Bus Driver Benefits and Perks

Sign-on bonus

There’s never been a better time to become a driver with Community Transit — new drivers can earn a $5,000 sign-on incentive bonus when they complete our driver training program. That’s an extra $5,000 on top of the great benefits and generous pay that our drivers earn.

Wondering how it works? Earn a portion of your bonus when you reach these qualification milestones:

• $1,500 after 25 days of employment (halfway through your driver training)
• $1,500 after driver training graduation
• $2,000 after completion of probation.

Sign-on incentive bonus is subject to qualification and applicable payroll taxes and withholding.

Competitive pay

Our drivers not only enjoy excellent benefits and paid time off, but are paid a competitive wage that is regularly negotiated through their union. Wages increase with experience, too.

• During our 10-week paid training program you will earn $30.50 per hour during training while you earn your Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• After training, you will earn a starting salary of $33.54 per hour, with the potential to earn up to $39.31 hourly.
• Our bus drivers are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1576. The position includes a wage progression based on hours worked. Drivers receive a wage increase for each milestone established by the wage progression.  These terms are regularly negotiated.

The date of your graduation from training will determine your seniority date, for purposes including future compensation increases and assignments. (Please note: Community Transit is in the process of ending a contract with a private company that has historically operated some bus routes. The seniority dates for employees of this company who sign offers to transition to Community Transit will be Jan. 6, 2025, even though their start dates will come later as part of phased transitions.)

Paid training

No bus driving experience is required. We train you — and pay you while you train! You qualify for benefits the first month after you start and accrue paid time off while you train, too!

• During our 10-week paid training program you will earn $30.50 per hour during training while you earn your Commercial Driver's License (CDL). After training, you will earn a starting salary of $33.54 per hour.
• Bus driver trainees are eligible for our Trainee Benefit Package on the first month following your training start date, which includes:
  • Medical insurance for trainees and their dependents (95% company-paid premiums)
  • Dental and vision insurance for trainees and their dependents (100% company-paid premiums)
  • Accruing paid time off during training
• Both full-time and part-time drivers must complete our 10-week training program, which is a full-time commitment over a 10-week period.
  

The date of your graduation from this training will determine your seniority date, for purposes including future compensation increases and assignments. (Please note: Community Transit is in the process of ending a contract with a private company that has historically operated some bus routes. The seniority dates for employees of this company who sign offers to transition to Community Transit will be Jan. 6, 2025, even though their start dates will come later as part of phased transitions.)

Health insurance

Bus drivers enjoy comprehensive medical, vision, and dental benefits.

• Medical insurance is 95% company-paid and starts at $120 per month for a family or $45 per month for an individual.
• Free dental insurance — Community Transit pays 100% of your premiums.
• Free vision insurance — Community Transit pays 100% of your premiums.
• Explore our benefits guide for more information.

2024 Waiver incentive

Employees can provide proof of other group medical coverage to waive the tier of coverage they are eligible to enroll in and receive cash back. Waiver incentive you would be eligible to receive subject to PEBB rules that do not permit dual coverage enrollment under PEBB plans.

Flexible spending accounts

Community Transit offers Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) that enable employees to set aside money to pay for qualified out-of- pocket health and dependent care expenses before it is taxed. Only full-time employees may participate in an FSA.

• Health Care FSA – Employees can set aside up to $3,050 to cover eligible health care expenses for themselves and eligible dependents.
• Dependent Care FSA – Employees can set aside up to $5,000 to cover eligible dependent care expenses such as in-home or licensed day care, or elder care.
  

Health and wellness program

Our Wellness program offers a variety of services and activities throughout the year to help you maintain your health.
This includes:

• Onsite physical therapy
• Onsite health coach and personal trainer.
• Onsite fitness centers with treadmills, recumbent bikes, weights, and elliptical machines.
• Wellness workshops
• Onsite wellness screenings
• Onsite flu shots
• Interactive wellness events such as fitness challenges, cook offs and other activities.

Paid time off

Bus drivers enjoy 35 days of paid time off an accrued leave in their first year. It adds up. That’s like getting paid over $8,000 for your days off! Here’s how that breaks down:

• 152 hours of paid time off (about 19 days)
• Accrue one hour of Washington Paid Sick Leave for every 40 hours worked
• 10 paid holidays per year

Our bus drivers are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1576. The position includes a wage progression based on hours worked. Drivers receive a wage increase for each milestone established by the wage progression. Employees earn PTO from their date of hire and may use it as they earn it, subject to scheduling rules. It is paid out to employees at their regular time pay rate. The amount of PTO earned is shown below.

The date of your graduation from training will determine your seniority date, for purposes including future compensation increases and assignments. (Please note: Community Transit is in the process of ending a contract with a private company that has historically operated some bus routes. The seniority dates for employees of this company who sign offers to transition to Community Transit will be Jan. 6, 2025, even though their start dates will come later as part of phased transitions.)

Retirement pension

A pension is a type of retirement plan that provides monthly income after you retire from your position. Many people consider pensions to be one of the most reliable ways to plan for retirement, as pension funds are not impacted by the stock market or other economic forces. 

More about Community Transit’s Pension options:

• Community Transit is a Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) employer. You have 90 days from your date of hire into a PERS eligible position to decide if you want to participate in PERS plan 2 or PERS plan 3.
• A pension can provide guaranteed income for your life and they offer security through a set monthly income.
• A pension pays benefits for the lifetime of the retiree and in some cases can continue to be made to the spouse of a deceased retiree.
• To be eligible for Community Transit’s pension, you must be vested, which typically takes about 5–10 years of full-time employment depending on the PERS plan you select.  Once you are vested, you can earn an unlimited number of years to increase your pension amount.
• Once you elect your plan you can register online with the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)  to monitor your benefit service credits, change beneficiaries, and estimate your retirement income.

Tuition reimbursement

Our mission is to help people get from where they are to where they want to be— and that includes supporting the aspirations of our employees. We believe in investing in your growth and development. That's why we offer our comprehensive Tuition Reimbursement Benefit, designed to support your educational aspirations, and grow your career. With our three-tiered program, we provide financial assistance for a wide range of educational pursuits, whether you're considering professional development certifications, trade school, an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, or even a master's degree.

Reimbursement will be made after the employee presents proof of satisfactory completion and a passing grade. Other terms apply.

Employee assistance program

Employees and their household members are eligible for free and confidential financial, legal, mental health, and family support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
EAP benefits include:

• Mental health care and counseling
• Addiction treatment
• Financial and legal assistance
• Identity theft recovery services
• Daily living services resources
• Funeral planning advocacy
• Smoking cessation
• Elder care assistance
• Childcare assistance

Many options are available to suit your needs.

Transportation incentive program

As a transit agency, we encourage employees to think outside of the car when it comes to how they get around. We reward employees who use alternatives to single occupancy vehicles when they commute to work. Our Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) offers quarterly cash incentives to employees who walk, ride, bus, carpool — anything but drive along — to work. Employees can make up to $45 per month, paid quarterly, with the TIP benefit.

Freedom of the road

Drivers looking to transition from desk-bound work like accounting, administration, call center, and sales have also thrived in this role — get out from behind that desk or counter and discover the freedom of driving in your local community!

Drivers enjoy:

• A window seat to the world — each day offers a new experience.
• Independent work
• A supportive environment with opportunity for promotion
• Union membership.  Our bus drivers are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1576.

Additional benefits

Additional benefits include:

• Health club reimbursement
• Wellness incentive
• Company-paid DOT exams
• Complimentary ORCA card
• Uniform allowance
• Free parking
• Company picnics and events

Disclaimer:

If there is any difference between this publication and the insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents/insurance contracts will always govern. Community Transit reserves the right to amend or terminate them according to the amendment and termination procedures described in the legal documents/insurance contracts. This page is informational in nature and does not create a contract of employment with Community Transit.