Starting April 22, all newly hired bus operators at TriMet will earn $25.24 per hour to start and be eligible to receive a $7,500 hiring bonus. That’s a $4,000 bonus increase.

TriMet must hire more than 300 operators to bring staffing levels back to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent incentives have resulted in some applications coming in, but it hasn’t been enough to reverse the most severe staffing shortage in agency history.

The new starting pay is a nearly $4 increase on top of the $4 salary upgrade TriMet made last fall.

All operators receive regular, guaranteed pay raises according to our Working and Wage Agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757.

Under the agreement, bus operators reach the top rate of $33.65 per hour with their 35th month of employment, guaranteeing a base pay of at least $68,000 before any overtime.

TriMet relies on people.

Applicants need not have experience driving a large vehicle like a bus.They offer a fully paid, seven-week training course thast will teach you how to drive a bus the "TriMet way".

During training, new operators work 40-hour weeks at the $25.24 starting rate.

In addition to classroom and field instruction, operators have the opportunity to earn their Commercial Driver License (CDL) certification during the training period.

TriMet starts new training classes about every three weeks and has space for up to 26 new operators per class. All new operators must successfully complete TriMet’s training program before heading out on the road on their own.

TriMet bus operators receive a package of benefits, which includes low- to no-cost health, life and disability insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and a retirement account with a guaranteed employer contribution.

All new employees have access to:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans at low or no monthly cost
• Two retirement plans, with an 8% agency base pay contribution to employee’s 401a
• One week of paid vacation and up to 40 hours sick leave in the first year of employment, with paid time off increasing over time
• Health and dependent care spending accounts
• Access to Employee Assistance Program with mental health and counseling services, legal assistance, financial coaching and home ownership programs
• Annual transit pass (valued up to $1200) for employee and eligible family members
• 24-hour access to five exclusive, low-cost, on-site fitness centers
• Representation by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757

TriMet bus operators have the option to pursue full- or part-time schedules of at least 25 hours per week.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

While they do not require driving experience, applicants must be able to provide:

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver license for three years
• Clean driving record for past three years

In addition, candidates must successfully complete the following steps before being considered for a conditional employment offer:

• Passing required CDL permit tests
• Criminal background check
• Medical exam
• Drug screen

TriMet is regulated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and must follow federal rules, regulations and mandates to remain in good standing and be eligible for federal funding for projects and initiatives that support mass transportation and the public transportation system for the Portland metro region.

TriMet is challenged by the current conditions in the labor market.

In January, they reduced bus service by about 9% as a direct result of the operator shortage. That’s on top of the 10% service cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lack of operators to this degree brings into question TriMet's service expansion in the future.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-04-24 16:25:34

Last Update: 2022-04-24 17:10:33