HOT JOBS : Bus Driving: Route to Independence

Judy Whittington had never driven anything larger than a car when she put in an application for a bus-driving job with the Orange County Transportation Authority in 1979. But with four children to rear, she needed a job that would pay well and have flexible hours, so she decided to give it a try.

“After I applied I didn’t hear anything back for seven months,” said Whittington, who was then employed by the Fountain Valley Police Department traffic division. “When they called, I wasn’t absolutely sure I wanted to be a bus driver, but I thought I might like it better than giving parking tickets, so I accepted.”

At first there were a lot of adjustments, such as memorizing routes, dealing with passengers and, of course, learning to maneuver the bus. But during her 14 years as a driver, Whittington has found many things to like about her job, particularly the passengers. “Some have been riding the bus for years, and it always makes them so happy when I remember their names,” she said. “A lot of seniors and handicapped people depend on the bus for transportation, and I’ve come to enjoy them most of all. It’s good to see them getting out and doing what they can for themselves.”

Whittington says that sometimes the job can be stressful, “especially if something puts you behind schedule in the morning and you have a bus full of passengers who need to get to work on time. But when you are driving a route you are in control, and as long as you get where you are supposed to go on time, there are no supervisors hovering over you.”

In addition to independence, Whittington, now 52, likes being able to set her own hours. The OCTA allows drivers to bid on shift assignments three times a year. “If you have enough seniority, you can set your own hours. If I wanted to, I could drop down to part time or work as much as 60 hours a week,” she said. “It’s the only job I’ve ever had where I had so much control over my hours and paycheck.”

OCCUPATION: Bus driver

* What’s involved: Operate buses on routes for schools, city or county transportation agencies or private companies. Drivers collect fares, issue transfers and help elderly or handicapped riders enter or exit the bus. They record and report mechanical problems and answer passenger questions about fares and routes.

* Qualifications: Most agencies or firms require that drivers be at least 21 years old and have excellent driving records. Fluency in English is required; bilingual ability is a plus. A driver must pass a medical exam required by the Department of Transportation and be able to maneuver the bus and assist passengers. To become fully certified, a trainee must pass Class B commercial driver’s license tests and become certified to carry passengers.

* Outlook: One of the 10 fastest-growing job fields in Orange County.

* Prospects: By 1998, the number of bus drivers is projected to increase by 17.8%, to 3,530.

* Salary range: Driver trainees are paid $10 to $12 an hour. Experienced drivers can make as much as $17 an hour, depending on seniority.

* Pros: Drivers work independently, without constant supervision. Most enjoy the option of working day or night shifts.

* Cons: There is very little interaction between drivers during shifts, and some drivers miss the camaraderie common to most work environments. Others report difficulty dealing with the public on a daily basis.

* Advancement:Drivers can advance to supervisory or field coordinator positions, where they help devise routes and maintain service quality. Some advance to administrative positions.

* Quote: “Some people ask: ‘Isn’t it hard driving a bus? Aren’t the people awful to deal with?’ and I remind them that there are difficult people in every job. In fact, the passengers are often the best part of my day. I don’t have co-workers around to interact with, but I have lots of appreciative passengers.” -- Judy Whittington, bus driver, Orange County Transportation Authority

Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times