A job in the bus industry

[MW]

Well, I've always wanted to have a career based around public transport. I really want to become a bus driver but I feel that this is an unrespected job and people just look down on you, non bus enthusiasts of course. I'm 16 years old, and hate education to bits so don't want to pursue the college route but I get people saying you can do betteretc. I'd like to either become an engineer for NXWM or a driver.


I just wanted some thoughts from others on here. What should I do? Get a job that I'd probably love or study and get a job in a depressing office that I hate, but get twice the money?

[Isle of Stroma]

Well, you could make a start by treating those that work in the industry with a bit more respect (by this, I mean don't rubbish a company without having substantiated/accurate information, & think twice before 'smiting' someone who points out your innacuracies  ;))!

Seriously, I believe the ones looking down on drivers the most are the management of said companies. I've been offered training on more than one occasion & there's absolutely no way you'd get me behind the wheel in return for current wage rates - it's just not worth the hassle.

Having said that, there's a wide range of job opportunities in the industry aside from driving, so you really need to take a step back & think what do you want to do & what do you want from your work life. I too hated school with a purpose, unfortunately those little bits of paper you get at the end do count an awful lot. There's a frightening amount of people applying for advertised vacancies & having something on your cv that shows you have a brain & are capable of steering it in the right direction is one way of avoiding your application ending up in the waste bin at the first sifting stage.

For your last sentence. It's going to be all down to what's more important to you in your adult life. Spare money is nice, but my job gives me responsibility & satisfaction, & my employers value my views & input & allow me to work flexible hours. That to me is worth far far more than a fat cheque.

[Nathan4775]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

[MW]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

[Nathan4775]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

So I can take Driving lesson when im 17, start bus traing at 18 and become a driver betime i am 20/21  ;D, but at that age you can only driver routes in a 50KM of the garage  ;D told by a 76 (Central Buses) driver

[MW]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

So I can take Driving lesson when im 17, start bus traing at 18 and become a driver betime i am 20/21  ;D, but at that age you can only driver routes in a 50KM of the garage  ;D told by a 76 (Central Buses) driver

50KM is about 30 miles. If working at BC, the furthest you can go to is Stafford. I think you might just be okay?

[Tony]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

So I can take Driving lesson when im 17, start bus traing at 18 and become a driver betime i am 20/21  ;D, but at that age you can only driver routes in a 50KM of the garage  ;D told by a 76 (Central Buses) driver

It is not within 50km of the garage. It is the route must not be more than 50km from end to end. No NXWM routes are longer than 50km so drivers employed at 18 years of age have no restriction on what routes they can drive.

Private hires and special services like the Alton Towers service come under the 50km ruls

[MW]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

So I can take Driving lesson when im 17, start bus traing at 18 and become a driver betime i am 20/21  ;D, but at that age you can only driver routes in a 50KM of the garage  ;D told by a 76 (Central Buses) driver

It is not within 50km of the garage. It is the route must not be more than 50km from end to end. No NXWM routes are longer than 50km so drivers employed at 18 years of age have no restriction on what routes they can drive.

Private hires and special services like the Alton Towers service come under the 50km ruls

Tony, the NX jobs page recruits 16-18 year olds for drivers. Obviously you have to be 17 to already have a license, but if that's the case, what is the procedure. I'm sure they can still train you up etc, or can they not? Do they just tell you to wait till your 18, as I'm starting to consider this as a way into the industry, and then perhaps 'upgrade' or get promoted etc.

[Nathan4775]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

So I can take Driving lesson when im 17, start bus traing at 18 and become a driver betime i am 20/21  ;D, but at that age you can only driver routes in a 50KM of the garage  ;D told by a 76 (Central Buses) driver

It is not within 50km of the garage. It is the route must not be more than 50km from end to end. No NXWM routes are longer than 50km so drivers employed at 18 years of age have no restriction on what routes they can drive.

Private hires and special services like the Alton Towers service come under the 50km ruls

I would have thought 900 came under the 50km rule

Therfore
If i work at BC i can work routes 97/97A/22/23
If I work at PB i can work routes 33/934/934A/907/952


But im going to work at PB  8)


Thanks for info Tony

[MW]

im aiming to be a bus driver ASAP & work for PB/BC bus garage  8),

Just need to know when I can start training to do this

I'm quite sure you need to be 17 to train up and 18 to start driving. I'm sure one of the current drivers on the site will let you know though.

So I can take Driving lesson when im 17, start bus traing at 18 and become a driver betime i am 20/21  ;D, but at that age you can only driver routes in a 50KM of the garage  ;D told by a 76 (Central Buses) driver

It is not within 50km of the garage. It is the route must not be more than 50km from end to end. No NXWM routes are longer than 50km so drivers employed at 18 years of age have no restriction on what routes they can drive.

Private hires and special services like the Alton Towers service come under the 50km ruls

I would have thought 900 came under the 50km rule

Therfore
If i work at BC i can work routes 97/97A/22/23
If I work at PB i can work routes 33/934/934A/907/952


But im going to work at PB  8)


Thanks for info Tony

I think this rule is more for coach drivers. Coventry is only 21 miles away, and there are around 30 miles in 50 kilometres, so you'd be fine. Just so you know, these routes may be changed by then, but if you become a driver at 18, you'll get to benefit the Tridents.

[Nathan4775]

I'd rather driver Plaxtons  8)

[MW]

I'd rather driver Plaxtons  8)

That'd most likely be AG with the Presidents in my opinion. Presidents would be out of date by 2016? But you never know.

[4504]

I wouldn't mind a job as a train conductor to be honest  :)
Commuter or freight, I still think it would be fun, and rewarding.

[Nathan4775]

I'd rather driver Plaxtons  8)

That'd most likely be AG with the Presidents in my opinion. Presidents would be out of date by 2016? But you never know.

Sadly I dont know any routes at AG I breifly know the 37

[danny]

I think they'd train you dude Hehe ag have some pritty intresting fleet and route monopoly.