I worked for Regal Busways part time on and off for 11 years. They were the best company a PSV driver could ever work for. If you could overcome the complete disorganisation. In the time I was there I drove buses and coaches that were red,white, silver,green,blue and cream,maroon and cream, and purple and white. You would never get ticket checked. Once out of the depot they would never bother you. They just expected you to get on with it.No problem there. The problem was that they had two different kinds of ticket machine(one module operated and one smart card operated) so most of the time I was on emergency tickets issued by ECC. The fare chart was on the ticket machine so every one travelled for £1.00. Comming off of Canvey Island with `up the albion` on the destination, your mobile phone constantly ringing when they know you cannot legally answer it, the cab door comming open every time you turned right-I could go on and on.
One of the final straws was getting a decker out of the yard for a school run on a Monday afternoon.As I headed for the depot exit I hit a pot hole and about three pints of rain water that had accumulated through the hole in the roof soaked my right side. I carried on regardless wondering why I was bothering but got through it. Other touches of perfection are putting my bag on the entrance wheel chair ramp because it was clogged up with s""t and the bus would not move otherwise.
In the end I started to have problems getting wages out of them. Having a full time job as well I took the decision to part company with Regal Busways.
I really hope every one at Regals found alternative employment. But I have to say that the bus industry in central Essex is probably better off without the complete mess that was Regal Busways.
Adrian,(the ex MD) I hope you are OK and doing well and your family too.