Bus Driver Apprenticeship - Passenger Transport

Go-Ahead London

Sutton, SM1 1QJ

Closes on Wednesday 1 January

Posted on 7 November 2024

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Summary

Go-Ahead London is the leading operator and largest provider of bus passenger travel in London. Applying for the position of an Apprentice Bus Driver could be the start of your journey with a company that grows its business by encouraging and developing those who see this as a genuine career opportunity.

Annual wage
£31,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£500 bonus upon successful completion of Apprenticeship

Training course
Passenger transport driver - bus and coach or tram (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Sunday, working 5 out of 7 days. Shifts - starting and ending between 4.00am and 2.00pm - to be confirmed (approximately 8 hours a day). Working week starts on a Saturday - Rest days are not fixed.

38 hours a week

Possible start date

Thursday 2 January

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

100

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Initially, you will:

  • Drive a bus around London to a high standard
  • The processes and procedures required to deliver and maintain a reliable service
  • How to, and the importance of ensuring the vehicle you are driving is road worthy by carrying out daily pre-service and regular checks
  • Provide excellent customer service to passenger

Where you’ll work

Go-Ahead London Sutton Garage

Bushey Road

Sutton

SM1 1QJ

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

LONDON GENERAL TRANSPORT SERVICES LIMITED

Your training course

Passenger transport driver - bus and coach or tram (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents
  • Apply safe working practices and comply with current passenger carrying vehicles (PCV) driving regulations and legislation.
  • Comply with current company policies and procedures. 
  • Locate and access the vehicle.
  • Conduct pre-service route planning.
  • Pre-service vehicle checks, tests and documentation.
  • Check and maintain cleanliness of the vehicle.
  • Drive the vehicle applying defensive driving techniques, with consideration of efficiency for sustainability, environmental and economic factors.
  • Follow procedures to maximise punctuality of service.
  • Communicate with customers using automated, verbal or other methods regarding delays and interruptions to the service and timing.
  • Uses destination displays and signage.
  • Communicates with colleagues, internal and external stakeholders to supports the general operation of services.
  • Provide assistance for customers to safely embark and disembark the vehicle
  • Manage customer queries and complaints.
  • Make scheduled stops on route.
  • Monitor and respond to instrumentation, signals and instructions.
  • Identify and diagnose vehicle faults and failures to rectify issues within limits of own authority.
  • Prepare and submit documents, reports and logs containing performance, incident and technical information.
  • Changeover the vehicle or take a vehicle out of service.
  • Pass the responsibility to the control of others.
  • Record task information (text or data) - paper based or electronic. 
  • Identify, carry out and record industry related continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
  • Drive a bus or coach
  • Drive a tram.
  • Apply safe working practices and comply with current passenger carrying vehicles (PCV) driving regulations and legislation.
  • Comply with current company policies and procedures. 
  • Locate and access the vehicle.
  • Conduct pre-service route planning.
  • Pre-service vehicle checks, tests and documentation.
  • Check and maintain cleanliness of the vehicle.
  • Drive the vehicle applying defensive driving techniques, with consideration of efficiency for sustainability, environmental and economic factors.
  • Follow procedures to maximise punctuality of service.
  • Communicate with customers using automated, verbal or other methods regarding delays and interruptions to the service and timing.
  • Uses destination displays and signage.
  • Communicates with colleagues, internal and external stakeholders to supports the general operation of services.
  • Provide assistance for customers to safely embark and disembark the vehicle
  • Manage customer queries and complaints.
  • Make scheduled stops on route.
  • Monitor and respond to instrumentation, signals and instructions.
  • Identify and diagnose vehicle faults and failures to rectify issues within limits of own authority.
  • Prepare and submit documents, reports and logs containing performance, incident and technical information.
  • Changeover the vehicle or take a vehicle out of service.
  • Pass the responsibility to the control of others.
  • Record task information (text or data) - paper based or electronic. 
  • Identify, carry out and record industry related continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

Your training plan

  • Apprentices will gain a Level 2 (Intermediate) Passenger Transport Driver - Bus, Coach and Tram qualification upon successful completion of their apprenticeship. As well as a PCV (category D) licence and Driver CPC card
  • Functional Skills (if required)
  • Most of the training will be delivered in blocks, location to be confirmed

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English / Maths (grade Level 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Friendly
  • Willing to learn
  • Enjoy driving
  • Enjoy meeting people
  • Good communicator
  • Good timekeeping

Other requirements

You will need to be 18yrs or over to apply, must have held a full car (category B) driving licence for at least 6 months, and have no more than 6 penalty points. We have 17 locations across London.

About this company

Go-Ahead London (also known as London General Transport Service Limited) is the largest bus company in the capital, operating routes on behalf of TfL. We employ over 6,000 drivers operating approximately 2300 buses, from our 17 depots in South, North and East London. Our workforce rightly reflects the communities we serve.

https://www.goaheadlondon.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Once the apprentice is fully qualified, there are a range of roles within the company and wider industry for career progression. Some of these include but are not limited to:

  • Bus Controller
  • Route Controller
  • Mileage Clarks
  • Accident prevention managers
  • Senior Garage Administrators
  • Classroom Tutors

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LONDON GENERAL TRANSPORT SERVICES LIMITED

gal.apprenticeships.driving@goaheadlondon.com

02078195200

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000286318.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 1 January

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

To fast tract your application please select 'Find an apprenticeship website' when asked 'How did you hear about the job?'