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Posted 56 days ago

Term-Time

First Bus

About First Bus

First Bus is a bus operator. Their routes can be found across the UK.

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Job description from First Bus

Bus Drivers (PCV licence holders)

Taunton

£13.00 per hour

39 hours, Full Time or Part time hours

Part time role – 1 day, 2 day, 3 day and 4 day working weeks. All part time roles will require to cover 1 day out of two over the weekend.

We love welcoming experienced bus drivers onto our team in Taunton on a full time and part time basis.

You will be contracted to 8 hours; 16 hours; 24 hours or 32 hours depending on your choice, and you will be required to work:

  • 1 day out of two over the weekend if your work 16 hours / 24 hours / 32 hours per week.

If you already hold a PCV license*, you can earn:

The pay rate per hour is £13.00 per hour and £14.00 per hour Overtime

*for trainee driver opportunities in your area, please search on our careers site.

Rewards that add up to much more

On top of your salary, we will reward you with some brilliant benefits. Our package helps your weekly wage go further, while providing long-term financial security.

  • First Xclusives discount scheme: You and your family & friends can benefit from over 3,000 offers on high street & leisure brands such as: Asda, Sainsbury's, H&M, ODEON
  • Free travel on our buses for you and your family
  • £6 all-day train travel for you and your family on Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Avanti, Trans Pennine Express, Hull Trains
  • Free onsite parking + cycle to work scheme
  • Up to 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays
  • Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
  • Enhanced maternity / paternity pay

We'll be there for you, because you're there for us

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strains of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. We also here to support you with skills training and your long-term career development.

Working with First Taunton

You will be providing the friendly, reliable service that so many locals, commuters and visitors rely on. We will provide initial paid training in vehicle & route familiarisation, ticket machine & ticket type training and low bridge training. You'll soon be ready to go.

What we're looking for

We value safe, patient drivers who get on well with customers and colleagues. We are also looking for:

  • a valid PCV driving licence (with no more than 6 points on your driving licence)
  • the flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including early mornings, evenings and weekends

Welcome to First Bus

You will be serving local communities on behalf of one of the country's largest bus operators. We are a forward-looking business at the forefront of bus technology, leading the way on contactless payments, mobile apps and real time information. Our investment in state-of-the-art, new buses is just one part of our transition to a low-carbon future. It's an exciting time to be here.

Please apply now. We look forward to receiving you application.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

What employees say

Pay

    Good
  • People are paid minimum wage

    Do First Bus pay drivers minimum wage?

    Yes. Most people are paid above the minimum wage.

    How we know this

    99% of people say they are paid at or above the legal minimum wage.

    Based on data from 117 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

  • Good
  • Most people are paid a living wage

    Do First Bus pay drivers enough to live on?

    Most people are paid a living wage.

    How we know this

    99% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.

    Based on data from 114 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should be paid enough to live on.

    The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.

    The new Living Wage rates were announced on Thursday 22 September 2022.

    The rates are now £10.90 per hour, and £11.95 per hour in London.

    Employers are expected to implement the rise as soon as possible but by the latest 14 May 2023.

    On the 14 May 2023, employers’ Breakroom Rating will be updated to reflect this.

    Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.

  • Okay
  • Only some people are paid market rates

    Do First Bus pay drivers market rates?

    Only some people are paid above average for their job.

    How we know this

    35% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 102 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.

  • Good
  • Everyone is paid the same, whatever their age

    Do drivers at First Bus get paid the same regargless of age?

    Yes, people under the age of 23 get paid the same as those above 23.

    See what First Bus pays different age groups

    How we know this

    The average pay of under 23s is the same as those above 23.

    Based on data from 124 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2020 and March 2023.

  • Bad
  • Most people don’t get paid breaks

    Do drivers at First Bus get paid breaks?

    No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    91% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 111 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should have paid breaks.

    You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.

  • Bad
  • Most people don’t get sick pay

    Do First Bus pay drivers sick pay?

    No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    79% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 106 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.

    At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.

    This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.

  • Okay
  • Some people do unpaid extra work

    Do drivers at First Bus do extra work that they don't get paid for?

    Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.

    How we know this

    48% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.

    Based on data from 109 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.

Hours and flexibility

    Bad
  • Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts

    How much notice do drivers get of their shift pattern at First Bus?

    Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.

    How we know this

    • 24% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
    • 37% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
    • 21% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
    • 18% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.

    Based on data from 113 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.

    This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.

  • Good
  • Most people don’t worry about their hours

    Do drivers at First Bus worry about hours?

    Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    How we know this

    92% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    Based on data from 115 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.

    A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.

    This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.

  • Bad
  • Most people don’t get any choice of shifts

    Do drivers at First Bus get to choose the shifts they work?

    Most people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.

    How we know this

    70% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 115 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.

  • Bad
  • Hard to change shifts

    How easy is it for drivers at First Bus to change shifts?

    Most people find it hard to change shifts.

    How we know this

    67% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.

    Based on data from 89 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.

  • Okay
  • Can be hard to book holiday

    How easy is it for drivers to book a holiday at First Bus?

    Some people find it hard to book holiday.

    How we know this

    57% of people report it’s hard to book holidays.

    Based on data from 104 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.

  • Okay
  • Shifts can get changed at short notice

    Do First Bus managers change drivers shifts at short notice?

    Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.

    How we know this

    42% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.

    Based on data from 106 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.

  • Okay
  • Some people find it hard to take sick leave

    How easy is it for drivers to take sick leave at First Bus?

    Some people find it hard to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    48% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 107 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.

    A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.

  • Bad
  • Most parents say it’s bad

    Is working as drivers at First Bus good if you have caring responsibilities?

    Most parents and carer say this is a bad place to work.

    How we know this

    84% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.

    Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.

Workplace

    Okay
  • Only some people feel treated with respect

    Do drivers at First Bus feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    43% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 97 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.

  • Good
  • Most people get proper breaks

    Do drivers at First Bus get proper breaks?

    Most people get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    77% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 113 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.

  • Bad
  • Most people are stressed

    Is it stressful for drivers to work at First Bus?

    Most people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    74% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 112 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.

    Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Okay
  • Only some people enjoy their job

    Do drivers at First Bus enjoy their jobs?

    Only some people enjoy their job.

    How we know this

    38% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.

    Based on data from 97 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

  • Okay
  • Only some people recommend their team

    Do drivers at First Bus recommend working with their team?

    Only some people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    65% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 117 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job means enjoying the place where you work.

    The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.

    If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.

  • Good
  • Most people get enough training

    Do drivers get enough training when they start at First Bus?

    Most people got enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    75% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 115 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.

    This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.

    It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get support to progress

    Are drivers given support to progress at First Bus?

    Only some people are given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 63% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.

    Based on data from 98 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.

    This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.

  • Bad
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do drivers think First Bus head office understands what's happening where they work?

    Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.

    How we know this

    83% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.

    Based on data from 109 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.

    To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.

  • Okay
  • Only some people feel well informed by head office

    Do drivers feel well informed about how First Bus is doing?

    Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.

    How we know this

    56% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 111 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2022 and March 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.

    You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.

Find out more about working at First Bus

What First Bus employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    You get to see different parts of where you live.

    Worst thing

    Nasty passengers rotten seats management never around to speak to negativity from fellow colleagues

    2.8

    First Bus Bus driver, January 2023

  • Best thing

    Getting passengers to where they want to go, safely and comfortably.

    Worst thing

    Shift work, especially early starts, and long Saturday duties.

    3.4

    First Bus Driver, December 2022

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    No 2 days are the same, no clock watching as you're always on the move and you get to meet so many different people every day.

    Worst thing

    Working for First Bus. They pay the drivers as little as possible so the share holders and higher up management get maximum profit and bonuses. We are treated like numbers and there is no care if we do a good or bad job as long. Don't hit anything or anyone and management won't see you.

    3.2

    First Bus Bus driver, September 2022

  • Best thing

    I get to drive around
    Meet some nice people
    Good colleagues
    Plenty of hours
    Nice bonus for working overtime
    Weekly pay

    Worst thing

    Its stressful
    Understaffed
    Long hours
    Short breaks
    Staggered shifts every week
    Allocated holiday and its hard to change
    Most buses don't have air con
    Abuse from passengers
    Not much time to complete routes
    Telematics make driving hard
    Days off are not ideal sometimes

    6.4

    First Bus PCV driver, August 2022

  • Best thing

    Camaraderie between colleagues. Variety of the role and mixture of people.

    Worst thing

    Hours worked. Constant rota shift changes.

    4.1

    First Bus Driver, March 2021

  • Best thing

    Stability

    Worst thing

    Uneducated management protecting recruited uneducated buddies who lie to protect uneducated management

    4.8

    First Bus Electrician, November 2020

  • Best thing

    Consistency of work. Predictability of work.

    Worst thing

    You have to work long hours for half decent earnings. Especially when being a single parent and the of source of income.

    6.0

    First Bus Driver, November 2020

  • Best thing

    The rapport amongst drivers

    Worst thing

    Company always looking for ways to intimidate staff and sack drivers

    6.0

    First Bus Bus Driver, November 2020

  • Best thing

    Good pay, friendly colleagues

    Worst thing

    General public not having understanding or compassion, last minute shift changes

    6.0

    First Bus Bus driver, October 2020

  • Best thing

    Colleagues. Flexibility with duty allocator.

    Worst thing

    Management, state of buses, length of time in the driving seat

    6.0

    First Bus Driver, June 2020

  • More reviews from First Bus employees