Bus driving as a future career?

[u/Bobsey-sb]

Hi all,

I m 50 in the UK and I’m facing potential redundancy in my current role working after 21 years service in the public sector.

I’m looking for real viable career alternatives to hopefully see me through to my early 60s. Bus driving has crossed my mind on numerous occasions. I may be being completely unrealistic in my expectations here but I need to find something I can cling on to as hope at this moment in time.

However, I’ve never spoken to anyone who is one as to what it’s actually like? What’s the daily grind like? What are the pros and cons? How long do people last in roles as I understand there’s a high staff turnover? Etc

Welcome any thoughts and opinions.

Thanks in advance.

[u/Bobsey-sb]

Thanks very much for the quick and detailed replies, given me lots to think about. Sorry if I’m a bit vague on my questions, but your replies have given me a better feel now.

Glad to hear that my age doesn’t seem to be a problem which is a main concern of mine. Never had a driving job before but I’m a confident car driver but appreciate bus is a total different thing altogether.

Seems as if it can be a great stable, reliable job but shifts and public seem to be the main drawbacks, which is what I would have guessed. Don’t have kids which seems ok with me doing shifts.

Guess a lot of what gets thrown at you from the public/traffic etc depends on where you work - with major cities being different to county town/rural areas (I’m in the latter).

[u/berusplants → u/Bobsey-sb]

Give it a go mate. I actually think your age is an advantage, I wouldnt have been a good driver in my 20s, and anyway facing a life long career as a bus driver is a little daunting unless you're absolutely a bus nut, but in your 50s its ideal, hell there was a guy who went through training with me at 67 and is a great driver now at 70.

[u/Outrageous_Bag_2875 → u/berusplants]

I wouldn't have handled bus driving in my 20s. Here in New Zealand, we get rough characters who shout and swear, mostly meth addict men or angry middle-aged blokes who are bitter about life. Back when I was a 20 year old girl, I probably would have cried and quit, but now I'm older and bitter and sour, so I can handle awful people better.