Of course, good driving skills are also important being safety-conscious and using your initiative to handle all sorts of road traffic situations. You need to be patient, calm, professional and flexible to deal with customer enquiries and congestion, for example – although bus lanes are a big benefit. What other skills do you need in your role?Īs I’m meeting many different people every day, good customer service and communication skills are important. No actual bus driving experience is required but you need to be at least 21 years old to get a PCV licence through the Translink Training Academy.
#ELAINE TEAMSPIRIT DRIVER#
I have a BA hons degree in theatre arts but to become a bus driver you must have a car driving licence and a minimum of two years driving experience. After my break, I’ll return for my afternoon shift and hit the road again. I’ve got to know some of our more regular customers who also like to see a familiar face behind the wheel. I’ll then start my driving duties meeting all different types of customers along the road from commuters heading to work to school pupils, tourists, the elderly or families. I begin my shift with ‘First Use’ safety checks, which are essential to ensure the bus or coach is roadworthy and fit for service. I’ll be allocated my vehicle – the type is dependent on the service I’m providing that day eg schools, airports or general passenger service. If I’m on an early ‘split-shift’ I could be starting at 6am. It could be early starts or late finishes plus any day of the week. We use a rota system so my hours of work can vary from one day to the next. The bus driver recruitment process included aptitude tests, driving assessment and an interview. I started out in the retail sector working for a well-known supermarket before I moved to Translink for career progression.
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