City Bus Driver

Fare hikes arrive, Trump announces tariffs, and somewhere in the chaos, a man boards with last year’s change. I break the news with a smirk and a made-up tax. Confusion? Always, comedy? Guaranteed. When Small Change Meets Big Policy Some updates come with posters and emails. Others arrive via a baffled punter clutching three coins and a question mark. There’s something deliciously poetic about fare increases and global politics colliding at the exact moment someone’s rummaging through a lint-filled pocket for exact change. It always starts the same way: a familiar face boards the bus, throws in a few quid, exactly the same as they did in 2022, and expects time to freeze. Then they stand there. Expectantly. Waiting for a beep. A receipt. A miracle. Anything. “Sorry,” I’ll say with a gentle driverly shrug, “there’s been a slight fare adjustment.” Cue the blank look. The "Oh no, not again" furrowed brow. Sometimes the squint, as if the hopper might spit the coins back with an ap...

Ever wonder what happens when a seasoned taxi driver takes a seat on a city bus at night? Spoiler: It's not pretty. From fish suppers to bell abusers, this is the one ride even a veteran chauffeur can’t handle. When a Taxi Driver Meets the Bus: A Ride You Can’t Unsee If you’ve ever driven a city bus late at night, you’ll know there’s a cast of regulars who make the journey... interesting. You've got the usual crowd, shifty-eyed characters who never pay but somehow always have a meal in hand. Then there are the partiers, treating the bus like an afterparty on wheels. And of course, the lost souls, struggling to stay awake, only to wake up just after their stop. But last night? Last night was something special. I had a rare breed aboard: a taxi driver on his night off. A man who’s spent decades chauffeuring drunks, philosophers, and blokes passionately explaining the offside rule at 3 a.m., and yet, somehow, he thought bus driving would be a walk in the park. When he boarded, I c...

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...

Some days, the city throws a minor traffic jam your way. Other days, it flings a light aircraft into an oak tree just to keep you on your toes. One moment, you're dodging delivery vans and errant cyclists, the next, you're staring at a scene that looks like the result of a flight simulator glitch. It’s not every day you expect to see a plane tangled up in the branches on your usual route, but then again, nothing should surprise me anymore. This job has taught me that if something can happen, it probably will, though even I wasn't prepared for a mid-air parking mishap right in the middle of my shift.  When a Light Aircraft Decides to Park in a Tree: A Surreal Sight on My Route It was just past midday, and I was weaving my way through the outer suburbs when it happened. I had been cruising along, minding my own business, when I noticed something red and out of place in my peripheral vision. At first, I thought someone had got creative with their Christmas decorations, despite...

The hi-vis vest: a glowing symbol of authority, safety, and control on the roads. But at home, when it’s casually discarded on the back of a chair, it takes on a different role, one that sparks more than just curiosity. Does the vest itself turn me on? Not quite. But the person who wears it, shedding the weight of their day and the power they wield, well, that’s a whole different story. From City Streets to Bedroom Secrets: The Allure Behind the Hi-Vis Vest Does This Hi-Vis Turn You On? There it is, draped languidly over the back of the dining chair like some fluorescent trophy, its bright orange fabric a flash of bold contrast in the dim, seductively lit hallway. The hi-vis vest. It's not just workwear, it's a uniform of sorts, yes, but more than that, it’s a declaration, a living, breathing reminder of who wears it and what they control. A glowing symbol of authority, safety, and, well... a very different kind of power. In the soft glow of the kitchen light, though, it isn’t ...

Being married to a bus driver isn’t just about the daily grind of timetables and traffic; it’s a unique experience that mixes patience, compromise, and a good dose of humour. From unscheduled shift changes to the scent of diesel lingering on their clothes, the partners of bus drivers navigate a life full of unexpected moments. In this new section, we're taking a peek behind the scenes at the unsung heroes of the depot, the ones who truly know what it means to love someone whose heart belongs to the open road. The Road Less Travelled: The Untold Stories of a Driver’s Wife Once upon a time, Readers’ Wives graced the pages of 70s men’s magazines, giving the everyday woman a spotlight she never asked for. Fast forward to today, and we’re flipping the script. Welcome to Driver’s Wives , a cheeky, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the partners of those who spend their days (and nights) wrangling buses, timetables, and the occasional wayward passenger. Channelling the 1970s, this image captures ...