Anyone on here a (London) bus driver?
Discussion
Wasn't sure whether to put this in Commercial Break or here, but it's job related and advice here always seems good 
I had always thought that you had to be 21 to hold a PCV licence, found out a few days ago that it is actually 18. Long-term, I would like to get into mainline train driving, so I'm giving serious consideration to applying to become a bus driver as a sort of stepping stone for the next few years. I have Arriva, Stagecoach, First and Go-Ahead garages all within a couple of miles of me as well, although Go-Ahead specifically mentions that it doesn't take on Trainee drivers in my area.
I am 19 (20 in a couple of weeks), with 2 and a 1/2 years on a full UK manual licence. No claims, no points etc. I've driven about 40,000 miles since passing in all environments, often driving all day so I've got experience of being at the wheel for long periods of time, no idea whether that's relevant or not. I am a confident driver, I tend to drive very smoothly and economically (mostly because I'm a tight git but I don't think I'll mention that
) and can't envision having a problem handling the size of a bus. Arriva in particular say they are taking on drivers on their website, and I fit all of the requirements. However I was wondering if because of my age I wouldn't even be considered? Earlier this year I served a five month contract for another TfL department in a safety-critical/customer services capacity, which I assume will help
I understand that with the companies that train you themselves you are tied in for a period of time, but as I said I expect to be there for at least a few years so I'm not worried about that Would it be better to do my PCV licence privately though? Paying for it isn't an issue but I don't want to do that if not having it wouldn't make any difference to my chances of being employed in the job!
If anyone does have any feedback regarding whether or not I would likely get a look in or any comments and advice from anyone who has worked the job I would very much appreciate it! Thank you
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I had always thought that you had to be 21 to hold a PCV licence, found out a few days ago that it is actually 18. Long-term, I would like to get into mainline train driving, so I'm giving serious consideration to applying to become a bus driver as a sort of stepping stone for the next few years. I have Arriva, Stagecoach, First and Go-Ahead garages all within a couple of miles of me as well, although Go-Ahead specifically mentions that it doesn't take on Trainee drivers in my area.
I am 19 (20 in a couple of weeks), with 2 and a 1/2 years on a full UK manual licence. No claims, no points etc. I've driven about 40,000 miles since passing in all environments, often driving all day so I've got experience of being at the wheel for long periods of time, no idea whether that's relevant or not. I am a confident driver, I tend to drive very smoothly and economically (mostly because I'm a tight git but I don't think I'll mention that
) and can't envision having a problem handling the size of a bus. Arriva in particular say they are taking on drivers on their website, and I fit all of the requirements. However I was wondering if because of my age I wouldn't even be considered? Earlier this year I served a five month contract for another TfL department in a safety-critical/customer services capacity, which I assume will help I understand that with the companies that train you themselves you are tied in for a period of time, but as I said I expect to be there for at least a few years so I'm not worried about that
Would it be better to do my PCV licence privately though? Paying for it isn't an issue but I don't want to do that if not having it wouldn't make any difference to my chances of being employed in the job!If anyone does have any feedback regarding whether or not I would likely get a look in or any comments and advice from anyone who has worked the job I would very much appreciate it! Thank you
.Seti said:
I ride in them alot which obviously makes me an expert in the area.....
To me it looks like a job with very little satisfaction (other than the ability to slowly pull away from stops as people run desperately towards them).
I think it will require a certain mentality to be able to shrug of all the abuse you're likely to receive.
To me it looks like a job with very little satisfaction (other than the ability to slowly pull away from stops as people run desperately towards them).
I think it will require a certain mentality to be able to shrug of all the abuse you're likely to receive.
Happened to me many a time. Regards the satisfaction I can see what you mean, but I am pretty sure that I would be alright with that; I am (genuinely) enthusiastic about the transport industry, and the earlier contract I did sort of reaffirmed that enthusiasm. In the last job (working on stations) I got more than my fair share of stick from passengers, doesn't bother me in the slightest and (I like to think) I'm pretty good at dealing with and diffusing(sp?) confrontational situations. I'm very thick-skinned when working and leave it at work so not too worried about that aspect
WestYorkie said:
I'm a bus driver in west Yorkshire and have been for 14 Years(sounds like an AA meeting).
IIRC You can't drive more than X amount of miles from depot below 21. I find it quite rewarding most of the time. Some are good days some are bad but you get to drive around in all weathers warm and dry (It helps having a fleet of new buses).
You sound like you'd enjoy it. But be careful, I went thinking I'd be there around 12 months. But it's the best job I've had. I'm also hoping to get "on the trains" but hey ho I'm in a secure job as long as you keep your nose clean it's a decent wage for a decent job.
Best of luck.
Cheers for the reply, very encouraging IIRC You can't drive more than X amount of miles from depot below 21. I find it quite rewarding most of the time. Some are good days some are bad but you get to drive around in all weathers warm and dry (It helps having a fleet of new buses).
You sound like you'd enjoy it. But be careful, I went thinking I'd be there around 12 months. But it's the best job I've had. I'm also hoping to get "on the trains" but hey ho I'm in a secure job as long as you keep your nose clean it's a decent wage for a decent job.
Best of luck.
I've decided that I'm definitely going for it, so fingers crossed I get an assessment day. From Monday I'm going to speak to the other local operators who aren't doing training and see whether it would be worth me doing my licence privately and take it from there
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