Tour bus jobs are available nationwide.
Tour buses are chartered by groups of people for a specific purpose, destination, event or occasion. Rather than following a predetermined route with scheduled stops which is required for school or city bus transportation, tour buses transport passengers for special trips and sightseeing tours.
Bus Driver
Good customer service skills are essential.
A tour bus driver, or motor coach operator, requires a commercial driver's license and compliance with federal and state regulations regarding qualifications and standards, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Some bus companies require additional training in safety and customer service. "Drivers routinely interact with customers and tour guides to make the trip as comfortable and informative as possible. They are directly responsible for making sure tours stay on-time and ensuring the overall success of each trip," reports Occupational Outlook.
Tour Guide
Bus trips can last a day or a week.
Whether the setting is New York City or Yellowstone National Park, a tour guide's job is to accompany groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest. Guides must have a clear speaking voice and good customer-service skills, as their jobs require them to greet and register visitors, ensure compliance with bus tour safety practices, describe points of interest, and respond to questions, according to the Occupational Information Network. Some companies may require their tour guides to wear a uniform or to receive ongoing training. Certain cities or states may require a tour-guide license.
Sales Agent
Match tourists with tour-bus offerings.
Tour bus companies must also employ the services of a good sales agent. This position may work at or near the front desk of hotels and lodges, as reported by the Transportation Department of Yellowstone National Park Lodges, "helping guests choose the right tour, based on time and interests, and making the reservations." Additionally, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, tour-bus sales agents "help develop, arrange, and sell the company's own package tours and travel services." Sales agents may promote tours by radio, television, print advertising, telemarketing, direct mail marketing, Internet, billboard displays, presentations to social and special-interest groups and communication with businesses about company-sponsored trips for employees.
Dispatcher
Dispatchers enjoy a fast-paced environment.
Dispatchers need excellent planning, organizational and communication skills to track tours, timelines and buses. The Occupational Information Network notes that a dispatcher's duties include "scheduling and dispatching workers, equipment or service vehicles to appropriate locations according to customer requests." Dispatchers also notify bus drivers about traffic congestion or hazardous driving conditions. If a tour bus breaks down, it is the dispatcher's job to arrange for repairs and restore service as quickly as possible. Many dispatchers use computers for tracking, record keeping, communicating and generating reports.
Mechanic
Tour buses must be kept in good working condition.
A tour-bus mechanic's main job is to repair and maintain the diesel engines that power the tour company's transportation equipment. The Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that mechanics and technicians "who work for organizations that maintain their own vehicles spend most of their time doing preventive maintenance." Mechanics perform routine inspections on things such as steering, brakes, wheel bearings and other items from a checklist. Though tour-bus mechanics do most of their work in the shop, they may occasionally be called out to repair a bus on the road or at a location other than the bus terminal. Mechanics certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) may have better employment and advancement opportunities.
Non-Traditional Hours
Tour buses are chartered for local and distant trips by churches, schools, the military, government, athletic teams, corporations, weddings, professional associations, senior-citizen organizations and clubs. Trips can last a day, several days or a week or more, so tour-bus drivers, guides, sales agents, dispatchers and mechanics must be willing to put in long, late or weekend hours when required. Many tour companies offer full-time, part-time and seasonal job opportunities.
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