Join Our Team at the Region of Waterloo, Grand River Transit 

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region made up of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to provide essential services that support the quality of life for every person in Waterloo Region. We serve a diverse population of over 674,000 through the lens of our core value: Care for people and the land we share. 

The Region of Waterloo is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions. Our team takes pride in making a difference in people’s lives through meaningful work. We’re looking for passionate individuals like YOU to help make it happen!  

To view all current job openings within the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and to apply, please visit: 

Career opportunities - Region of Waterloo

Important note: If selected for an interview, you will receive an invitation via the email address you provided. Please check your spam or junk folder, especially if you use Gmail or Hotmail, as some candidates have noticed our messages may be filtered there.

Bus operator  

Part time (working up to 32 hours per week) 

Please note: Openings for full-time operators are filled from part-time positions; GRT does not post full-time bus operator positions.  

GRT offers a program to upgrade to a BZ license for qualified applicants. 

Looking for a great place to work where your contributions are valued and you can make a difference in the community? Grand River Transit (GRT) is looking for part-time bus operators who have great people skills, are customer-friendly, and have a desire to serve the public.  

Being a bus operator is about much more than safely driving a bus. GRT wants bus operators who are customer service focused and enjoy interacting with the public. GRT bus operators are role models of safe driving and courteous and kind behaviour, which sets the tone for our passengers to enjoy their ride with us. 

Part-time employees can work up to 32 hours per week and must provide availability for no less than eight (8) full shifts per month, including four (4) weekend dates per month (weekend dates include Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Part-time employees may have the opportunity to progress to full-time. 

In addition to accepting applications from drivers with a Class B license, GRT accepts applications from drivers with a Class G (including A, C, D, E, or F) driver’s license who are eligible to obtain a BZ license.

Qualifications 

  • Have a Grade 12 education or equivalent

  • Be at least 21 years of age

  • Hold a valid Class B driver’s license and at least 2 years of driving and customer service experience OR hold a valid Class G (including A, C, D, E, or F) driver’s license, and at least 3 years of driving and customer service experience, with the eligibility to obtain a Class B driver’s license.

  • A driver's abstract that is satisfactory both to the Ministry of Transportation and the Region of Waterloo, a pre-health assessment and a vulnerable police record check that is satisfactory to the Region of Waterloo.

  • Applicants who hold a Class G License (including A, C, D, E or F) driver’s license must meet the provincial requirements for a Class B driver’s License. For additional information, please check the Ministry of Transportation website. 

Recruitment process for bus operators 

The recruitment process for this position can range from 4-8 weeks, followed by a 6-week Transit Professional Operator Training (TPOT) program.  

The process consists of: 

  • Pre-screen phone interview

  • Attend an in-person information session to learn about the role and recruitment process, followed by an in-person interview on the same day

  • Due diligence (providing recent supervisory references, a Vulnerable Sector Check, and a drivers abstract satisfactory to the Region) 

  • Successfully passing a GRT road test with the Region of Waterloo 

  • Medical assessment 

  • Written B knowledge test: If you already possess a B license, this step is not required. 

    • To obtain your B license, you will be required to write a B and D written knowledge test at a Drive Test centre. Candidates pay out of pocket for these tests. This test is scheduled and completed by the candidate. 

    • An overview of the process can be reviewed on the MTO website. 

  • Attending Ontario Truck Driving School to upgrade your driver’s license to a Class BZ driver’s license, including those with a Class B drivers’s license who require their airbrake endorsement (Z). The Region invests in your growth with license-upgrade training (if required); if you leave within two years, a portion of the training costs (up to $4,000) may need to be repaid.

If you are successful in the above steps, you could receive an offer of employment and would be required to complete our six-week Transit Professional Operator Training (TPOT) program.

Benefits of becoming a bus operator 

Bus operators provide a much-needed public service, engaging with customers and getting people where they need to go. Bus operators receive: 

  • Competitive salary 

  • Union membership 

  • Access to Employee Fitness Centers 

  • Uniforms 

  • Benefits when full-time 

  • Training courses 

  • Opportunities to move from part-time, to temp to full-time; once you become a full-time bus operator, there are opportunities to become a temp supervisor and then full-time supervisor. 

  • Many career opportunities within the Region of Waterloo 

Qualities of a successful bus operator 

A successful bus operator remains calm and composed under pressure.  They effectively manage a variety of situations, including: 

  • Learning and navigating different routes in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo 

  • Following detours and adapting to route changes 

  • Managing fare collection and addressing fare evasion 

  • Driving in poor weather, road and traffic conditions 

  • Managing rude, disgruntled or aggressive passengers 

Hours and availability 

As a part-time operator, you 

  • Can work up to 32 hours per week; there is no guarantee of hours 

  • May be offered additional work up to 40 hours per week 

  • Must provide your availability for a least 8 full shifts per month, including 4 weekend dates per month (Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays) 

  • May be called into work and will be given a minimum of 1 hour to report for duty from notification (based on the availability that you will provide)

Wage range is $22.39 to $36.15

  • License upgrade to BZ rate: $23.39 

  • TPOT rate: $29.63

    • TPOT is a 6-week training session requiring full-time availability, as training shifts may be scheduled for any day or time between 4:40 a.m. and 2 a.m., including early mornings, evenings, and weekends; time off is not permitted during this period.
  • Part-time starting rate: $33.68
  • Top rate for full-time bus operators: $36.15

 Apply for the bus operator position through the Region of Waterloo job site 

We thank all applicants in advance. Those selected for an interview will be contacted.