Driver

Big Bus Tours LTD San Fernando United States of America Operations
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Company Description

Big Bus Tours is the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours, fuelling the spirit of adventure in 21 world-famous cities across four continents. Beginning its journey 27 years’ ago, with a fleet of only three buses, Big Bus Tours has swiftly expanded to a global fleet of over 400 hundred  open-top buses, turning 5 million tourists into explorers, every year. Big Bus Tours operates in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Abu Dhabi, Budapest, Istanbul, Miami, Muscat, Rome, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Darwin, Sydney, Vienna, Washington DC, Dublin and Singapore, with a sightseeing concept designed to provide a flexible approach to city discovery. Each open-top bus tour provides a hop-on, hop-off facility at a variety of interesting locations, with complimentary additions to enhance the visitor sightseeing experience. In February 2015, private equity firm Exponent purchased Big Bus Tours, with a shared vision to make Big Bus Tours the number 1 thing to do in each world-famous city.  In 2016, Merlin Entertainments PLC became a shareholder, offering a natural synergy with Big Bus Tours and Merlin attractions and experiences around the world. With entertaining guides and commentary and knowledge of the latest events in each city, the Big Bus City Crew leaves every passenger with a story to tell.

Position

Background

Los Angeles is one of the most fabulous and eclectic cities in the world, and we believe that Big Bus can add a great new experience for visitors by utilising our expertise of providing tourists with a never before available experience and the perfect introduction to this world-famous city, helping them to discover and explore the wealth of things to do and places to see.

By expanding into Los Angeles, we are making this our 22nd city that we operate from. This is an exciting opportunity for you to create something very special as you will be part of the opening team and be involved in setting up the operation and infrastructure of the business.

Overall Purpose

Under the general supervision of Lead Driver, the Driver has the primary responsibility for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of passengers during bus tours. A Bus driver should be patient and level headed in order to deal directly with Customer and members of the public – transporting passengers around one of our pre-determined licenced routes.

Key Areas of Accountability and Responsibility

Driving

  • Pick up and drop off customers at our designated bus stops and ensure the safety and well-being of passengers whilst on tour and when they board and alight the bus.
  • Comply with all road and safety regulations and ensure these are followed; report any traffic violations immediately.
  • Comply with the traffic laws and company regulations regarding the use of mobile phones, smoking in company vehicles and the use of prohibited equipment (such as games consoles) whilst on duty. 
  • Follow company procedures in the event of breakdowns, accidents or emergencies; in the event of an accident, assure that medical emergency procedures are followed; complete a written accident report, this must be completed and handed back to the Traffic Manager before the end of that days duty

Bus checks

  • Carry out walk-around checks on the bus and complete a Driver Defect Report, any faults found must be reported to an appropriate person for rectification
  • Ensure that the vehicle is clean and tidy before starting service and that the bus has a sufficient stock of brochures, headphones and poncho’s on board to complete a Tour.
  • Ensure the cab area of the bus is kept in a safe and tidy condition at all times.
  • Check that the communication device (e.g. two-way radio, language system) is in proper working order before each trip.  The radio must be used in a professional manner for the purpose of conveying information to the dispatcher or seeking advice from a supervisor.
  • Ensure that the language system and microphone are in working order before each trip.
  • Check the vehicle for lost property and hand any items found to the point controller.

Customer Service

  • Provide a high standard of customer service: treat customers, colleagues (and anyone else you come in to contact with whilst representing the company) in a courteous and professional manner, be alert, careful, considerate and helpful at all times.
  • Use ramps as required allowing access/egress to the vehicle by disadvantaged (disabled/elderly) or mobility impaired customers.
  • Assist with ensuring that groups of adult/child ratios are maintained on the bus.
  • Give customers on the bus any information that may help them during their journey. Examples would be telling customers the best stop for their destination, road closures & diversions/

Miscellaneous

  • Understand and comply with rules governing driving hours and rest periods for CDL drivers
  • Keep up to date with road closures, diversions or special events that affect the service. This is done by reading notices, newsletters, attending briefings, listening to the on-bus radio.
  • Report all safety, security, driving and customer service incidents to the line manager as soon as possible.
  • Follow all reasonable management instructions of any company official.
  • Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge

  • Must demonstrate an understanding of written and spoken speak English in order to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues; be able to read and comprehend health and safety information, company rules and regulations provided in the Employee Handbook, Operational and other information placed on noticeboards.
  • Must have the ability to work effectively with people regardless of any protected characteristics; age, gender, race ethnicity etc. (further information contained within the company employee handbook).

Skills

  • Must have the ability to work effectively and competently without close supervision
  • Have a flexible attitude and be willing to work weekends and bank holidays

Experience/Qualifications

  • Possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger and Air brake endorsement
  • Possess a safe driving record
  • Must have at least two years of commercial driving experience (this can be less if you have proof of attending certified driving school or previous C truck or larger vehicle driving experience.)
  • Must have a valid DOT medical certification and be able to pass a DOT pre-employment drug test
  • Knowledge of the LA / Hollywood area a plus

Competencies

  • All employees must provide details to confirm eligibility to work in the US
  • Sense of humour

Other information

Working Hours and Conditions

Full time: 40 hours per week (working on a rota that includes weekends)