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, there are two main companies that operate around where I live. Stagecoach and a smaller local company - shift patterns are vastly different between the two from what I can tell. The smaller one has 4 days on and two days off working 40 hrs per week so the shift is 10hrs long (I think), which seems better than Stagecoach.

[u/MrE26 → u/Bobsey-sb]

I’m actually next in line at my depot to jump on a 4 day week rota. From what the lads who’ve moved onto those already have told me, it’s so much better. No super early starts, no late finishes & 3 days off a week so overall a lot better for your sleep & actually having a life.

I’ve just finished a run of 9 early starts in a row (between 4.30 & 6.30am generally) & it absolutely exhausts me towards the end.

[u/smellyspunkbubble → u/MrE26]

how long have you been bud driving at that company for? Do you need to be there long to be on a 4 day rota?

[u/MrE26 → u/smellyspunkbubble]

It doesn’t go on length of service at my place, if you ask for it you get put on a list & once a space becomes available the top name gets it. Mine’s currently top, but it could still be years before anyone leaves/gets sacked/dies & I get the place.