Trainee Controller – Bus Service Management

About the role

Join Arriva London’s Route Performance Team as a Trainee Controller and help keep the capital’s bus network running safely and on time. You will receive four weeks of paid training and ongoing mentorship, giving you the operational knowledge to make real‑time decisions that affect thousands of passengers each day.

Key responsibilities

• Communicate with drivers via radio and face‑to‑face to relay instructions and updates.
• Monitor bus services using GPS tracking systems and control‑room technology.
• Regulate services to meet performance and reliability targets set by Transport for London.
• Respond quickly to disruptions, incidents, and changing traffic conditions.
• Ensure compliance with TfL operational standards and safety procedures.

Required profile

• Excellent communication – clear, confident and professional.
• Strong decision‑making ability under pressure.
• Calmness and composure in fast‑moving or high‑stress situations.
• High situational awareness and adaptability.
• Leadership and teamwork skills to influence and collaborate with colleagues.

Required skills

• Proficiency with GPS tracking systems.
• Radio communication operation.
• Use of control‑room technology for service monitoring.

What we offer

• Four‑week paid training programme and continuous mentorship.
• Clear progression pathway from Trainee Controller (£42,000) to senior roles (£49,337).
• Overtime rate of £29.03 per hour.
• Free TfL Oyster Bus Pass (plus nominee after 3 months).
• 33 days annual leave, employee discounts, health & wellbeing support, and performance bonus scheme.