The number of busdrivers will grow as competition forces employers to replace full-time drivers with part timers. Due to the relatively high wages of local and intercity busdrivers, competition for these jobs is expected to be keen. School busdriving jobs should be easier to get, since earnings are lower and turnover is higher. Full-time transit busdrivers are rarely laid off during recessions. However, part-time drivers may be if bus ridership decreases, since fewer extra buses would be needed during rush hours.
Seasonal layoffs are common.
The average starting rate in most cities was 75 percent of the top rate. Generally, drivers could reach the top rate in 3 or 4 years. Earnings of intercity busdrivers depends primarily on the number of miles they drive. Most intercity and many local transit busdrivers are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Local transit busdrivers in New York and several other large cities belong to the Transport Workers Union of America.