Shunter / Cleaner

Who are we

🧽 Join London’s Leading Bus Operator – Go‑Ahead London Is Hiring Shunter/Cleaners!

Earn £15.20 per hour Permanent roles across multiple London locations New opportunities now available!

📍 Current Vacancies

Thamesmead, SE28 0AT - 35 hours per week - Various shifts

We regularly update our list of vacancies, so if you don’t see the location you’re looking for, check back soon.

🏆 Start Your Career with London’s Largest Bus Company

Go‑Ahead London operates over 2,300 buses from 18 depots across the capital. Behind the scenes, our Premises Cleaners play a crucial role in keeping our buildings safe, hygienic, and welcoming for staff and visitors.

👤 About the Role

The purpose of this role is to ensure the safe, efficient and accurate movement, positioning, preparation and cleaning of buses within the garage environment. The postholder will manoeuvre vehicles, refuel buses, carry out basic visual checks and complete internal and external cleaning in accordance with the Go-Ahead Way (GAW). The role supports operational readiness by ensuring buses are safely positioned, presented to the required standard and ready for service on time, while complying with health, safety and environmental requirements.

🎥 See the cleaning aspect of this role in Action

Take a look at how our teams clean and prepare our buses for service.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/12260417?video=1196337963

🔧 What You’ll Do

• Safely manoeuvre buses within the garage, following an agreed parking plan or instructions from the allocator, including positioning vehicles for cleaning, maintenance and service.
• Refuel buses and check essential fluids in line with company guidelines and relevant work instructions.
• Carry out thorough internal and external cleaning of buses, including floors, seats, windows and the driver cab, in accordance with the relevant GAW work instructions.
• Ensure exterior cleaning is completed on all buses within the garage in accordance with GAW requirements.
• Position vehicles for internal cleaning and coordinate effectively with cleaning colleagues and garage teams.
• Use approved cleaning products, machinery and equipment safely and effectively in accordance with GAW work instructions.
• Follow all health and safety requirements, including the correct use of PPE, safe handling of chemicals and garage-specific safe systems of work.
• Work to agreed schedules and priorities to ensure buses are positioned, cleaned and ready for service on time.
• Conduct visual checks for damage, defects, graffiti, etching or safety concerns and report issues promptly through the required process.
• Move buses to and from workshops as required, minimising disruption to garage operations.
• Complete accurate vehicle movement, parking, fuelling and cleaning records using the selected audit and workforce management platforms.
• Liaise and communicate effectively with yard supervisors, allocators, engineers, cleaners and other garage colleagues.
• Follow environmental, waste disposal and recycling procedures.
• Maintain work areas and equipment in a safe, clean and serviceable condition.
• Undertake any additional duties requested by the line manager that are within the postholder’s competence.

💼 What We’re Looking For

• Full UK driving licence (Category B). A PCV licence is preferred; training may be provided.
• Ability to manoeuvre large vehicles safely and confidently in confined spaces.
• Good understanding of health and safety practices, including PPE, chemical handling and safe systems of work.
• Attention to detail and commitment to consistently high cleaning and presentation standards.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Good communication and collaborative working skills.
• Flexible approach to shifts, including evenings and weekends.
• This is a busy and physically demanding role, therefore a good level of fitness is required.
• Previous experience in a transport, logistics, industrial cleaning or bus garage environment is desirable.
• Knowledge of basic vehicle checks and fuelling procedures is desirable.
• Previous professional cleaning experience, including the use of cleaning machinery and chemicals, is desirable.
• To undertake any additional duties at the request of your line manager, which is deemed to be within your competency.

🎉 What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate.
• Company pension scheme.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Free or discounted travel on TfL services.
• Opportunities for progression, including training to become a bus driver.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Go-Ahead London is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from women and from people of all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups.We are an equal opportunities employer and select candidates based on merit and ability.If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.