£12.21 – £17.87 per hour
Start your bus driving career with Arriva at our Gillingham depot, where customer service comes first, and people are at the heart of everything we do.
This is much more than a driving role. As a Bus Driver, you’ll be a front-line ambassador for Arriva, supporting customers throughout their journeys and helping them feel safe, welcome, and valued. From assisting elderly passengers, reassuring nervous travellers, helping parents and children, to supporting customers with accessibility needs — your people skills will be just as important as your driving.
If you have previous customer service experience (for example in retail, hospitality, care, or any customer-facing role) and enjoy helping others, this could be the perfect career change.
Why customer service matters in this role
Every day, you’ll:
Greet customers warmly and professionally
Answer questions and provide journey information
Support passengers with additional needs
Handle situations calmly and empathetically
Create a positive experience, even when things don’t go to plan
Bus Drivers are one of the most thanked jobs in the UK — and that’s because of the human connection you build with your customers.
Pay Rate
£12.21 – £17.87 per hour
During training (first 4–6 weeks): £12.21 per hour
After training:
What’s in it for you?
Fully paid training to gain your PCV license — no previous bus driving experience needed
Arriva Training School with expert instructors
Ongoing mentoring and support once you’re out on the road
Overtime opportunities, including bank holidays, paid at premium rates
Ongoing CPC training
Career development opportunities into management, training, or specialist driving roles
Working for an inclusive, community-focused company where looking after customers is a shared responsibility
Hours of work
Rotating shift pattern: 5 days out of 7
Shifts published 6–8 weeks in advance
Morning shifts from 04:00
Afternoon shifts from 12:00
Evening shifts from 18:00
Fixed shifts are not available
Overtime available
What we’re looking for
Aged 18 or over
UK driving license held for at least 6 months
No more than 6 penalty points
Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test
Ability to pass an English comprehension test
Proven customer service experience is required
A friendly, patient, and approachable manner
Confidence communicating with a wide range of customers
The ability to stay calm, polite, and professional in challenging situations
Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Benefits
Access to the Arriva Village — discounts and offers
Employee Assistance Programme
Free bus travel for you and your household
Arriva Workplace Pension
Fantastic career progression opportunities
Long service awards
20 days holiday plus bank holidays
At Arriva, we value diversity, inclusion, and the unique experiences our people bring. By putting customers first, we create better journeys, stronger communities, and a workplace where everyone belongs.
