Road Transport Jobs - Passenger Transport
A lot of driving jobs involve carrying people to and from their destination. The jobs in this section involve driving cars, buses and ambulances.
Bus/Coach Driver
Most bus drivers work on local routes. The driver must keep to a schedule and is expected to give advice to passengers regarding connecting services. Bus drivers have to keep in contact with a communication centre by radio. This keeps them informed of problems such as roadworks, accidents and bad weather conditions.
Drivers working on express coach services often have to drive lengthy distances, which could include some motorway driving. Some drivers take their coaches and passengers on tours overseas.
Taxi Driver
Taxi drivers carry passengers to a required destination in return for payment. They may drive a Hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle.
Hackney carriages are usually purpose-built vehicles such as traditional black cabs. Hackney drivers may work from a rank or pick up in the street. Private hire vehicles may only carry out pre-booked work.
Drivers make local or long distance journeys and need to have a thorough knowledge of regional and local routes.
Taxi drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles roadworthy and might occasionally have to make minor emergency repairs. They must be able to deal with all kinds of people, and may sometimes get difficult customers.
Chauffeur/Chauffeuse
Chauffeurs/chauffeuses work for private households, large companies and local or central government departments. Their main duty is to drive people, safely and punctually, to their destinations.
Those employed by private households may have to drive their employers to appointments and social events. Those employed by large companies may drive senior executives or guests to meetings, airports and hotels.
Local or central government chauffeurs/chauffeuses might drive ministers or foreign visitors to various official functions. They may also have to carry out routine maintenance tasks on their cars.
Ambulance Care Assistant
Ambulance care assistants work on the non-emergency side of the ambulance service. They transport patients, eg, older adults and disabled people, to and from hospitals, day centres and clinics.
Assistants drive the ambulance, help patients in and out, and make them comfortable and secure. They may have to go into patients’ homes to collect them. Looking after the patients’ safety, welfare and dignity is a very important part of the job.
The assistant has to check, clean and disinfect the ambulance and restock any supplies. They also keep records of their journeys and of their patients.