Bus driver jobs in 2026 range from city transit routes to school buses and intercity coaches. To drive a large bus you need a commercial licence: Class B or C in Ontario, and Class 2 in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Several large transit agencies say they train new hires who start with a regular car licence. This guide explains licences, pay, shifts and how to apply.
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According to Job Bank, about 101,000 people worked as bus drivers and transit operators in 2023, and 67% were aged 50 or older. Job Bank rates the three-year job prospects as good in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories. The work suits calm, patient drivers who enjoy helping people.
To see current openings, use the button below. It takes you to Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board. Each posting comes from an employer, and you apply directly with that employer or transit agency. We are not a transit agency or the government, and we do not take applications.
What bus drivers do
Bus drivers carry passengers safely and on schedule. The main job types are city transit, school buses, community shuttles, accessible transit and intercity or charter coaches. Typical duties include:
- Inspecting the bus before each trip and reporting defects.
- Driving a set route in traffic and all weather, while keeping to the timetable.
- Helping passengers, including people using wheelchairs or mobility devices.
- Checking fares, answering questions and calling out stops.
- Staying calm with difficult situations and reporting incidents by radio.
Requirements for bus driver jobs
Employers usually ask for a clean driving record, a medical exam and a police check. Transit agencies often add a minimum education level and customer service experience. For example, the TTC asks for a full Class G licence, a Grade 12 diploma or equivalent and face-to-face customer service experience. The City of Ottawa’s 2026 Bus Operator posting asks for five years of driving experience and a Vulnerable Sector Check.
Bus licence classes by province
| Province | Licence | What you can drive | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Class C / Class F | Regular bus with more than 24 passengers (C) or up to 24 passengers, including ambulances (F) | 18 |
| Ontario | Class B / Class E | School bus with more than 24 passengers (B) or up to 24 (E) | 21 |
| British Columbia | Class 2 / Class 4 | Buses, including school buses (2); buses seating up to 25 people including the driver (4) | 19 |
| Alberta | Class 2 / Class 4 | Buses (2); buses seating fewer than 25 people including the driver, taxis and ambulances (4) | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | Class 2 | Buses seating more than 24 passengers; school buses need an S endorsement | 18, not a novice driver |
| Manitoba | Class 2 | Buses seating over 24 passengers and school buses over 36 | 18 |
In Ontario, a Class B or E licence also requires a School Bus Driver Improvement Course, a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check and fewer than 6 demerit points. If the bus has air brakes, you also need an air brake endorsement: Z in Ontario and Q in Alberta.
Transit agencies that train new hires
Several large agencies state on their own career pages that new operators are trained on the job. Requirements change, so always check the current posting.
Anúncios
| Agency | Licence to apply | What the agency says about training |
|---|---|---|
| TTC (Toronto) | Full Ontario Class G in good standing | Training includes written and practical driving tests and handles any required licence upgrades. Most new hires have never operated a bus before. |
| OC Transpo (Ottawa) | Full Ontario G with 0 demerit points; able to pass the MTO medical for Class C | Trainees are paid a training rate of $18.40 an hour in 2026. The full Bus Operator rate after 24 months is $37.91. |
| Calgary Transit | Full Alberta Class 5, no more than 3 demerits in 2 years | Full-time training of 25 business days. Trainees without a Class 1 or 2 must pass a Class 2 road test. Calgary Transit pays for the Class 2 medical; applicants pay for the air brake endorsement. |
| Winnipeg Transit | Manitoba beginner Class 2 with air brake endorsement | Fully paid training program. Starting rate of $23.63 an hour as of January 4, 2026. |
| Coast Mountain Bus Company (Metro Vancouver) | Class 5 BC licence; able to get a Class 2 learner’s permit with air brakes | Paid training. New conventional bus operators get their Class 2 licence with air brake endorsement during training. |
Bus driver jobs pay by province
Job Bank publishes wages for bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301). The figures were updated on November 19, 2025 and use 2023–2024 data. Pay varies a lot between school bus, transit and coach work, so check each posting.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $16.25 | $27.50 | $37.00 |
| British Columbia | $21.00 | $31.11 | $40.19 |
| Manitoba | $18.00 | $24.00 | $31.00 |
| New Brunswick | $20.00 | $23.60 | $27.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | $21.00 | $28.85 |
| Nova Scotia | $19.98 | $25.00 | $30.40 |
| Ontario | $17.95 | $22.43 | $38.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | $23.50 | $28.21 |
| Saskatchewan | $16.00 | $22.00 | $30.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $19.97 | $28.20 | $34.59 |
| Nunavut | $20.17 | $22.50 | $37.71 |
| Yukon | $27.10 | $35.96 | $43.83 |
Source: Job Bank. The national median is $25.00 an hour.
Hours and shifts
Transit runs early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays, and in unionized workplaces new drivers have the fewest choices because shifts go by seniority. Winnipeg Transit says most shifts fall between 5 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., often as split shifts, with unpaid time between the pieces of work. At the TTC, operators pick shifts by seniority on a four- to six-week rotation, and the role is full-time only.
Minimum hours vary by agency. Calgary Transit says new transit operators get at least 60 hours every two-week pay cycle, and Coast Mountain Bus Company says its full-time position includes 37.5 hours a week.
How to apply for bus driver jobs
- Decide which type of work you want: transit, school bus, accessible transit or coach.
- Check the licence class and age rule in your province.
- Order a recent driver’s abstract and review your demerit points.
- Search Job Bank and the careers pages of your local transit agency, and set up job alerts.
- Apply online exactly as the posting asks, with proof of education if requested.
- Prepare for aptitude tests, an interview, reference checks, a police check and a medical exam.
- If selected, complete the training program and probation period.
Training, licences and costs
If you join an agency that trains new hires, the licence upgrade is part of the program. Some costs may still be yours: Calgary Transit, for example, asks applicants to pay for the air brake endorsement course. If you train on your own, compare driving schools and ask for a written quote.
In Ontario, commercial drivers under 46 submit a medical report every five years, those aged 46 to 64 every three years, and those 65 and older every year. Better Jobs Ontario can fund eligible training of one year or less, up to $28,000.
Your rights as a bus driver
Employment standards apply from your first day, including the minimum wage: $17.95 in Ontario since October 1, 2026, $18.25 in British Columbia since June 1, 2026 and $15.00 in Alberta. Probation rules vary. Coast Mountain Bus Company requires new operators to complete a 675-hour probationary period of actual time worked. Many transit operators are unionized; OC Transpo’s operators belong to ATU Local 279, for example.
Résumé and interview tips
- Highlight customer service: retail, hospitality, call centre or care work all count.
- Show a safe driving record and any defensive driving course.
- The TTC recommends answering behavioural questions with the STAR method: situation, task, action, result.
- Prepare an example of handling an upset customer calmly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without checking demerit and abstract requirements first.
- Paying for a Class 2 or Class C course before checking whether the agency trains new hires.
- Missing documents on interview day, such as proof of education or references.
- Underestimating split shifts and early starts.
How to spot bus driver job scams
- Apply only through Job Bank or the agency’s official careers page.
- Never pay someone who promises a guaranteed transit job.
- Never send your SIN, passport or driver’s licence by text or WhatsApp before a real written offer.
- Be wary of “recruiters” who contact you on social media for a city transit job.
Similar jobs you may like
If you want to drive freight, read our guide to AZ truck driver training. For shorter routes, see delivery driver jobs. You can also explore airport jobs in Canada or part-time jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get bus driver jobs with only a car licence?
Yes, at some agencies. The TTC hires with a full Class G licence and handles licence upgrades in training, and Coast Mountain Bus Company trainees get their Class 2 during training.
What licence do I need to drive a city bus?
Class C in Ontario for buses with more than 24 passengers, and Class 2 in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
How much do bus drivers make in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $25.00 an hour for bus drivers and transit operators. Transit agencies publish their own pay scales in job postings.
Is bus driver training paid?
Winnipeg Transit and Coast Mountain Bus Company describe their training as paid, and OC Transpo lists a training rate. Check each posting.
How old do I have to be to drive a school bus in Ontario?
At least 21 for a Class B or E licence, according to the Ontario government.
Where can I find official bus driver jobs?
Search Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board, and your local transit agency’s careers page. Applying is free.
Sources
- Ontario: Get a bus driver’s licence
- Alberta: Obtaining a commercial licence
- TTC: Transit Operator frequently asked questions
- Calgary Transit: Applying to be an Operator
- TransLink: Coast Mountain Bus Company careers
- Job Bank: Wages for bus operators
