Hampshire

Why did you decide bus driving was for you?
I have always enjoyed driving and getting out and about. I have always wanted to be a bus driver from a very young age. Getting out and keeping busy is what I enjoy the most and meeting people of all ages.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy driving buses, helping people and providing a service for the public. I enjoy meeting so many different people, some of which I know on first name terms now. It‘s about being your own boss, there‘s no-one looking over your shoulder, you manage your own day, its great!

I also enjoy helping new members of staff in my role as a buddy driver, which I find exciting and rewarding.

Ok so what do you not enjoy?!
Sometimes other road users can make you cross and wind you up. You do see some outrageous things, but being professional is about doing the right thing and you just have to relax and think of the comfort and safety of your passengers, they are the ones paying and deserve to travel in complete safety.

What was the training like when you joined First Hampshire and Dorset? The training was good and all the people I met were very supportive. I spent 7 weeks in the training school. Firstly, I completed an induction to the company and then the next three weeks was spent with my instructor getting my PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle licence, then out with a buddy driver learning the routes and the different vehicles.

Any advice for people considering becoming a bus driver?
It‘s a brilliant job and you‘ll enjoy it but only if you really enjoy meeting people and helping customers and you can stay calm under pressure. You‘ll also need to be able to think quickly and use your own initiative as it can become quite tense at times. Some people think that when you have passed your test you‘re a bus driver - no way, I‘ve been doing the job for 8 years and I‘m still learning, each and every day is different with new people to meet and places to go.

If you are interested in becoming a bus driver, call our Hot-Line: 0845 65 00 014 or apply online.