Local and intercity travel is expected to increase as the population and labor force grow and incomes rise, but most growth in intercity drivers will probably be in group charter travel, rather than scheduled intercity bus services, as more individual travelers opt to travel by airplane or automobile rather than by bus. There may continue to be competition for local transit and intercity busdriver jobs in some areas since many of these positions offer relatively high wages and attractive benefits. The most competitive positions will be those that offer regular hours and steady driving routes. Full-time busdrivers are rarely laid off during recessions. However, hours of part-time local transit and intercity busdrivers may be reduced if bus ridership decreases, because fewer extra buses would be needed.
Seasonal layoffs are common.
Generally, drivers could reach the top rate in 3 or 4 years. Earnings of intercity busdrivers depend primarily on the number of miles they drive. The fringe benefits that busdrivers receive from their employers vary greatly. Most intercity and local transit busdrivers receive paid health and life insurance, sick leave, and free bus rides on any of the regular routes of their line or system. Drivers who work full time also get as much as 4 weeks of vacation annually.