CDL Bus Operator / Fixed Route & Paratransit Driver
Department: Operations
Reports To: Transit Supervisor
Position Type: Full-Time and Part-Time Opportunities
Pay: $14.00 – $17.00 per hour
Location: Lawton, Oklahoma
Work Location: In Person
About Lawton Area Transit System
Lawton Area Transit System is hiring dependable, safety-focused, and customer-service-driven individuals to join our Operations team as a CDL Bus Operator / Fixed Route & Paratransit Driver.
This is more than a driving position. Our Bus Operators are trusted front-line representatives of LATS and play an important role in helping keep the Lawton community connected. Every day, our operators provide safe, reliable, and professional public transportation for passengers who depend on us for work, school, appointments, shopping, and daily life.
We are looking for the right person — someone who takes safety seriously, communicates professionally, treats passengers with respect, and understands the responsibility that comes with operating a public transportation vehicle.
This opportunity is ideal for experienced CDL drivers, bus drivers, school bus drivers, shuttle drivers, paratransit drivers, commercial drivers, delivery drivers, route drivers, passenger transportation drivers, transit operators, and customer-service-minded professionals who want to make a difference in their community.
A Class B CDL with Passenger Endorsement is preferred. CDL training may be available for qualified candidates.
Position Summary
The Fixed Route Bus Operator / Paratransit Driver is responsible for safely and professionally operating public transit vehicles along assigned fixed routes, paratransit routes, schedules, and service areas.
This position requires strong defensive driving habits, sound judgment, patience, professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellent passenger service. Operators must be able to follow routes, maintain schedules, assist passengers, communicate clearly with dispatch and supervisors, and complete required documentation accurately.
The right candidate will understand that public transit is about more than transportation — it is about safety, service, reliability, and respect.
Key Responsibilities
Operate fixed route buses and paratransit vehicles safely, efficiently, and professionally within assigned routes, schedules, and service areas.
Perform required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections to identify mechanical, safety, or operational concerns before and after service.
Maintain knowledge of LATS routes, bus stops, transfer locations, streets, schedules, service areas, and operating procedures.
Provide professional, respectful, and courteous customer service to all passengers.
Assist passengers with disabilities during boarding and exiting, including proper wheelchair and mobility device securement using four-point securement procedures.
Follow all LATS policies, safety procedures, traffic laws, ADA requirements, DOT standards, and public transportation regulations.
Announce designated stops in accordance with ADA guidelines and LATS procedures.
Communicate clearly and professionally with dispatch, supervisors, other operators, passengers, and members of the public.
Collect fares and passes, count passengers, and accurately complete required daily reports and documentation.
Complete accident reports, incident reports, route sheets, passenger counts, charter forms, and other required paperwork accurately and legibly.
Use sound judgment and remain calm, professional, and safety-focused when handling passenger concerns, route delays, traffic conditions, incidents, or unexpected situations.
Represent Lawton Area Transit System and its management in a professional, respectful, and service-focused manner at all times.
Attend required training, development classes, safety meetings, and special event assignments as needed.
Qualifications and Requirements
Must be at least 21 years of age.
High school diploma or GED required.
Valid driver’s license required.
Class B CDL with Passenger Endorsement preferred.
CDL training may be available for qualified candidates.
Must be able to maintain a current DOT physical examination card.
Must be able to pass required background checks, drug screening, and ongoing random or reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.
Commercial driving, passenger transportation, school bus driving, shuttle driving, delivery driving, route driving, or public transit experience preferred but not required.
Must have knowledge of traffic laws, highway safety rules, defensive driving practices, and accident prevention procedures.
Must be able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
Must be able to make sound independent decisions while operating in a public transportation environment.
Must be dependable, punctual, safety-minded, and professional.
Must be able to remain calm, respectful, and courteous when working with passengers and the public.
Must be willing to work as part of a team and represent LATS in a positive and professional manner.
The Right Candidate Will Be
Safety-focused and committed to protecting passengers, pedestrians, co-workers, and the public.
Dependable, punctual, and ready to report to work as scheduled.
Professional in appearance, attitude, communication, and conduct.
Patient and respectful when assisting passengers, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and members of the public who rely on public transportation.
Comfortable operating in traffic, changing weather conditions, and a public-facing environment.
Able to stay calm under pressure and make responsible decisions.
Willing to learn routes, procedures, ADA requirements, securement procedures, and LATS operating standards.
Committed to providing reliable public transportation service to the Lawton community.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, use hands, reach with arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as needed.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move approximately 50–75 pounds.
Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
This position may involve exposure to moving vehicles, mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, cleaning chemicals, vibration, outside weather conditions, wet or humid conditions, extreme heat, and extreme cold.
Noise levels are usually moderate but may occasionally be loud.
Schedule
8-hour shifts
Day shifts
Split shifts
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed
Special events, training, or operational needs may require occasional hours outside the regular schedule.
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Preferred Experience
Commercial driving: 1 year preferred
Bus driving experience preferred
Passenger transportation experience preferred
Public transit, paratransit, shuttle, school bus, delivery driving, route driving, or transportation service experience preferred
Customer service experience preferred
License / Certification
Class B CDL preferred
Passenger Endorsement preferred
DOT Medical Card required or ability to obtain
Why Join LATS?
At Lawton Area Transit System, our operators do more than drive buses — they help keep the community moving. This is a meaningful opportunity for dependable individuals who take pride in safety, service, and making a positive difference in public transportation.
We are not just looking for someone with a license. We are looking for the right person: someone who is responsible, professional, dependable, and committed to serving passengers with care and respect.
If you are a safety-minded driver, experienced commercial driver, CDL holder, school bus driver, shuttle driver, paratransit driver, or someone ready to build a career in public transportation, we encourage you to apply.
Join LATS and become part of a team that helps connect Lawton every day.
Pay: From $16.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- CDL (Required)
- Passenger Endorsement (Required)
Work Location: In person
