17 Bus Attendant Interview Questions and Answers

School bus attendants are responsible for the safety and well-being of the students on their bus. They keep order on the bus, help children on and off the bus, and keep an eye on the students during the ride.

If you’re applying for a bus attendant job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One way to prepare for this important meeting is to learn how to answer bus attendant interview questions before talking with an interviewer.

Employers look for bus attendants who are responsible, patient, and able to handle difficult situations. You’ll also need physical strength and stamina, as well as knowledge of the best ways to keep a bus clean. A bus attendant interview is your chance to show that you’ve polished these skills to a shine. To help you get ready, we’ve listed bus attendant questions and answers that will help you figure out what you want to say during an interview.

Are you comfortable working with a wide range of people?

Bus attendants often work with a wide range of people, including students, businesspeople and families. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with all types of people. Use your answer to show that you have experience interacting with many different kinds of people. Explain how you’ve learned to adapt to different personalities and needs.

Example: “I’ve worked as a bus attendant for five years now. During that time, I’ve interacted with thousands of people. I’m used to seeing new faces every day. I find that I can adjust to the needs of most people. For example, I know what to do if someone is in a rush or has special dietary restrictions. I also try to learn more about my riders so I can greet them by name when they board.”

What are some of the most important skills for a bus attendant to have?

Bus attendants need to be able to multitask and work well under pressure. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. Before your interview, think about what skills you possess that would help you succeed in this role. Make a list of these skills and refer to it when answering this question.

Example: “The most important skill for a bus attendant is communication. Bus attendants are often the first point of contact for customers. They need to be friendly and helpful so they can answer questions or solve problems. Another important skill is problem-solving. Bus attendants often encounter unexpected situations. I am good at thinking on my feet and finding solutions to challenges.”

How would you handle a disruptive or unruly passenger?

Bus attendants often have to deal with passengers who are upset or angry. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle difficult situations and diffuse conflict. In your answer, explain how you would use your communication skills and problem-solving abilities to help the passenger feel more comfortable. Share a specific example of a time when you helped someone in a similar situation.

Example: “I once had a passenger who was very upset because we were running late. I went over to them and explained that there was an accident on the road ahead. They calmed down after hearing that information. Then, I offered to get them something from the snack bar to make up for the delay. After they got their food, they thanked me and apologized for being rude. We arrived at our destination five minutes early.”

What is your experience working with people who have disabilities?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with people who need special accommodations. If you do, they can feel more confident that you will be able to work well with their current employees and customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked with someone who had a disability. This can show the employer that you are comfortable doing so.

Example: “I have worked with many people who have disabilities in my previous jobs as a bus attendant. I am used to helping them get on and off of the bus and making sure they have everything they need while riding. I also know how to communicate with them effectively, which is important for safety reasons.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service.

Bus attendants often have the opportunity to provide excellent customer service. Employers ask this question to learn more about your dedication to helping others and ensuring their customers are happy. When you answer, try to think of a specific example from your previous job or another position where you provided exceptional service.

Example: “At my last job as a barista, I had a regular customer who always ordered the same thing. One day, she came in and told me that her usual order wasn’t quite right. She was upset because it was one of the few things she could eat without getting sick. I apologized for the mistake and offered to remake it for her. Instead, I made her a new drink and gave her the rest of the old one on the house. She was so grateful and returned several times after that.”

If you saw a safety hazard on the bus, what would you do?

Bus attendants are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers. Employers ask this question to make sure you have a strong commitment to passenger safety and that you know what to do if you see a potential hazard on the bus. In your answer, explain how you would handle the situation and what steps you would take to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Example: “If I saw a safety hazard on the bus, I would first alert the driver so they could address it. If the driver was unable to fix the problem or didn’t respond quickly enough, I would call dispatch to report the issue. Then, I would try to find another way to get the passengers off the bus until the problem was fixed.”

What would you do if you were scheduled to work a shift but no bus arrived to pick up passengers?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have a plan in place for unexpected situations. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the passengers were transported safely and on time.

Example: “If I was scheduled to work but no bus arrived, I would call my manager immediately. Then, I would find out if there was another bus available that could pick up the passengers. If not, I would contact local taxi companies or other transportation services to see if they could help transport the passengers. Finally, I would wait with the passengers until we found a solution.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Bus attendants often work in high-pressure environments. They need to be able to perform well under pressure and make quick decisions when necessary. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle a busy environment. In your answer, explain how you stay calm and focused during stressful situations. Share an example of a time when you performed well under pressure.

Example: “I have worked as a bus attendant for five years now, so I am used to working in a high-pressure environment. When I first started, the job was quite overwhelming because there were so many people on the bus at once. However, over time, I learned how to manage my stress levels. Now, I feel confident that I can keep everyone happy while still performing all of my duties.”

Do you have a valid driver’s license?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary qualifications for the job. They want someone who can drive safely and has a valid driver’s license. If you do not have a driver’s license, explain why in your answer. You may also mention that you are willing to get one if needed.

Example: “Yes, I do have a valid driver’s license. I got my license when I was 18 years old. I am very comfortable driving and have driven many different types of vehicles. I feel confident that I could handle any situation while driving a bus.”

When is it appropriate to use the emergency exit?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know when it’s appropriate to use the emergency exit and when it isn’t. They want to ensure that you will only use it in an emergency situation, as opposed to using it for convenience or other reasons. In your answer, explain what constitutes an emergency situation and how you would handle one if it occurred.

Example: “In my experience, I’ve found that the emergency exit should be used only in situations where there is a fire or another dangerous situation. If someone needs medical attention, I would try to get them to the front of the bus so they can receive care from our driver. However, if they are unable to walk on their own, then I would use the emergency exit to help them off the bus.”

We want to improve our customer service and reduce wait times. What ideas do you have to help accomplish this?

Bus attendants are often the first point of contact for customers. Employers ask this question to see if you have any ideas on how they can improve their customer service and reduce wait times. Show them that you’re willing to help in any way possible, even if it’s not directly related to your job duties.

Example: “I think one way we could improve our customer service is by having a more efficient system for checking people in. I noticed that there were multiple occasions where students had to wait in line because the attendant was helping someone else. If we had an automated check-in system, like a kiosk or mobile app, we could eliminate some of these long lines.”

Describe your experience working with computerized systems.

Bus attendants often need to use computerized systems, such as those that track the number of passengers on a bus and how much money they’ve spent. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using these types of systems. In your answer, explain which computerized systems you’re familiar with and what kind of training you received when working with them.

Example: “I’ve worked with computerized systems for several years now. When I first started my career as a bus attendant, I had no experience with computerized systems. However, my employer provided me with extensive training on all of our computerized systems. Now, I’m comfortable using any of the systems we have in place.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Focus on highlighting your soft skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I am passionate about customer service, which is why I chose to pursue a career in hospitality. Throughout my career, I have developed strong interpersonal skills that allow me to connect with customers quickly. In addition, I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great fit for this role. I also have experience working in a fast-paced environment, so I know what it takes to keep up with the demands of this job.”

Which bus routes have you worked previously?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience and skills. They want to know if you have worked on routes similar to the one they are hiring for. When answering, list the routes you’ve worked in the past and explain what made them similar or different from the route you’re applying for.

Example: “In my previous position as a bus attendant, I worked on two different routes. One was a morning rush hour route that went through downtown. The other was an evening rush hour route that went through the residential areas of town. Both routes had many stops along the way, but the rush hour routes were much more hectic because there were so many people riding at once.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Bus attendants need to be friendly and helpful, but they also need to know how to prioritize their tasks. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of customer service in your role. In your answer, explain what makes good customer service and give an example of a time when you provided excellent customer service.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is making sure that customers feel welcome. I always try to greet people with a smile and offer them help as soon as possible. For instance, if someone needs change for the soda machine, I will get it for them before they even ask. This way, they don’t have to wait long for assistance.”

How often do you perform routine maintenance on buses?

Bus attendants often perform routine maintenance on buses to ensure they’re in good working order. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. In your answer, explain what types of maintenance you’ve done in the past. If you haven’t worked as a bus attendant before, you can talk about how you maintain other vehicles or equipment.

Example: “I perform routine maintenance on buses at least once every two weeks. I check all the tires, oil levels, fuel filters and brakes. I also clean the windows, vacuum the floors and empty the trash. I do these things because it’s important that we keep our buses in good condition so we can provide safe transportation for passengers.”

There is a discrepancy in the bus route schedule. What would you do?

Bus attendants are responsible for maintaining the schedule of their routes. If there is a discrepancy, you should be able to identify it and report it to your supervisor or manager. Your answer should show that you can follow protocol when reporting errors.

Example: “I would first check with my driver to see if they noticed any changes in the route. If not, I would then contact the dispatcher to let them know about the issue. They will likely have me verify the information before making any adjustments. After confirming the change, I would inform my passengers of the new route.”