How did you come to the decision to become a bus driver and what did you do before this?
I worked as a teaching assistant at a special needs school and was looking to do something different. I used the bus to get to work and kept noticing advertisements for bus driver vacancies. The pay was better and I’ve always enjoyed being outside and driving, so I thought I’d give it a go.
What was the training like and how long did it last?
The training was a bit nerve racking. The bus was a lot bigger than I thought it was. Fortunately the instructors were really patient and the four weeks just flew by.
Did you have to undergo special training to learn how to handle the yobs on busses?
During my interview one of the questions involved what I would do if someone was being a difficult. Working with special needs children has given me lots of opportunities to practice. Its kind of like being in control of the remote…I have the power…if you couldn’t tell, I have a thing about being in control.
SA PROMO is stuck on a bus with a situation like the Speed movies. What will we have to know about London busses to be able to drive in the streets of London?
The pedal on the right makes the bus go faster and the big round thing in front of the driver’s seat makes the bus go in the direction you turn it. If you were in a Speed movie I’d suggest using only the pedal on the right and avoiding the M25, the world’s biggest parking lot. Or just make sure you have Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves on your bus.
What is the most challenging part of driving a bus?
Dealing with difficult passengers, definitely. There are so many people who don’t appreciate London’s public transport. I’ve lived in London for five years and have never owned a car. I think it’s really cool that you can get around London using only public transport.
Would you rather drive a route down Oxford Street, which is famous for being the busiest pedestrian zone, or somewhere down a narrow country road? Why?
Down Oxford street. I got a mini bus struck in a narrow country lane once and had to get a farmer to pull me out with his tractor. Although country lanes are much quieter and probably more scenic.
An old lady is slowly crossing the street with her shopping, and the Prime Minister is a passenger on your bus on his way to a meeting to save the world economy, if he can only be on time! Do you hoot at the old lady and swerve on to the sidewalk where some kids who are more able to dodge the bus can dive into the bushes or do you wait for her to cross the road, which could take more than five minutes (she’s really slow!) and then just floor the bus the rest of the way?
I’d definitely do the whole hooting at the old lady and swerving onto the sidewalk thing. I might not actually hoot at the old lady, but I’m all up for the adrenaline rush. Buses are actually perfect for just such a mission, they can drive over almost anything, It’s a good thing the Prime Minister decided to take the bus that day.
What is the top speed of a London bus?
I’ve been told they can do 80km/h (50mph). Although I haven’t actually tried it… I always stick to the speed limit. Really!
If you see someone running towards a bus stop where you are due to stop next, but they will not make it before you leave again, will you stop next to them and let them on before the stop, or just ignore it?
I’d probably stop at the bus stop, watch them running towards the bus, close the doors, watch them panic and run faster, start to pull off, watch their face drop and disappointment set in, then stop and let them on… makes my day!
What are the best and worst thing about driving busses?
The worst thing about driving a bus are the shifts. I’m not a morning person. The best thing is that most of the time I’m the biggest thing on the road…so get out the way!
