Senior Shuttle Driver

Work Unit Overview:

Madison County provides transportation services to Senior Citizens including persons with disabilities and developmentally disabled individuals requiring special assistance. The county system may include fixed routes with set schedules or coordinate citizens’ door-to-door transportation, which is door to door service for qualified citizens at flexible times.

The Senior Citizen Shuttle Driver drives passenger vans, buses, or motor coaches to safely transport county citizens while obeying all traffic laws. This may include transporting the general public, senior citizens and/or developmentally disabled individuals on fixed routes with set schedules, door-to-door service, charters, and/or other specialized trips for various purposes.

• Perform visual inspections and operation safety checks on assigned vehicles used to transport county citizens to ensure it is in safe operating order. Check for mechanical and other equipment problems requiring attention and report any repairs needed.
• Check assigned vehicle for gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure and ensure any deficiencies found and noted in previous inspections have been corrected.
• Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board. Assist passengers, such as elderly or disabled individuals on and off bus to ensure they are seated properly. Store wheel chairs and other gear that assists disabled persons properly. Ensure all packages and other loose objects are out of the aisle and secured to prevent personal injuries from flying objects.
• Operate a passenger radio-equipped van or bus in transporting the public, elderly, or physically disabled on a fixed route or coordinate citizens’ door-to-door service, according to federal and state laws and departmental policies. Transport senior citizens and disabled people of all ages for a variety of purposes including medical appointments, recreation, shopping, etc. Stay in contact with dispatcher to report any issues or problems.
• Coordinate the bus schedule(s) to accommodate passenger’s needs, communicate with passengers by phone, or in person when needed.
• Must be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the public.
• Read maps accurately to locate addresses and pick up, transport, and drop off passengers at their destination arranging for round trips when appropriate.
• Drive vehicle on fixed routes with set schedules according to time schedules and comply with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride. May confirm identification papers, collect tickets, vouchers, or money in exchange for transit.
• Maintain professionalism, patience, courtesy, and understanding in dealing with passengers to ensure the specific care required for each client is provided. Ensure safe transportation and loading/unloading of elderly and disabled persons and other persons with special needs.
• Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions by enforcing rules of conduct appropriately to maintain control of the bus/van and ensure the safety of all passengers.
• Record required operating data on daily trip record sheets such as mileage, hours of operation, log book entries, total passenger count over route for a specified time-frame and number of passengers by category according to established procedures.
• Report traffic hazards, accidents, and other notable abnormalities witnessed while operating assigned vehicle in the County to ensure the proper county authorities can respond to it. Report delays and issues to the dispatcher.
• Report any accident or incident the bus/van is involved in, no matter how minor, to the supervisor, and fill out any related paper work required by departmental policies. Report any accident involving death, personal injury, or property damage more than $250 to the proper civil authorities.
• Operate lifts, wheelchairs, radios, and other specialized equipment on a variety of vehicles allotted to the transit department such as vans, buses, and cars.
• Attend driver's meetings and training programs to keep current on transit policies, trends, certifications, and improvements in transit technology and laws.
• Check vehicle at the end of shift for lost…