Transit Operator - Full-Time or Part-Time

Start a Rewarding Career as a Metro Transit Operator

At Metro, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to succeed. Our experienced driver instructor teams work closely with new full-time Transit Operators during a paid 11 - 12 week training program (shorter for part-time Operators).

Never driven a large vehicle before? No problem. We’ll help you build the skills and confidence to safely operate a city bus and serve the community.

“I understand that every new driver starts with uncertainty, and I know firsthand how powerful encouragement and quality training can be. My goal is to build confident, skilled, and safety-focused operators who are prepared to serve our community with pride.” - Joleen W., Transit Operator - 23 years, Operator Instructor - 5 years 

During training, you’ll:

• Get hands-on driving instruction from knowledgeable trainers
• Receive support while earning your Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Learn the policies and procedures that set you up for success 
• Be paid while you train

As a Transit Operator, you’ll safely transport passengers throughout the City of Madison and surrounding areas. This is an important role — you’ll help people get to work, school, appointments, and home again. We’re looking for people who can operate vehicles safely, make good decisions, and provide friendly, reliable service. You’ll work under the guidance of Transit Operations Supervisors who are there to support you.

What you need to get started:
Candidates must have a Commercial Learner's Permit before hire. Metro will train you to earn your full Commercial Driver's License (CDL) during the training period. To continue employment, you must pass the CDL road test as part of training.

If you’re ready for steady work, paid training, great benefits, and the chance to make a real difference in your community, we encourage you to apply.

• health, dental, vision, income protection and life insurance (full-time positions)
• health insurance option with no monthly premium for 100% full time Operators 
• paid training
• pension - automatic retirement savings with employer match (full-time employees)
• free uniforms
• paid parental leave for birth or adoption (for eligible employees)

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community. 

• Operate a transit bus to safely, reliably and courteously transport passengers in the city of Madison and surrounding areas. Adhere to adopted routes, schedules, and operating policies and procedures.
• Assist passengers in getting on and off the bus. Safely operate ramp and assist in placement of wheelchairs or other similar mobility assistance devices for individuals with disabilities, including repositioning passenger seats, and secure wheelchairs/mobility assistance devices.
• Identify safety or vehicle operations problems and report to supervisor or dispatcher for action. Report accidents, following applicable policies and procedures. Complete accident report forms.
• Maintain effective passenger/customer relations. Answer questions and assist passengers as appropriate. Respond to a wide variety of operations and customer relations issues such as: medical emergencies, passengers who are lost or disoriented, emergency road conditions and other situations by taking action and/or notifying a supervisor or dispatcher. Inform passengers of ridership rules and regulations.
• Program and operate a fare box, as taught during training. Issue transfers and honor passes in accordance with established procedures. Operate the numeric key pad on a mobile data terminal (MDT). Prepare reports and maintain records as requested.
• Perform related work as required.

A valid regular Wisconsin driver license (not probationary) and a Commercial Learner's Permit, Class B, P endorsement, no "L" restriction

OR 

Two (2) years of licensed driving experience and a Commercial Learner's Permit, Class B, P endorsement, no "L" restriction

Applicants will be evaluated against the driving record standards listed below.  Depending on the number of candidates who pass the driving criteria, random selection may be used to determined who will move forward to interview.  

Applicant's Driving Record

An applicant's driving record will be evaluated. If an applicant has held a driver's license in another state in the past five (5) years, the applicant is required provide a copy of their driving record abstract from that state.

IF AN APPLICANT HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ON THEIR DRIVING RECORD, THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE PROCESS:

• Six (6) or more points against an applicant's Wisconsin driving license, or
• Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) conviction in the past five (5) years, or
• One (1) Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) conviction against a driver's CDL, or
• One (1) revocation in the last year, or
• Four (4) or more moving violations within the last five (5) years; including at least one (1) moving violation in the last two (2) years.

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• Ability to apply the rules of the road and applicable laws. Ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and responsible manner.
• Ability to maintain prescribed safety standards. Ability to exercise judgment in emergency situations. Ability to identify and report vehicle mechanical defects. 
• Ability to interact appropriately and courteously with patrons and maintain effective passenger and public relations. Ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.
• Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English. Ability to understand and follow written instructions, policies and procedures, including highway traffic signs/signals, and other official inquiries.  Ability to read maps/schedules and complete routine written reports/records.
• Ability to maintain adequate attendance.

The City of Madison strives to provide excellent service to all of its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities, please view the class specification.

• At the start of employment, a Transit Operator must be at least 18 years of age, as required by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, have a safe driving record and have passed all job-related tests, including a pre-employment physical exam.

• It is fine to already have a Commercial Driver's License but a permit is required. In order to start, candidates must have a Class B Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) with P (passenger) endorsement and no "L" restriction. All employees will be required to pass the CDL Skills Test administered by a State of Wisconsin CDL Examiner during initial paid training as a condition of continued employment. Transit Operators are responsible for maintaining a CDL with proper endorsements throughout employment.

  • Required CLP tests: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Passenger

• Employees need their birth certificate or valid passport in order to get their CDL permit, and it can take several weeks to get a copy, particularly from out of state if they don't already have it. Successful candidates should begin the process of requesting their birth certificate once they are offered and accept the position.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain seated for four (4) hours at a time, and up to eight (8) hours with limited breaks to stretch.
• Ability to exert strong pressure with legs and feet on heavy foot pedals almost continuously for acceleration and with great frequency for braking.
• Ability to apply up to fifty (50) pounds of effort frequently for required tasks; including constantly pushing and pulling a heavy steering wheel.
• Ability to reach high above their heads to change destination signs on assigned buses.
• Ability to walk half a mile in 10 minutes (to/from relief points).
• Ability to stoop, kneel, bend, lift, and pull heavy objects in order to perform routine and emergency tasks, including to secure straps for wheelchairs on the bus.

Metro Transit has adopted the physical qualification standards provided in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the Federal Highway Administration. These standards permit the hiring of qualified individuals with disabilities, as required by the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, Sec. 111.34(2)(c), Wisconsin Statutes. The successful candidate must be able to pass the Metro Transit physical with either a 2-year certification or re-certifications for a 2-year period.

Chosen candidates may work from either our 1 S. Ingersoll Street location or our 3901 Hanson Road location.

* Payroll title for this position is Transit Operator. Salary listed is at step 3 per hiring guidelines.