MDOT MTA Bus Operator Training for One of the Toughest Jobs Anywhere

[@highcrimes9153]

I was working as a School Security Officer in Baltimore back in 1976 when the MTA was hiring bus operators. I went to Washington Boulevard to obtain an application during my lunch break and lo and behold, there was a line of folks around the block who had been there for hours. I then returned to my deadbeat job. Then in May of 1981, a letter from the MTA in New York City arrived to my parent's home in Brooklyn, informing me that I was being considered for the position of Bus Operator. Turns out that I had applied years before for the MTA position but a six years long freeze had been in effect and I had long forgotten about it. I was appointed Bus Operator on may 26, 1981 and retired on June 2, 2011. I also worked part-time for Academy Bus from 1997 thru 2011, doing over-the-road charter work.

[@melissajohnson4085]

Going through training now and I'm loving it 😊😊😊

[@MOTIVASYON50928]

Which state?

[@LavishhCee]

Any updates?

[@jenovaizquierdo]

Congrats what state?

[@BusDriverLife]

Wow..this takes me back to when I was training! Fun and scary times all at once!

[@NusratJahan-hv4wp]

Any tips to pass the training program.currently I am taking taking the classes. It will be appreciated

[@kwp9270]

Was it your first time driving a commercial vehicle or did you have prior experience? I've been on a full size school bus for over 3 years so the transition should be kind of easy for me. The city traffic is what worries me because it was crazy just driving my car through DC.

[@Pureabundance8]

I remember those days… God is so good.

[@Kaynos]

Driver for 12 years in Quebec. How it works here is that they train (with instructors) for about a month (theory and practice) then they get paired with a regular driver for 10 days then they start by themselves.

[@paddydaddyo]

Looks like a great program, with an excellent success rate. Kudos!

[@HattieMaeGotMoves]

Soo glad we missed out on these live videos..but the trainers are the best they will not steer you wrong..START RIGHT!! STAY RIGHT!!

[@brittanyhooper620]

was the final exam hard? My Fiance' is taking the first exam before the interview

[@riseuptruth]

Congratulations to 2018 I just applied can’t wait to start my training 2022 let’s go Metro

[@lendavidhart9710]

Nice video, good for all those new drivers. I took an initial test to be a bus operator and failed!, it was three hour long, in maplewood NJ, an hour and a half from where i live, i think i failed on a left turn, and a passenger i didn't pick up, on a video we watched and filled in our answers that was in 9/11/17. I still want to get a job as an operator, at 50 years old, and in construction, since my youth, and self employed, I don't want to hire employees now. In NJ, you have to apply on line with a computer, you cant use a cell phone, anyway i have to try again, thanks for posting/sharing this video, i am proud of those trainee drivers, they are doing a great service!

[@lendavidhart9710]

NYC Tony G. I'll keep focused, let me know when you hear from them, i hope you do well with NJ Transit

[@chrisnabiburchfield5004]

That's gonna be me in a couple weeks I been waiting for this opportunity MTA for life

[@williamlis7947]

Good luck!! Lol

[@Blueskyz8]

How are you doing these days?

[@grego5284]

I retired from Omnitrans in San Bernardino, Ca. In 2013. Get ready to be disrespected, and possibly physically assaulted. Don't think you're going to keep your Bus on schedule. And being new, guess who will get the worst routes. Have fun.😁

[@grego5284]

Cities in California that you don't want to operate a transit bus. L.A., Compton, San Bernardino, Riverside, or Lynnwood. Driving in any of those cities, you're gonna need combat pay. I was safer in Nam. 😎

[@js6103]

Yo you got it?!

[@Steve-vl5mg]

Drove public transit in the late 1970's Got 3 weeks of training, then reality struck and it was not pretty. WORN OUT Equipment was an understatement. 1st gear ONLY 15 MPH on the Expressway. NO A/C NO HEAT BALD TIRES ANGRY PASSENGERS ..Yeah FUN!

[@fly89]

darn this is nice. you have such a big field to train those things. My training: 6 weeks theory, half an hour driving in the depot, then trainer tells you to go to the road. such a pressure before even you know how the brake really works out. (only walking pace in the depot).

[@Steve-vl5mg]

When I got hired by SEPTA in 1978 there was NO C.D.L. you just checked off class 3 for change of your regular license and that was that ..then we had a total of 3 weeks of training ...now they have 11 WOW ...

[@kishoredasongs3444]

I work at cdta upstate ny , albany schenectady for 12yrs now ,, won safety award 7 times and won the rodeo competition 5 times ,,, ist place second and third numerous times... To the new class its fun ,, most of all be safe and congratulations

[@terawattz]

as a london night bus driver myself,this was very interesting to watch,we had a module 4 test wich is one hour of show me tell me what you would do.london roads are much smaller than yours and we drive double deckers as well as single deckers

[@calvinsmith5119]

I'm going through my training now with the northern kentucky transit authority. Getting used to driving a big vehicle again last I drove a school bus was six years ago and a city bus 13 years ago. Getting back at it yeah it's a little bit scary and a little nervous but I'm here to see it through to the end for my future family

[@seanm935]

I’m currently in training with Septa which is the mass transit company here in Philly. Training program is damn near identical to what I’m going through right now. Can’t wait to hit the road and start picking up people 👍🏾👍🏾

[@thatbusdriverguy4182]

Respect to bus drivers, like to way you guys train. We have similar but I see a of differences. We have a lot more training on the road.

[@MasterTransit_MSDWolf8420]

Very interesting to know about MTA in Maryland

[@nsans2893]

All public transit companies have a hard time keeping drivers it's a very stressful job they're always in need of drivers I've been a bus driver for 20 years and if I had to do it over again I would definitely take a different path

[@mosthatedny2243]

Why I’m starting soon ?

[@r.d.9399]

The pay should be higher for sure. That would help attracting high quality drivers

[@mosthatedny2243]

@@r.d.9399 in ny top pay is 35

[@Berta6742]

My hat is off to all the bus drivers who have the ability to deal with the public both on the bus and drivers in traffic. I drove for just short of 43 yrs and received awards from the company and police depts for situations with the public. I wish you all the pride of contributing to public transport and safety - the bus operation is about half the task the riders are the rest. Roberta

[@mosthatedny2243]

@carfreelifeforme word I would love to move to Maryland

[@FunChaos302]

Half of this we didnt even do in training such as night driving. You got that while being in service lol especially as a list driver just being thrown onto a route and the dispatchers might as well tell you good luck

[@maldo72]

Wow... nyc mta only gives 7days of training all on the city streets ...(that's before the cdl test ) if u pass everything ... u get dropped into a depo for 4 weeks of line training..( to learn the routes) that's it..... 1 year probation... most dont even make the 7 day training and even more dont make it though the year probation

[@fw3nyc]

Lol I been on my own 2yrs now and Maryland seems to be more in depth as to what we had to go thru lol smh

[@RealTalk309]

I’m on the nyc mta waiting list this was tough to read

[@BorntobeWild.]

Is the training paid?

[@BorntobeWild.]

@slim canseco thanks

[@nacatamal71]

AM WITH NYCTA BUSES ALREADY 20YRS + SAME DEPOT

[@markcaldwell2831]

I see they're all trained very well out there with far better testing than what goes on here in the UK which is sub-standard at best but luckily for me I learned to drive a bus in the Netherlands and I have so much pride in my driving cause here in the UK they're all completely clueless.

[@deanthonyhenderson5852]

This video give me the chills they testing them like they’re joining the United States marines from the look of it

[@kbledson1]

That was very cool that going to be me some day

[@nacatamal71]

AM A NYCTA-MTA BUS OPERATOR FOR 20YRS ,, CAME IN THE JOB WHEN I WAS ONLY 28YRS OLD... LONG JURNEY ...NYC IS NOT EASY

[@peponpepon245]

Awesome!!!! Proud moment for sure

[@sandeew.544]

Your training seems awesome!

[@pedrolopez-lc7kf]

Congrats guys. Im looking for someone to train me now.

[@nationalchampions]

I graduated in 2018 as well in Kentucky.

[@psm23formeethel17]

kudos to all graduates and God Bless!!!!

[@bothompson6317]

I want to learn to do this but I so scared to try

[@djsjsnsisnsisnsjs8107]

Cant wait til I be 21 so I can apply . I already have my permit

[@mfb6310]

I just got my CDL BP w/A - it's a happy moment, for sure, right?:

[@paulcastillo9323]

I used to be a bus operator ladot dash bus back in 2006to2008

[@theprodigal7143]

Does anyone do deadlines for lower back strength? Is drinking sufficient water for health a liability to be a bus driver due to having to urinate? Thanks

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

Real stories from today's and tomorrow's future bus operators. : )

[@LuckyCharms777]

No, the customer isn’t first, safety is.

[@ianburnett7333]

Totally different from when I took PSV test in 1978.

[@JohnMChew]

I want to see if my manager can send me there to learn how to be a trainer. I got my license last year. I grew up in Maryland

[@GODFIRST43]

Great achievement ❤

[@CC-pc6fz]

That's was my friend Mr. Wheeler, I miss him

[@chronictwister]

I wonder if the training, written test, and road tests are required if you already have a CDL

[@BROOKLYNSHOWTIME]

Yes u don't have to take the dmv road test, but u do take mta test

[@johnslyfield5096]

Nobody passed (or failed) the cdl test on their second attempt!

[@rossmunro1381]

Great video and the training that is required to be be a bus operator…retired TTC operator.

[@Boss2164]

What if you already have your CDL and want to drive MTA?

[@JB-xl4zg]

Is Sheldon Battle and Monique Battle related?

[@pablocruise678]

No, as a Vegas driver, it’s SAFETY!!!

[@DamionDavis-zf7dt]

SC GA FL TX NC VA too ?? southern region ??oh

[@jamesfrench7299]

Looks like this comprehensive training programme is mainly for appearances. The.actual job day to day will feel far removed from the theory. It's actually quite mind numbing and a dead end job for most. I did it for six years only because I was always fascinated with the mechanicals of the bus and derived endless pleasure and fascination from the engine and gearbox. The passengers I didn't care for, which is probably why I attracted phone complaints on the regular, which management couldn't act on unless they wrote in as well. You can't win with the public. There is a lot of hate out there and they don't want friendly interaction with you but get upset if you don't try anyway. It's all about petty feeling of power they crave for some twisted selfish reason. This planet is disgusting

[@rolldeepNASA]

you need a job away from people

[@RickBeatsWorld]

Was that the air break test she was reciting

[@paulcastillo9323]

I know it's like going to the training process

[@shemondturner1783]

somebody let me know if we have the bus training academy like that in Dallas somewhere in Texas close by

[@adape0884frank]

Try Houston it is completely different.

[@deecrawfordsr9854]

Halfway through now

[@DONTXCRASH]

Watching this video is funny cuz I’m thinking about doing this and I ride the bus and someone in this video is one of my drivers she a good driver and getting that bag

[@robstwocentz]

Lord this takes me back. I got my CDL in 2019 though. I went from city bus to motor coach like greyhound. Im holding a CDL CLASS A PERMIT now. Finna drive them 18 wheelers

[@ThisDoctorKnows]

Seems like a fun retirement career.

[@Goddess__here]

can anyone give me any advice for taking the civil service exam? I have no clue what to even study or expect :(

[@westwasbest]

Serious question, and I got to ask, why is every single driver black? No white people want to drive a bus? Anyway, great film congratulations to all of them hope they stay safe out there

[@mrjohn5650]

Godbless

[@Truckeractivityy]

I was gonna apply but 10 weeks with low pay that's to long.

[@shawndorsett13]

your name says it all spoiledhustla to get something you dont have you have to give something that you have remember that

[@DamionDavis-zf7dt]

Be in charge of NORTH EAST BUSES .. so many of yall so spread out NORTH EAST dont pass SOUTHERN BORDER .. trust me 😊

[@franciscoyanez3010]

I am a Chilean citizen, a bus driver for 25 years, help me, give me guidelines to become your colleague and friend, I just need a chance, thank you, I hope you read this.

[@mtar211boi6]

I Thought u said nyct

[@drewp6698]

Does it seem odd to anybody else that everybody in this video was black? I am certainly not racist in any way, but I didn't see any Hispanics, Europeans, Asians, Islanders, or anything else. I thought there might have been one Asian fellow in the go team circle they did at the end, but I couldn't tell for sure, because I could only see the back of his head. I know D.C. does have a high percentage black population, but even considering that it still seemed a little odd to me. I'm not sure what to make of it. Full disclosure I work for a transit agency in another large city, and the agency I work for is very diverse. I'd say they do a pretty decent job with their hiring of reflecting the demographics of the community here. Personally I love working, and building relationships with a wide diversity of people.

[@DONTXCRASH]

Baltimore isn’t a diverse city like LA, NY, Chicago or even Philly, or MIA. Bunch of blacks and whites with a sprinkle of the other stuff

[@LuckyCharms777]

@@DONTXCRASH Nah, they’re probably ray cyst in who they’re hiring. Happens all the time with minorities, even though they’re the majority there.

[@LuckyCharms777]

Yep, I noticed it too. If it was the other way around there’d be lawsuits.😅

[@exoressdelivers70]

It's definitely not racism. I'm black and worked as a recruiter for several years for a major transit agency, and 90% of the applicants were African American because the city was like 70% African American and the passengers who rode the bus were like 90% African American from low income areas who often had issues. The few whites that applied and most were hired lasted only months if that because they were assigned the worst routes at night in the high crime neighborhoods because they had low seniority. And with starting pay at only $17 an hour they didn't think it was worth it. Most African Americans however stuck it out at least for a couple of years.

[@Ihavetocorrectyou]

​@@LuckyCharms777They don't apply. They're terrified to go through the city

[@raymondcaruso507]

Transit bus operators please stop wearing ball caps it looks very unprofessional and dorky. Go back to the service caps. They look so much more professional.

[@h3av3nlyfoo111]

I don’t think anyone asked you

[@monicanails24]

Stop hating, it looks good on them.

[@raymondcaruso507]

@monicanails24 You seriously think wearing a geeky dorky ball cap with a uniform looks good and professional? They need to go back to the same hats pilots wear . That's professionalism.

[@palpal6798]

Where are the Latinos??? Lmao 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Mytime153]

I'll be starting my job like this very soon.

[@DamionDavis-zf7dt]

Virgina police

[@williamlis7947]

Not one white person, lol.

[@johnmatthews3990]

I noticed that as well.

[@jamespace6719]

Get y'all racist ass off this video with that Trump shit

[@williamlis7947]

@@jamespace6719 fuck u

[@ytjhhh]

Because you don't like to work, spend time on KZbin looking for white people in a video

[@williamlis7947]

Smell my fart

[@phillyguy2157]

The MTA Maryland bus system is incompetent!!! These buses don't show up on it's schedule!! This video is a fake! It's trying to portray the MTA as some elite service! James Lewis the deputy director is a token and is too old for that position and should be removed!!

[@LuckyCharms777]

So much for diversity. 🤦‍♂️

[@Ihavetocorrectyou]

Baltimore isn't a diverse city.

[@LuckyCharms777]

@@Ihavetocorrectyou Doesn’t matter, they can recruit from outside Baltimore just like police and fire departments do. If organizations have quotas for buhlaks and women employees, then they need to have quotas for other people too.

[@MatthewSmith-uf6tr]

Where are the white people lol????

[@drewp6698]

@for the love of God Demographics? So, are you telling me that the demographics in D.C. are nearly 100% black?

[@tunesc2507]

No I've heard it from too many black operators.say they were given the answer s to the test for driving bus during the interview I heard white bus driver operator say they had to pass the test.... that's racist!

[@phillyguy2157]

Unfortunately the MTA in Baltimore is awful!! The buses don't show up upon its own schedule. Baltimore have very awful culture and it permeates citywide!! The MTA buses in Baltimore sucks!! The buses are absent and don't show up and you will wait over an hour for a city bus!! This video is just a cartoon! Full of crap!