Driver Handbook
Welcome to Yankee Trails! This handbook should answer any questions you might have about your job as a Motorcoach Operator. Our goal, and we hope it will be yours also, is to help make Yankee Trails one of the best providers of group transportation in the areas of Upstate New York as well as Central Florida. That extra smile, helping hand, and courteous service to all, will in the end, make the trip more enjoyable for the customer and the Driver. Everyone working together will help generate an attractive atmosphere of repeat business from which we will all profit.
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All new driver applicants will be hired on a 30 day trial basis and on the condition they receive 19A approval (NY based applicants). At the end of 30 days, their conduct will be reviewed and the applicant will be accepted or terminated. All accepted driver applicants will then be on probation for one (1) year. Yankee Trails reserves the right to terminate any driver during this probational period or subsequently with documented reason(s) to do so.
Yankee Trails does not train drivers to get their Commercial Driver License (CDL). We only hire drivers with CDLs and all the qualifications to driver our motor coaches. All newly hired Drivers will complete both Administrative ("Classroom") and Behind-The-Wheel training. This generally takes 2-3 days before a Driver will begin over-the-road training which will include our local shuttle runs and commuter run to Vermont.
Some of the topics covered during the initial training sessions will include:
Once the onboarding process has begun, the following should be taken into consideration:
Until we receive the results from your pre-employment drug screen, we will keep track of the amount of time you spend training. If the results of your drug screen are positive, you will forfeit any/all compensation for the training received up until that point. If the results are negative, you will include the training hours during your initial time card submission and be compensated for that time.
All NEW Drivers will be considered Trainees and as such will be paid according to the designated Training Rate Of Pay, regardless of the day they work, type of work, etc., until a total of 14 Days of training/driving have been completed (NOT based on a 2 week period of time). When 14 days of training/driving have been completed, their performance will be reviewed by our Safety, Training and Compliance, Dispatch and management teams and either designated as a Driver, have their training extended or released. All Drivers should request their Pay Rate Code be adjusted accordingly to reflect the proper pay.
While Yankee Trails understands gratuities (tips) are an important part of our Drivers' annual income, the fact remains that gratuities are nearly never guaranteed. And even in the instances where groups may pay a gratuity in advance of their trip, there have been times that our sales staff have been told to withhold the gratuity, as a result of a poor experience.
With that said, Yankee Trails would like to provide some general guidelines where gratuities are concerned:
While gratuities are never guaranteed, there are certainly ways that a Driver can increase the chances they will receive one:
Drivers are NOT permitted to take "guest" passengers onboard with them for any private charter, shuttle or Yankee Trails Tour. Occasionally Yankee Trails will make an exception where our Tour packages are concerned (those trips which Yankee Trails sells to the general public) but only as a "last minute" option when we know the likelihood of selling any final seats is significantly reduced (ie. the week before departure). If a Driver wants to bring a "guest", they must receive authorization from a member of our senior management team. In the event permission is granted, a Driver should expect to be responsible for ALL costs that Yankee Trails would be responsible for (ie. tickets, meals, hotel stay, etc.).
As for privately hired charter groups, Drivers are also NOT permitted to bring a "guest". On the very, very rare occasion, a Driver can ask for permission but this process involves a member of our sales staff speaking directly to the group that hired our bus and requesting permission. Under absolutely NO CIRCUMSTANCES may a Driver make this request on their own behalf, while calling the Group Leader 24-48 hours prior to departure (mandatory procedure). Permission must be granted by contacting Joel Keens, our VP Charter & Group Sales (518-286-2400, Ext. 213 or jkeens@yankeetrails.com).
A failure to adhere to this policy may result in a non-paid suspension. Multiple infractions may also result in termination.
DRIVER HOTLINE: 518-704-4344
Please note that ALL Drivers should be using our Driver Hotline phone number whenever a Dispatcher (or other member of our Operations Team) needs to be reached (regardless of the reason/day/time). Calling this number will give you the option to speak to our office staff during the day/week and/or have your call forwarded to the on-call Dispatcher after hours/on the weekend. For matters that are NOT of an urgent nature, you may also reach our Dispatch Team by email at dispatch@yankeetrails.com.
NOTE: If the person/s you are trying to reach does not answer right away, leave a detailed message and they will get back to you.
Current Office Hours For Dispatch (as of 1/6/2025):
Current Office Hours For Safety, Training & Compliance (as of 1/6/2025):
This number should be used to contact Dispatch and our Safety, Training and Compliance Office as well other Administrative Staff. When calling, you will be given the following options (subject to change, so pay close attention):
OPTION 1: In the event you are calling regarding an accident/incident involving yourself, a bus or other Yankee Trails owned vehicle, piece of property or passenger
OPTION 2: To reach our On-Call Dispatcher
OPTION 3: To reach Stephanie's desk phone
OPTION 4: To reach Faith's desk phone
OPTION 5: To reach Tammy's desk phone
OPTION 6: To reach Joel's desk phone
OPTION 7: To Reach Jeff's desk phone
OPTION 8: To have the Driver Hotline menu options repeated
NOTE: If the person/s you are trying to reach does not answer right away, leave a detailed message and they will get back to you.
Yankee Trails is pleased to offer our Driver Referral Bonus ($300) to those current Drivers that are responsible for the hiring of future candidates! In order to be eligible to receive the Driver Referral Bonus, there are two (2) things that must happen:
1) NEW Driver Candidate MUST list/mention the current Driver on their application (verbal confirmation does not qualify).
2) CURRENT Yankee Trails Driver must complete our Driver Referral Notification Form, which can also be found in the Driver Portal under Documents.
Next, the NEW Driver Candidate must remain employed with Yankee Trails AND complete at least 60 work assignments. In the event the NEW Driver Candidate is either suspended, terminated or takes a leave of absence for more than 60 days, the Current Driver is no longer eligible to receive the Driver Referral Bonus.
Once eligible for payment, Bonus will be submitted and paid through payroll.
*Yankee Trails reserves the right to change details pertaining to this policy or suspend/terminate policy at any point.
WITH PASSENGERS:
ALL DRIVERS (including Out-Of-State Drivers):
(Effective 03/31/2025)
Monday-Thursday: $25/hour OR $0.65/mile (Driver paid the greater of the two)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: $30/hour OR $0.65/mile (Driver paid the greater of the two)
In the event a one day work assignment begins on a Thursday, and ends on a Friday, Driver will be paid $25/hour. If the one day work assignment begins on a Sunday and ends on a Monday, Driver will be paid $30/hour. If the multi-day work assignment goes through a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, Driver will be paid $25/hour for any Monday-Thursday work and $30/hour for any Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Any questions, please see a member of the Dispatch or Management Team.
*NOTE: All Drivers that reside outside the State of New York will be paid the above rate-of-pay for NON-Contract Tour/Flat Rate Pay work. It will be the responsibility of the Driver to contact Dispatch (see Driver Hotline) if they want to work on the days in between the Contract Tour work. Drivers will NOT be paid unless they are working. However, hotel accommodations that have been made will still be provided for the duration of their stay in NY. Those Drivers assigned to our Contract Tour Work will be paid according to the terms set for that type of work unless otherwise noted (subject to change).
WITHOUT PASSENGERS:
TRAINING WAGES
All NEW Drivers will be considered Trainees and as such will be paid $25/hour regardless of the day they work, type of work, etc., until a total of 14 Days of training/driving have been completed (NOT based on a 2 week period of time). When 14 days of training/driving have been completed, their performance will be reviewed by our Safety, Training and Compliance, Dispatch and management teams and either designated as a Driver, have their training extended or released. All Drivers should request their Pay Rate Code be adjusted accordingly to reflect the proper pay.
In most cases, Drivers that participate in our Training Program with a Driver Trainer, will be compensated at $25/hour. The Driver Trainer will be compensated at their regular rate of pay. Exceptions include instances where Driver(s) participate in a "Group Training Session" (2 or more Drivers accompanying a Driver Trainer). Some examples of this would include NYC, Boston, Montreal, Washington, D.C., OurBus and Cruise Express. If applicable, each Driver participating will be paid $190 for the day. The hours should be recorded as Training (Work Type) when submitting their payroll (see Submitting Payroll) for the week in which the training took place, with a note indicating they should receive Group Training ($190) for that particular day/date. Otherwise, Driver(s) should submit as Training (Work Type) in their timecard with the corresponding block of hours under Work Assignment (ie. 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, etc.). Any questions, please speak to Dispatch or Management Team Member.
IN-PERSON MEETINGS W/ STAFF/MANAGEMENT
In the event an in-person meeting is scheduled, either by the Driver OR by a member of management, these meetings are NOT paid and may not be included when submitting your weekly timecard.
PRE AND POST-TRIP PAY (INCLUDING DRIVERS WORKING IN FL)
Yankee Trails will compensate a Driver beginning with your scheduled START (Garage) TIME (no exceptions). This will include the time it takes to perform their pre-trip inspection. (NOTE: In the event you are assigned a bus equipped with a wheelchair lift AND it has been confirmed that you will be transporting a passenger that will be utilizing the lift, you will be compensated for an additional 15 minutes to complete a thorough inspection of the lift (including full operation), seating reconfiguration, seating track cleanliness and location of wheelchair straps/tie-downs. The additional 15 minutes should be reflected in your adjusted Garage Time. If not, please use the Driver Hotline (518-704-4344) to discuss with Dispatch and adjust if necessary.) Yankee Trails will also compensate a Driver a MAXIMUM of 30 minutes after the conclusion of their post-trip inspection to clean their vehicle. (NOTE: It is MANDATORY that you clean your bus at the conclusion of your work assignment. This includes the removal of all loose trash on the floor, in the seat-back nets and overhead luggage areas as well as the Driver area as well as sweeping the floor and dumping the lavatory (where applicable)).
MINIMUM PAY
A 4-hour minimum will be paid to a Driver that works fewer than 4 hours on any particular day they are asked to Drive. This is regardless of the number of work assignments for that 24 hour period. (For example, if a Driver is scheduled to work in the afternoon but is asked to come in early to take guests to the airport, if the COMBINED hours worked for that day does not exceed 4 hours, they may submit for 4 hours on their timecard for that day, noting the "4-hour minimum" and a brief description of what they did. They may NOT submit two entries for the day, including one 4-hour minimum in addition to the hours worked before/after the "special" run.) A 2-hour minimum will be paid on all trips for which a Driver shows for and the trip is cancelled on-site or while enroute to the departure location. On an overnight Charter or Tour, the Driver is guaranteed 10 hours of pay on all middle days and last day of the trip. In the event a Driver comes back to the garage/originating base before the scheduled return (without authorization from our Management Team), the Driver will NOT be eligible for pay for the originally scheduled last day of the work assignment. First day of the trip will be hours or mileage, whichever is greater.
In the event an assignment is shortened due to unforeseen circumstances (ie. sports tournament ends early, poor weather, etc.) Yankee Trails will NOT be responsible for paying a Driver for whatever time is missed. Our Dispatch Team will do whatever they can to replace the missed work but there are no guarantees.
For multiple work assignments resulting in an overnight stay, the Driver will NOT be paid for the hours off. This includes assignments where the Driver will be going into Canada, when a 24 hour off-duty status is required before doing so (see Hours Of Service Rules In Canada for details). Hotel arrangements will be made so the Driver can get their 8 hours off, but they will NOT be compensated for these hours. The exception to this policy is when the 8 hours off coincide with the SAME work assignment/work ticket. (ie. If a Driver is designated as a relief driver and heads out ahead of time to a location where he/she will switch with another Driver, as long as it is for the same work ticket/assignment, the Driver WILL be paid for the hours (NOT mileage) spent leading up to and including hours spent after switching with other Driver. The same holds true for the Driver on the back end of his type of work assignment. They WILL be compensated for the hours spent, either in a hotel room or driving home).
Effective 2/1/2026 Yankee Trails will be compensating Drivers a flat fee of $40 for any DOT Physical and Random OR Post-Accident Drug/Alcohol Testing that is required. To claim, from Submit Your Time Card in Driver Portal:
NOTE: Yankee Trails will NOT compensate Drivers that participate in a DOT Physical or Drug/Alcohol Testing on the last day of a multi-day assignment, for which the Driver is already being compensated a minimum of 10 hours.
PAID TIME OFF (PTO)
PTO is ONLY available to our Full Time Drivers* and includes both Vacation and "Sick" time. PTO is available under the following circumstances:
Vacation Time may not be accumulated and must be used in one (1) week increments only, during the year in which it is earned. Any vacation time not used prior to termination of employment with Yankee Trails will be lost. All vacation requests must be made in writing to and approved by our Dispatch Team at least 30 days prior to the time being requested. Please use the Vacation Request Form which is also available under Documents in your Driver Portal. Drivers may NOT request 2 consecutive weeks off and due to the high volume of work, we ask that Drivers also refrain from requesting time off between May 1 and October 31. All requests will be reviewed in the order in which they are received, with Dispatch making the final decision about approval based on the workload during the timeframe being requested by the Driver.
Sick Time may not be accumulated and must be used during the year in which it is earned.
In BOTH cases, if a Driver is eligible for PTO, this should be noted when submitting their timecard for the pay period during which the PTO is being requested. PLEASE BE SURE TO USE "VACATION PAY" OR "PTO" WITH THE DATE RANGE YOU ARE REQUESTING, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NOTES AREA OF YOUR TIMECARD. This will help to bring attention to the fact that you are requesting vacation pay. Also, if you are submitting for vacation pay during a pay period in which you did NOT work, you will need to add at least one "fake" entry so the timecard can be processed. You may do this by adding an entry for any day, any time frame, just so there's at least one day on the timecard. The time used will be disregarded assuming you have left a note as indicated above.
NOTE: Pay for PTO will be calculated as the average gross pay for 52 weeks, based on the calendar year prior to the request date OR 52 weeks from the Date Of Hire if the Driver has not worked long enough to obtain an average based on the prior calendar year.
GENERAL TIME OFF (For Drivers Not Eligible For PTO)
ALL Time Off Requests MUST be submitted in "writing", using our Vacation Request Form and/or email to our Dispatch Team (dispatch@yankeetrails.com). Verbal requests will NOT be accepted. The purpose of this policy is to avoid any miscommunication or confusion, and to ensure we have proper documentation for scheduling purposes. Any changes to existing Time Off Requests should also be made again using the Vacation Request Form and/or by email to our Dispatch Team (dispatch@yankeetrails.com).
*Any Driver looking to be considered "Full Time" must work a minimum of 2,000 hours/year (40 hours/week x 52 weeks). They must also consistently work an average of 160 hours/month (40 hours/week x 4 weeks). Additionally, they must do the assigned work, in the assigned vehicle without protest. Refusal to do so may result in a change of employment status from Full to Part Time. If a Driver is also employed by a company Yankee Trails deems as a "competitor", they will NOT be eligible for Full Time status (including all aforementioned or subsequent benefits that are offered to Drivers considering Full Time status.
After five (5) years of employment, a driver becomes eligible for 6 paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. In order to receive these benefits, you must be a full-time employee for the duration of the 5 years. (Ex. You drive for Yankee Trails as a variable employee for 2 years and then become a full-time driver. Your 5 years starts towards these benefits upon becoming full time for Yankee Trails.) Drivers eligible for Holiday Pay would be paid $200 (flat rate) (effective 1/1/2026) for each qualifying holiday, and must note this when submitting their time card during the respective pay period.
Portal is now open each day. You will also be trained on the driver payroll portal during your new hire training.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be paid based on the electronic logs from Samsara (ELD). The time cards and electronic logs MUST balance each other.
SUBMITTING PAYROLL:
It is Yankee Trails policy to require all payroll/timecards be submitted by 12 noon every Monday for the prior week. This is to allow for our payroll team to review the submission, send back to the Driver for review and make adjustments if necessary, prior to submitting to the company that manages our payroll. Failure to submit timecard by this deadline could result in a failure to receive payment that week. In the event this happens, Driver would need to re-submit their time the following week, by 12 noon, with a note stating why they were doing so.
Any deviation from what a Driver's log shows, in comparison to the data provided by Samsara (our GPS software) and Coach Manager (our booking software) requires Driver to include "Driver Notes" when submitting timecard. Failure to do so could result in a failure to be paid for these circumstances. Any questions should be directed to our payroll team at timecards@yankeetrails.com or payroll@yankeetrails.com.
Our Full Time* Motor Coach Operators are eligible to receive our Benefits Package. These Drivers must work an average of 40 hours or more per week, over a 52 week period and are also responsible for accepting ALL work assignments given by our Dispatch Team, taking into account any limitations with availability, experience or training. Refusal to work may lead to a change in employment status, whereas a Driver may no longer be eligible for our Benefits Package. If a Driver is also employed by a company Yankee Trails deems as a "competitor", they will NOT be eligible for Full Time status (including all aforementioned or subsequent benefits that are offered to Drivers considering Full Time status.
Full medical and dental coverage is available approximately 60 days following a Driver's date of hire. Some restrictions apply. Each employee is required to pay 50% of all costs associated with medical and dental coverage. Premium costs will be deducted from employee pay on a weekly basis.
Once eligible for medical benefits, please complete the CDPHP Enrollment Application and return to our main (NY) office, to the attention of Stephen Tobin.
Full Time Drivers employed for a minimum of 1 year are also eligible to participate in our 401K retirement plan. Yankee Trails will match Driver contributions up to 4% so we encourage all of our Full Time Drivers to sign up by contacting Stephen Tobin at stobin@yankeetrails.com.
*Any Driver looking to be considered "Full Time" must work a minimum of 2,000 hours/year (40 hours/week x 52 weeks). They must also consistently work an average of 160 hours/month (40 hours/week x 4 weeks). Additionally, they must do the assigned work, in the assigned vehicle without protest. Refusal to do so may result in a change of employment status from Full to Part Time. If a Driver is also employed by a company Yankee Trails deems as a "competitor", they will NOT be eligible for Full Time status (including all aforementioned or subsequent benefits that are offered to Drivers considering Full Time status.
Attendance
In order to provide optimal customer service, it is necessary for Yankee Trails to be staffed with the appropriate staff members. Employees are expected to be present for work, on time, every day they are on the schedule. Regular attendance and punctuality are important for smooth operation of our Charter and Tour work. When employees are not on time or do not come to work as scheduled, the operations may suffer. Because of this, if a pattern of unscheduled time off occurs, disciplinary action may result, up to and including termination.
Scheduled Absence
A scheduled absence is prescheduled time regardless of whether paid or unpaid, which is requested and approved at least 7 days in advance. Requests for multiple days should be put in at least two weeks in advance (preferably 30 days). We encourage all employees to request any needed time off in advance so it may be reviewed and either approved or not.
ALL TIME OFF REQUESTS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING using our Driver Vacation Request Form
Late
An employee is considered late when they arrive after the start of their shift or are not dressed in uniform and ready to work at the beginning of their scheduled shift time.
Unscheduled Absence
Any time an employee misses a shift of work and does not have prior approval to be absent. This could be due to an emergency, illness or other unexpected cause. Unscheduled absences are considered a violation of the attendance policy. Leaving a shift early without approval is also considered an unscheduled absence.
In the case of an unexpected absence, employees are expected to notify a member of the Dispatch Team as soon as they are aware they will be unable to perform their work assignment, preferably at least 24 hours prior to the start of their shift. Notification by phone is MANDATORY (text and/or email is unacceptable), using the Driver Hotline (518-704-4344) and an acknowledgement response from the dispatch office is required to be considered appropriate notification. Even with notification, a pattern of unscheduled absences or consistent tardiness may be reason for disciplinary action.
The company reserves the right to require employees to submit medical documentation, to verify claims of illness, if there is a documented ongoing absenteeism issue.
Unexcused Absence
Any Driver that fails to report to work without contacting Dispatch will be subject to having their bonus payment forfeited for the quarter in which the violation occurs. An employee who fails to report to work without notification for a period of 2 consecutive days or an employee who leaves their job during their shift and does not return, will be considered to have voluntarily terminated his or her employment due to job abandonment.
Codes of Conduct
The company has adopted a set of rules to help ensure a safe and enjoyable workplace. It is not possible to list every rule or procedure that must be followed. The following is a list of some of the behavior which is not allowed in the workplace. The Codes of Contact apply to all employees and will be consistently administered. Violation of any of these rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Appearance and Grooming Guidelines for All Drivers
PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide standards for dress and grooming to ensure the professional appearance of its employees on a consistent basis. It is the expectation that all Drivers present a neat and clean image to our customers.
NOTE: The policy below is in reference to any* time before, during and following a work assignment where the Driver is operating a Yankee Trails owned vehicle. This includes prior to passengers boarding, while passengers are onboard, and/or immediately after passengers have disembarked the vehicle.
*Exception to this policy is when a Driver is operating a Yankee Trails owned vehicle enroute to a "pre-trip" hotel stay the day/night before a work assignment, a "post-trip" return after ending an assignment the previous day or "swapping" a bus out (ie. as the result of a breakdown). If this applies, a Driver may dress "casually" but properly/respectfully as they are still representing Yankee Trails in the capacity of a Motor Coach Operator.
All Drivers
The Following are NOT Allowed
Yankee Trails Apparel & Merchandise Guide (updated 3/7/2025)
Yankee Trails is pleased to provide our Drivers with appropriate and required uniforms, as well as other branded items. Below is a breakdown of what type of apparel will be provided under each respective circumstance. Information is also provided about "purchasing" additional items if desired. ALL apparel that is either given by Yankee Trails or purchased will be recorded in an Apparel Log and used for future reference.
New Hires (Fall/Winter): Drivers hired during the Fall/Winter will receive two polo shirts, two long sleeve dress shirts, a fleece jacket and a hat. If they are hired for multi-day tours, additional dress shirt(s) may be added if necessary.
New Hires (Spring/Summer): Drivers hired during the Spring/Summer will receive two polo shirts, two short sleeve dress shirts, fleece vest and a baseball cap. If they are hired for multi-day tours, additional dress shirt(s) may be added if necessary.
Contract Drivers: Contract Drivers that are working on a temporary basis for Yankee Trails will be given two short-sleeve and two long-sleeve button-down dress shirts, two polo shirts, one necktie, one baseball cap (optional) and one light-weight vest. Additional items may be purchased using the dollars that Drivers have accumulated, based on the duration of their (consistent) employment with Yankee Trails. If a Contract Driver has not worked for more than 1 year, and returns to Yankee Trails, they will be considered a "new" employee.
Purchasing Apparel: A Driver that has been with Yankee Trails for one (1) year will be awarded $100 to purchase apparel (or other) items offered through our Apparel Catalog. A Driver that has been with Yankee Trails for two (2) years will receive $200 to purchase apparel (or other) items and after five (5) years, they will receive $300. All orders may be placed with Laura Tobin (ltobin@yankeetrails.com / 518-286-1800, Ext. 207). If there is something in particular you would like to order, but do not see in our catalog, please ask Laura who will look into whether or not the item is approved and available through our vendor.
Apparel Return Policy: If a Driver's employment with Yankee Trails ends, apparel is to be returned to Laura Tobin in the Dispatch Office or Jeff Adams, Faith Ackerley or Tammy Petruska in the Safety, Training & Compliance Office. If a Driver has lost or damaged their clothing, they may speak to Laura about replacing that item. There will also be exceptions taken into consideration, so if there is an item you need, please request with Laura who will discuss with our management team.
Yankee Trails Apparel & Merchandise Guide (updated April 2025)
Drivers are to be present a maximum of 45 minutes before their scheduled run or charter, during which the pre-trip inspection should be performed on the vehicle assigned:
PLEASE NOTE: Driver will be paid based on the electronic logs that you keep. The time cards and electronic logs MUST balance each other.
During your employment as a driver with Yankee Trails, you must get either an annual or bi-annual physical based upon the DOT physician. Our staff will schedule the physical and follow up with you upon completion. You will be notified by our 19A staff 30 days in advance of your due date. Certification will be sent to DMV by our 19A staff after we receive all documentation from you after completion of the physical. This certification is the driver’s responsibility. Yankee Trails will send the certification out, but the driver needs to be aware of this certification and the back log of the Med Cert unit.
Effective 2/1/2026 Yankee Trails will be compensating Drivers a flat fee of $40 for any DOT Physical and Random OR Post-Accident Drug/Alcohol Testing that is required. To claim, from Submit Your Time Card in Driver Portal:
Yankee Trails will also pay for the physical when scheduled through our designated provider, or will reimburse Driver up to the same amount our designated provider charges, as long as they are a NYS DOT qualified provider*. This will be done in the form of a reimbursement to the Driver's RAMP account, following the restrictions below and ONLY if a receipt for payment is provided.
NOTE: Yankee Trails will NOT compensate Drivers that participate in a DOT Physical or Drug/Alcohol Testing on the last day of a multi-day assignment, for which the Driver is already being compensated a minimum of 10 hours.
NOTE: Per NYS DOT, physicals conducted by a Chiropractor will no longer be accepted.
*ALL Drivers (excluding Out-Of-State Drivers) will be required to work/drive at least 1 TIME PER MONTH to remain on our roster and be compensated for (and have fee paid) to have their DOT physical renewed. If necessary at the time they are hired, any NEW Drivers will be required to pay for their DOT Physical. After working 30 days (30 days of work assignments) the Driver may request reimbursement for their DOT physical. They will be required to submit a receipt for that physical payment at which time they will be issued a reimbursement on their RAMP account. Drivers that already possess a valid DOT Physical at the time they are hired will be eligible for renewal after 30 days (30 days of work assignments).
DIRECTIONS TO Confidential Screening & Consulting (for DOT physicals in NYS)
All NEW Drivers will be considered Trainees and as such will be paid according to the designated Training Rate Of Pay, regardless of the day they work, type of work, etc., until a total of 14 Days of training/driving have been completed (NOT based on a 2 week period of time). When 14 days of training/driving have been completed, their performance will be reviewed by our Safety, Training and Compliance, Dispatch and management teams and either designated as a Driver, have their training extended or released. All Drivers should request their Pay Rate Code be adjusted accordingly to reflect the proper pay.
In most cases, Drivers that participate in our Training Program with a Driver Trainer, will be compensated at $25/hour. The Driver Trainer will be compensated at their regular rate of pay. Exceptions include instances where Driver(s) participate in a "Group Training Session" (2 or more Drivers accompanying a Driver Trainer). Some examples of this would include NYC, Boston, Montreal, Washington, D.C. and Cruise Express. If applicable, each Driver participating will be paid $200 for the day. The hours should be recorded as Training (Work Type) when submitting their payroll (see Submitting Payroll) for the week in which the training took place, with a note indicating they should receive Group Training Pay ($200) for that particular day/date. Otherwise, Driver(s) should submit as Training (Work Type) in their timecard with the corresponding block of time spent training (ie. 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, etc.). Any questions, please speak to Dispatch or Management Team Member.
Throughout your tenure at Yankee Trails, you will be asked to maintain good standing in the training program set forth by our training team. Refusal to complete all necessary training throughout the year could affect your bonuses and/or be grounds for termination. Yankee Trails will schedule mandatory Drivers' Safety Meetings throughout the year. You will be required to attend these meetings and will be compensated to do so.
For those Drivers residing outside of New York State and/or requiring travel arrangements (ie. airfare, etc.) prior to the start of your training or work assignment, Yankee Trails will provide these arrangements at no cost to the Driver (some restrictions may apply based on where the Driver resides and which airport is available to use, whether or not the Driver completed the work assigned, etc.). [ UPDATED 6/6/2025 ] Yankee Trails agrees to reimburse/cover the expense of ONE (1) CHECKED BAG (up to 40 lbs, or whatever the airline limit is before an additional charge is assessed). This will be issued as a reimbursement to your RAMP account (a receipt for this charge is required). Any additional bags/charges will be the responsibility of the Driver. Additionally, Drivers may submit the day(s) of travel to and from Albany, New York on their timecard, using an 8 hour timeframe (total of $200) on each day. NOTE: If it is the company’s decision to fly you home and back (between trips) then Driver will be compensated for travel pay. If Driver elects to travel home between trips, Yankee Trails will not compensate Driver to do so.
If a Driver residing outside of New York State (restrictions apply) opts to drive their own car to New York, they will be compensated $300 (each way) for doing so. Compensation will be issued in the form of a Reimbursement to your RAMP account, unless otherwise noted. This INCLUDES all Tolls, Fuel, etc. Yankee Trails will also make hotel arrangements for the Driver to and from Yankee Trails/New York.
For example: If an out-of-state Driver flies to New York on April 1st, which falls on a Monday thru Sunday, they will be permitted to include an 8 hour shift on the day in which they fly TO New York (choose the START and END time that equals a total of 8 hours), when they submit their timecard for that pay period. If that same Driver completes the work we have assigned and is told to return home (or by the date they have arranged to fly home with our Dispatch Team), they may once again submit an 8 hour shift on the day in which they fly home, when they submit their timecard for that pay period. In both cases, this will result in a $200 pay day for each of these days (8 hours x $25/hour = $200). In both cases, in addition to putting in an 8 hour shift on the day of travel, please include a COMMENT on your timecard stating "XX/XX Travel Pay" where XX/XX is the date you have entered the 8 hour shift.
NOTE: Please use the "CUSHION" Work Type when submitting your timecard for the TRAVEL DAYS referenced above.
As stated above, upon the completion of the work that is agreed to prior to coming to New York (this includes ALL work assignments during the date range agreed upon), Yankee Trails will also make arrangements for the Driver's return home. In the event a Driver must return home (or go elsewhere) prior to the completion of the work discussed and agreed upon, travel arrangements will be the sole responsibility of the Driver, including all costs associated to doing so. This includes, but is not limited to the need to leave unexpectedly for family emergencies, medical emergencies, etc. Additionally, the Driver may NOT submit an 8 hour shift to be paid for the day on which they choose to return prematurely.
Occasionally, Yankee Trails will ask Drivers to work in a different area from where they are based. When this happens, hotel accommodations will be included during your stay.
Long Haul/Over-The-Road Drivers that come to our Upstate New York headquarters for work may be asked to do “local” or shorter trips in between the long-haul trips. Drivers have the right to refuse this work, but if they do refuse the work, the driver will NOT be paid for that day or day(s). Refusing any work assigned may also result in the driver being disqualified for Long Haul/Over-The-Road assignments in the future. By accepting the invitation to come to New York and work, a Driver also accepts this policy. It is the sole responsibility of the Out-Of-State Driver to contact Dispatch in advance of their day(s) off to notify them of their intent to work (or if they prefer to use the day off to handle any personal business (ie. laundry, grocery shopping, etc.), in which case they will not be compensated).
If a Long Haul/Over-The-Road Driver has a day off during the trip they are on, they will be paid for 10 hours automatically for that day (this must be documented when they submit their time card). The "10 Hour Minimum" also applies to the last day of a scheduled part of the work assignment (ie. If you return a group to the airport on the last day, and it takes less than 10 hours, you will still be paid the 10 hour minimum. Again, this must be documented when submitting your time card).
DRIVERS WORKING IN FLORIDA
Yankee Trails will compensate a Driver a MAXIMUM of 30 minutes after the conclusion of their post-trip inspection to clean their vehicle. (NOTE: It is MANDATORY that you clean your bus at the conclusion of your work assignment. This includes the removal of all loose trash on the floor, in the seat-back nets and overhead luggage areas as well as the Driver area as well as sweeping the floor and dumping the lavatory (where applicable)).
DRIVER HOTEL STAYS
NOTE: Any "incidental" charges/credit card holds at the hotels where Drivers are staying, will be the sole responsibility of the Driver. If a Driver does not have a credit card, the hold will be placed on a Yankee Trails card. Any incidental charges applied to the Yankee Trails card (ie. room service, meals, movies, etc.) will be billed to the Driver, by Yankee Trails, following their hotel stay.
The following is a list of mandatory information a driver must provide:
Welcome the passengers and thank them for choosing Yankee Trails
Whenever possible, the driver and group leader should inspect the interior of the vehicle for any defects (ie. ripped or broken seats) before the group boards the vehicle.
Introduce yourself to the group
Let the group know that if the bus becomes too hot or cold, you can adjust the temperature. Also, the restroom should be for emergency purposes only.
Items NOT Permitted Onboard (updated 10/31/2023)
Be sure the Group has been made aware of the following that are NOT permitted onboard, unless prior authorization has been given:
Safety Procedures for Passengers
Inform the group that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the bus clean, and to please use the trash bags. When picking up or discharging a group of passengers, the driver is to secure the parking brake and then get out of the vehicle to assist passengers on or off the vehicle. A driver should also adhere to instructions given on charter orders. If a variation occurs after the trip is out, the driver should contact the Dispatcher. Drivers should be aware of customer comfort (ie. ask whether heat or A/C is needed). Always be aware of their comfort when shifting or braking. A smooth ride is always very important.
Contact Group Leader/Coach/Etc. 24-48 Hours Prior To Departure
All Drivers MUST contact the Group Leader/Coach/Etc. at least 24-48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. During this conversation, introduce yourself to the customer ("My name is --------- from Yankee Trails. I will be your Driver for your upcoming trip.") and if you are willing, Yankee Trails recommends providing your cell phone in the event it becomes necessary for the Group Leader to reach you. During this conversation, go over the itinerary in your Work Ticket, ask any questions you may have about the schedule, confirm the pickup time and location on the day of your departure and ask if there's anything that doesn't appear on the itinerary that you should be aware of.
If necessary, contact Dispatch regarding any questions/discrepancies/etc. that the Group Leader cannot clear up.
Please note that Yankee Trails has a No Smoking (or vaping) policy in ALL Yankee Trails owned vehicles (buses and company-owned cars), as well as areas on our property that are accessible by all staff (ie. Drivers' Room (NY), Main, Dispatch, Safety/Training/Compliance Offices (NY), etc). Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a first-offense warning, followed by potential disciplinary actions, including manual deductions from Driver Performance Bonus.
It is against the law to use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, without the use of a hands-free device. For more information regarding the law, please use the link provided: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/1225-D
Drivers MUST have a cell phone and hands-free device to work at Yankee Trails. Yankee Trails strongly recommends against cell phone use while operating any/ALL Yankee Trails owned vehicle(s). This includes our company cars, service vehicles, etc. Please note this includes the use of your cell phone for purposes not related to phone calls (including texting, listening to music, using GPS applications, etc.). In the event it becomes necessary to communicate by cell phone with a member of our management team, Yankee Trails always requires the use of a hands-free device. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in the following:
Driver will be notified of the infraction:
*All fines will be entered as a deduction from Driver's quarterly Performance Bonus, during the quarter in which the infraction occurs. Each offense will be documented and saved to the Driver's personnel file.
Click [ HERE ] for written Cell Phone Use Policy Form (required for ALL Drivers to sign)
Click [ HERE ] for written Hands-Free Device Acknowledgement Form (required for ALL Drivers to sign)
Please use the following guidelines regarding our policy when working in a multiple bus move:
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Yankee Trails is pleased to announce the expansion of our previous Multi-Bus Trainer/Trainee Program to now include ALL multi-bus moves and Lead Drivers as part of our Multi-Bus Lead Driver Bonus Program. For trips that require more than 4 buses, additional Lead Drivers may be assigned to allow the group to be broken up. As a *participant in this newly expanded Program, Lead Drivers will be eligible to receive a $50 PER BUS** ADDITION TO YOUR QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE BONUS!
*ALL Drivers must complete the Multi-Bus Lead Driver Bonus Program questionnaire.
Q: What will Yankee Trails expect of me as a Lead Driver?
A: As a designated Lead Driver of a multi-bus move, you will be expected to do the following:
Following any trip for which an Operator has been designated as the Lead Driver, and assuming our Multi-Bus Lead Driver Bonus Program questionnaire has been completed, each Lead Driver will receive a brief survey that must be completed before a bonus can be issued.
Additionally, each of the Drivers that a Lead Driver was responsible for, will also receive a similar survey, making sure the tasks listed above were completed. If a task is not performed by the Lead Driver they will be questioned. Depending on the outcome of this questioning, the Lead Driver could forfeit the addition to their quarterly bonus.
*Regardless of your decision, if you have not already done so, please complete our questionnaire. If you choose NOT to participate as a Lead Driver, this does NOT prohibit you from being assigned as a Lead Driver by Dispatch. However, failure to complete the questionnaire may prevent you from earning the addition to your quarterly performance bonus as stated above.
**Eligible Lead Drivers will receive $50 per bus (NOT including their own) that they are responsible for. Payment will be made in the form of an addition to their quarterly performance bonus which will remain subject to the same deduction policies.
When you are with a group, you are the only representative for Yankee Trails. You should be pleasant and courteous to every passenger. This includes assisting passengers as they board and disembark the vehicle. When a passenger asks a question, provide the passenger with an appropriate and pleasant response. never raise your voice to any passenger under any circumstances. If a problem occurs, please call the dispatch office. The passengers are what keep us in business – never forget that!
It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that he/she has the necessary 8 hours off between periods of service. In the event the driver does not have the required time off, he must notify the dispatcher as soon as possible as to when he will be available for service. Please use the numbers below if this becomes necessary:
Ex: If you sign off at 8pm you are eligible to be back at work at 4am. Time does NOT start when you get home.
Work Tickets will generally be sent for 3-5 days at a time. All Drivers are required to accept or decline* the work in the Driver Portal within 48 hours of notification to ensure smooth operations. (*If you decline an assignment, a mandatory phone call must be made to our Dispatch office using the Driver Hotline (518-704-4344), providing details as to why you have declined). Failure to accept/decline work assignment within 48 hours of notification may result in the job being reassigned. Additionally, it will be recorded in the Driver Profile that work was reassigned as a result of a failure to respond in a timely manner. Our Dispatch Team also reserves the right to reassign work (even if the assignment has been accepted by Driver) to meet scheduling needs and will make every attempt to notify Drivers well in advance if/when this is required. They will also try to find replacement work for the Driver if an accepted assignment is removed.
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT
As per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations (392.16) "a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) which has a seat belt assembly installed at the driver's seat shall not be driven unless the driver has properly restrained himself/herself with the seat belt assembly."
NEW (4/21/2025)!!! NYS LAW RE: SEAT BELTS ON CHARTER BUSES
Effective April 21, 2025, New York State Law requires all charter bus passengers 8 years of age and older to wear the seat belts provided on the bus.
The law defines a charter bus as a bus manufactured or assembled on or after November 28, 2016 for transporting a group of passengers to a specific destination or for a particular itinerary in exchange for compensation.
VIOLATIONS (NYS LAW RE: SEAT BELTS ON CHARTER BUSES):
Anyone who does not wear a seat belt on a charter bus may be punished by a fine of up to $50.
If a person aged 8 to 15 years does not wear a seat belt on a charter bus, police may issue a summons for a violation to the parent/guardian if the violation occurred in the parent or guardian's presence and the parent/guardian is at least 18 years old. Tickets may be dismissed if the charter bus lacked seat belts or if the seat belts were not visible, accessible or in good working order.
ALL CHARTER/TOUR WORK:
ALWAYS assist your passengers WHILE BOARDING AND DISEMBARKING
If your passengers have luggage/items to be stored beneath the bus, keep the door closed while these items are stored and do not permit any passengers to board. OR, place the items outside the luggage area beneath the bus, board your passengers and THEN store the luggage/items. If you choose the 2nd option, be sure to instruct your passengers to remain seated/on the bus until you are done storing the luggage/items. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a passenger board OR disembark the bus without your assistance. Whenever it's possible/available, use the kneeler function of the bus. NOTE: The kneeler should NOT be used when a curb is present as this could lead to damage to the door if left open and the bus loses air.
BOARDING:
Stand at the foot of the stairs/entryway and make sure each passenger boards properly, reminding them to use the handrails and to watch their steps very carefully. Allow passengers to reach the level area of the bus before permitting the next passenger to board.
DISEMBARKING:
Upon arriving at your destination, instruct passengers to remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop. Explain that you will exit the bus first and then notify passengers when they may begin to disembark. Remind them to take their time, use the handrails and watch their step carefully as they come off the bus. This will prevent any missteps, trips and falls. You may also want to suggest standing briefly to "get the circulation back in their legs" before proceeding to the doorway (this is particularly important with older passengers who may have circulation issues, causing numbness/lack of muscle control after being seated for extended periods of time).
LOADING/UNLOADING PASSENGERS (ie. SHUTTLE and/or LINE RUN WORK)
This primarily applies to a continuous shuttle or “Line Run” service where there are several pickups/drop-offs:
To LOAD Passengers As Driver approaches a stop:
This same process should be followed when unloading passengers as well, waiting until ALL exiting passengers have cleared the bus, and the Driver is certain it is safe to pull away from the unloading area, being conscious of passengers that may cross in front of the vehicle, as well as the tail swing of the vehicle, which could be a hazard to anyone standing toward the rear of the vehicle.
ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DURING TRIP ASSIGNMENTS
Under no circumstances is the consumption of alcoholic beverages permitted during any work assignment—regardless of your duty status. This policy applies at all times, including after you have dropped off your group and parked your vehicle.
There are several reasons for this strict policy:
Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary action, including a reduction to your quarterly bonus, suspension, or termination.
UPDATING PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH PAYROLL, DISPATCH, STC (Safety, Training & Compliance)
Please remember that we keep a lot of personal information on file for our Drivers. If at any time this information changes, it is the responsibility of the Driver to notify ALL departments, including PAYROLL, DISPATCH and our SAFETY, TRAINING & COMPLIANCE teams. Some examples of information changes we would need to be made aware of:
Name (ie. Marriage), Home Address, Phone (Home/Cell), Email, Bank Account (for Direct Deposit), Emergency Contact (Name/Phone)
REMINDER: ADD DEF TO YOUR BUS - NOT WATER!
When applicable (not all buses require it), please remember it is your responsibility to make sure your bus has the appropriate amount of DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) at all times.
With that said, it is CRUCIAL that you DO NOT MISTAKENLY ADD WATER TO THE DEF TANK! Doing so will result in major, costly damage to the engine and ultimately could result in a 100% forfeit of your Performance Bonus, suspension or termination.
To avoid this potential mistake, NEVER RE-USE DEFJUGS TO HOLD WATER, COOLANT, ETC. When dumping the DEF into the tank, if for any reason you do not use the entire jug, dispose of the remainder of DEF in the appropriate manner, including the jug it came in. NEVER refill the DEF container with water, coolant, etc.
If the DEF container you open is not properly sealed,
assume it is NOT DEF and dispose of appropriately.
Again, if you are found at fault for accidentally pouring water into the DEF tank, because you "assume" it's DEF, you will still be found at fault. Look to make sure the jug is completely sealed and has never been opened. Otherwise, dispose of jug appropriately.
Prior to, and at the end of each work shift, Drivers are required to perform a THOROUGH Pre and Post-Trip Inspection of their vehicle. You will often see this referred to as DVIR (Digital Vehicle Inspection Report). Yankee Trails will compensate each Driver up to 15 minutes to perform a thorough inspection. These inspections are to be done using the Samsara Driver APP. If for any reason this APP is not available to you, a written inspection must be completed using the printed Official Bus Driver's Vehicle Inspection Report (which you should have in your possession at all times, and can be found in each bus).
CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR VEHICLE INSPECTION VIDEO
Items to be inspected include, but are not limited to the following:
If any of the above-mentioned issues are found to be faulty or defective in any way, they should be considered a DEFECT on your inspection report. If you feel an area is "unsafe", please first refer to the list of defects that we have deemed "unsafe", requiring the bus to be grounded until the issue can be addressed. That list can be found under "VEHICLE INSPECTIONS - DVIR" in your Driver Portal.
During each inspection, it is MANDATORY to take photos of the front, rear, Driver side and passenger side of the bus. Please remember that these photos will help to highlight any damage on the vehicle, or prove there is/was no damage before/after you were assigned the vehicle. Therefore, take photos that clearly show each of these areas of the bus. Do NOT take these photos from an angle that doesn't show any particular area of the bus (ie. Don't stand at the front of the bus, to take a photo of the Driver or Passenger side, as this will NOT show the rear areas on either side when doing so).
Additional photos can be taken during the pre/post-trip inspections by selecting "ADD DEFECTS" under "ADD NEW VEHICLE DEFECTS" and then selecting "OTHER" under "OTHER". Upon doing so, you will be prompted with a CAMERA ICON that will allow you to take as many photos as you wish. For each photo, you will be required to provide a description. We suggest naming the area of the bus the photo is being taken from (ie. Front, Rear, Driver Side, PAX Side, Driver Side Front, Driver Side Middle, Driver Side Rear, PAX Side Front, PAX Side Middle, PAX Side Rear, Luggage Panel, Engine Compartment, Wheelchair Lift Door, Bumper, etc.).
If a Driver is found skipping, or not performing a thorough vehicle inspection, a warning will be issued. If additional violations of this policy/law are observed, the Driver may be subject to a Performance Bonus deduction, suspension without pay or termination.
ATTENTION ALL YANKEE TRAILS DRIVERS:
Parking on the West side of our property (anywhere in proximity to our Cruise Express Shelter or Wash Bay) is PROHIBITED. Driver parking is reserved for the East side of our property only, opposite the entrance to our Dispatch Office. The West side of the property is reserved for our customers and buses only. Additionally, it is important to leave these areas clear so we are able to snowplow when it becomes necessary. Finally, parking is also prohibited in front of, and on the East side of our Safety, Training and Compliance (STC) Office. These areas are reserved for Rensselaer City School District Transportation Department staff only. The area located on the West side of our STC Office may be used, but only on a temporary basis, when visiting this office or during training sessions (excluding ride-along training which requires Drivers to be gone for several hours).
Thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding this matter. Please [ CLICK HERE ] for a map, showing the areas you are allowed to park, versus those where parking is PROHIBITED.
Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the vehicle being towed at your expense.
Please note that, according to New York State Office of the Attorney General Civil Rights Bureau, all Service Animals are not to be considered "pets", and instead are "working animals". They have been trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Dogs that satisfy this definition are considered service animals under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government or any other entity.
Under the ADA and New York law, businesses that serve the public may not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To avoid any possibility of violating this law, Yankee Trails Drivers should ask the passenger if the animal is in fact a service animal as opposed to their pet. If the passenger replies that the animal IS a service animal, the Driver must allow them to board. The animal must remain in the lap of the passenger, or on the floor, where they are not interfering with the comfort or safety of another passenger. If for any reason there are questions or problems that arise by doing so, the Driver should contact the Driver Hotline (518-704-4344) and speak to Dispatch.
For more information, feel free to use this link for a copy of the Service Animals brochure provided by the NYS Office of the Attorney General: https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/publications/serviceanimals-english.pdf
[ ADDED 06/17/2025 ] Please also note that personal pets are not permitted onboard, at any time. In addition to the potential for being an allergy concern to other Drivers and/or passengers, the pet can potentially be a distraction to the Driver. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in a deduction to the Driver's quarterly bonus, suspension without pay and/or termination for continued violations of the policy.
Yankee Trails prohibits the use and storage of any flammable or combustible items anywhere on our buses. However, an exception to this policy is the use of oxygen tanks required to assist with breathing. In the event this is necessary, Yankee Trails allows the use of a singular oxygen tank onboard/during transport.
These customers may also require additional oxygen tanks, depending on the length of the trip. It is the responsibility of the Driver to make sure all extra oxygen tanks are securely fastened in the lower luggage compartment area, preventing them from movement while the vehicle is in motion. In the event this becomes necessary, please find a mechanic and request a bungie cord or ratchet strap that may be used for the duration of your trip.
Unsafe driving includes operating a commercial motor vehicle in a dangerous or careless way, such as speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, and lack of attention. Unsafe driving is a leading factor in crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles. Unsafe driving behaviors pose the potential for serious injuries or tragic human loss. They also pose serious business risks, from financial costs to legal liability.
Yankee Trails considers the safety and welfare of you, our passengers and other motorists and pedestrians one of the most important aspects of being a Motor Coach Operator with our company. As such, we put a great deal of emphasis on our Training Program and our Drivers' participation. Additionally we make various resources available to our Drivers, including the FMCSA Unsafe Driving Fact Sheet (with link to a video, providing a framework to help identify and understand unsafe driving risks and plan for a culture of safety.)
In the event Yankee Trails feels a Driver is not exhibiting safe driving habits, participating in our mandatory training program and conducting themselves in a professional manner while operating any Yankee Trails owned vehicles, a Driver will be notified and issued a verbal warning. If the Driver continues to exhibit unsafe driving habits, additional training may be scheduled or the Driver may be suspended without pay. Continued unsafe driving habits may result in termination.
Please note that ALL Driver Requests (by Yankee Trails clients) MUST come directly from the client/company contact responsible for the booking. When doing so, this will be noted in the reservation and available to our Dispatch Team when work assignments are given. While Yankee Trails will try to accommodate these requests, Dispatch reserves the right to assign other Drivers, based on our scheduling needs, Driver availability, etc. Requests made by representatives other than the person(s) responsible for the reservation (ie. Tour Directors, etc.) will not be taken into consideration.
The Federal Department of Transportation, under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, requires all electronic logs to be completed accurately and promptly. This includes all FMCSA Rules and Regulations as they pertain to Hours Of Service (ie. Reviewing and Certifying Logs, Drive Time, On Duty + Drive Time Violations, Inappropriate Use Of Adverse Driving Conditions, Inappropriate Use Of Personal Conveyance, etc.).
With regards to Hours Of Service (HOS), this includes the maximum DRIVING time of 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty, no more than 15 hours ON DUTY following 8 consecutive hours off duty AND no more than 70 hours ON DUTY/DRIVING (combined) in any period of 8 consecutive days.
NOTE: For information pertaining to CANADIAN HOURS OF SERVICE, please use the following links: Canada Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313); Canada SOUTH HOS Regulations; Canada NORTH HOS Regulations; Samsara: Everything You Need To Know About Hours of Service Rules in Canada
All Drivers are also required by federal law (FMCSR Part 395.2(5) and (8)) to log time spent driving non-commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) as part of any work assignment. This includes any Driver that is a passenger in a non-CMV as part of a work assignment. If you are driving the vehicle, you must sign into the Samsara Driver APP, select the vehicle you are operating and log this time as ON DUTY (NOT driving). If you are a passenger in this vehicle, you do NOT sign into the vehicle, but you DO log the time spent as a passenger as ON DUTY (NOT driving). Again, this is required by law.
Yankee Trails' policy also states that all Drivers will REVIEW & CERTIFY LOGS at the end of each shift, before signing out of the Samsara Driver APP.
Finally, Drivers must carry printed log and DVIR books in the event electronic system fails.
Yankee Trails will not be responsible for fines or penalties to Drivers resulting from non-compliance.
Failure to remain in compliance with ALL rules and regulations pertaining to the use of Electronic Logs and Hours Of Service may result in fines (deductions to your quarterly performance bonus as noted below), suspension without pay and possible termination.
Yankee Trails takes this matter very seriously. As trained professional Drivers, your duties include more than providing safe transportation to our customers. You have the responsibility of being in compliance, at ALL times, where your paperwork/electronic logs are concerned. This includes your charter or tour paperwork, DVIR (Digital Vehicle Inspection Report), Electronic Logs, etc. Violations that could occur at a roadside inspection include, but are not limited to:
In the event a Driver receives a violation during a roadside inspection, and may be found to be at fault for, Yankee Trails reserves the right to issue the following disciplinary action:
Additionally, if a Driver receives a violation that he/she are found at fault for, the Driver will forfeit their performance bonus for the quarter in which the infraction takes place.
Bennington, VT Line Run Ticketing Procedure
For those vehicles requiring regular unleaded fuel (not diesel), please note that Drivers are ONLY permitted to fuel at the Mobil service station located on Rt. 4 in North Greenbush, at the top of the 3rd Avenue Extension hill. Exceptions may be made in the event of an emergency but if this is necessary, Driver must advise a member of the Yankee Trails management team. When fueling these vehicles, and ANY/ALL non-commercial motor vehicles that require regular gasoline, you are to use REGULAR UNLEADED FUEL ONLY.
Yankee Trails prohibits the fueling of your vehicle IN Canada and instead requires that you do so in the United States, before crossing the border. ONLY in the instance that you are doing extensive traveling in Canada (without crossing back into the US) are you permitted to fuel there, and only with the authorization from a member of our management team.
If you are given a work assignment, during which you will be "handing off" your vehicle (ANY Yankee Trails owned vehicle), it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that vehicle has been fueled AND the DEF levels (if applicable) checked/replenished before making the handoff to the next Driver.
Finally, a general "rule of thumb" should be to fuel your bus (or begin looking for where you can fuel your bus) once your fuel gauge reaches 1/2 tank. This is due to the sometimes inaccurate readings on the fuel gauge.
REMINDER: ADD DEF TO YOUR BUS - NOT WATER!
When applicable (not all buses require it), please remember it is your responsibility to make sure your bus has the appropriate amount of DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) at all times. The "rule of thumb" and Yankee Trails policy regarding this is to refill the DEF tank, when necessary (usually when fueling your bus), from the pump using your Exxon Mobile Fuel Card (don't forget to complete the Samsara Driver APP Fuel Receipt Report!). Only when it is necessary, and if you have DEF jugs in the bus, should you use them.
With that said, it is CRUCIAL that you DO NOT MISTAKENLY ADD WATER TO THE DEF TANK! Doing so will result in major, costly damage to the engine and ultimately could result in a 100% forfeit of your Performance Bonus, suspension or termination.
To avoid this potential mistake, NEVER RE-USE DEFJUGS TO HOLD WATER, COOLANT, ETC. When dumping the DEF into the tank, if for any reason you do not use the entire jug, dispose of the remainder of DEF in the appropriate manner, including the jug it came in. NEVER refill the DEF container with water, coolant, etc.
If the DEF container you open is not properly sealed,
assume it is NOT DEF and dispose of appropriately.
Again, if you are found at fault for accidentally pouring water into the DEF tank, because you "assume" it's DEF, you will still be found at fault. Look to make sure the jug is completely sealed and has never been opened. Otherwise, dispose of jug appropriately.
Please note, that in the event you misplace/lose your Exxon Mobil Fuel Card, you must notify a member of Dispatch or the Safety, Training & Compliance Office IMMEDIATELY so the card can be suspended (to avoid identity theft/use). Additionally, a temporary card will be issued to you (please make arrangements to pick this up), and a replacement card will be ordered (usually arriving within 5-7 business days). You will also receive a manual deduction of $25 from your quarterly Performance Bonus in the event a replacement card has to be issued.
Click [ HERE ] for additional instructions regarding the use of your Yankee Trails Fuel Card.
Tampering with the cameras and/or SONIM devices that can be found in nearly all of the Yankee Trails owned vehicles, in any way is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to blocking the view, modifying the position of, or damaging the camera(s). This also includes removing the SONIM device from its cradle and/or disconnecting the charging cable (unless authorized to do so by a mechanic or member of management).
Failure to adhere to this strict policy could result in the following:
At some point, preferably during your first few weeks of training/driving, you will receive training on the operation of all Handicap lifts we have on our buses. OTRB operators shall comply with the requirements of 37,161,37,165-37.167, and 37.173. For purposes of 37.173, “training to proficiency” is deemed to include, as appropriate to the duties of particular employees, training in proper operation and maintenance of accessibility features and equipment, boarding assistance, securement of mobility aids, sensitive and appropriate interaction with passengers with disabilities, handling and storage of mobility devices, and familiarity with the requirements of this subpart. OTRB operators shall provide refresher training to personnel as needed to maintain proficiency.
Separately, please NOTE: In the event you are assigned a bus equipped with a wheelchair lift AND it has been confirmed that you will be transporting a passenger that will be utilizing the lift, you will be compensated for an additional 15 minutes to complete a thorough inspection of the lift (including full operation), seating reconfiguration, seating track cleanliness and location of wheelchair straps/tie-downs. The additional 15 minutes should be reflected in your adjusted Garage Time. If not, please use the Driver Hotline (518-704-4344) to discuss with Dispatch and adjust if necessary.
Upon reaching a destination, please examine the driveway/roadway before entering. If precautions are not taken and it becomes necessary to tow a bus that has become “hung up”, any fees associated with towing the vehicle will be the sole responsibility of the driver.
NEW (08/20/2025): Please take video, using your cell phone, of the tow company as they attach their towing equipment and when they pull the vehicle out. Please contact Jeff Adams (jadams@yankeetrails.com), John Ilowiecki (jilowiecki@yankeetrails.com) or John Tobin (jtobin@yankeetrails.com) to arrange the transfer of that video.
We have had instances where the tow companies are damaging our buses because they are improperly trained on how/where to tow a bus. Your video will assist in any attempts we make to bill these companies for damages that occur during the towing process. It will also aid in proving you are not responsible for this damage.
Drivers will be held responsible for ANY/ALL Moving/Parking/Toll/other citations or violations. Payment for these citations/violations/tolls will be deducted from your performance bonus after the Driver has been made aware of the citation/fine/toll, unless otherwise noted and arranged between the Driver and Yankee Trails.
Please note this includes the 407ETR Toll Road in Canada which we prohibit the use of. Each time a bus travels on the 407ETR, in addition to the toll that is issued, we are also now issued a mandatory video toll free. Combined, these tolls can be nearly $100.
Again, these fines/tolls will be issued as a manual deduction from the performance bonus during the quarter in which the violation occurs. Drivers will be notified by email about these deductions which may also be monitored using the Driver's Web Profile (see Minus Manual Deductions area).
Keep Calm (If you are calm, your passengers will react accordingly)
Call Police (9-1-1) and if applicable, request the Exchange Of Information form, with details on how to obtain a copy of the police report that gets filed. Do NOT offer any overly detailed, unnecessary information. Keep it simple. Saying too much could be used against you in an accident investigation/court case.
Call Driver Hotline (518-704-4344, Option 1)
Check passengers for injuries. If passengers are not in danger from fire or the vehicle is not in a dangerous location, leave your passengers on the vehicle. If possible, have someone stand near the door of the vehicle and keep the passengers onboard. If the passengers are in danger, move them to a safe location. Remember, the more people you have standing around at an accident scene, the greater the chance for them to be injured.
Collect Witness Contact Information (Name/Phone Number/Email Address)
Get Other Vehicle information (Operator Name, Insurance Company/Account No., License Plate, etc.)
Take as many pictures of the scene as possible, including photos of your bus as well as the other vehicle(s) involved (especially the license plate of the Other Vehicle) and the surrounding area (intersection, roadway, etc.).
Complete an Accident (or Incident - NOT involving other motor vehicle) Report in the Samsara Driver APP. Go to purple tab ("DOCS"), CREATE NEW DOCUMENT, and select appropriate report. Follow step-by-step procedures for uploading photos (including photos of Other Vehicle Owner information (ie. insurance, Driver's License, etc.). Do not forget to SUBMIT when all of the information has been entered accurately.
Protect the Scene (Do not allow anything to be moved before an official police report is completed)
Warning Devices (Triangles) should be placed in the following locations:
At the traffic side of the stopped vehicle within 10 feet of the front or rear of the vehicle.
At a distance of approximately 100 feet from the stopped vehicle in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by the vehicle and in the direction toward traffic approaching in that lane.
At a distance of approximately 100 feet from the stopped vehicle in the opposite direction of those placed in steps 1 and 2.
After protecting the scene and ensuring your passengers’ safety, get all necessary information to complete the Samsara Driver APP Accident/Incident Report. One of your first priorities should be to locate all witnesses. Be sure to obtain the names and cell phone numbers for each person that was a witness to the event. Always try to get a police agency to respond to the scene. Do not sign any statements or volunteer any unnecessary information. Get a complete list of all passengers if you do not already have one.
NOTE: In the event the driver of the other vehicle involved is 100% at fault and admits their guilt, please have them write that they were at fault for the accident that has taken place [date/time], at [location], and are requesting that police are NOT called to the scene. Have them print, sign and date this document. Then, upon your trip return, please write the following statement, date, sign and turn into our Safety, Training & Compliance office:
I am writing to report a minor incident that occurred on [date] at approximately [time], at [location].
While operating [Bus number or ID], there was a brief interaction with another vehicle, [description of other vehicle if known – e.g., “a grey Toyota Camry”]. After stopping and inspecting both vehicles, it was determined that there was no visible damage to either vehicle, and the other driver confirmed there were no injuries.
The driver of the other vehicle declined to remain at the scene and did not wish to file any report. However, I had them sign a written acknowledgment stating that no damage or injury occurred, which I have attached [or “which I will submit to the office”].
Out of an abundance of caution, I wanted to document the situation in case of any issues that may arise later.
If a serious accident occurs a drug and alcohol test may need to be taken within the appropriate time frame: (See CFR part 382 - pages 202, 203 of FMCSR Safety Regulations (blue book)). Generally speaking, please refer to the following:
Type Of Accident Involved:
i. Human Fatality:
Controlled Substance (Drug) and Alcohol tests MUST be administered.
ii. Bodily injury with immediate medical treatment away from the scene:
Was a citation issued to the CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) Driver? If "yes" and the citation was received within 8 hours of the occurrence, then a post-accident Alcohol Test MUST be administered. If "yes" and the citation was received within 32 hours of occurrence, a post-accident Controlled Substance (drug) Test MUST be administered. If "no", testing is not necessary.
iii. Disabling damage to any motor vehicle requiring tow away:
Was a citation issued to the CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) Driver? If "yes" and the citation was received within 8 hours of the occurrence, then a post-accident Alcohol Test MUST be administered. If "yes" and the citation was received within 32 hours of occurrence, a post-accident Controlled Substance (drug) Test MUST be administered. If "no", testing is not necessary.
IF testing is required based on the previously listed circumstances, the following timeframes must be taken into consideration:
(For Hoosick Falls and Bennington Line Run, the Drug/Alcohol Test must be done in compliance with 49CFR Part 655)
ALL Accidents/Incidents will be recorded/documented, regardless of whether or not they are deemed "Chargeable" or not. ALL Accidents are considered "preventable" and therefore it is likely a Driver will be required to perform follow-up training as a result of their Accident/Incident. A member of our Safety, Training & Compliance Team will be in touch regarding the scheduling of this training. A representative with our insurance carrier may contact a Driver for additional information. It is the responsibility of the Driver to cooperate completely with this representative.
Due to the fact that all of our Motor Coach Operators are covered under our vehicle insurance policy, the company issuing that policy reserves the right to accept or deny any Driver. Multiple Accidents/Incidents over a short period of time could result in a suspension from their Yankee Trails Driver Roster, resulting in suspension or possible termination of employment with Yankee Trails.
Yankee Trails has repaired the body damage on many of our coaches in order to improve the appearance of our equipment. During your pre-trip inspection (DVIR in Samsara Driver App), you are required to take four (4) photos in order to complete the inspection (front, rear, driver side, passenger door side). These photos should be taken so the surface area of the bus, in each photo, may be seen in its entirety (ie. do not take photos of the sides of the buses from extreme front or rear angles as it will prohibit seeing a view of either the front or rear of either side of the bus). Additionally, if there is damage that a Driver would like to highlight, you may do so by choosing DEFECT/OTHER in the Samsara Driver App/DVIR process, and taking photo(s) of the damaged area(s). Any severe damage, or damage that could affect the operation of the vehicle found during pre-trip inspection should also be reported to a member of our Operations Management Team or Mechanic and in some cases, may result in Dispatch providing a different bus to use.
To access a copy of our current Drug and Alcohol Policy, please use the link below.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY (UPDATED 10/08/2024)
If you have not already done so, please use the link below to access the Drug And Alcohol Policy Acknowledgement Form. Please print, sign, date and return this document to the Safety, Training & Compliance Office or by placing in Faith's locker in the Drivers' Room.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
If you require a printed copy of the policy, please contact a member of our Safety, Training & Compliance team:
Faith Ackerley (fackerley@yankeetrails.com | 518-286-1800, x303)
Tammy Petruska (tpetruska@yankeetrails.com | 518-286-1800, x302)
Jeff Adams (jadams@yankeetrails.com | 518-286-1800, x203)
DIRECTIONS TO NORTHEAST TESTING UPSTATE
Any employee refusing to submit to the drug or alcohol screen will be terminated. No exceptions. We have a zero tolerance policy.
Drug & Alcohol Testing Location (New York)
Northeast Testing | 21 Everett Road, Albany, NY
Federal Regulations mandate Random Drug & Alcohol Testing. This means on a given day, employees will be selected and must report to the doctor’s office within twelve (12) hours of notification, for a drug and alcohol screen. Fifty percent (50%) of ½ the employees must be drug tested each year and ten percent (10%) of the employees must be tested for alcohol each year.
Random means that you will be selected by a computer based data system (RandomWare Duty Management Selection). Under this computer based system, you could be chosen more than once in the year, possibly even twice in a row. Employee payroll numbers which appear on your check and your time card are the numbers we use for the computer-based selection.
Post accident testing is also required. An employee has to submit to a drug screen within 32 hours of an accident in which he has received a citation for a moving traffic violation. In addition, the employee must submit to an alcohol screen immediately, but no later than 2 hours after the accident. Refusal to submit to either of these tests will also be cause for termination. Yankee Trails performs the drug test in conjunction with your DOT physical. You will be given 7 days advance written notice of your physical. The only other testing that will be done when it is implemented will be random testing and reasonable cause. Once a driver is charged with an at-fault accident, they must go out with a 19A certified examiner to observe their driver safety before they can return to their scheduled workload.
Effective 2/1/2026 Yankee Trails will be compensating Drivers a flat fee of $40 for any DOT Physical and Random OR Post-Accident Drug/Alcohol Testing that is required. To claim, from Submit Your Time Card in Driver Portal:
NOTE: Yankee Trails will NOT compensate Drivers that participate in a DOT Physical or Drug/Alcohol Testing on the last day of a multi-day assignment, for which the Driver is already being compensated a minimum of 10 hours.
NOTE: Once you have completed viewing video, please enter your full name (as it appears on your CDL) and submit the form below, documenting that you have done so:
Once annually, your Driver Qualification Files must be updated. You will be notified in advance as to when your file is due. Please make time in your schedule to complete this paperwork.
Yankee Trails is pleased to offer all eligible Motor Coach Operators our
10-1-1 Performance Based Bonus Program
Each Of The Following Will Be Calculated And Applied To Your Bonus Every 3 Months (Quarterly):
$0.10 per mile driven will *potentially be applied, depending on the Driver's Safety and Efficiency Scores, calculated automatically using the Samsara system.
$0.01 per mile will **potentially be applied, depending on your Customer Survey Results
$0.01 per mile will ***potentially be applied, depending on your AVATAR (Bus Safety Course) enrollment status.
*Up to $0.10 per mile will be earned every 3 months, minus points deducted resulting from any Safety Events triggered while operating a Yankee Trails owned vehicle. Some examples include speeding, following too closely, harsh turns, harsh braking, rolling thru stop signs, etc. Your Safety Score can be accessed at any time while you are logged into the Samsara Driver App. Points will also be deducted based on your Efficiency (Idling) Score, also accessible using the Samsara Driver App. BOTH scores are reset to 100 each day.
Idling: Please Note The Following: Drivers are permitted to idle their bus up to 20% of their total drive time each day, without penalty. Beginning at 21%, the Driver's Efficiency Score begins to be reduced. At 51% the Efficiency Score will be ZERO (0) for the day. If a Driver continues to display a disregard for our policy regarding idling, further manual penalties may incur, along with an unpaid suspension and termination, if necessary.
**Up to $0.01 per mile will be earned every 3 months for all Customer Survey Results of 4.0 or higher (based on a scale of 1-5 where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent). Drivers will not be penalized (have deductions taken) for an average score of 0-3.99, but will not earn the $0.01 portion of their bonus without an average score above 4.0.
***Up to $0.01 per mile will be earned every 3 months for all AVATAR Training that has been scheduled for each respective quarter. Failure to complete all AVATAR Training Courses that have been assigned each quarter will result in the Driver not receiving this portion of their quarterly bonus.
NOTE: Any Driver that is no longer employed as of the final date of each quarter in which our Driver Bonuses are calculated, forfeits their eligibility to receive their bonus. This includes Drivers that have resigned, are temporarily on leave or who have been dismissed (terminated) unless otherwise stated. Additionally, if a Driver is involved in an accident but the claim is not paid until much later, the Driver may receive a bonus deduction during the quarter in which the claim deduction occurs (ie. Driver has accident in February (Q1). Claim is made against Yankee Trails in February. Insurance company begins to investigate/litigate claim on our behalf. Insurance company settles claim in May. Yankee Trails would reserve the right to issue a performance bonus deduction for Q2.)
All quarterly bonuses will be paid out up to the last Friday following the end of each quarter. Any questions about the 10-1-1 Performance Based Bonus Program may be directed to a member of our Safety, Training & Compliance Team.
Yankee Trails is pleased to reimburse our Motor Coach Operators that obtain a United States Passport* OR NYS Enhanced Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
To request reimbursement (which will ONLY be issued thru the Driver's RAMP account), in addition to the receipt for payment for the passport or Enhanced CDL, the Driver must provide proof in the form of their completed Work Ticket (and accompanying itinerary, etc.), during which they used the passport or Enhanced CDL to enter Canada.
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to a member of our Safety, Training & Compliance Team.
*NOTE: Yankee Trails will reimburse for EITHER a US Passport Book OR a US Passport Card (not both).
DRIVER HOTLINE: 518-704-4344 (24/7/365)
Please note that ALL Drivers should be using our Driver Hotline phone number (518-704-4344) whenever a Dispatcher (or other member of our Operations Team) needs to be reached (regardless of the reason/day/time). Calling this number will give you the option to speak to our office staff during the day/week and/or have your call forwarded to the on-call Dispatcher after hours/on the weekend. For matters that are NOT of an urgent nature, you may also reach our Dispatch Team by email at dispatch@yankeetrails.com.
NOTE: If the person/s you are trying to reach does not answer right away, leave a detailed message and they will get back to you.
Current Office Hours For Dispatch (as of 1/6/2025):
Current Office Hours For Safety, Training & Compliance (as of 1/6/2025):
This number should be used to contact Dispatch and our Safety, Training and Compliance Office as well other Administrative Staff. When calling, you will be given the following options (subject to change, so pay close attention):
OPTION 1: In the event you are calling regarding an accident/incident involving yourself, a bus or other Yankee Trails owned vehicle, piece of property or passenger
OPTION 2: To reach our On-Call Dispatcher
OPTION 3: To reach Stephanie's desk phone
OPTION 4: To reach Faith's desk phone
OPTION 5: To reach Tammy's desk phone
OPTION 6: To reach Joel's desk phone
OPTION 7: To Reach Jeff's desk phone
OPTION 8: To have the Driver Hotline menu options repeated
NOTE: If the person/s you are trying to reach does not answer right away, leave a detailed message and they will get back to you.
In an effort to provide workplace diversity and inclusion, Yankee Trails, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, complying with all EEOC rules and regulations. Yankee Trails seeks the very best candidates to fill open positions regardless of race, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, socioeconomic class or any other non-merit characteristics and have a zero-tolerance stance toward harassment and discrimination.
Stephen C. Tobin | President
o 518-286-2400, Ext. 211 | c 518-378-9789 | stobin@yankeetrails.com
Jeff Adams | Vice President, General Manager
o 518-286-1800, Ext. 203 | c 518-330-8989 | jadams@yankeetrails.com
Joel Keens | Vice President, Director of Business Development
o 518-286-2400, Ext. 213 | c 518-960-0700 | jkeens@yankeetrails.com
Dan Contento | Lead Dispatcher
o 518-286-1800, Ext. 307 | dcontento@yankeetrails.com
Jim Griffin | Dispatcher
o 518-286-1800, Ext. 313 | jgriffin@yankeetrails.com
Faith Ackerley | Director of Safety and Compliance
o 518-286-1800, Ext. 303 | c 518-424-1614 | fackerley@yankeetrails.com
Tammy Petruska | Director of Driver Training
o 518-286-1800, Ext. 302 | c 518-257-0548 | tpetruska@yankeetrails.com
Adrienne Farragher | Director of Cruise Express/Motorcoach Tour Coordinator
o 518-286-2400, Ext. 214 | c 518-331-4263 | afarragher@yankeetrails.com