BUS drivers have been spat at, abused and accused of over charging, but applications to join their ranks are soaring.

An application blowout has caused Sunbus to cancel advertisements for staff to join their fleet.

Interest in school bus services is also rising.

With 125 drivers already on the books, Sunbus spokesman Richard Gabasa said five people were waiting for positions while the company was receiving at least one application a week.

He credited the mining industry slowdown for the surge in applications and said the job had become a sought-after job with many drivers remaining in the industry late into their 60s.

"When the mining boom kicked in we lost a lot of drivers because they had truck licences and saw an opportunity to drive in the mines, but when the boom faded, they came back," he said.

"We have a new fleet now and people like driving with airconditioning in hot weather and it’s a job when you finish work it doesn’t follow you home."

The lucrative mining industry can offer more than $120,000 a year for truck drivers while the average for local bus drivers is about $40,000 a year.

Alan Armodie, 46, who is training to be a Sunbus driver, was lured to the industry after mining work dried up.

"I just like driving and I like night work," he said.

"I haven’t worked full time for 18 months and this job just suits me."

Love’s Bus Service, contracted to about 40 state and private schools from Palm Cove to Gordonvale, has about 30 drivers on the books with about six people on a waiting list.

A spokesman for the company said they were in desperate need of drivers a few months ago but said a surge in retirees looking for short morning and afternoon shifts boosted staff rates.

To become a bus driver applicants must have a medium rigid licence, hold driver authorisation and pass medical and police checks.

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