The daily life of a Bus Operator is one that must be considered before deciding on this career path. Bus Operators all have similar lifestyles due to the demands of the job.

Title: The term Operator is preferred over "driver" in that anyone can drive, not everyone who drives is as familiar with the aspects of driving as a bus operator. An Operator is familiar with more than just the operation of the vehicle. Operators know how to drive defensively, drive smoothly to ensure passenger comfort and safety. An Operator is a professional a driver is an amateur.

Daily Routine: Most people who choose this profession at first were unaware how early Bus Operators wake up in the morning. To start routes on time, they usually have to get to the depot in the very early hours of the morning. Some companies allow operators to pick which hours they prefer to work but this is usually done based on seniority. Operators who have been working for the company longer pick the hours that are better for them, while rookies are left with what is usually undesirable. Normally, picking the morning shift (5 AM) means you will get off in the middle of the day after an 8 Hour shift (12 Noon - 1 PM). Midday Shifts starting around the middle of the day and end late at night.

Route Selection: is also normally done on seniority with veteran operators choosing the easier or faster routes and rookies left with longer routes. Not all companies operate this way but its a fairly common practice.

Lifestyle: Bus operators live what others would consider "safe, boring, comfortable" lives for several reasons. Safety is a Bus Operators primary concern always. This becomes such as central value in the life of an operator that they begin to exhibit safe behaviors in all aspects of their lives. They drive their own personal vehicle with the same care they drive the bus. Bus Operators rarely partake in the "party" lifestyle and don't go clubbing. The reason for this is obvious, they simply cannot afford to report in to work drunk. Bus Operators (US) are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Protected under the law, an employer can demand on the spot alcohol breath test if reasonable suspicion is raised about the operators sobriety. (I.E. Stumbling into work, smelling of alcohol). It is for this reason Bus Operators are discouraged from using Mouthwash as this could cause a positive result on the test and are advised to use toothpaste only. Because they wake so early, staying out late is not viable. Concentrating on negotiating a 40ft bus down narrow, crowded city streets for 8 hours is physically and mentally draining. Without enough sleep Operators are endangering themselves and the public and getting enough sleep is a job requirement. Bus Operators who do drink usually only drink one or two drinks and only drink when they know they have the next day off to sober up. Bus Operators also have to be detail oriented people. Being on time requires a working knowledge of how to drive both safely and quickly enough to stay on schedule. Bus Operators are public servants, no different from a Police Officer or Firefighter.

Safety: Bus Operators are unfortunately exposed to several hazards during their workday which one would not normally assume are threats in this profession. The first and most common is violence.

It is becoming an increasing trend to place a physical barrier between the driver and the public for the safety of both. Bus operators are often assaulted by the public for various reasons but almost all of the time the operator has nothing to do with it. From a psychological point of view, it is easier to understand why. Bus Drivers are figures of Authority. They command authority on board and around their bus and can tell people what to do. They wear a uniform and are usually paid the same way other public servants are paid. (Irrespective if the operator works for a private company) People who have issues with Authority will assault a Bus Operator the same way they would assault a Police Officer. A Uniform is a Uniform, Authority Is Authority. Even Firefighters are assaulted for this reason. This is often the reason Bus Drivers on the surface appear grumpy and unhappy. Not only do they have to deal with the stress caused by intercity traffic, they must also be physically and verbally assaulted by the public they serve. Customer Service skills are often key in diffusing tense situations. Bus Operators get into disputes with customers over fare payment most of the time. People boarding a bus who refuse to pay the fare like everyone else take advantage of the system. Operators are encouraged to call for assistance in dealing with these passengers. Most Transit Authorities maintain and operate their own police forces for this reason. The plexiglass partition is an effective solution but disliked by drivers who enjoy their job and interacting with people. But an operator who is being assaulted cannot safely control his/her vehicle and the violent individuals who attack them not only threaten the operator but the public as well.

Bus Operators are also exposed to bloodbourne pathogens while at work. People who dislike Authority, spit, punch, stab and attempt to injure bus operators. Contact with the bodily fluids of people infected with pathogens is easily avoided with proper training which is usually given during the first week of training. For this reason Bus Operators Unions demand that employees be given health insurance and free testing for Hepatitis-B if desired.

Pay and Benefits: Bus Operators are often unionized with either the Teamsters or the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) locals. These organizations are the thorns in the sides of bus companies and they make sure that the working environment and pay is fair. Bus Operators give up weekends and holidays to keep cities moving and as such are entitled to benefits which often include, Medical/Dental insurance, Paid Vacation normally up to two weeks, frequent raises, opportunities for promotion and many more. Depending on the amount of money available these requests are often easy to accommodate, but stingy local governments who cut transportation needs out of the budget are often the reason why operators strike. In the Transit field they are fairly common for this reason.