Not quite driving into the sunset
A DUNEDIN bus industry stalwart is easing off the accelerator after more than 40 years on the job.
Go Bus Dunedin depot manager Colin Abbis worked his last official day yesterday as he prepares for semiretirement.
The lifelong public transport advocate will hand over to colleague Dave Gordon while continuing to drive children with special needs in company cars parttime.
‘‘I love driving them around, they just think outside of the square.
And I love driving. I’m retiring, but I’ll carry on driving while I wait for God.’’
Mr Abbis’ career began in 1975 in Wellington.
He received his bus licence on his 21st birthday, the day he was legally able to drive buses.
‘‘I was sort of driving furniture trucks at the time. It was quite a physical type job and being not a physical type guy I thought there must be an easier way.’’
Back then buses were supplied by local councils and regarded as a public service, he said.
‘‘It didn’t really matter how much of a loss you ran at, it was just flicked on to the ratepayers.’’
That gave way to competitive tendering, making it a ‘‘cutthroat’’ industry.
Recent ‘‘chaos’’ in Wellington’s public transport showed the dangers in companies cutting costs to gain contracts, he said.
‘‘I’m quite glad I’m at the age when I can get out, because it’s just going to get worse and worse.’’
He made his way to Dunedin in the mid1990s so his wife could begin a career in medicine.
Through promotions, mergers and redundancy he wound up as Go Bus’ depot manager in 2015.
There had been a shortage of drivers since the beginning, he said.
‘‘When I started we were the highestpaid drivers in New Zealand and still, because of the nature of the shift work, there was still a shortage.’’
Despite the shortfalls of the industry, he ‘‘definitely’’ enjoyed his career.
‘‘You never really know what surprises are going to be awaiting you.’’
Four decades on he still believed in the importance of cities providing reliable services to citizens.
‘‘I think there will always be a need for public transport.’’