Ask a bus driver anything

[Eyersey1234]

In the spirit of Mexmans car sales thread plus others I thought I would give people the opportunity to ask questions about the transport industry. Fire away.

[Yipper]

Roughly what % of passengers try to dodge fares?

[James2593]

Is the amount you get paid worth the st you get?

I've actually looked at being a bus driver as i'm sure there are the good moments - driving around with a very empty, on-time bus on lates, one last run until home time but the do the bad points outweigh the good?

[Eyersey1234]

Fate dodging does go on but it's not that common really, we'te more likely to get someone trying to get away with paying child fare when they are an adult.

While the pay could be better, you learn to develop a thick skin and let a lot of stuff go over your head

[joshleb]

How do you stay awake?

Have you had to do any odd stops anywhere because you need a wee?

[Eyersey1234]

You get to know where the toilets are on the routes that you are on, although sometimes out in the country people get caught short, if it comes to it and if there's nobody on there's usually somewhere to pull in and relieve yourself.

I stay awake by getting enough sleep on a night, some drivers take naps when on breaks too.

[getawayturtle]

Do you have a favourite type of bus that you drive?

I was talking to a driver here that thrashes the nuts off Voith DAF SB200s because of the loud screaming noises they make.

[hyphen]

Why did you choose the job
Why have you stayed in the job.

[cootuk]

Why do you travel in threes?

[ferrariF50lover]

cootuk said:

Why do you travel in threes?

1. megalolz

[mp3manager]

Do you play Bus Simulator on your days off?

[Frank7]

Do you have special training to drive with your indicators on for
miles after mile, or is it something that comes natural to bus drivers?

[Eyersey1234]

hyphen said:

Why did you choose the job
Why have you stayed in the job.

I chose the job as I was out of work and needed a job, stayed as I've enjoyed it. When the companies train you they get you to sign an indemnity so if you leave within the first two years you have to pay some of your training costs back.

No I don't play a bus training simulatior game.

We travel in threes for company.

Favourite type of bus, Alexander Dennis vehicles or Volvos are generally nice to drive, least favourite are MANs or Optare Excels

[Eyersey1234]

The Optare Prismas we used to have were excellent buses too, good to drive and reliable. Sadly we had to get rid as they weren't low floor

[Cudd Wudd]

Do some of your colleagues regale stories of how they gleefully chuckled, closed the doors and casually drove away, just as the running would-be passenger neared the stop?

What is the dodgiest/most memorable thing you have witnessed on board?

What is the worst road rage you have encountered?

Ever had anyone famous on board?

Ever had anyone refuse to get off and, if so, what's the longest it's taken to resolve?

[egor110]

What sort of shift pattern/times do you work ?

Do you plan to move from buses to driving coaches and maybe European coach trips ?

[Eyersey1234]

Cudd Wudd said:

Do some of your colleagues regale stories of how they gleefully chuckled, closed the doors and casually drove away, just as the running would-be passenger neared the stop?

What is the dodgiest/most memorable thing you have witnessed on board?

What is the worst road rage you have encountered?

Ever had anyone famous on board?

Ever had anyone refuse to get off and, if so, what's the longest it's taken to resolve?

1 not at the depot I work at

2 Most memorable would be the morning I had a child on the bus who was playing truant, my supervisor contacted the school and they came for him, this made me late though which caused someone to miss her train.

3 The odd horn toot which is mainly because the buses are so slow you can pull out onto a clear roundabout/road etc and when you are halfway out something comes along.

4 Not to my knowledge

5 I can only think of one occasion I've asked someone to get off as he was smoking and he didn't refuse.

[Eyersey1234]

egor110 said:

What sort of shift pattern/times do you work ?

Do you plan to move from buses to driving coaches and maybe European coach trips ?

Earliest buses run at about 6 in the morning and last ones finish about midnight. Most shifts finish between 5 and 7. Currently no plans to go coaching, although the company I work for do also run coaches

[Mexman]

Tough job I bet, must be frustrating at times dealing with the drunk and disorderly great unwashed, and all the other idiots on the road.
Big kudos.
Not a job I would relish doing.
Stressful comes to mind.

[HTP99]

It's always amazes me how much bus drivers get paid in relation to train/tube drivers, where I should imagine driving a bus is far more involved; due to traffic, other road users, diversions, dealing directy with the public etc.

I do find busses an odd thing as apart form the usual early mornings and evenings, they are running around almost empty, it seems such an inefficient form of public transport.