I would like to ask all current and former bus drivers what the positives and negatives of the job and whether you would recommend it to someone like me. Thanks.
As I fall into the category you have asked for replies from, I will reply and stay on topic.
Numerous replies on here from people who have never driven a mile in service or understood your question.
If one of my children wanted to become a bus driver I would assume they were having a psychotic episode and seek medical help.
If you want to be a bus driver because you are an enthusiast, don't. It's not the job most enthusiast imagine, driving isn't even the majority of the work, I would say it's about 40%. Driving a modern bus is a doddle.
Other drivers opinion might differ.
Bus companies are notoriously poor employers, the industry is circling the drain, the race to the bottom is well documented. 11 quid an hour when you are 15 years old might sound good, but you won't see 8 of that, for what it entails that is simply not competitive.
It's an industry where abuse and assaults has become normalised, being bricked isn't even seen as that big a deal. My direct experience, not picked up from forums or companies statements. Where heaters jammed on in summer and not working in winter how the companies set their buses up.
In real terms drivers are on a fraction of what they were on 40 years ago.
Have a look at the driving hours for local service work. Very few enthusiasts stay driving, a tiny minority get promoted, the rest leave for normal, non cowboy jobs.
I knew one guy who left the first shift he did at the maximum driving hours. Ask to see their rotas and what their holiday allocation procedure is, they like to keep these well hidden. By the time you find out, you owe the company thousands and are relatively stuck.
If you still want to go ahead, good luck, but make sure you have plenty of other options.
