A coach operator is actually a professional bus driver who specialises in driving luxury buses which transport passengers long distances.
Coach operators are not only required to drive the coach, they also need to liaise with staff, customers and suppliers, adhere to fuel and speed policies, assist with luggage and the loading of luggage and do a head count of passengers in the coach.
Customer care is also one of their responsibilities and, as with most jobs, there is also some paperwork that needs to be completed. A trip sheet has to be completed at the end destination in each case, before the coach operator signs off duty, the coach must be filled up with fuel, an after-trip inspection carried out so that any defects can be reported and rectified, and finally, there is a debriefing with the operations controller.
Coach operators work shifts and the length of their shifts depends on the route they will be taking. They need to report for work two hours before departure and carry out a pre-inspection to check that the coach is roadworthy. Then then go to the coach depot to collect the passengers.
Along the journey, they make certain pre-determined stops, either as resting points or to collect more passengers en route. Once they reach their fiinal destination, there is usually a break of six hours off before they return to the home depot.
Satisfying Aspects
- meeting new people all the time
- travelling and seeing the countryside
- experiencing passengers’ excitement when they reach their destination
- being thanked by your passengers for the journey
Demanding aspects
- working shifts
- having to deal with demanding passengers on occasion
- being called upon to work over weekends or doing night shifts
- having to deal with poor weather conditions
- having to deal with technical breakdowns, as they can be challenging and time-consuming
Requirements
- able to get on well with people
- be dedicated, well-groomed and polite
- be friendly, helpful and quick-thinking
- able to solve problems and handle responsiblity
- have mechanical, driving and communication skills
- be proficient in customer care and public relations.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: None
Training
To become a coach operator, you will need to have a NSC, followed by a Professional Driving Permit (PDP) and a Code 11/EC licence. You will also need to have at least three years’ experience in driving.
Employer
- travel companies and tour operators
- city councils
- mines
- transport companies.
Contact
Coach Operators Association of Southern Africa /
South African Bus Operators Association
P O Box 1305
Randburg, 2125
Tel: (011) 787-5863 Fax: (011) 787-5898