‘We’re always there for a helping hand... it keeps you happy’

When Mylissa Collins was born 28 years ago, conductors had all but disappeared across the UK.

Yet being a clippy on the 73 was the Dundonian’s first job, aged 17 – and if she has her way it will be her last, too.

Like Patricia, Mylissa left her position as a 73 conductor and returned when she realised how much she loved what she did – and like Patricia she also got to know her future husband while working on the buses.

“I moved to Arbroath when I was 16 and I thought it was something I wanted to do. It was my first job. My mum used to work here. She told me about it and I went to the interview and got the job.

“I left after 10 years to try something different – a care assistant – but thought to myself, after a year and a half, that I like the public and the route and like being busy so came back in the summer of 2019.

“I did try something different but, no, I don’t think I will try something different again. I have been back for six to seven months and I am enjoying going back to what I do.”

Mylissa’s long-time friendship with Jamie Collins took a romantic turn once he started working alongside her as a conductor, culminating in their wedding in Arbroath in September 2017.

“Before he started we had been speaking but more so when he started as a conductor. I got to know him more.”

Despite clocking up almost a decade’s service in two spells, Mylissa is one of the youngest members of staff.

“When I had the interview I noticed that every bus that was going past had conductors on it and I wanted to do that job.

“I like the public, I like having a chat with the public and having a laugh and a joke with the public, being pleasant to them, helping them on and off the buses, elderly, with their frames and prams, in chairs.

“We are always there for a helping hand and even if we are busy up the stairs or even at the back of the bus, the driver can easily get out of his cab and put the ramp down and help other people on. So, yes, it keeps you happy.”

Mylissa smiles at comments made by visitors from England, shocked at seeing a bus conductor. “They came up to Scotland for a holiday. They came on the bus and didn’t expect to see conductors ever on the bus.

“I explained that the 73 always has conductors because it is a busy route and I didn’t realise, to my knowledge, also, that there were no conductors anywhere else.

“The crew, as in conductors and drivers altogether, are a good working team in staff rooms and on the bus. We get on quite well.”

Conductors were reintroduced by Strathtay – Stagecoach’s predecessor – in 1985 when the iconic former London Routemaster buses were introduced to the Tayway 73 route.

The 73 runs between Arbroath and Ninewells Hospital via Carnoustie, Monifieth, Broughty Ferry and Dundee city centre. It is an important form of transport for commuters, students and hospital staff and patients.

Simon King, 38, allocation manager at the Arbroath depot, hopes the clippies continue on the 73.

“The service is really, really busy. It has a 10-minute frequency. People are not queuing at the door. People can take a seat and it’s much easier. All the conductors are friendly and get on with passengers.

“The 73 is unique because it is the only service with a conductor, certainly in Scotland and probably down as far as London. There are maybe a few services that have got conductors down there but not many.

“We are in a privileged position. We are lucky enough that the conductors are friendly and the passengers love it because there is less time to queue at the bus stop.

“It’s busy enough to warrant it. If we didn’t have conductors, the service would probably run late.

“Hopefully they continue for a long, long time and hopefully the route continues to be as successful as what it is and hopefully we can generate more people to use the bus.”

When I had the interview I noticed that every bus that was going past had conductors on it and I wanted to do that job