Driving buses a change of pace
Q What jobs did you do before this one? I was a caregiver in rest homes, a cafe manager, supervisor in a supermarket and a taxi driver in Australia. Q Why did you choose this job? I had my class 2 licence and wanted to use it. Q How did you get into it and when? I saw an advertisement for bus drivers needed, picked up a contract and went for an interview at Go Bus. I started on September 28, 2015, so I’m into my fourth year. Q What qualifications and training did you need? A class 2 licence and three or four weeks of training. Q What personal skills do you need? People skills, a little maths, for working out change etc, area knowledge, safe driving and time management. Q Any physical requirements? There are not too many physical requirements, except maybe cleaning your bus. Q What do you do on a daily basis? I sign in, check the running sheet, what route I’m doing and the bus number I have. I grab cash for the cash tin, check the bus for any defects before leaving the depot, head for the start of my run, set up the ticket machine and destination sign, then pick up passengers. Then there’s the signoff module, which tells you the amount to put in the cashup machine. That’s a normal day.
Q What is the most challenging aspect? Road rage. Gosh, Dunedin is tiny. Try driving in Australia. Let’s just keep cool, have patience, these are big vehicles to move around. Also, people parking on bus stops and leaving their car there. I don’t mind if you’re in the car and move when I come into the bus stop.
Q Are there any particular health and safety issues? Aggressive passengers.
Q What is the most interesting assignment you’ve had? I had the privilege of driving one of our new buses from Christchurch to our Dunedin depot. Wow, we have such a nice fleet of buses now. Dunedin is very lucky.
Q How has the job changed since you started? My knowledge has increased. Also, becoming like a family with my workmates. Being a women at Go Bus and fitting in so well.
Q What’s something people generally don’t know about the job? How much it takes to manoeuvre these vehicles.
Q What are the highs of the job? Some of my passengers. You get a great relationship when you are with these people most days, taking them to work or university.
I also had a thought one day that I’ve had passengers who have had babies and I have watched these children grow. Quite amazing really.
Q What are the lows of the job? People complaining about the simplest things.
Q What are the wages? $18 to $21.95 an hour
Q Where will you be 10 years from now? Hopefully, still driving a bus.