Streamlining Operator Hiring Practices

Streamlining Operator Hiring Practices

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC), Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) national technical assistance center for transit workforce development, is conducting a research effort aimed at documenting current transit agency hiring processes for operators and producing new resources to support agencies’ operator hiring efforts. Current hiring processes are often lengthy, causing candidates to abandon the process in favor of other jobs and exacerbating transit operator shortages. This research is documenting examples of transit operator hiring processes, mapping typical steps and timelines, and describing the practices that lead to both shorter and longer hiring timeframes.  

Topic-specific resources for transit agencies will be rolled out throughout 2026, and this webpage will continue to be updated as new resources become available. See the links below for the work TWC has produced to date as part of this project.

Want to discuss your own hiring process? Email sgleason@transportcenter.org for technical assistance or with questions. 

Background research

This research brief summarizes what prior research has found on the nature of the operator hiring problem and potential solutions.

Findings from Surveys and Interviews

This research brief provides a summary of the research activities and main findings of this project. It describes the methods used in the project as well as common practices, average timelines, and main challenges faced by transit agencies hoping to shorten hiring processes.

Cross-Cutting Strategies to Improve Transit Operator Hiring

This fact sheet presents cross-cutting strategies across four major categories: simplifying and shortening job applications, prompt follow-up to job candidates, aligning hiring and training schedules, and differentiating training for CDL holders and non-CDL holders.

Designing Job Postings

This webpage summarizes common strategies, best practices, and agency examples based on a TWC review and analysis of more than 50 transit operator job postings for minimum requirements, preferred qualifications, information communicated about the hiring process and timeline, job descriptions, etc.

Example Hiring Process Flows

This page shows four examples of possible process flows and steps involved in bus operator hiring practices and indicates when steps are conducted concurrently.

Transit Agency Practices for Operator Candidate Assessment

This webpage presents four ways of collecting information about applicants: interviews, assessments, references, and application screening practices. It describes common practices and best practices for each, based on our research with transit agencies.