A charter bus driver is typically responsible for safe and proper operation of a bus or motor coach that is rented or chartered by a group of people. This is often done as part of a tour group, and so the driver may also provide information regarding the sites and local areas of interest passed during the drive. If the driver operates in a particular area, such as a state park, then he or she may give a spoken tour as the bus passes through the area. A charter bus driver may also be responsible for ensuring that a schedule is adhered to and that passengers' needs are met.
Sometimes called a motor coach driver or operator, a charter bus driver is typically primarily responsible for operating a bus or motor coach. Charter buses are usually rented out by a tour group or are provided by a business that offers guided tours through an area. The primary responsibility of the driver is to safely drive the bus and ensure that all traffic laws are adhered to. A charter bus driver typically has a commercial driver’s license and has undergone extensive training to ensure proper understanding of safe driving techniques while operating a large vehicle.
Depending on the nature of the work a charter bus driver is a part of, he or she may also need to provide information to passengers. At the very least, a driver is typically responsible for answering questions passengers may have and providing updates to schedules based on changes in road conditions or traffic. In some areas, however, a charter bus driver may actually act as a tour guide for the passengers. A driver for a tour company that offers chartered tours through a state or federal park, for example, might provide narration during a drive to point out noteworthy features and give the history of the area.
There are also a number of secondary responsibilities a charter bus driver is likely to have and need to keep in mind. If certain locations need to be reached along a set schedule, then the driver is usually responsible for ensuring that schedule is met. As weather conditions or traffic impact the time it may take to drive from one location to another, the driver usually has to adjust speed or otherwise safely compensate for time lost during a trip. A charter bus driver may also need to assist passengers with medical issues or special needs, such as helping those with difficulty walking get onto and off of the bus and provide basic first aid in case of an accident.
