How to become a bus and tram driver

Official title: Bus and tram drivers

Also called: Bus driver, Motor coach driver, Tram driver

Bus and tram drivers drive and tend buses or street tramcars to transport passengers, mail or goods.

Main tasks

• Driving and tending motor buses, trolley buses or motor coaches to transport local or long-distance passengers, mail or goods
• Driving and tending street tramcars transporting passengers
• Opening and closing doors before or after passengers board or alight
• Assisting passengers with luggage
• Controlling lighting, heating and ventilation on buses and trams
• Observing traffic to ensure safe progress
• Collecting fares or verifying that passengers have the necessary ticket

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: HK$20,000 a month
• About 387,500 people in 2025, and about 403,200 projected by 2028. (+4.1%)
• Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a bus and tram driver?

Usually not. Only 2% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a bus and tram driver?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

• Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
• Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
• Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
• International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026