What are your thoughts on being a bus driver?

EltonJohnFan

Hi all,

I'm asking this question on behalf of my cousin who's just about to turn 23 and has been working what he calls "dead end" jobs for the past few years since leaving school. He told me earlier today that he'd really like to have a good, steady job as opposed to the uncertainty of his situation right now where he's going from job to job and never really having security in his work. He mentioned that he could see himself as a bus driver as that's something he's really interested in doing, always had a great love for buses and I remember when we were little boys he was always around them. I have to ask, is this a good job or not? could he do well from this? he doesn't have a family and is currently single and still lives with my aunt - his mum but he does pay his way so I have to commend him for that.

He looks up to me and in truth I don't know what to tell him because I don't know very much about this sort of thing. I'd like to see him have a job where he has security and a good pay because he's my cousin and I want the best for him and also he's a very good worker who has so much to offer the right employer. I did mention that the very first thing he'd have to do is get himself a driving license as he doesn't have that yet but he did state that as soon as he knew all the necessary information to get started on the buses he'd take lessons and go from there. I really appreciate any information you can give me as I'm hoping to pass on as much as possible to him, would really appreciate a list (if possible) of all the steps he'd need to take to make his dream a reality, thank you.

Spitakimus14

go for it getting the license cant be a bad thing on a future cv if it doesnt work out

ispim

He will need to sort out his driving license first, but once he has done that most bus companies (at least in my area) will train you up, pay you while you're training and are quite supportive from what I've heard, all he can really do is ring around local bus companies and have a chat with them and see what they have to say.

Nile

It sounds ideal for your cousin, once he's got his driving licence.;) It is a very responsible position and (once qualified) he can be proud of his role. We are all being encouraged to use public transport more and our private cars less.

I was on a bus on Friday and as always, I said "thank you" to the bus driver as I got off the bus.

A good bus driver is a safe driver who doesn't cause his/her passengers to stumble as they stand (due to a lack of seats) or as they walk down the moving bus.............and doesn't give their passengers an uncomfortable ride.

PasturesNew

Which county would it be in? I know in Devon the drivers say it's a !!!!!!/low paid job; I know in Cornwall it's poorly paid... but I also believe that in some big cities it's well paid - except you can get spit on or thumped more readily.

PasturesNew

Risks list: http://www.hse.gov.uk/violence/hslcasestudies/first.htm

PasturesNew

Simulator seems to be used at pre-emplpyment stage: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/london/london/jobs/bussim.php

Employment criteria for First:
"Applicants for bus driving vacancies should normally be 21 years of age or over, in general good health, hold a full ordinary driving licence or PCV licence, and be free from any material convictions. Driving licences should have no more than 3 penalty points at the time of application. Pre-employment procedures will include drug screening, medical assessment, the enhanced criminal records bureau checks, and two checkable references."
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/london/london/jobs/index.php

Hammyman

EltonJohnFan wrote: »

He looks up to me and in truth I don't know what to tell him because I don't know very much about this sort of thing.

Ask him if driving in busy built up traffic gets him stressed. IF it does its 10 times worse in a bus or a lorry. Ask him how he likes driving the same route day in day out.

greytroot

would have loved to be a bus driver - but I hate people talking behind my back!

SweatyBetty_3

My dad was a bus driver for over 30 years and he always loved it. Like people have said it is a pretty well respected role in the community and he came home from work quite often with cakes and bottles of whiskey around christmas from the regular passengers.