service.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that match what we're looking for, like customer service or teamwork. We love seeing how you can fit into our Arriva family!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you'd be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the info you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arrivatc
✨Know Your Routes
Familiarise yourself with the local area and key routes that the bus service covers. This shows your commitment to the role and helps you answer questions about how you'd handle different driving scenarios.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a bus driver, you'll be interacting with a variety of passengers daily. Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past, whether it's resolving issues or simply being friendly and approachable.
✨Be Ready for Flexibility
Understand that the role requires flexibility with shift patterns. Be prepared to discuss how you can adapt to early starts and late finishes, and maybe even share experiences where you've successfully managed a changing schedule.
✨Safety First!
Brush up on road safety regulations and the importance of adhering to them. You might be asked about how you would ensure passenger safety, so having a solid understanding of safety protocols will impress your interviewers.
