Apply to be a Bus Operator
Great benefits, including medical, dental, pension and paid training!
New hourly rates and incentives!
CTA new bus operator hires receive a $1,000 hiring bonus! Bus operators are also eligible for up to $3,000 in additional incentives the next two years, per the ATU agreement.
Learn more
Requirements
- Required to submit to and pass drug and alcohol testing as mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration.
- Required to be at least 21 years of age.
- Required to have an acceptable driving record
- Required to obtain a valid State of Illinois Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or a valid State of Illinois Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with the following three endorsements: KNOWLEDGE, PASSENGER and AIR BRAKES.
- *If you don’t have a CDL at the time of application, CTA provides paid training for candidates with CLPs to help obtain their license.
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
Hiring process
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Application
Apply online and upload your resume/work history.
-
Testing
Follow the instructions that are emailed to you to take the online assessment. (If you do not receive email instructions within 24 hours, check your spam or junk folder.)
-
Interview
Recruiters will contact eligible candidates to schedule Interview.
(This step usually takes place 1-2 weeks after testing.)
-
Offer is extended and background check process begins
Complete medical and background check.
(This step can take, on average, 4-5 weeks)
-
Submit any outstanding documentation
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Knowledge, Passenger, and Air Brakes endorsement
OR
Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with Knowledge, Passenger, and Air Brakes endorsement
(View the study guide.)
-
Attend Pre-Hire Session
Complete Hire Documents and learn about benefits
-
Attend New Employee Orientation (NEO)
Learn about the Chicago Transit Authority and the role you’ll play as a Bus Operator.
Frequently asked questions
Requirements and the application process
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
Applications are accepted online only. You can apply from our Careers page.
If you applied and interviewed, your application is valid for six (6) months. If you did not pass the interview, you will be able to apply again in one (1) year.
Passing test scores are good for three (3) years. If you did not pass the test, you can retake it after one (1) year. You must reapply for the position in order to re-test.
No, you do not. We provide paid training to teach you what you need to know about operating a commercial vehicle.
Approximately two (2) months from your testing date.
Within 48 hours you should hear from a member of our team by email or phone.
Please make sure to have your most up to date contact information on your application. Additionally, check your spam/junk folders to make sure you don’t miss anything.
- Submit a copy of your CLP to the recruiter.
- Complete medical and background screening.
No one will be allowed to start without completing all steps of the screening process.
The status of all your applications can be found on your applicant profile on the job application site.
CDL/CLP
No, you can apply with no CDL or CLP. If you are offered the position, you will be required to obtain the CLP before your start date. CTA will then provide 30-45 days of paid training include CDL training.
- You must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid IL driver’s license
- Study the IL CDL Handbook from Secretary of State
- Visit the Illinois Secretary of State DMV at:
- Either the Elk Grove or South Holland location
- Take the written exam for a Class “B” CLP
- Knowledge Endorsement
- Passenger Endorsement
- Air brakes Endorsement
- It will cost you $60 to obtain the permit
You have 30 days from time you are offered the job to get your CLP. You will not be able to start without submitting a copy of the CLP.
No. Successful completion of CTA's Bus Operator paid training will qualify you for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Knowledge, passenger, and air brakes.
Out-of-state CDLs will be accepted if you have current residency in that state. Illinois residents have to obtain an Illinois CLP/CDL.
A Driving Abstract is a Motor Vehicle Record provided by the Illinois Secretary of State that is required to be considered for the PTBO position. You can request one for $12 at the Secretary of State.
New hourly rates and incentives
The signing bonus is $1,000.
Bus Operator, Bus Mechanics, Car repairer
The CTA will pay the new hire incentive on the employee's first paycheck.
If an employee receives the new hire incentive and resigns or is terminated by the CTA within the first twelve months of employment, the employee shall be required to pay the entire hiring incentive back to the CTA.
Yes, bus operator follows a pay progression based in the CBA.
Employees in the positions listed below will be eligible for two potential retention incentives in 2023. To be eligible for the first retention incentive, a Retention Eligible Employee must be on the payroll on June 30, 2023. The second retention incentive will be a one-time payment to be paid the first pay period after August 1, 2023 equal to three percent (3%) of the Retention Eligible Employee's hourly rate for actual regular and overtime hours worked between January I, 2023 and June 30, 2023 (up to a maximum of the first 1,250 hours worked during that 6-month period).
To be eligible for the second retention incentive, a Retention Eligible Employee must be on the payroll on December 31, 2023. The third retention incentive will be a one-time payment to be paid the first pay period after February I, 2024 equal to three percent (3%) of the Retention Eligible Employee's hourly rate for actual regular and overtime hours worked between July J, 2023 and December 3 l, 2023 (up to a maximum of the first 1,250 hours worked during that 6-month period). Each of these retention incentive payments will be subject to applicable payroll taxes and withholdings.
JSN
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Position Title
|
3234
|
Administrative Secretary
|
4814
|
Bricklayer Helper
|
2689
|
Bus Equipment Tech I
|
2424
|
Bus Equipment Tech II
|
2592
|
Bus Equipment Tech III
|
1039
|
Bus Handler
|
0133
|
Bus Instructor I
|
3433
|
Bus Instructor II
|
0110
|
Bus Operator
|
4655
|
Bus Procurement Coordinator
|
0173
|
Bus Service Supervisor I
|
3432
|
Bus Service Supervisor II
|
1441
|
Bus Servicer
|
6211
|
Bus Servicer Apprentice
|
0399
|
Car Servicer
|
6208
|
Car Servicer Apprentice
|
2683
|
Cash Box Puller
|
0162
|
Chief Clerk (Bus)
|
0308
|
Chief Clerk (Rail)
|
0308
|
Chief Clerk (Rail)
|
3989
|
Claims Accident Clerk
|
3226
|
Claims Representative
|
0166
|
Clerk II (Bus)
|
0161
|
Clerk III (Bus)
|
0172
|
Clerk IV (Bus)
|
4381
|
Combined Rail Operator
|
6193
|
Compliance Clerk
|
3888
|
Computer Production Controller
|
4221
|
Currency Processor
|
5528
|
Customer Assistance Supervisor
|
6225
|
Customer Service Assistant
|
6224
|
Customer Service Representative
|
6213
|
Customer Service Representative I
|
6216
|
Customer Service Representative II
|
3011
|
Data Entry Clerk
|
1614
|
Duplicating Mach Operator I
|
1975
|
Duplicating Mach Operator II
|
1616
|
Engine Washer
|
2689
|
Equipment Technician I
|
5497
|
Extra Board
|
6207
|
Facilities Posting Specialist
|
2157
|
File Clerk (Comp)
|
3601
|
Finishing Clerk
|
6202
|
Flagger
|
2203
|
Garage Instructor I
|
3502
|
Garage Instructor II
|
2302
|
Inspection Terminal Instructor I
|
2303
|
Inspection Terminal Instructor II
|
0116
|
Janitor (Buildings & Grounds)
|
0252
|
Janitor (Rapid Transit)
|
6227
|
Key Instructor
|
0620
|
Laborer
|
1291
|
Laborer (Building)
|
2482
|
Laborer (South Shops)
|
4879
|
Lead Computer Operator
|
2034
|
Material Coordinator I - Rail
|
3495
|
Material Coordinator II
|
5606
|
Material Handler I
|
2211
|
Mobile Bus Mechanic
|
2679
|
Money Handler I
|
2289
|
Motor Cleaner
|
3685
|
Order Control Clerk I
|
3685
|
Order Control Clerk I
|
2734
|
Order Control Clerk II
|
6198
|
Payroll Processing Clerk
|
5578
|
Procurement Match Clerk
|
6214
|
Production Clerk - Bus
|
6215
|
Production Clerk - Rail
|
4603
|
Rail Car Procurement Coordinator
|
6100
|
Rail Carbody Inspector
|
2668
|
Rail Clerk II
|
1578
|
Rail Clerk III
|
6099
|
Rail Controls Inspector
|
2461
|
Rail Equipment Tech III
|
6098
|
Rail HVAC Repairer
|
3430
|
Rail Instructor I
|
3431
|
Rail Instructor II
|
6203
|
Rail Instructor III
|
8923
|
Rail Janitor Apprentice
|
6102
|
Rail Leader/Pilot
|
5619
|
Rail Maintenance Terminal Office Clerk
|
6209
|
Rail Posting Specialist
|
3434
|
Rail Service Supervisor II
|
6122
|
Rail Service Supervisor III
|
6097
|
Rail Technician
|
3676
|
Rail Terminal Supervisor
|
6101
|
Rail Truck Shop Repairer
|
2129
|
Rapid Transit Operator
|
6210
|
Reception Clerk - RTW
|
6201
|
Reprographics Support Specialist
|
3617
|
Salvage Control Clerk
|
2809
|
Senior Combination Clerk
|
2153
|
Senior Duplicating Mach Operator
|
2537
|
Senior Garage Instructor
|
2537
|
Senior Garage Instructor
|
1584
|
Shipping Clerk
|
2287
|
Shop Inspector
|
1183
|
Shop Records Clerk
|
5800
|
Special Part-Time Bus Operator
|
5813
|
Stockroom Clerk - Bus
|
5584
|
Stockroom Clerk I
|
5721
|
Stockroom Clerk II
|
6228
|
Supervisor Clerk
|
0263
|
Switch Worker
|
6249
|
Telecommunications Specialist
|
2655
|
Tire Repairer
|
0292
|
Tower Worker
|
2704
|
Track Maintenance Equipment Operator
|
0577
|
Track Welder
|
3366
|
Track Worker
|
2730
|
Training & Instruction Administration Assistant
|
5783
|
Training and Instruction Clerk
|
4123
|
Treasury Clerk
|
4238
|
Treasury Coordinator
|
1414
|
Unit Exchange Clerk I - Rail
|
6195
|
Universal Rail Supervisor I
|
6196
|
Universal Rail Supervisor II
|
0900
|
Utilities Records Clerk
|
5782
|
Vehicle Maintenance Office Clerk
|
0266
|
Warehouse Worker I
|
6062
|
Warranty Clerk
|
2581
|
Work Car Crane Operator
|
5420
|
Work Train Conductor
|
The CTA complies with all federal and state laws forbidding discrimination and will attempt to provide a reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job.