Could You Drive a Bus? Salisbury Reds Recruiting Across Wiltshire

Bus operator Salisbury Reds is urgently looking for new drivers as the company continues expanding services across the region.

The operator has launched a major recruitment campaign offering pay of more than £15 per hour, paid training and additional weekend overtime rates in a bid to attract more people into the industry.

According to the company, trainee drivers can start on £13.75 per hour during training before increasing to £15.50 per hour on weekdays and £16.50 on weekends once fully qualified. Overtime rates can rise above £20 per hour.

Salisbury Reds Careers Page

The recruitment push comes as bus companies across the UK continue facing driver shortages, with the wider transport industry struggling to recruit and retain qualified staff. Industry reports suggest thousands of driver vacancies remain unfilled nationwide.

Salisbury Reds says no previous bus driving experience is needed, as full training is provided for successful applicants. The company is also encouraging more women to apply as part of its “Jobs for Women” campaign aimed at improving diversity within the workforce.

The company operates services across Salisbury and surrounding Wiltshire communities, including routes to Amesbury, Andover and Shaftesbury, along with the well-known Stonehenge Tour service.

Drivers are also being offered benefits including free bus travel, retail discounts, holiday entitlement and career progression opportunities within the wider Go-Ahead transport group.

Image:(C Lino)

The recruitment campaign comes at a time of significant investment for Salisbury Reds, with work already underway to prepare the company’s depot for a new fleet of electric buses expected to arrive in 2026.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence for at least six months and meet medical and driving standards required for passenger transport vehicle licences.

Anyone interested in applying can do so through the company’s official website.