City Bus Driver

So, I haven’t driven the 26 yet, not a single stop behind the wheel. Instead, I’m doing what sensible drivers do: hitting the books (or in this case, Google Maps and Street View) to get ahead of the game before the big day. This route stretches from Drum Brae Gardens, a place so quiet you could hear a squirrel sneeze, all the way to Seton Sands, where holidaymakers outnumber the pigeons. Over 80 stops, five distinct sections, and enough variety to keep me on my toes for a while. Section 1: Drum Brae to Haymarket, Where the Suburbs Whisper (And Parked Cars Plot) We kick off at Templeland Road, an area so residential that the biggest challenge might be convincing parked cars to share the road. Seriously, it’s like they hold secret meetings on who’ll fold in their wing mirror next. The Edinburgh Zoo stop looks like a highlight, where kids hyped on sugar and excitement take over the pavement like a small, energetic stampede. I’m bracing myself for the chaos before it even starts. Past Murr...

No, it’s not just the heating on full blast. You smell smoke. It’s not the usual chip wrappers or someone sneaky vaping upstairs, this one’s real. Don’t panic. You’re not expected to fight it, just handle it. Stop the bus, get folk off safely, and call it in. Job done. Now, here’s how to do that without making the six o’clock news. Right, let's not beat about the bush. If you ever find yourself driving along and notice smoke sneaking out from somewhere it shouldn’t, or worse, you smell burning and it’s not just someone’s leftover chips, then congratulations, your shift just got a whole lot more interesting. Now’s not the time to panic. Here’s what to do. First off, stop the bus. Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed. Bring it to a halt as safely as possible. We’re aiming for “calm professional” not “emergency stop on a roundabout.” Try to avoid stopping in tunnels, outside schools, or next to anything that might go boom, petrol stations being top of that list. But if the fire’s getti...

There’s a particular kind of silence on a bus when the driver’s clearly lost. It’s polite. Deafening. Forty pairs of eyes pretending not to notice as you brake-check your dignity and mutter, “Just testing the brakes, folks.” That’s the nightmare scenario. It lives rent-free in every driver’s head when learning a new route. So, how do you avoid starring in your own mid-shift navigational horror film? You plan. You cheat. You become a master of controlled blagging. And you build a route learning strategy that works with your brain, not against it. A tangled ball of earphones resting beside a neatly coiled bus route map on a plain table. Homework Comes First (Yes, Really) Before I even set foot near the driver’s seat, I treat Google Maps like a tactical battlefield. The stop list isn’t just a list, it’s a puzzle to break down. I don’t look at it as a straight A-to-B run; I chop it into zones that make sense to me. Suburban crawl, city centre free-for-all, and that last stretch where you e...

Preparing for Double Deck: Essential Steps Before You Take the Upper Deck Helm Transitioning to a double decker isn’t just a step up, it’s a shift in responsibility, awareness, and skill. From vehicle height hazards to mastering route-specific quirks, here’s what every driver must know to ensure a smooth, safe move to the top floor.  So You Want to Drive Upstairs? A Survival Guide for Double Deck Newbies There's a moment in every bus driver's life when the call of the upper deck becomes too loud to ignore. Maybe it's ambition. Maybe it’s curiosity. Maybe you just fancy a new view. Whatever the reason, you're about to make the move from Single Deck to Double Deck. Congratulations, you’re about to gain a staircase. But before you get too excited, there's homework. Paperwork. And a good chunk of "are you sure you know what you're doing?" to get through. This isn’t just about driving a taller bus, it’s about adjusting to a whole new set of quirks, hazards,...

Once you’ve clocked 9 hours in uniform, even the vending machine starts judging you. It’s not just driving time that drags, it’s everything in between. Here’s why I stick to 39 hours and refuse overtime, no matter the pressure. Introduction I’m three months into a 12-month rethink of my overtime habits. After a steady drip of minor incidents, not enough to make headlines, but enough to make me think twice, I’ve realised piling on extra hours isn’t just about padding the pay packet. It’s about keeping my focus sharp, my sanity intact, and most importantly, everyone on the road safe. I know the desk staff might be throwing me the occasional side-eye, wondering why I’m not jumping at every chance to work overtime. If only money grew on trees, I’d be first in line. But unfortunately, it doesn’t. What does grow (or at least what I’m fiercely guarding) is my peace of mind, and a scrap of sanity after years of long shifts and minimal downtime. I’m at that point in life where I’d rather enjoy ...

Despite repeated training, strict policies, and genuine commitment to safety, minor bus incidents persist across the globe. These aren't just lapses in discipline, they’re signs of how complex and high-pressure public transport really is. When people and probability meet in motion, even well-designed systems can falter.  Exploring the Limits of Caution in a Complex, Fast-Moving Environment Across the public transport industry, a great deal of effort is invested in reducing incidents on board buses. From passenger falls on internal platforms to lapses in driving precision, the commitment to safety is clear. Training is frequent, safety messages are repeated, and drivers are consistently reminded to prioritise care over punctuality, especially when it comes to vulnerable passengers. Yet despite this shared emphasis on caution, incidents still happen. Some involve passengers losing balance before reaching a seat. Others may involve momentary lapses in spatial judgement or minor miscal...

Bus drivers often face tough choices when passengers are unable to pay. By observing behaviour, engaging in conversation, and assessing risk, drivers can make informed decisions that balance compassion with responsibility. This guide offers a clear framework for identifying vulnerability and responding appropriately. A Driver’s Guide to Recognising and Supporting Vulnerable Passengers 1. Observation: Assessing Behaviour and Context To determine if a would-be passenger is vulnerable, particularly in situations where they cannot pay the fare, the first step is observation. This involves carefully assessing the passenger’s behaviour, physical condition, and surroundings. It is essential to consider the passenger's age and appearance, emotional state, and overall hygiene. Observing the context, such as the time of day and location, can provide critical insights. For instance, if a young passenger appears distressed or dishevelled and is in an unfamiliar or potentially unsafe area, thes...

No matter how experienced a driver may be, habits can creep in over time, subtly shifting best practices. A structured training session provides an opportunity to refine skills, challenge assumptions, and elevate driving standards. With expert guidance and real-world application, professional development is not about critique, it’s about ensuring the highest levels of safety, awareness, and precision on the road. A Commitment to Excellence in Professional Driving The continuous refinement of professional driving skills is paramount in the field of public transport. While performance evaluations may be met with apprehension, structured support mechanisms play a vital role in maintaining high operational standards. A systematic approach to skill assessment ensures that drivers receive the necessary guidance to enhance their performance and reinforce best practices. I consider myself fortunate to be part of an organisation that prioritises professional development through a constructive a...

Ever find yourself wondering if there's a "right" way to get that baby buggy off the bus? Whether you're a parent manoeuvring through your morning routine or a bus driver who’s seen it all, the debate between pulling the buggy off in reverse and pushing it forward is more entertaining (and important) than you might think! Baby Buggy Ballet The Techniques at a Glance Pulling Off in Reverse: Smooth Moves: Some say pulling the buggy in reverse allows the force to align nicely with the buggy's centre of gravity, think of it as a gentle, controlled exit. Steady as She Goes: With a more upright posture, this method might reduce those “oops, I almost tripped” moments. Buggy Ballet : Does pulling feel like leading a graceful dance, or is it just a cautious shuffle? We’re curious! Pushing Off Forward: Forward Momentum: Pushing gives the buggy a little forward thrust, almost like launching a mini chariot, though, of course, safety comes first. Unexpected Dance Moves: Ev...

A long, shallow mark that vanished with a simple rub, yet it sparked a mountain of paperwork. In the world of bus driving, even the most insignificant marks demand a bureaucratic response. And yes, every detail gets documented. A Mark That Left No Trace, but Plenty of Paperwork It’s funny how, in the grand scheme of things, the universe measures impact. Some collisions shake the ground, alter history, and leave a mark for generations. Others? Well, they barely leave a mark at all, except on paperwork. It’s not so funny how the thinnest layer of paint can turn a non-event into an administrative saga. A near-invisible touch, yet a mountain of paperwork follows. There are moments in this job when the world slows down, and you become hyper-aware of the difference a few microns of paint can make. A brush, a whisper, a meeting of surfaces so gentle it might not have even been noticed in another time, another place. And yet, in this world, such moments demand theatre. Reports must be written,...

The importance of layover times on city bus routes. Picture this, it’s a crisp morning in the heart of the city, and the hustle and bustle of commuters fills the streets.  At every terminal, buses pull in and out, but one thing remains constant – every bus, even those seemingly idling at a stop, is running to a carefully orchestrated schedule. These moments of stillness, known as layover times, are the unsung heroes of urban transit, keeping the rhythm of the city on track. For those traveling on city buses, it’s not uncommon to see a bus sitting at a terminal or stop for what feels like an eternity. While some passengers may grumble at the apparent idleness, this pause – far from being wasted – is a crucial part of running a reliable and efficient city service. An empty chair, an absurd clock, and a solitary pigeon—together they capture the surreal nature of time spent in wait, questioning purpose and direction in the quietest of moments. Layovers: The Buffer That Keeps Timetables...

Understanding the window of tolerance in bus operations: A guide to the 1-minute, 5-minute, and 7-minute guidelines In the world of public transport, punctuality is key to maintaining passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency. However, due to factors such as traffic conditions, roadworks, and unexpected delays, it’s not always possible for buses to adhere strictly to their published timetables. To address this, a window of tolerance has been introduced, allowing a degree of flexibility in terms of arrival and departure times. The window of tolerance is a time allowance that recognises the inevitable delays operators face, while still aiming to deliver services that are as reliable as possible. This article explains the 1-minute, 5-minute, and 7-minute guidelines, shedding light on their importance and how they work within bus operations. What is the Window of Tolerance? A window set in a clear blue sky The window of tolerance refers to an acceptable range of variation from a bu...

When the Evening Commute Takes 44% Longer: Urban centres around the world grapple with the challenges of congestion, but some stand out as stark examples of how traffic can transform a simple commute into a test of patience.  In one city, recent studies have revealed that during evening rush hours, journeys take an average of 44% longer than under free-flow conditions. This striking figure has raised questions about the causes and consequences of urban congestion, as well as potential solutions to mitigate its impact. Understanding the Numbers The congestion level of 44% was derived through meticulous data collection and analysis. Travel times were recorded along key routes during both peak evening hours and periods of minimal traffic. By comparing the duration of these trips, researchers determined the percentage increase caused by congestion. For example, a journey that might take 30 minutes in free-flow traffic swells to 43.2 minutes during the evening rush. This additional 13.2...