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Transportation

Orange County Schools Bus Transportation

Overview

Each day, more than 3500 students ride a school bus operated by the Orange County Schools Transportation Department. Each year the district’s buses travel more than 1,258,151 miles. The Transportation Department employs 64 bus drivers, eight technicians who work in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, and six office staff.

The Orange County Transportation Department oversees the operation of 142 school buses. In addition, the district has additional activity buses that are also used to transport students to field trips and sporting events.

Board Policies for OCS Bus Transportation

Board Policy 4305: OCS Code of Student Conduct

Board Policy 6300: Goals of Student Transportation Services

Board Policy 6305: Safety and Student Transportation Services

Bus Transportation Guidelines for all staff, students, and families:

OCS 2024-2025 Transportation Parent/Student Guidelines

OCS 2024-2025 Guia de Transporte y Expectativas para Padres y Estudiantes

Bus Information

Come drive with us!

OCS-Approved Bus Driver Incentives for 2022-2023

Effective August 29, 2022: The starting pay for new bus drivers was set at $17.00 per hour. In addition, an extra $1.23 per hour was added to the base pay rates for all existing OCS drivers.

Other incentives include:

  • Paid medical examination fee required for bus drivers.
  • Reimbursement of CDL license fee.
  • Annual retention bonus for drivers (entry level and 1-2 years at $250; 3-4 years at $500 and 5+ years at $1,000)
  • $500 Referral bonus* (Paid to an employee once a new driver is hired and has worked 90 days)
  • $250 Driver perfect attendance bonus (per 9 weeks)
  • Sign on bonus tiers:
    • $2,500 Sign on bonus for Drivers ($1,250 paid within the first 30 days of employment and $1,250 paid after 90 days of employment)
    • $1,250 Sign on bonus for Safety Assistants who also are Drivers ($625 within the first 30 days and $625 after 90 days of employment).  
    • $600 Sign on bonus for Safety Assistants who are not Drivers ($300 within the first 30 days and $300 after 90 days of employment)

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

We Need You

WE NEED YOU! If you are interested in driving a school bus for Orange County Schools in Hillsborough, North Carolina, please call or email Jennifer Smith for more information:  jennifer.smith@orange.k12.nc.us OR Wanda Bain wanda.bain@orange.k12.nc.us

  • Before becoming a school bus driver for the district, drivers must meet strict requirements. They include, but are not limited to:
  • At least 18 years old.
  • Possess a valid NC CDL (Commercial Driver's License) with P (Passenger) and S (School Bus) Endorsements and a clean driving record.
  • Pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
  • Pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • School Bus Driver Training Checklist:
  • For those drivers that are new to North Carolina, or that reside in North Carolina, but do not have a CDL, training classes are mandatory prior to getting behind the wheel. All candidates are pre-screened before inviting them to the training classes. Below is a brief summary of the process.
  • Apply to Orange County Schools http://www.orangecountyfirst.com/careers
  • Background check.
  • Selected to attend training class by interview panel.
  • Successfully pass written tests for their Commercial Driver's License.
  • Pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Obtain a DOT Medical Card.
  • Obtain a Class B Learner's Permit and hold for 14 days.
  • Successfully pass three days of on-the-road training with DMV Driver Trainer.
  • All criteria listed above must also be met before employment.

Please Read...

NC School Bus Driver Handout

Commercial Driver License Manual​

Transportation FAQ's