customer service representative

bus driver

OC Transpo

If you're a single person with no family and don't have much interest in doing anything outside of work you will love it here! The pay is good and you're mostly left to yourself, you just show up and go home.

You will be working split shifts for about 4 or 5 years with no weekends but every second Sunday off. If you live close to one of the depots it's not so bad you can go home. If not it's kind of like a 12-14hr work day but with 7.5hrs of pay there's opportunity to work OT on your days off and sometimes between those splits. Takes about 14 years at the moment before you can get the decent work or a holiday in the summer. Usually you get forced on 3 weeks holidays in January then try and struggle mentally over the year. It's a union job so seniority rules.

High stress dealing with the public and trying to meet time points. Usually people are alright to be honest and only give you a hard time if they missed their other bus. The biggest obstacle are other drivers/cyclists cutting you off or being sporadic. Also civilians running into traffic to catch their buses.

Lots to complain about but in the end of you don't value your time off and just want to make some money it's a pretty great gig.



I have learned that public transit plays a key role in the operation of the city. Also, there are thousands of people that work for OC Transpo that continue to make this service possible.

Management has a general concern for the well being of it's employees. They promote Workplace Wellness programs, as well as offer peer support and Employee Assistance Programs.

Consultation between management and unionized employees is transparent and employee engagement is considered on all projects that will have a direct impact on the frontline staff.

The best part of my job is my co-workers. I truly enjoy being around the people I work with. There is a genuine family type atmosphere that exists with my co-workers and I.

The hardest part of my job would be the inability to please everyone. In an organization of this size, that touches so many people, it is impossible to ensure everyone's needs are met.

But the best part of my job, is when I see the satisfaction in peoples faces that I was able to make a difference for.

Pick up docket from pigeon hole  Socialize a bit.  Get your bus from the placer  Circle check  Sign into the system and control room.  Move Out  I learned people power, patience.  During my years we went electronic  lowering of buses   We moved  forward in customer care, followed by customer relations    Management gave us courses on hidden handicaps, violence, and tools to avoid it.  It is a well run tight ship as we say.  Some begin they are it  I tired remember it is my first everyday . One thing I learned with customers   You only the one shot to get it right  You going to miss  How you react and how you improve from the error.  Thats the your money maker   EG:  Character Building  

OC Transpo is not for everyone. The pay and benefits are excellent; however, the benefits are double edged. Sick leave, pension, family crisis are all very good. Mgmt has a difficult time managing the workers. Once on board it is not what you know, but who you know. 

The company is very critical of dishonesty and hypocritical of its own dishonesty. 

OC wants "Yes" persons not persons with brains. They reward for using your brain in favour of the general public and hold their employees to an exceptionally high standard that the company fails to achieve. 

I give OC Transpo 3 stars because they lack the necessary mgmt skills to deal with mental illness and lack the integrity of accepting responsibility in dealing with this social deficiency.

Can only speak for garage aspect, bus drivers seem to like it more. 

Garage supervisors, and superintendents show extreme favoritism to some and target others to a harassment level. If you do not care about your job and do it half assed you are a favorite, and if you try and do it properly/safely you are targeted. 

Union is strong for drivers, but weak to garage personnel. Complaints don't get far and get snuffed out by corruption.

Resources feel corrupted and on an island only reachable by an immediate management bridge, who are not interested in helping you

Would not recommend to anybody that I like.

It is what you make it I guess. A lot of negative comments from public. Management and supervisors are trained to look for negative things you do, not always supportive. Good paid training available if you show interest and are competent.  Couldn't stay with the employee moral , company culture, shifts and other aspects of my life. A lot of nice coworkers and great people and as your seniority improves, so does the work you can pick, but that being said, you may never see a good summer Vacation for 8-10 years ... 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Driving the bus. Making people happy. The people I work with. The pay


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Moral very low. Company doesn’t REALLY care about operator. Operator is always at fault

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very low moral. Division among various drpartments

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Get your bus. Drive. Deal with ungrateful passengers and dealing with control that only wants you to keep driving and not take care of the person doing the driving

My typical day was to head out early mornings around 4am and so on. Everyday was a very rewarding yet challenging.  Great group of management and very supportive.  What I enjoyed the most was meeting different cultures of life.  The hardest part of my job was to deal with weather conditions and traffic and route changes on a moments notice and some public dealings like managing their temper flares etc.  The most enjoyable part was to choose your own schedule and Excellent Salary, Benefits and Pension packages.  I highly recommend this career choice.

What is the best part of working at the company?
With time after your seniority builds you get the chance to arrange your work schedule in a way that suits your lifestyle.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It's takes time for your seniority to build in order arrange your schedule in a way that suits your lifestyle.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
As a operator dealing with the public, it is what you make it.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typically day is good. You show up, do you work, and go home.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The ability to drive different routes or the same routes everyday, Health Coverage/Benefits, cheap gym membership

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Surrounding traffic while driving a large amount of people in high density traffic

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Work 4 hrs in the morning (AM rush hour) have a 3-4 hour break then work 4 hours in the evening (PM rush hour)

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Customer service representative 1 salary reported	$23.00 per hour
Bus driver 1 salary reported	$26.00 per hour

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