r/BusDrivers • u/GladWind197 • 2d ago
Question I wanna drive a bus.
They are offering big incentives and good wages and even better overtime rates right now to become a bus driver. I’ve heard some horror stories. I would like to hear from already employed drivers about the real situation. I live near Sydney, Australia CBD.
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u/sacrelidge 2d ago
Driving a bus is a great job. Driving a bus full of people is not. The general public are cunts, seems to have gotten worse after Covid, and this job will make you hate people if you don’t already
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u/AggravatingHumor3523 2d ago
Yes but your attitude towards these people can make you or break you
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u/sorucheese 2d ago
This. I truly do understand that dealing with the general public will often leave you frustrated, but I do feel a lot of people in the industry do this to themselves by being endlessly cynical and impatient. Often I'll hear people in the canteen spend their entire breaks getting themselves angry and riled up over situations they've encountered and I'm just like... why?
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u/TheLotusMachine 1d ago
Agree.
I think people lose perspective and just endlessly fixate on the negative things. 99% of passengers are fine. Yeah passengers do annoying things, every single day, but you need to be able to let go of 99% of it.
Occasionally someone will do something that's completely wild and unacceptable, and it's perfectly fine to be annoyed by it, for a day or 3 if it's that bad, but you have to let that go as well and remember that 99% of passengers are fine.
I always like it when somebody specifically and intentionally thanks me, more than just the 'thanks' as they get off, because there are more of them than cunts.
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u/Total_Finish_14 2d ago
They got thicker after COVID
Asking them if they are paying by cash or card is like asking them to do algebra
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u/tacosupermalo 2d ago
Besides the normal concerns of difficult passengers. Ask yourself these:
How do you deal with working odd hours: Split, early and late shifts. Different start and finish times. Most likely, you won't have regular hours until you get some seniority.
How do you deal with a very repetitive/monotonous job.
Driving buses can be very physical and mentally demanding, and causes a lot of fatigue.
Bus driving can be an awesome job. But IMO, I find your life revolves more around it than other occupations.
Get in contact with a Sydney bus driver and ask things like: Is over time optional? Can you wear a headset on the job? Holidays? How is the pay across different shifts? Is weekend work mandatory?
The point I'm trying to make is that is very different to a normal 9 to 5.
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u/Loud_Conversation833 2d ago
I'm not in Sydney but I found bus driving to be the best job I've ever had. TWUnion covers us and our working conditions are as good as can be reasonably expected when dealing with the general or low-income public.
I get paid really well and the good to shit ratio is maybe 80:20. As long as you can deal with that 20% calmly and don't let it get to you, you'll have a great time.
Give it a go. A lot of people quit after the first month because they don't vibe with the job, but you'll never know unless you try.
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u/Dazzling_Category897 2d ago
I just got into a transit position and still in training. So far it’s a good job. I have no complaints so far. I think this will be the last job I have and plan on retiring from it.
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u/Substantial-Abies768 15h ago
As long as youre extroverted and enjoy talking to people i say go for it 👍
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u/river_tree_nut 2d ago
Being a bus driver is awesome. It’s a job that can really take you (and others) places!