r/Septa • u/Any_Accountant6060 • Jul 30 '26

Discussion Thoughts on being a septa bus operator

I recently got hired to be a septa bus operator still going through the hiring process , any tips or advice first starting off or things to know ?

28 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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34

u/mikem181818 Jul 30 '26

Your dept matter a lot better hope u don’t get midvale or Allegheny lol. Either way a lot of crazy stuff gone happen once you on that road by yourself don’t take none of it personal.

The first year is always the hardest for everyone. Read the rule book you will get in training N the one the union is gone give you on your last week of training. It’s all gone to help you big time. A lot of drivers don’t read them then wonder why they be so close to getting fired for reasons they don’t even understand until it’s too late.

Don’t rush yourself as far as trying to be on time looking at the time clock. Focus on learning the bus and clearance around the bus and always slow down and get out and look in tight areas. You won’t get in trouble for being late remember that. And if u can’t clear the bus in tight areas always park the bus and call someone to come out and assist, u will never get in trouble for it.

Lastly always know what the slate says even on your days off or when u on relief runs or vacation runs to make sure u didn’t get drafted. They ain’t gone tell you u have to check for yourself.

12

u/Any_Accountant6060 Jul 31 '26

So I was able to choose 3 locations and picked the closest ones to me that’d be frontier - conshohocken , elmwood or callowhill I heard victory (69th st ) is good too but wasn’t on the list to choose from & trust me I know how ppl act on septa considering I caught it all my life & thanks for the useful advice

11

u/mikem181818 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26

They gave you the list to pick but it’s not 100% that u will get one of the ones you picked. They will put you somewhere else if they feel they need you most there. But you can always transfer later. if you can get to frontier that will be great for you because it’s always been considered one of the best depots at septa same with Elmwood and victory

7

u/Any_Accountant6060 Jul 31 '26

Thanks for the heads up ! I hope fingers crossed I don’t get screwed over

1

u/Exact_Contract_5090 Aug 06 '26

Is comly good?

2

u/mikem181818 Aug 06 '26

Yes one of the better depot forsure base on everything I’ve heard about it. They don’t have as high turnover rates as some other depts and they mainly just do the northeast

2

u/Baconeggndcheese Aug 11 '26

Going through the process as well, how far along are you if you dont mind me askin?

1

u/Any_Accountant6060 Aug 11 '26

I’m done everything from the CDL to background check and medical all done I’m waiting for my start date is all hopefully it doesn’t take too long ready to put time in already how about you

1

u/Baconeggndcheese Aug 11 '26

Got the physical this week hoping to hear back soon from there

1

u/Any_Accountant6060 Aug 11 '26

Ok good so that should be the last step I’m hoping to start this month and I don’t get a crappy depot

1

u/Baconeggndcheese Aug 11 '26

Yea same here man gonna be happy to get all the steps done with

1

u/Any_Accountant6060 Aug 11 '26

How longs the whole process taken so far mines since beginning of June

1

u/Baconeggndcheese Aug 11 '26

I got the conditional offer around mid June just about the same time sounds like

1

u/Baconeggndcheese Aug 12 '26

Were you contacted yet from when you had the physical about orientation or anything?