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15 Transit Bus Driver Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various transit bus driver interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

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Common Transit Bus Driver Interview Questions

What made you want to become a transit bus driver?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the motivations of the transit bus driver. This is important because it can help the interviewer understand how committed the transit bus driver is to the job, and whether or not they are likely to stick around for the long haul.

Example: “I have always enjoyed driving and being around people, so becoming a transit bus driver was a natural fit for me. I love being able to help people get where they need to go and being a part of the community.”

How long have you been driving buses?

The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of the applicant's experience driving buses. This is important because it will help the interviewer determine if the applicant has the skills and experience necessary to do the job.

Example: “I've been driving buses for about 5 years now. I started out driving school buses, and then transitioned to transit buses about 3 years ago. I absolutely love my job - it's a lot of hard work but it's also very rewarding. I feel like I'm really making a difference in my community, and that's something that's very important to me.”

What do you like most about your job?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask a transit bus driver what they like most about their job. The first reason is to get to know the driver and to see if they are happy with their job. It is also important to see if the driver is satisfied with their work, as this can be a good indicator of how well they will do in the future. Finally, this question can also help the interviewer to understand what motivates the driver and what they are looking for in a job.

Example: “I love my job as a transit bus driver because it gives me the opportunity to meet new people every day and learn about their lives. I also enjoy the challenge of getting people to their destinations safely and on time.”

What's the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of being a transit bus driver is the long hours. It is important to be able to maintain a good level of concentration and focus while driving for long periods of time.

Example: “The most challenging part of my job is making sure that everyone on the bus is safe and comfortable. I have to be aware of everything that is happening around me at all times, and be able to react quickly if something happens.”

What's the best part of your day?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a transit bus driver about the best part of their day. First, it can give the interviewer some insight into what the driver enjoys about their job. Second, it can help the interviewer understand what motivates the driver and what makes them happy. Finally, it can help the interviewer identify any areas where the driver may need improvement.

Example: “The best part of my day is when I get to help people. Whether it's giving directions, helping someone with their bags, or just having a friendly conversation, I love knowing that I'm making a difference in someone's day. It's also great to see the city from behind the wheel of a bus and to get to know all of the regular riders on my route.”

What's the worst part of your day?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's level of customer service skills and ability to deal with the public. It is important for transit bus drivers to be able to handle difficult customer service situations calmly and professionally.

Example: “The worst part of my day is when I'm stuck in traffic. I hate sitting in traffic and it always seems to happen at the worst times. It's frustrating because I know there's nothing I can do about it. I just have to sit there and wait.”

How do you stay calm during traffic jams?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's ability to handle stressful situations. Traffic jams are a common source of stress for transit bus drivers, as they can cause delays and frustrate passengers. It is important for transit bus drivers to be able to stay calm during traffic jams so that they can maintain a positive attitude and keep their passengers comfortable.

Example: “When I'm stuck in traffic, I try to stay calm by listening to music, reading, or talking to other passengers. I also avoid honking my horn and getting angry at other drivers.”

What do you do when passengers are disruptive?

The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the Transit Bus Driver's customer service skills. It is important for Transit Bus Drivers to be able to handle disruptive passengers in a calm and professional manner.

Example: “There are a few things that a transit bus driver can do when passengers are disruptive. First, the driver can try to talk to the passenger and see if they can calm them down. If that doesn't work, the driver can ask another passenger to help calm the situation down. Finally, if all else fails, the driver can call the police.”

How do you handle difficult passengers?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask a transit bus driver how they handle difficult passengers. The interviewer wants to know if the driver is able to stay calm in difficult situations, if they are able to de-escalate situations, and if they are able to handle difficult passengers in a professional manner. This is important because it shows that the driver is able to maintain their composure in difficult situations, which is a necessary skill for a transit bus driver.

Example: “There are a few things that I do when handling difficult passengers. First, I try to stay calm and patient. I understand that some people may be having a bad day, so I try to be understanding. Secondly, I try to listen to what the person is saying and see if there is anything I can do to help them. Lastly, if the person is being rude or aggressive, I will politely ask them to stop and if they continue, I will ask them to leave the bus.”

What's your favorite route to drive?

It is important because it shows that the interviewer is interested in the driver's opinion on the best way to get around the city. It also shows that the interviewer is interested in the driver's opinion on traffic patterns and congestion.

Example: “There is no one specific route that I can say is my favorite to drive. I enjoy driving all of the routes that I am assigned to. Each route has its own unique challenges and rewards. I find that I get a great sense of satisfaction from successfully completing each trip and providing a safe and reliable service to our riders.”

What's your least favorite route to drive?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a transit bus driver about their least favorite route to drive. First, the interviewer wants to gauge the driver's level of experience and knowledge of the city. Second, the interviewer wants to see if the driver has a good attitude and is able to remain professional despite challenging circumstances. Finally, the interviewer wants to get a sense of the driver's customer service skills and abilities.

Example: “There really isn't a route that I don't like driving, however, if I had to choose one it would be the route that goes through downtown. It can be a bit congested at times and there are a lot of stops.”

What do you do when you have free time on your hands?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a transit bus driver about what they do in their free time. First, the interviewer may be trying to get a sense of the driver's interests and hobbies. This can be important because it can help the interviewer understand the driver's personality and whether they would be a good fit for the company. Second, the interviewer may be trying to gauge the driver's level of commitment to their job. If the driver has a lot of hobbies and interests outside of work, it may be difficult for them to commit to the long hours and early mornings that are often required for this job. Finally, the interviewer may be trying to assess the driver's ability to manage their time. If the driver has a lot of free time, they may be able to use that time to complete additional training or get more experience driving.

Example: “There are a few things that I like to do when I have some free time on my hands. One of those things is reading. I love to read books, magazines, and articles online. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s going for a walk, hike, or bike ride. And lastly, I really enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes.”

How do you stay up-to-date on traffic conditions?

The interviewer is asking this question to find out if the transit bus driver is familiar with the area in which they will be driving and if they are able to plan their route accordingly. This is important because it can impact the safety of the passengers on the bus.

Example: “There are a few different ways that I stay up-to-date on traffic conditions. I regularly check the traffic reports on the news, listen to the traffic reports on the radio, and use a GPS system to avoid any potential traffic problems. I also make sure to leave early for my appointments and errands so that I can allow for extra time in case there is traffic.”

What's your favorite thing about your job?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the Transit Bus Driver's level of satisfaction with their job. It is important to know if the Transit Bus Driver enjoys their job, as this can be a predictor of job performance and turnover.

Example: “There are many things that I enjoy about my job as a transit bus driver. I like being able to meet new people and help them get where they need to go. I also enjoy the flexibility of my job and the opportunity to see different parts of the city.”

What's the most challenging thing about your job?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a transit bus driver about the most challenging thing about their job. First, it can give the interviewer some insight into what the transit bus driver feels is the most difficult part of their job. This can help the interviewer understand what the transit bus driver is dealing with on a daily basis and what challenges they face. Additionally, this question can help the interviewer gauge the transit bus driver's level of experience and expertise. Finally, this question can help the interviewer determine if the transit bus driver is a good fit for the position.

Example: “The most challenging thing about my job is having to deal with difficult passengers. This can include passengers who are intoxicated, uncooperative, or become aggressive. It can be difficult to diffuse these situations without putting yourself or other passengers in danger.”

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