Public Transport Bus Driver

Purpose of the Job

To drive a Passenger Bus in a safe and professional manner, to the standards required, taking Customers along pre-determined routes to agreed time schedules. To issue tickets in respect of fares paid and ensure that all customers aboard their vehicle are in possession of a relevant ticket. To assist customers with enquiries and aid boarding for wheelchair-bound passengers where required.

Key Accountabilities

• To drive on pre-determined routes to the agreed timetable
• To control customer loading and ensure the legal capacities are not exceeded.
• To pick up and set down customers at bus stops with due care for their safety as they board and alight the bus.
• To stop for customers and company officials were indicated either at official bus stops by external signs or by request on ‘Hail and Ride’ sections of route only.
• To check vehicles for lost property and hand this to the appropriate staff member in accordance with company procedures.
• To ensure that the bus is roadworthy by doing a complete walk round check on the vehicle and completing the Vehicle Condition Report, in accordance with company training and procedures.
• To use the on-bus radio in a professional manner for the purpose of conveying information or seeking advice.
• To follow company procedures in the event of breakdowns, accidents and emergencies
• To be fully conversant with any company vehicle to be driven, once vehicle type training has been provided
• To set all destination blinds to ensure that the information displayed is correct and legible
• To input fare information into the electronic ticket machine, issue tickets, inspect and record passes including return tickets.
• To check the validity of travel cards, tickets and passes, and to withdraw those suspected as being invalid, in accordance with company procedures
• To treat customers in a courteous and professional manner, and be alert, careful, considerate and helpful always during the journey.
• To conform to all rules, regulations and company procedures
• To follow instructions of any company official.
• To use ramps as required to allow access/egress to the vehicle by disabled/elderly or mobility impaired customers.
• All driving staff must adhere to all the relevant health, safety, security & environment policies; and be familiar with all defined operational procedures, rules and requirements. When operating a bus, all drivers must have in his immediate possession his valid bus driver license and ID card, as well as his swipe card required to operate the vehicle.
• The driver on the bus has owner's rights and responsibilities and must be trained in First Aid. The driver must drive in an economic and safe way which enables environmental benefits such as fuel-saving driving.
• All driving staff must be familiar with public transportation in Bahrain, including means, lines, connections and tariffs. All drivers must treat passenger safety and comfort as a priority and maintain a focused friendly and service-oriented attitude. All drivers must be willing to undertake internal driving training.

Experience Knowledge & Qualification Required

• Must hold a clean driving license.
• Must have a clean GCC license
• Intermediate or secondary level education with either academic or vocational qualifications
• Aged 25+ with 5 years heavy driving experience (truck or bus)
• Experience of heavy driving with large vehicles, ideally buses
• Ability to work without close supervision
• Excellent people and communication skills with the ability to deal with people effectively and with ease
• Experience of delivering excellent customer service in a fast-paced working environment
• A proactive ‘want to help’ attitude
• Being polite, patient and flexible
• Having a smart appearance
• Being punctual
• Having strong spoken communication skills
• Having knowledge about mechanics and an interest and affinity for technology in a driving environment
• Being able to drive safely within legal limits
• Having geographical knowledge
• Being able to stay calm under difficult circumstances
• Having good interpersonal abilities
• All driving staff must be familiar with public transportation in Bahrain, including means, lines, connections and tariffs. All drivers must treat passenger safety and comfort as a priority and maintain a focused friendly and service-oriented attitude. All drivers must be willing to undertake internal driver training
• Good language skills – Arabic will be required, so will be advantageous to be already fluent; existing English language skills are desirable

Other specific requirements

• Applicant must have a fluency and competence in the Arabic or English languages to any required standard; and if they do not already speak Arabic or English at this level and it is required, must have the willingness and ability to learn the languages at a sufficient level
• Where the role and service demand it to meet the required levels of customer service; and in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain relating to prayer time, and company policy, employees must adopt a flexible approach to working hours
• Adherence to the company vision and values is imperative. The effective delivery of this public transport system will be grounded in the principle of providing excellence in service delivery to customers and all company employees will be expected to champion, role model and adhere to these principles in the course of their work. Employees must be knowledgeable of the integrated transport system, the vehicles, safety, the importance of reliability in performance and excellence in customer services to be able to deliver this full service

Health & Safety Responsibility

• Always keep safety at the front of the mind
• Always speak up and report unsafe incidents and near misses
• Only do something if it's safe
• To ensure compliance with any health and safety, road traffic, disability discrimination and all other Acts, Rules and Regulations which the company adheres to. This is applicable on both company premises and when driving a vehicle
• To work to the standards and working practices detailed within the Drivers Information Pack and Staff Handbook
• To carry out duties in a safe and efficient manner, embedding and living a culture of safety awareness and accident avoidance in all elements of the operation - from staff, to passengers, vehicles, workplaces and processes
• To handle vehicles and any other company equipment with due care and attention
• To maintain a smart and tidy personal appearance and wear company uniform, whilst on duty
• To always ensure the safety and comfort of customers
• To give assistance, advice and guidance to the public when requested
• To undertake Refresher training on an identified training needs basis and/or in accordance with development reviews
• To comply with health and safety instructions and directives issued by management
• Use the appropriate safety equipment properly
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment where applicable and report any loss
• Refrain from willful misuse or interference with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare
• Refrain from any action that might endanger themselves, other employees, customers or members of the public
• Ensure that all necessary safety precautions are taken and, if they are in a management or supervisory position, ensure that instructions are provided
• Report immediately any accidents, incidents or near misses to your line manager as soon as possible and always within 24 hours. This should include both personal injury and vehicle damage
• Attend and cooperate in any investigation following an incident as required. Knowledge of the need for training to enable effective accident investigation essential
• Cooperate with your employer in attending and actively participating in any health and safety related training courses as required
• Report immediately any hazard, faulty equipment or health and safety concern to your line manager and ensure action is taken to make the hazard safe e.g. fencing them off, using signs etc.
• Be aware of your personal security and the security of your vehicle or place of work
• To use the appropriate safety equipment properly
• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment where applicable and report any loss
• To refrain from willful misuse or interference with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare
• To refrain from any action that might endanger themselves, other employees, customers or members of the public
• To ensure that all necessary safety precautions are taken and, if they are in a management or supervisory position, ensure that instructions are provided
• To report immediately any accidents, incidents or near misses to your line manager as soon as possible and always within 24 hours. This should include both personal injury and vehicle damage
• To attend and cooperate in any investigation following an incident as required. Knowledge of the need for training to enable effective accident investigation essential
• To cooperate with your employer in attending and actively participating in any health and safety related training courses as required
• To report immediately any hazard, faulty equipment or health and safety concern to your line manager and ensure action is taken to make the hazard safe e.g. fencing them off, using signs etc.
• To be aware of your personal security and the security of your vehicle or place of work
• Comply with all company policies including the Safety and Environmental policy statements; and in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and company policy, adhere to the Drugs and Alcohol Policy
• To be aware of the fire and emergency arrangements for my location and each location visited
• To set an example by carrying out my duties in a safe manner and ensuring that I do not put myself or others at risk
• All driving staff must adhere to all the relevant health, safety, security & environment policies (including practical knowledge of First Aid) plus a knowledge of good driving behavior and fuel-saving driving; and be familiar with all defined operational procedures, rules and requirements. When operating a bus, all drivers must be wearing the correct uniform and have in his immediate possession a valid bus driver license and company ID; and when driving a bus, has owner’s right and can demand a passenger leave a bus where there are specified concerns re conduct. Drivers must act in a customer focused manner which includes making announcements
• Essential to have knowledge and ideally, experience of delivering health & safety inductions. Knowledge of manual handling and the risks essential

Personal Data Protection Responsibility

• Comply with all company policies including the Personal Data Protection and Data Privacy Policy
• Report All data breach to the DPO/ appropriate authority

You are expected to comply with this policy and the related policies, as well as the procedures that support those policies.