Edmonton Transit System

The work environment here is one that is often unsafe and can be very unhealthy as well. 
Senior Management is very out of touch with what is needed for the staff, and they will try at every turn to sabotage a person. 
Additionally, there is exceptionally very little room for career advancement, and when you do move up, you are at the bottom of the ladder once again. As everything here is seniority based so if you like the shifts that you are getting right now after being employed for several years you are put in a position where you have to choose: take new position and get what ever shifts are given to you (keep in mind that you could be working anytime in the 24 hr window) or stay where you are. 

Pay and benefits are really good. But again it comes with a cost. We often joke we get paid minimum wage to drive and the remainder to deal with everything we have to deal with. 

The City of Edmonton is an excellent employer. Working for Edmonton Transit  as a Bus Operator provides you with a good salary and benefits ( above the industry standard).  The job is not for everyone - you must be a people person and enjoy driving. People skills are a  must ! Driving skills are a  must! Co-workers are generally easy to get along with and moral is good. Job security is good too. You must understand what is expected of you and be able to do your job in sometimes less than ideal circumstances. There is opportunity for advancement for those who are career oriented. ETS recognizes their employees for their  accomplishments.

A typical day  would be to sign in, set up bus, leave garage and go to starting point then set up signs and bus route number. The hardest part of the job is keeping on time and dealing with rush hour traffic especially in increment weather.  I enjoy interacting with public although sometimes it can be difficult. Co-workers are helpful and cooperative and understanding when it comes to difficulties when learning to deal with public.  I have learned to listen to people to help overcome any problems. I've have also learned to become a better driver generally.

Survivable if you like to driver a bus.
However if you're from any other city in Canada you'll notice a considerable difference in the collective personality of bus passengers in Edmonton or the lack thereof. Edmonton is a difficult place to adjust to bus decent enough to live in and work for
The city's expectations doesn't match the level of support and understanding of the drivers and what they face.(like most employers). Overall great co-workers and good union.

While the job was great, the management would be hit or miss. After a near career ending incident, the company became less willing to work with the situation and more concerned with putting potentially unsafe employee(s) on the road. They would ignore reports, preferring to discredit over assist with proper treatment. In the end, this situation was unique and the job was otherwise very well designed to ensure proper training and after training assistance. Just don't become ill or injured and you will have a good and fair career with them.

A great job for a family man...you sign work that works with family time, you can plan ahead and be able to attend important days with kids, weddings, tournaments, etc. It all works on seniority so the first 3-5 years are harder.  Once you have more non-senior operators behind you the doors start opening for better work, better days off, better holidays. The big plus was the overtime... unheard of at other jobs I had.  I was able to get out of debt and really build up savings...a great moral booster.  It was hard but the rewards were worth it all...and you come out of it with a real pension.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Pay, Benefits and stability.  Also the pension plan


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of leadership, the unknown of the public we have to deal with every day

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Most days the work environment is good.  Some days it can be stressful dealing with drama

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day is quite engaging, wether teaching in class or developing new programs.

If you like driving and you might have a working with people with special needs in this job is for you.
Lot of people that like their job at Dats like myself I love the customer service that is the most precious thing when you get to see people on an everyday basis and they get to know who you are and you get to know them and I'm top of that when your nickname to them is Smiley goes far

What is the best part of working at the company?
Pay and other drivers were the best part

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Shifts are split and never enough time to go home.  12 hours you have to be available but paid 8 or less

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stressful to say the least. Always saying they will fire you for a mistake

-The hardest thing was learning navigating around the big city was a challenge as I was new in the city
-Another hard part of the job was getting up as early as 3 in the morning
-To have a good day at work needed a good rest and patience
-Most I enjoyed interacting with all kinds of people
-The culture was - know your body eg. if you are not well do not stay behind the wheel

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