SERVICE INDUSTRIES
BUS AND
COACH DRIVERS
JOB PROSPECTS
At a glance
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INCOME
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FEES
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JOB PROSPECTS
The number of bus and coach driving jobs has increased strongly over
the past several years, due to greater use of public transport. There is
a high turnover of bus drivers and many in this occupation are nearing
retirement, which means more jobs will open up in coming years.
As the cost of entry is relatively low and bus driving does not require
post-school qualifications, it offers good prospects for people without
strong academic backgrounds, although drivers must have held a car
driver’s licence for at least two years.
Due to licencing requirements, generally the youngest someone can
enter the sector is 20.
ƔƔ How to become a bus driver
To become a bus driver you do not need a specific qualification,
but you do need to hold the correct vehicle licence. The requirements for licensing are set out by the New Zealand Transport
Agency (NZTA).
Cost of study
National Certificate in Passenger Services (Level 2 or 3)
$1090 over one year
→→ NZTA, commercial driving licensing:
www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial/passenger/driving.html
Some companies provide training modules for their employees,
for example NZ Bus.
You will first need to have held a Class 1 licence (car licence) for
two years.
→→ NZ Bus, operator training:
www.nzbus.co.nz/bus-operator-training
Bus and coach drivers then require the following:
The StudyLink website provides general budget advice for
students, and the Sorted website provides help with detailed
budget planning.
• a Class 2 (Heavy Vehicle) driver licence
• a passenger endorsement on your driver’s licence (which has
to be renewed regularly).
Once you have obtained a Class 2 licence, you can apply for a
Class 4 licence, which allows you to drive a larger sized (3 axle)
passenger vehicle.
You can find information about how to obtain the licences on
the NZTA website.
→→ NZTA, getting bus licences:
www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/buses-taxis.html
→→ NZTA, endorsements:
www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/42/
The NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) facilitates
training for the passenger services sector. Specifically MITO
offers a National Certificate in Passenger Services – School Bus
Driver (Level 2) and a National Certificate in Passenger Services
– Urban Bus Driver (Level 3).
The annual cost of training towards a MITO National Certificate
in 2015 was $1090. This fee includes all learning and assessment
material, pastoral care and support, and any off-job-training.
→→ MITO, programmes: mito.org.nz/transport-and-logistics
→→ StudyLink: www.studylink.govt.nz
→→ Sorted: www.sorted.org.nz/calculators/money-planner
Where to study
A range of organisations can help you to obtain the relevant licence and endorsement. These are outlined on the NZTA website.
→→ NZTA, course providers: www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/
getting-a-licence/driver-licensing-agents-and-courseproviders/course-providers
Completed qualifications
Over the last three years, the number of applications granted
for medium rigid vehicle (Class 2) licences and heavy rigid vehicle
(Class 4) licences has remained relatively static.
SERVICE INDUSTRIES
3500
8,000
3000
Employment
Number of new Passenger endorsement
applications granted between 01 January
2012-31 December 2014 (inclusive)
BUS AND COACH DRIVERS
2500
2000
1500
1000
6,000
4,000
2,000
500
0
0
2012
2013
2014
ƔƔ Income and employment prospects
2009
2014
Estimate
2019
Forecast
2024
Source: MBIE Estimates
Income
Where to find job vacancies
In 2015, the average income for the automobile, bus and rail
drivers occupation group was estimated to be $42,300.
There are frequent opportunities, especially in the cities, to become a bus driver. Bus and coach driver vacancies are advertised
through public media such as the Trade Me and Seek websites.
Estimated average income
→→ Trade Me Jobs: www.trademe.co.nz/jobs
$42,300
→→ Seek: www.seek.co.nz
Average income from Statistics New Zealand’s June 2015 New Zealand
Income Survey. Estimated from average hourly earnings.
School bus drivers (who work part-time, 40 weeks a year) earn
considerably less – about $12,000 to $15,000. Some part-time
or seasonal (ie some tourism) drivers may face periods without
work.
Employment and skill shortages
Bus and coach drivers’ employment
Current
Projected growth*
2013
2014
2014–19
2019–24
7,280
7,500 up 2.9%
2.9% per year
2.8% per year
*Growth projections are for the broader category “Automobile, Bus and
Rail Drivers”.
Employment of bus drivers has been growing moderately
over the past couple of years. This growth is probably due to
increased use of public transport in the main centres and a slow
recovery in the economy. In addition, many older drivers may
be starting to retire, which will open up opportunities for new
drivers. Employment is projected to grow by around 2.8% per
year for the next ten years.
Career path
Bus and coach drivers need to be flexible and often work shifts
and rosters. Part-time work is also common (around 40% work
part-time) as is work on weekends and public holidays. For tourist coach drivers, the job is busiest in the peak tourist season
though work is slow or non-existent in the off-season.
Over time, you may end up managing other drivers or becoming
self-employed and running your own business. There is also a
role for experienced drivers in mentoring and assessing new
drivers who are applying for different levels or classes of driving
licence, or gaining work experience.
ƔƔ Other information
Links
More information on bus and coach drivers is available on the
Careers NZ website.
→→ Careers NZ: www.careers.govt.nz
→→ Bus and Coach Association:
www.busandcoach.co.nz/index.html