Coach Operator Training: Inspiring Confidence

Imagine sliding behind the wheel of a 42,500 pound vehicle, buckling up, and turning the key. Would you be excited? Nervous? Terrified? All of our Coach Operator trainees have been there, and no matter how anxious they may have felt, within just a few weeks they look back fondly on those first-day jitters. What does it take to drive such a huge vehicle without sweaty palms and a racing heart? It takes confidence, the kind of confidence that comes from feeling fully prepared for anything that crosses your path.

Our ten-week Coach Operator training program is designed to empower our employees to take on challenges that build confidence from day one. Training begins in the classroom, focusing on a team environment. We understand that not everyone learns the same way. Our training staff utilize adult learning theories that ensure that all learning styles are met so that each employee feels completely ready to move from one phase of training to the next.

The first eight weeks of training start with basic skill mastery. Trainees move from classroom demonstrations to learning how to maneuver the bus around cones in the bus yard. Skills include everything from learning how to turn the bus to backing up an articulated coach. These skills and drills create confidence and build muscle memory about driving. Trainees have an opportunity to drive every piece of equipment we operate. That scary bus becomes much less scary after just a few days behind the wheel. We define our success by how successful our trainees are, so we encourage a team environment where employees celebrate each other's achievements.

We understand that test taking isn't easy for anyone. We are sensitive to test anxiety and create a program that eliminates that anxiety. There are pop quizzes throughout training to help employees get used to test taking. Formal testing doesn't take place until there's a lot of informal testing, so trainees are comfortable with the format. There is a midterm that focuses on basic skill and traffic control, and a final that covers all of the material including our routes.

To prepare for the CDL exam, trainees are given multiple opportunities to practice simulating driving without instruction. Trainees will have all of the technical understanding needed to pass the CDL "skills tests" which include pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and road test. We pay for this portion of the test, schedule the test, and provide a vehicle for testing purposes.

After becoming proficient at basic skills, around four weeks into the program, trainees take the CDL exam! Once the CDL test is complete, training moves onto driver skill mastery, including learning our transit technology, every type of coach in our fleet, and special areas like University of Washington and downtown Seattle. Trainees drive with groups into neighborhoods across Snohomish County. They receive personalized attention and mentoring from our instructor staff. Trainees learn how to take route notes - about landmarks, the difficulty of certain turns, lighting effects, and where bus zones are located. They not only learn every route, they also learn about fares, how to take lunch, where to use the bathroom, and how to help our customers.

Trainees then have two weeks to operate a vehicle "in-service." With another Coach Operator aboard to assist, trainees will apply everything they've learned, picking up passengers, securing mobility devices, and providing the excellent customer service for which Community Transit is known. These two weeks are an opportunity for trainees to be successful and really shine.

Coach Operator trainees earn while they learn. Paid training starts at $19.75/hr plus great benefits for the whole family (medical, dental, vision, life insurance). Trainees also have access to our wellness program and workout facilities. Upon graduation, pay increases to $23.23/hr and additional benefits include a retirement pension, paid time off, and disability insurance coverage.

We value our employees and want them to be successful. Our Coach Operators are the face of our agency, and play a critical role in our community. The bonding that happens in training classes shapes how our Coach Operators feel once they graduate and take to the road on their own. They feel proud to be part of our ranks and our community. And we are proud to welcome them to the Community Transit family.

Do you want to work where you are valued, and where you make a difference in your community? Apply today for our next training class!

I Drive It: Meet Donald, Community Transit Coach Operator

When your job goes from handling small pieces of machinery to handling machinery that is nearly 50,000 lbs, that's a big change! After years of trouble shooting photoelectric sensors as an electric bench technician, we are happy that Donald decided to stretch his legs and give driving the bus a go. In almost 12 years (and getting close to his Million Mile Driver Award goal), Donald has expanded not only his view out the window, but his view inside the window as well.

It was the excitement at the responsibility of driving a large passenger vehicle that initially inspired Donald to drive for us. While he had driven a semi-trailer truck before, the thought of a vehicle with space inside and people as its precious cargo was a little intimidating. Our nine-week comprehensive training program soon set his mind at ease. "I appreciated how in-depth the training program was. Our training department is really top-of-the-line. I was given such a sense of confidence because I didn't have to worry too much about what might happen on the road. As long as I followed my training, I was fully prepared."

Along with confidence came the connection with passengers inside the bus. "Right away I started understanding service is about people helping people. I like that part. The people I serve is life; it's why I'm here. One morning I was driving the 116 from Silver Firs and a woman up front was acting a bit edgy like she was running late. She said to me, 'I know you don't care, but I really need to catch the 113 at Ash Way. I don't want to miss my bus.' That really affected me. In her experience drivers are robots, just driving the bus. I looked at her and said, 'Don't worry, you'll catch your bus. And by the way, I really do care.' Her whole demeanor changed and she relaxed."

Donald said this commitment to service makes him proud to work for Community Transit. "Because the company as a whole values service, it really sets us apart from other agencies. The higher-ups respect and listen to all employees. This helps the demeanor of the drivers and creates a wonderful camaraderie here."

What do you value in a workplace? Do you feel valued by your workplace in return? If making a difference in people's lives is important to you, we're hiring Coach Operators: www.communitytransit.org/drive4us

I Drive It: Meet Jaswinder, Community Transit Coach Operator

Ever wonder where that friendly face behind the wheel came from? Or what inspired that smile to drive a 30-, 40-, or even 60-foot vehicle? We all know that everyone has a story, but with over 300 Coach Operators employed by Community Transit, the stories here are rich and varied and often surprising. Their unique backgrounds all share a common theme: they want to make a difference in their communities. They are the face of our agency, the people who get you to work, to school, to errands, and back home again. Meet Jaswinder, Community Transit Coach Operator.

Jaswinder's path to us was a long and winding one. Originally from India, Jaswinder lived for 15 years in Vancouver, Canada, and 15 years in California prior to joining a Community Transit training class in 2006. Before he learned everything there is to know about driving a large bus, he knew everything there is to know about cheesemaking. Yes, that's right! Jaswinder worked at a large cheese plant near Modesto, California, where he ensured ingredients were accurately measured, supervised the pasteurization process, and monitored pH and acidity levels. While he enjoyed working at Hilmar Cheese, he was intrigued with the prospect of a great job at Community Transit when he met one of our drivers. Having worked as a taxi driver and dispatcher in Vancouver, he was inspired to pursue a new career behind the wheel. "I like driving. I especially like the freedom of driving. And the people. I have met people from all over the world."

The freedom of driving for a living is still enticing for Jaswinder. He's usually on the extra board, which means he jumps in to cover for any coworkers who have to miss their shift. "I get to do all of the routes, which means the scenery is always changing. I like that." Jas likes the flexible schedule, too. "When you are a new driver, the schedule can be a little bit challenging the first couple of years. But as you work here for awhile and get more seniority, there's a lot of flexibility in the schedule. You can create a schedule that works for you, which is especially good if you have kids."

While there's nothing like the freedom of being out on the road during work hours, Jas, like so many of our drivers, talk about how connecting with customers can really make the day. "One time at a layover at the Lynnwood Transit Center, a lost and disoriented elderly gentleman got on my bus by mistake. He was supposed to meet his daughter at Smokey Point. I was able to get his daughter's number and contact her to let her know her father was okay. Then I put the gentleman on a different bus that would take him to her."

It's that one-on-one interaction with customers that can change someone's day. "We're better than Trip Planner because we can help midway through a trip. We try to educate riders, too, on how transfers work and encourage them to get an ORCA card." Jaswinder can usually tell when people on his routes are a bit confused and can use a helping hand, "People who are visiting the Boeing Museum or the Seattle Premium Outlets will sometimes have questions. I'm happy to answer them." This commitment to customer service makes a difference to both riders and drivers. In eleven years, Jaswinder says he's never had any issues with disrespectful riders, "As long as you are respectful of them, they are respectful of you. I've always had good interactions with customers. It makes me proud to work here."

Does the freedom of being behind the wheel intrigue you, too? We're hiring! www.communitytransit.org/drive4us