Ready for a trip to the heart of the driving profession?
Yes, but that’s not all!
In addition to the pleasure of driving, drivers appreciate the contact with passengers and the satisfaction of being of service. What’s more, the public are grateful in return: according to the Keoscopie survey, 42% of French people perceive the job of driver as meaningful and useful to help society run smoothly.
As true ‘yogis behind the wheel’, public transport drivers have an exceptional ability to concentrate, even scoring higher than meditation experts on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).
That explains why they’re so vigilant while they’re driving.
In addition to their driving skills, our drivers can show empathy towards customers particularly during incidents, and stay calm in the event of potentially complex situations. They also have a strong sense of responsibility.
If you think drivers’ working conditions aren’t great, then think again: you’ll be surprised by the benefits they get and the innovations that boost their job satisfaction!
Drivers’ salaries are often higher than you might think!
Note that these are average gross starting salaries for full-time employees in this category. Salaries vary according to seniority and the agreements in force in the various Keolis subsidiaries.
In addition to wages, drivers get other benefits…
On top of the salary, there are service-related bonuses and career development opportunities. Drivers can progress to other modes of transport (trams and metro trains, for example), or they can become a trainer or team leader!
Working hours, which are sometimes perceived as restrictive, are an important job aspect for some drivers. So to help achieve a better work-life balance, Keolis is working on improving the flexibility and visibility of driving rosters.
How does that happen in practice?
A specific mechanism is currently being trialled where certain drivers can say what services they want to run, personalise their roster, or swap shifts with another employee. The 4-day working week is also in place on certain networks operated by Keolis!
Do you think you could become a public transport driver?
Test your knowledge and find out. All aboard for a new career adventure!
That’s the number of positions vacant in driving.
Whether in urban or school transport, the driver profession is facing a major staff shortage, a situation that is not new, but has got worse since the Covid crisis in 2020.
Looking for a job or a new career plan?
Then apply to Keolis, where there are plenty of vacancies waiting to be filled!
The only prerequisite is to have a driving licence!
And if you don’t, Keolis can give you your chance by paying for your driving lessons and through its training centres.
The Group also works in partnership with charities to offer jobs to people looking to get back into employment.
As a result, Keolis trained nearly 200 apprentices in 2022 and 2023!
We’re pulling out all the stops to get more women into driving! In France in 2023, only 20% of drivers were women.
That’s why the Keolis Group has set itself the target of a target of 24% female drivers among new recruits in 2024.
As a passenger, what can we do to make life easier for public transport drivers?
Good manners and courtesy, the secret to a successful journey!
Did you know?
46%
of drivers say that passenger behaviour is the main cause of fatigue!
So as a passenger:
- We help to create a pleasant atmosphere on board, and we are polite to other passengers and on-board staff.
- We show patience when delays or unforeseen situations occur during the journey.
- We report inappropriate behaviour or incidents to the transport company staff
Sharing the road safely and considerately
What with traffic, other road users and the impact of street features that aren’t always helpful for bus driving, the job of a driver isn’t always easy!
Whether you’re a pedestrian, a motorist or a cyclist, it’s everyone’s business to share the road space responsibly, and we can all make it easier for buses to get around. So let’s work together to help traffic flow more smoothly and enjoy a trouble-free trip!
- I avoid crossing right in front of a bus, even at the stop.
- I wait at the bus stop and stay attentive to signs and public address announcements, so that drivers can pull in and pull out safely.
- I’m vigilant when I’m riding in bus lanes, watch out when I’m changing lanes, and keep a safe distance.
- I avoid overtaking between buses and other vehicles, which can be dangerous and disrupt traffic.
- I give way to buses when they indicate that they want to merge into traffic.
- I leave buses enough space to change lanes safely.
- I avoid parking or stopping in bus lanes or stops, which can obstruct their way and cause delays
to get around!
In a way, taking the bus is much more than a simple choice of how to get around; it’s a way of supporting the job of driver on the one hand, and encouraging shared mobility on the other!
While most buses today run on diesel, an increasing number are fuelled by low carbon energy sources, such as electricity or hydrogen. They offer a sustainable solution for decarbonising both short and long journeys!
This is all the more significant in urban areas, where 2/3 of the population live. With so many people on the roads, buses are an effective way of relieving congestion.
1 bus carries as many passengers as
40 to 50
cars !
As we’ve just seen, public transport drivers help our communities run smoothly by getting millions of people to their destinations every day, whether they’re going home after a day’s work, visiting a dear friend, going to the cinema or supporting their local football team!