Stagecoach Group Limited
Trainee Bus Driver (including Apprenticeship qualification)
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Trainee Bus Driver (including Apprenticeship qualification)
Trainee Bus Driver (including Apprenticeship Qualification) – Bedford
About the Role
Your new career starts here at Stagecoach, where no experience in bus driving is required. We provide fully paid training to help you gain your PCV licence and earn a Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship Qualification. Based at our Bedford depot (66A St John’s St, Bedford MK42 0DJ), this role offers a combination of salary, structured training, and excellent career development opportunities.
Salary & Pay
- Training wage: £12.71 per hour (typically 6–8 weeks)
- After training: £15.91 per hour (typical annual earnings of £33,920 PA, based on an average rota of 41 hours per week)
- Overtime rates:
- £19.89 (Monday–Friday)
- £23.87 (weekends & bank holidays)
Key Responsibilities
- Completing industry-leading bus driver training to secure your PCV licence
- Embarking on a Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship, including:
- Structured programme
- Ongoing CPC training
- Professional development
- Driving the Stagecoach fleet safely and smoothly, prioritising customer service excellence
- Ensuring positive customer interactions for passengers of all ages and backgrounds
- Handling flexible shift patterns—earlies, middles, lates, evenings, weekends, and some bank holidays
- Supporting a team of 175 drivers who operate 65 buses across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckingham/Oxfordshire, and parts of Cambridgeshire
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Why Join Stagecoach?
✅ Earn while you learn – Full payment during training & salary post-qualification ✅ Apprenticeship benefits –
- Level 2 Bus Driver qualification (no impact on pay or hours)
- Continuing professional development ✅ Great career opportunities –
- Promotions to roles like Inspector, Controller, Instructor
- Leadership and cross-functional prospects across the UK ✅ Work-life balance –
- 22 days holiday (in addition to bank holidays)
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme ✅ Additional perks –
- Free travel for you and a companion
- Pension scheme
- Discounts on travel, entertainment, and more
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Full UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
- Right to work in the UK (minimum 183 days resident or alternative criteria)
- Patient, safe, and courteous approach
- Genuine customer service mindset
- Full-time availability (shifts include early mornings, evenings, and weekends)
Our Working Environment in Bedford
Stagecoach fosters inclusivity, growth, and community—your team is supportive, managers are invested in your success, and we offer:
- Flexible training alongside your role
- Employee networks for all backgrounds
- Progress into permanent roles with clear development paths
Work-Life Balance & Benefits
We pride ourselves on a stress-free environment where you’re not just an employee—you’re Stagecoach family. With sustainable fleet initiatives and a commitment to improved transport for all, we’re expanding our green energy fleet and offering long-term stability.
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Application Process
Ready to embark on your Stagecoach journey? Apply now for a fast-track recruitment process:
- Complete a short 3-4 minute application
- Attend an interview where we’ll discuss your experience, behaviours, and passion for customer service
Apply Today
Apply now to start your role and make a real difference to millions of passengers across Bedford and beyond.
“At Stagecoach, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer careers.”
About Stagecoach
Founded in 1980, we’re the UK’s #1 bus company, serving over 100 towns and cities with a network connecting 18 million passengers yearly. We plan for the future by delivering greener, fairer, and safer transport while supporting local economies. Our 26,000-strong team shape the UK’s public transport with enthusiasm and expertise.
With a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and 22 days holiday, Stagecoach values a culture where everyone belongs—irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, or any other characteristic. We’re proud to align with five core values: 🔹 We plan for the future 🔹 We do the right thing 🔹 We are stronger together 🔹 We are down to earth 🔹 We support communities
“Let’s go—your Stagecoach journey awaits.” 🚍✨
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