UK: I am considering taking a job as a bus driver- what is the work like?
Asked by Rover
The bus company in Bristol is advertising for drivers. I am tempted as I'd like to move up to Bristol but I don't know what the work is like from the driver's perspective. Can anyone with experience provide any insight please? Conditions, pay, hours, benefits....I know it's all mentioned on the recruitment poster but I'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth! Thanks!

Best Answer:
My father is a bus driver. He works in shifts. He said you generally have two or more shift during the day. There's a morning one which starts around 5am and evening one that starts around 1pm. Sometimes you get shifts that starts late around 5pm and ends around 12am. However, you only do of the shifts. You don't take weekends off rather breaks are given in weeks or in a series of days. As for stress levels, it varies. The most stressful time is probably in the afternoon when kids finish school and almost for certain they will jump around and make loud noises on the bus. Another thing he mentioned are traffic conditions. Other drivers are generally impatient and would attempt to overtake you whenever they see a chance. Worse of all are the cyclists. They are the hardest to spot and often slither through gaps between vehicles. Bottomline is driving is as relaxed and as stressfull as you wanted it to be.

It's just a lot of driving about and isn't paid very well. They had posters on the buses in Leeds saying "Become a Bus Driver" "First Week £37"
Answered by Duke75

well my fiance recently left a bus driving company due 2 some van was speeding and crashed rigth in2 him and it really scared him so he left, he was ok doing the job but he said he would never go bk, the shifts can b a pain lates and earlys also i didnt lke thefact he had 2 work 7 days 2 get 2 days off! it depends on the person really! u can try it out but u av 2 stick with the company i think 4 a year at least or u av 2 pay bk £1000 for leaving as that is around what it costs 2 teach u! good luck if u decide 2 go 4 it! also if it dosnt work out like with my fiance u can always apply 4 a train driver job as my fiance had an interview other day just waiting 2 hear if hes got it or not
Answered by fiance&kids r my life!

I have a friend that does it, pay isnt great at first.. but if you like driving its very chilled in that sense. he worked unsocialble hours now and again though.. suppose if you dont have a choice.
Answered by Danny B

My partner worked as a bus driver for a period of time. The work he enjoyed, and had to learn a lot about the area, the routes and how to memorise the 'stops' , money accounts/takings etc, and gained his PSV licence. Although the pay wasn't too bad, and 'overtime was available, the hours were shifts and sometimes long. The worst aspects of the job were the kids (school runs) and the week-end revellers that were unruly, or drunk, being ill etc. On several occasions he came across situations were upon the police had to be called due to skirmishes on the bus, and threats of verbal/physical abuse. It's a job though where you can be your own boss, have a laugh with the majority of people and are 'out and about', so it's up to you really as to what you want out of your work and work environment. Caramac x
Answered by CARAMAC