The mini bus driver
4ft 6in Frank wants to show that ‘disability’ is not barrier
AT just 4ft 6in tall, Frank Hachem believes he is the smallest doubledecker bus driver in the world.
The 55-year-old, who works for Stagecoach, has to lower the seat on his vehicle so he can reach the pedals.
The married dad of two wants to show that disability is no barrier to finding work. Frank said: “When I first asked about the job, I said to the manager, ‘I’m 4ft 6in, so I don’t know if I can even reach the pedals’.
“He said, ‘Frank, apply for the job and if you pass the test, we will put you through the training and work something out’.
“He treated me like a human being. I have never thought of myself as a small person. Driving a double-decker – that’s a challenge for a lot of people, but not for me.
“I want to show disabled people that they shouldn’t stop somewhere and say, ‘I can’t do that, I can’t do that’.”
Frank, who was born in Iraq, moved to live in the UK in 1982 at the age of 20.
After marrying 14 years ago, he settled in Havant, Hants, and eight months ago, landed the job at Chichester Bus Station, West Sussex. His daily 700 route takes him along the coast to Bognor Regis, West Wittering, Selsey and Worthing.
He has applied for a Guinness World Record and is waiting to hear back.
Frank, who has dwarfism, says he wants to inspire his two daughters to live life without restrictions.