Trivia - Where would you be a bus driver if you had a choice ?

[0B00]

Presuming there were no obstacles in your way such as house prices, family ties, actual vacancies !!

If you could be a PCV driver at any depot for any operator - Who would you drive for, where and why ?

 

[nottinghamcity]

If I was to work from the bottom up, Cardiff, any operator - generally ropey buses, world beating traffic congestion, typical city conflict between drivers and passengers ... Next bottom, First Glasgow. Same reasons.

 

[Busaholic]

If I was to work from the bottom up, Cardiff, any operator - generally ropey buses, world beating traffic congestion, typical city conflict between drivers and passengers ... Next bottom, First Glasgow. Same reasons.

I believe Bristol comes out worst among English cities for traffic congestion, plus you'd have to work for First!

The one mile bus route on St Mary's on the Isles of Scilly shouldn't be too taxing, although boredom with the route would have to be factored in!

 

[fowler9]

Trans Copacabana in Bolivia. It would never be boring.

 

[EssexGonzo]

The French Alps. Great scenery, happy skiers and skiing/hiking on my day off!

 

[notadriver]

I think Inverness. The Scenery along the lakes is lovely.

 

[gazthomas]

Jersey, or St Mary's in the Scillies

 

[Bletchleyite]

Lake District might be nice - pleasant scenery and happy tourists.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Lake District might be nice - pleasant scenery and happy tourists.

The Lake District is terrible to be a bus driver. Great scenery naturally but the amount of traffic from Easter to October is hellish to keep to time with. Not helped by caravanners not knowing where or how to drive!

Also, a lot of foreign tourists so there can be the odd communication issue!

I'd class Cornwall in the same way - fantastic place but the infrastructure isn't really conducive to moving around easily (which is part of the charm)

 

[Carlisle]

I think Inverness. The Scenery along the lakes is lovely.

Yes very true but also rather cold and long dark winters according to my mate that drives busses up there

 

[90019]

If you could be a PCV driver at any depot for any operator - Who would you drive for, where and why ?

If money were no object, I do like the idea of driving the Citylink coaches that go up the Glencoe road to Fort William, though I think I'd probably get a bit bored of it after a while.


Other than that, where I am just now; driving for Lothian Buses, because the pay is very good for driving buses, it's a nice city to be in, the routes are generally decent, there doesn't tend to be too much bother from the self loading freight and the flat fare system with no change given does make life that little bit easier.

 

[matt_world2004]

Pyongyang public transportation, the roads are empty, The busses are empty due to fares being two years income, and fare dodgers are executed

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Probably in my local area.

So longs there's a combination of protruding branches, scraggy youths and knackered deckers then it should be 'fun'.

 

[Strathclyder]

I'd likely stick to my local area (Clydebank, Glasgow and the surrounding areas). Operator-wise, I'd either go for Glasgow Citybus or First Glasgow (most likely the latter).

Failing that, Edinburgh for Lothian Buses would be my second choice...

 

[Busaholic]

Pyongyang public transportation, the roads are empty, The busses are empty due to fares being two years income, and fare dodgers are executed[/QUOTE

Now, don't go giving some forum members ideas on the last part!

 

[pompeyfan]

I've looked at moving to kernow, I love it down there. The fact house prices and rental prices are so cheap, I'd move there in a flash. The only thing holding me back is the pay? Did I see on here recently that some drivers struggle to earn more then £18k?

For an average pay packet for my garage my colleagues (on the same contract) are on £23k a year, that's 43 hours worked (but 48ish in the business - the joys of unpaid breaks -.-)

That said I did £29k last year, the overtime is there if you want it.

 

[ECML180]

I imagine Nottingham would be ok - seems to be fairly decent crop of operators but I've no idea what they're like to work for.

Scarborough would be high on my list, I got my licence with EYMS and all their drivers were happy and full of complements for the company, add in the nice seaside and proximity to the moors I think it would be quite a nice existance!

 

[Shrimper]

Some of the West Coast Motors/Shiel Buses routes around Oban, Lochaber and Mallaig would be nice and scenic to drive, I certainly enjoyed driving round there a couple of months ago.

Of course, it's lovely in summer but I'd imagine can be a bit grim in winter or in bad weather.

 

[the101]

I would quite happily drive the bus on Hollyoaks. Beyond that, no thanks to anywhere.

 

[Busaholic]

I've looked at moving to kernow, I love it down there. The fact house prices and rental prices are so cheap, I'd move there in a flash. The only thing holding me back is the pay? Did I see on here recently that some drivers struggle to earn more then £18k?

For an average pay packet for my garage my colleagues (on the same contract) are on £23k a year, that's 43 hours worked (but 48ish in the business - the joys of unpaid breaks -.-)

That said I did £29k last year, the overtime is there if you want it.

Can't be the same Kernow as I live in. Median house prices compared to wages are amongst the highest in the country, if not the world! Rental prices are not much better. Only exceptions are Camborne/Redruth and some places in china clay country, or if you want a 'mundic' house (look it up if you don't understand me), the latter being fine if you don't need a mortgage or house insurance!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Can't be the same Kernow as I live in. Median house prices compared to wages are amongst the highest in the country, if not the world! Rental prices are not much better. Only exceptions are Camborne/Redruth and some places in china clay country, or if you want a 'mundic' house (look it up if you don't understand me), the latter being fine if you don't need a mortgage or house insurance!

That's probably the point. The main towns are where the depots tend to be and they are cheaper so you could buy in Snozzell or Druth/Camborne? Less so with Truro and as you say, anywhere coastal has a premium (and places like Fowey are astronomical).

 

[cactustwirly]

St Anton, great views, mountain passes and decent buses.

 

[pompeyfan]

Interesting you should say that about Kernow, as I found quite a few nice places on both sides of the Tamar valley for about £150 PCM less then what I pay now for very similar offering, 3 bed, nice modern interior etc. if I could live there but earn what I earn now I'd be there in a flash!

 

[quarella]

I was quite happy pottering around Avon and Somerset in the early nineties but that was driving Council subsidised routes that didn't carry any passengers.

 

[deltic]

London - you dont have to worry about taking cash - you can spend some days going nowhere and you can spend all day without anyone talking to you (which can be good or bad)

 

[90019]

but that was driving Council subsidised routes that didn't carry any passengers.

They're the best type of routes.

 

[Statto]

i'd stick to my area Wirral, i have Stagecoach & Arriva with a few independents with Avon being the largest independent, only delays are through the Mersey Tunnels, & a level crossing.

 

[robinswh]

Calgary alberta Canada like me Wayne Robinson

 

[ChrisPJ]

Can the answer be back in time? Definitely Late 1990s Edinburgh. Dual door Lynxes, Wayfarer 3, some of the first Tridents anywhere, Outer Circle still intact, long wheelbase Olympians and a load of new bus lanes. Only downside being non PAS Atlanteans on the training fleet
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Failing that, Sunderland circa 1967, for obvious reasons.

 

[Zamracene749]

Luxton and District