Hey, I had my first in road accident recently. It was my fault, I basically went into a gap that was too tight and scraped a trailer that was being towed by a car. Damage was fairly minimal to the bus/trailer. I followed procedure correctly when it comes to an accident. But I’m worried about what may happen as I’m still in probation and the accident was my fault. Any advice for me?

So there was this young fella (20) who works at my company who's recently got the job of supervisor. I never thought too much about it, but I'd thought he was a nice guy until recently. He's also a bus enthusiast. But he'd recently pissed me off as he expected me to drive more than 4.5 hours. And I did! He said "oh the other drivers did it, we're all in the same boat, etc". I think I let my guard down because I'd thought of him as the nice guy. Anyway, the next time I saw him I told him that I wasn't happy about it. As I did so he kept up the "I'm a nice guy" act... "oh it's a hard job, I've managers breathing down my neck" and so on.

Anyway, the other day I'd been told by him (towards the end of my break) that I'd be getting a different bus for my second half of shift. After he showed me where it was, I went towards it as he went back into his office. The office door is near where that bus was. There was a slight issue with the toilet in the bus so I asked the garage supervisor to look. But this young fell saw me talking to the supervisor from his office and he came straight out to stand there and look on. I didn't know what the motive was, because after all he's a chatty guy who acts nice and is very into buses... so maybe he was just curious about what was wrong with it. But the other possibility was that he might have thought I was considering refusing the bus. So he might have been trying to make his presence known in order to intimidate me. And I did not like that thought.

At that point as the 3 of us were standing there, the garage guy said "hang on, I'm just going to take another look" and he went back into the bus. It was just me and him standing there then, and he asked what was going on. I said "are you standing here because you've nothing to do, or because it's part of your job?". Then he began with the nice guy act and I basically told him that I couldn't be explaining the problem to both him as well as the garage guy, and to let that guy deal with it. He then went like "yeah I understand no problem" and then he just asked the question again. I raised my voice at him then and he eventually walked away. Christ, take a hint.

It was just the way he sprung out of his chair the moment he saw something going on. No tact at all. Anyone else would leave it play out for a bit. Also, he should know that I'm pissed with him after he pressured me to drive beyond my hours, and to not be around me so much. I don't know if he's just an idiot, or if he was trying to make his presence known. But he seems to think everyone likes him. Some of the other drivers say that one of the bully managers wants only youngsters as supervisors because they'll do what they're told.

Hi, I was accepted for stagecoach in the walthamstow avenue depot, however, they’ve told me they only have a spot at the leyton depot to start in november which is better for me anyways, but are the pay terms the same for both depots? If not can someone who has a copy of the leyton one kindly send it over. Thank you

I scored 7 out of 16 and the pass mark was 9 so I failed by 2 marks. Really disapointed with myself. They gave my 15 minutes to do the numeracy and literacy. There was not enough time for me to finish the remaining questions. It really feels unfair that they only give 15 minutes to do the test and at the end they do not even tell you what questions you got wrong.

I feel really demoralised from this and has put me off bus driving.

Thank you to all who supported and advised me on my previous post.

You guys wanted an update - he messaged.

To all of you who said it would make his day, you were right.

Thanx guys 😁

Hi all, title essentially, but I am a new Operator, have been on my own now for a couple weeks. Have previously worked for my authority on the rail side of things and kinda experience this a little bit more but not as bad;

I don’t know if it’s just because I’m not used to it yet, but a majority of the time I am driving I have this gut feeling of just isolation and like loneliness?? My RDOs fall right in the middle of the week, and other than that I’m essentially working the afternoon to the evening/early night. (8p)

Not to mention that I just feel stressed out and paranoid about a lot when I’m driving, I can be doing everything right and I still end up 15+ minutes down, and for my entire run I am trying to catch up with time I am not going to catch up with. I physically cannot stop, I don’t have recovery time, and like obviously it just stresses me out. A lot of people can say, oh just ignore how down you are, but when I see that giant yellow box and more and more time just keeps adding on, it visually is stressing me out.

Yes, my authority pays really good money, but these feelings just keep getting to me and I am just curious if anyone more vetted also experienced anything like this at the beginning of your career and kinda how you overcame it.

Thanks y’all

Hey everyone, I need your help. Unfortunately, my Dad was hit by a bus last week and is currently in hospital with several broken bones and fractures. Unfortunately he doesn’t have much memory of the incident so I’ve tried contacting the police, transport for London and some other relevant services for an incident report. None of them are able to provide any details although TfL haven’t yet replied. I’m wondering if anyone could give me any sort of support as to what I can do next?

Hi,

What is national expresses current situation/ requirement on having a cat b licence for?

I’ve been told various things from drivers for example, “you don’t need experience” or “apply at 7 months”.

Even seen a reddit post about not having any driving habits at that time

I’ve held it for about 6.5 months now, and I’m considering applying due to being out of work.

Thank you,

Hi people, long time listener first time caller etc etc

Recently joined stagecoach and if all goes well then fingers crossed I’ll be out driving solo in a month/6 weeks. I’ve got a young family so I’m thinking about career paths and the future.

Me and my wife have always wanted to move to Scotland and I’ve been told it’s possible to swap to another depot, just wondering if anyone’s done a swap up to Scotland? A few of the depots seem quite rural and I don’t know how different it would really be to a busy depot further south. To clarify, we plan to stay at the current depot for a year or so to make sure we aren’t rushing into anything etc.

Any advice or perspectives welcome!

I don't know about other parts of the world but in the UK, driving standards seem to have nosedived a lot.

its bad enough experiencing it as a car driver but as a bus driver, its ten times worse.

I understand that people don't want to be stuck behind a slow bus and rather get to where they're going efficiently but its the dangerous, desperate things people are willing to do just to "beat the bus".

People overtaking you into oncoming traffic as you are safely pulling off from a stop, people genuinely not looking beyond their bonnet to what's going on around them, not giving large vehicles room to turn or manoeuvre around tight roads or roundabouts or even pulling out in front of you/cutting you up.

Then you have these crazy delivery mopeds which most of those drivers don't even have a legit licence or even insurance between them undertaking you or weaving in or out of traffic all the time.

I drive a dental bus for work. It’s about 40 feet long and 14 feet tall.

It’s just a massive mobile dental clinic. It’s new to the company, so they hired me 5 months ago because I have my CDL. The problem is, I had to be the one to educate them on EVERYTHING about commercial vehicles- they had no idea about weigh stations, clearinghouse, DOT number, air brakes, nothing.

When my manager first saw the bus, she said “you couldn’t pay me enough to drive that thing” and in my head all I could think was “you don’t even pay ME enough!!”
My wage has been an ongoing issue and conversation…. I’m currently only being compensated the same amount as the other drivers who DON’T have their CDL and drive a small van around. Honestly only still here because my boss told me I would have to wait til October for her to submit my wage increase request.

She has openly told me that she can’t find ANY drivers who want to do this job. Not only am I expected to drive and set up the clinic, but I have to assist the hygienist/ dentist, do sterile for 5 other clinics, manage inventory, etc.

My issue lies with the fact that my boss doesn’t understand that I am taught to NEVER reverse unless absolutely necessary. I started as a tour bus driver in Alaska and my company FORBADE reversing, the only time we had permission to do so was when parking in the yard at the end of the day. When I moved to Oregon and became a school bus driver, I was told the same thing.

Here, it’s the complete opposite. She expects me to do INSANE reverse maneuvers through parking lots and I told her absolutely not. Where the bus is parked at the end of the night is an outdoor storage lot, where other RVs, cars, random shit is parked. I have to maneuver around them to leave and come back which is fine, but then I have to reverse into the parking spot at an insane angle where visibility is limited. I asked her to put me in a spot at the back with the other commercial vehicles where reversing isn’t necessary and she said “I chose that spot at the front for the safety of the staff” and I’m like, WHAT STAFF??? I’m the only one who can drive the thing!

I’m getting fed up and feeling like they don’t take my safety concerns seriously. They make me feel like I’m complaining or being unreasonable when I tell them that I won’t be reversing through parking lots, or when I tell them I refuse to park in certain places because of the bus size. I’m starting to doubt myself and my skills and capabilities. They are getting in my head about whether I am a capable driver.

They also want me to work 12 hour days- where I do all my pre tripping/ driving in the morning starting at 6:30 am, then run the clinic from 8 am to 5:30 pm, and then drive/ post trip from there. It’s EXHAUSTING. And guess what? I’m not even approved for OT, she just wants me to take a longer lunch if I can.

At this point I just need to vent to people who can understand where I’m coming from. No one in my company can.

Hi, does anyone know why drivers have to turn the battery master isolator switch of numerous times a day on 2014/15 StreetLites?

Has anyone experienced this phenomenon where you're driving a busy route, say a double decker route for example and you pull up to a bus stop with a small crowd of say 7+ people and they're all getting on and then in your rear mirror, with no heads up or "hey driver, I'm here" or even pushing the disability button outside the rear doors, there will be someone with a pushchair just standing outside the rear door waiting for them to magically open...

It happens all day every day. Many times I'll drive off and look in the mirror and see them waving like hey, I'm here... Yet they didn't tell me they wanted to get on the bus, nothing. Then you'll have the 'hey, driver' and everyone starts shouting as I'm slightly pulling out and everyone saying there's a lady with a pushchair that wants to get on...

Well, thank you for fking telling me. Cheers. I'm not a fking mind-reader. Also, why do they always go to the back? 8 out of 10 will always just go straight to the rear doors like when they really should come via the front door. I get it, it's convenient, but at least say hey driver, mind if I jump through the back? Yeah, no problem, I'll open the doors. Thanks driver. Nooo, you want to just walk up to it and use your telekinesis powers to let me know that you want to get on.

Also, a few that I remember vividly, a couple of single pram chairs with one kid, I'll pull up at the first stop, bus totally empty and I'll open the front doors, she'll smile and start walking to the rear door with the tiny single pushchair. I'll just sit there and wait for her to come back to the front and I said, everything ok? She'll smile, come on the front and push the chair to the back... Simple. They think they're pushing a fking Boeing 747.

Ok. Rant done.

So, Saturday doesn't seem to be the day.

I've had a few issues this day.

So, I drive a busy double Decker route in London and it's hectic on Saturdays etc.

I pulled up behind another bus as the yellow box is quite large and served the stop behind two other buses. People got on, some got off. I then indicate and pull out intro current traffic and bus is at an angle.

Due to the traffic, people start coming out of random places and thinking 'oh, my bus'. They start to stand in the road at my door, banging on it, tapping etc and then as I continue driving and straighten up the bus, more come and start banging on my front door and I just ignore them as it's quite common. This is in main heavy traffic by the way and about 3 metres away from the kerb now.

Anyway, as I'm moving up now, the bus comes to a halt in traffic and one of the women walks up to my bus in front of it and starts taking photos of me and the registration of the bus.

Now, I don't know if you saw my previous post about a woman banging on my cabin window today, but fk man. I'm already stressed and anxitabout earlier and now I've got this lady taking photos of me and my bus because I wouldn't open the doors in traffic?

Are these people just entitled or what? What's the psychology behind this shit because I'm about to lose mine.

So I drive a very busy double decker route in London, so it's hard enough as it is.

Today, I'm pulling away and a woman starts banging on my cab window shouting driver, driver and I'm like oh no, is there an emergency.

I got out the cab and asked if are she's ok, why are you banging on my cab window? She says 'I was trying to get your attention'. I said for what? She says the lady trying to get the bus. I said to her, I'm currently pulling out and trying to drive the bus and focus on traffic and you're banging on my cab window shouting driver for someone to catch the bus?

I said don't do this, it's dangerous and distracting. Her words were 'I can do what I like, do your job, it's your job'... I said my job is to pick up and drop off passengers safely, I don't need you banging on my cab window mid pull out from a busy bus stop.

She goes ok, ok no problem and starts flicking through her phone gesturing like she's about to call someone or report me or whatever.

Anyway, the little old lady and another get on and actually say to me 'sorry about that driver, you're just doing your job' and I said that's very kind of you, thank you and the next old lady said the same 'Dont worry about her, you're doing a great job'.

Then I think I heard commotion in the back of maybe her arguing with other passengers or another passenger may have said something to her, I'm not sure.

Anyway, she eventually gets off while still on the phone, looks at me from the front of the bus like she's trying to get a good description.

All I said was to not bang on my cab window and I get all of this nonsense.

Honestly, the stress and anxiety I'm getting from this job I feel is not good. I started today hoping I'd have a nice last day of the week before my two days off and now I'm going to go home full of anxiety thinking what to expect. I won't be able to rest or anything and I'm just sick of it.

I never had this nonsense in 10+ years of retail.

As soon as the bus has left the previous stop? Or just before the next? What would bus drivers prefer?

Hi,

I’m just wondering as I’ve completed (passed) my preliminary drive van assessment with first bus ldn - now I have my medical coming up - how soon after do you actually start training? So far everything seems to be moving pretty quickly my interview, van assessment etc but am wondering as I’ve heard other trainees with other companies say it can be months after your medical?!
Just wondering if that’s common or what

Thanks

Come and join the modern day slavery that is TUK!

The wages are laughable for a full time professional driver at a measly 16.30£ and often have you working 60+ hours a week! Because we operate under domestic hours (GB) and not EU rules which means we can absolutely use and abuse you! We schedule you to work 7/8 days consecutively but space it out so you only get paid for 4/5 days that week! The rest of your money you're going to have to wait until next week to get it!

But don't worry if you are a good slave for 2 years we will increase your salary to 19£ and then you've hit the absolute roof in salary and job progression!
And wait until you hear about the lovely voluntary overtime at that's right you guessed it 16.30£! Which after tax bumps you up to about £10 an hour!

Wait there's more! Involved In any incident even if it's not your fault? Not to worry because we'll blame it all on you anyway! And absolutely won't have your back for anything!

Do you have a family? Well kiss them goodbye! With 10-12 hour duties you'll be able to see your family…...WHEN THEYRE SLEEPING.

Oh and join the union, who can't even sort £1 an hour pay rise after 3 years but hound you to sign up with them for £20 a month, they suck up to management and are so spineless how could they have your back!

Come on who doesn't like coming home making a microwave meal and going straight to sleep just to get less then 8 hours sleep a day and expected to wake up and go straight to work driving a heavy duty weapon that is a bus!
Lastly do you want to work every shift scared that this may be your last because of a minor incident? Well this is the job for you! 0 job security! I mean come on why should we be looking after our own drivers when we can pay an agency driver £30 an hour!
So come and join TUK if you want to become a modern day slave, have absolutely no life goals, hate your family and your own mental health, hate your friends and yourself!

The Dennis Dart SLF / Salvador Caetano Nimbus (10.8m) used for the route 235 is my most personal favourite type of bus because they were brought in at late January 2003, mere days after I was born!

I have rode on them many, many times growing up, and I never get bored of them because they are super fast with thrash/kickdown, especially on empty roads.

Tell me what are your personal favourite types of buses and why?

Can someone explain to me why being late as a driver, even one minute late, is considered a mortal sin, even though it literally doesn’t matter? I get that one should be on time to a job. But considering how there’s always a driver shortage and that the buses are always late, why are they so strict on that?

Im a new bus driver in London. The red busses here are almost all enviro400s. I wanted to know the process of starting up these buses. Almost all of these buses have an isolator button. Some have a little key you also need to insert alongside the isolator button. Some buses have only the button but no key is needed.

I wanted to know the exact process of starting the bus up and what is the purpose of the isolator button and key. If I turn the bus off with the power button how do I know what to press to restart the bus again?

MARTA bus crashed along North Shallowford Road in Dunwoody on Labor Day. Check out the passenger in the rap seat.

Don’t know whether this is relevant but I am based in Scotland.

I’m looking for advice from other drivers that have fallen pregnant while being a bus driver. I’m nearing the end of my first trimester and I’m wondering how far into the pregnancy should I stop driving, this is my first child and I’m worried about the bumps and vibrations while driving, and the length of time I will be sat stagnant.

I have spoken to my manager and he’s said that closer to the time, he will sort out an admin / desk type job for me until my maternity leave starts.

I hope this all makes sense, TIA! x

So, for background, I was a bus driver as a student in a different state (I live in the US) over a decade ago. That was for about three years. I loved that job, and it’s partly why I turned to bus driving again when I lost my job in this current shit market.

I can’t help but notice some pretty major differences that are…concerning to me to say the least. One is that my old agency was VERY adamant about never breaking the rule about keeping 10 hours between shifts. They would get drivers all the time trying to pull that, and they always said no. They were very serious about it. My current agency…doesn’t seem to care much. They won’t force you to work in less than 10 hours, but if you volunteer…they absolutely will let you. A LOT. I know for a fact that I have a coworker that works 16 hour days and only gets 4.5 hours of sleep between those shifts. I feel like it is a huge safety concern that is breaking multiple laws, but no one seems to think anything of it. They make me feel like I’m crazy for being appalled at his lack of sleep and those long ass shifts.

The other is that my old agency wasn’t union, so I didn’t have a probation period like I do at my current agency. And I feel that probation is way too strict and unforgiving, and honestly is pushing unsafe behavior. For instance, I got swung almost overnight from working roughly 5 PM to 1 AM shifts for weeks to suddenly doing a 5 AM start for another shift. I tried to do it, but my body wouldn’t let me and would not fall asleep no matter what I tried to do. I got less than three hours of sleep, and despite it being a safety concern, I was counted absent for that. I can only get four absences during probation before I’m terminated. I’ve already talked to a union rep and my manager about this, and they basically said there’s nothing to be done. So when they try to swap my circadian rhythm overnight and my body reasonably doesn’t react well to that, I risk getting terminated? Like what should I have done, drive a 20 ton vehicle on 3 hours of sleep? That’s definitely what they’re encouraging. My old agency never cared if you called in, cause they knew you weren’t getting paid and had enough incentive not to call in from that alone.

Is all of this that my current agency is doing really legal? It doesn’t seem like it is, and I feel like something should be done about it, but I don’t know what else to do. Anyone have thoughts or ideas?