FastLife2010 Posted January 4, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 4, 2008 Any idea of the starting salary with Academy as a new driver? Thank You, Richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted January 4, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 4, 2008 Its probably more or less the same as NYCT or NJT. I would guess around the $29,000-32,000 a year range to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOB2RTO Posted January 4, 2008 Share #3 Posted January 4, 2008 It's around $10-12hr for transit drivers for Academy. Their charter drivers get paid per run, and that hourly wise is about $8-$10hr. I was a Professional Motorcoach Operator, before becoming an ordinary bus driver. I found out alot in the 5.6 years I drove those behemoth vehicles. Atlantic Express sucks also. Only Lakeland (from what their drivers told me) pays good. I have found out about alot of the companies, as the drivers do hang out at places we go (like Dorney Park, Sights and Sounds, Casinos, etc), and got info. When I worked for Campus and they had the NY Jets, Academy would bring in the opposing team. The drivers would hang out chillin, and speak of the jobs how they pay and equipment. I would only recommend this, while applying and waiting for MTA. You gain experience this way, before going to NYCTA (which can take 3 or more years for TA/OA, after filing to take the exams). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted January 4, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 4, 2008 It's around $10-12hr for transit drivers for Academy. Their charter drivers get paid per run, and that hourly wise is about $8-$10hr. I was a Professional Motorcoach Operator, before becoming an ordinary bus driver. I found out alot in the 5.6 years I drove those behemoth vehicles. Atlantic Express sucks also. Only Lakeland (from what their drivers told me) pays good. I have found out about alot of the companies, as the drivers do hang out at places we go (like Dorney Park, Sights and Sounds, Casinos, etc), and got info. When I worked for Campus and they had the NY Jets, Academy would bring in the opposing team. The drivers would hang out chillin, and speak of the jobs how they pay and equipment. I would only recommend this, while applying and waiting for MTA. You gain experience this way, before going to NYCTA (which can take 3 or more years for TA/OA, after filing to take the exams). Wow I was way off. That's surprising to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastLife2010 Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted January 4, 2008 It's around $10-12hr for transit drivers for Academy. Their charter drivers get paid per run, and that hourly wise is about $8-$10hr. I was a Professional Motorcoach Operator, before becoming an ordinary bus driver. I found out alot in the 5.6 years I drove those behemoth vehicles. Atlantic Express sucks also. Only Lakeland (from what their drivers told me) pays good. I have found out about alot of the companies, as the drivers do hang out at places we go (like Dorney Park, Sights and Sounds, Casinos, etc), and got info. When I worked for Campus and they had the NY Jets, Academy would bring in the opposing team. The drivers would hang out chillin, and speak of the jobs how they pay and equipment. I would only recommend this, while applying and waiting for MTA. You gain experience this way, before going to NYCTA (which can take 3 or more years for TA/OA, after filing to take the exams). WoW! $10-$12 an hour??!?! How do they get people to work for them at that rate? Amazing.. How about Greyhound? Any idea of what they start out as? Im sorry for all the questions.. I just need to evaluate all my options before taking the plunge. I definitly want to drive. There's no question about that. Just want to make sure I go with the right company.. Thanks again everyone.. Richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOB2RTO Posted January 4, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 4, 2008 WoW! $10-$12 an hour??!?! How do they get people to work for them at that rate? Amazing.. How about Greyhound? Any idea of what they start out as? Im sorry for all the questions.. I just need to evaluate all my options before taking the plunge. I definitly want to drive. There's no question about that. Just want to make sure I go with the right company.. Thanks again everyone.. Richie Just about all charter companies in the NY Metro area have a high turnover rate, due to the suckie pay. People drive for them to gain experience, while waiting for something better. I hope you put in for MTA exam 8006. Only MTA and Liberty Lines (Bee-Line) has the best pay in the area. Our top pay is $26.92. Liberty Lines is 25+. Greyhound, forget them. A friend of mine who I worked with at Campus, left there to go to Greyhound for better pay, and is now with NYCTA. He told me of Greyhound's pay. Better to be home every-night, even though the traveling that goes with driving coaches is great. Don't need to apologize for all the questions. This is why I join these sites, and they are around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastLife2010 Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted January 4, 2008 DOBRTO: Thank you for the wonderful help/insight. I am going to be putting in for the exam. To the best of my knowledge I need to have at LEAST a CDL Class B permit in order to get into training right? What can I expect on the tests? I believe there are 2 correct? I think between now and the test date of April I should be able to obtain my cdl permit.. Richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOB2RTO Posted January 4, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 4, 2008 DOBRTO: Thank you for the wonderful help/insight. I am going to be putting in for the exam. To the best of my knowledge I need to have at LEAST a CDL Class B permit in order to get into training right? What can I expect on the tests? I believe there are 2 correct? I think between now and the test date of April I should be able to obtain my cdl permit.. Richie For TA this 1 test and survey. One actual test (determines your score), and then the BOSS (Bus Operator Selection Survey) which sees if you are psychologically fit to drive a bus. For OA and MTA Bus, you only take the BOSS. You only need a permit, they will train you, and actually let you use the bus on the road test. They prefer those with permits since they don't have bad driving habits, like those that have CDL licenses do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastLife2010 Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted January 4, 2008 For TA this 1 test and survey. One actual test (determines your score), and then the BOSS (Bus Operator Selection Survey) which sees if you are psychologically fit to drive a bus. For OA and MTA Bus, you only take the BOSS. You only need a permit, they will train you, and actually let you use the bus on the road test. They prefer those with permits since they don't have bad driving habits, like those that have CDL licenses do. Makes sense.. What is 'OA' by the way? So I need only the BOSS test to drive a bus for the MTA? Also, if I score high on the test in how long can I expect a call back? From the point when I receive my call back, how long till I'm behind the wheel in training? Richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOB2RTO Posted January 5, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 5, 2008 Makes sense.. What is 'OA' by the way? So I need only the BOSS test to drive a bus for the MTA? Also, if I score high on the test in how long can I expect a call back? From the point when I receive my call back, how long till I'm behind the wheel in training? Richie Terms in the DOB: OA is short for MaBSTOA (Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority). TA is short for Transit Authority. DOB is short for Department of Buses. The wait depends on how many drivers they need. It took me 3.6 years, but I am OA, so I didn't take a civil service exam. Just the BOSS. Another friend of mine is at MTA Bus. He got called and hired within 1.6 years. MTA Bus pay depends on the depot you pick into. It can be as low as $12+. At TA and OA it's $18.84 to start. First you do a drug test, then you are called back for medical. On the day you do your medical, if you pass, then you are "interviewed", and told when to report to Brooklyn for first day of orientation. You will get a large packed with info, and books on the various buses. You have to read the books, so you can be prepared for the 7-10 days of qualification. The instructor will give you the 7 days of stuff papers that they grade you on, and you just need to use the book to study what you will be doing the next day. It also gives some insight on the wheelchair lifts, and how to operate them. You will have a card in the packet that tells you how to operate the farebox. That is the scary part for some, due to the many buttons. By the end of the day when line training, you should have it down packed (depending on if the operator you are out with, lets you do most of the driving). If you qualify then then you drive the Orion V, after that you do 2+ weeks of line training. If the depot you pick into has Hybrids, or CNGs they will show you that, and you will take a module on that. You won't necessarily drive these as they are still 40ft Orions. If the depots has artics, you will be taken out by a superintendent, or 19-A dispatcher (these dispatchers give probie rides), and you will drive those buses (1 day). You will back them up also. Then you will train on the artic lines. If you go to a depot where there are express buses, you will train and actually drive those. It seems like alot, but when they are done with you (if the trainers are good), everything will come together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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