TL;DR
Key Takeaways
- Earn between £12.71 and £17.87 per hour as a Trainee Bus Driver.
- Receive fully paid training to gain your PCV license, with no prior bus driving experience needed.
- Work a rotating shift pattern (5 days out of 7) with shifts published in advance.
- Requires a UK driving license held for at least 6 months and proven customer service experience.
About the Role
Start your bus driving career with Arriva at our Gillingham depot, where customer service comes first, and people are at the heart of everything we do.
As a Bus Driver, you’ll be a front-line ambassador for Arriva, supporting customers throughout their journeys and helping them feel safe, welcome, and valued. Your people skills will be just as important as your driving.
If you have previous customer service experience (for example in retail, hospitality, care, or any customer-facing role) and enjoy helping others, this could be the perfect career change.
Why Customer Service Matters
Every day, you’ll:
- Greet customers warmly and professionally
- Answer questions and provide journey information
- Support passengers with additional needs
- Handle situations calmly and empathetically
- Create a positive experience, even when things don’t go to plan
Pay Rate
- During training (first 4–6 weeks): £12.71 per hour
- After training:
- Up to 9 months’ service: £12.71 per hour
- 9+ months’ service: £16.85 per hour
- Overtime & Weekend: £17.87 per hour
What’s in it for you?
- Fully paid training to gain your PCV license — no previous bus driving experience needed
- Arriva Training School with expert instructors
- Ongoing mentoring and support once you’re out on the road
- Overtime opportunities, including bank holidays, paid at premium rates
- Ongoing CPC training
- Career development opportunities into management, training, or specialist driving roles
Hours of Work
- Rotating shift pattern: 5 days out of 7
- Shifts published 6–8 weeks in advance
- Morning shifts from 04:00
- Afternoon shifts from 12:00
- Evening shifts from 18:00
- Fixed shifts are not available
- Overtime available
What we’re looking for
- Aged 18 or over
- UK driving license held for at least 6 months
- No more than 6 penalty points
- Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test
- Ability to pass an English comprehension test
- Proven customer service experience is required
- A friendly, patient, and approachable manner
- Confidence communicating with a wide range of customers
- The ability to stay calm, polite, and professional in challenging situations
- Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Benefits
- Access to the Arriva Village — discounts and offers
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free bus travel for you and your household
- Arriva Workplace Pension
- Fantastic career progression opportunities
- Long service awards
- 20 days holiday plus bank holidays