Now ye're talking - to a bus driver

Boards.ie: Niamh

Our next guest is a bus driver who has 25 years experience working as a state sector employee, mainly on the city services but also on some provincial work out of Dublin.

He is here to answer your questiosn about driving a bus for a living.

Thanks!

Mint Sauce

Why do all BE drivers salute each other?

Boards.ie: Niamh

I've just deleted one post, please do not try to identify the AMA guest or cards will have to come out. Thanks.

tom1ie

What’s your opinion on bus connects, particularly the radial and orbital routes that (probably won’t) be built? Also were bus drivers consulted by the nta on any of the bus connects plans?

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

tom1ie wrote: »

What’s your opinion on bus connects, particularly the radial and orbital routes that (probably won’t) be built? Also were bus drivers consulted by the nta on any of the bus connects plans?

BusConnects,in my opinion,represents one of the few (perhaps only) comprehensive reviews,and subsequent reports on Dublins Bus Services.


It is arguable,that neither the Government,Dept of Transport,Dept of the Environment,or the NTA,had any real comprehension of what the BusConnects commission might result in,and as a result have been roundly flabbergasted,at both the contents of Walker's report,and the hue & cry brought to bear upon it from the moment of it's release.



It has largely escaped public notice,that Jarrett Walker's report was compiled with the State's plans for Dublin 2040 very much to the fore.
Predictive estimates will always vary,but figures of up to an extra 1,000,000 people falling within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA),which if current personal transportation trends are followed,will result in a totally unsustainable travel patterns for both the new and existing population.


Irish Public Administration has never been overly burdened with forward thinkers,and those we have had,tended to be sought out and banished before they managed to upset the status-quo applecart.


As a consequence,we can already see how some significant distance has rapidly been placed between BusConnect's creator,his team and the report's Commissioner,the NTA.


So your "probably won't be built" comment is probably correct,given that JW's own team were largely left unsupported in the initial (and very important) revelation process,which resulted in some rather slickly managed counter campaigns being mounted against this sort of thing.


Walker's team did indeed engage in consultation with the "stakeholders" in Dublins Bus Service provision,which included Operators,Local Authorities,State Agencies and Trades Union representatives.
In addition Busdrivers,as individuals,if they felt motivated,had full access to the Public Consultation Process (One of the largest such consultation processes in the State's history,and,as far as I'm aware,the first such process directly focused upon the Public Bus Service).


Possibly had we got a DUBLIN Transport Authority,as was originally enivisaged back in the late 1980's,then a tighter focused approach might have had better results,but that's as may be,because we have what we have and thus,can only hope that somebody can appreciate the Bus Service Provision chaos which faces our Capital City,if we continue on our comfortably familiar way.

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Why do all BE drivers salute each other?:D

.....well,perhaps not ALL ?

Galwayguy35

Do you like the job or just see it as something that pays the bills?

Collie D

What’s the strangest thing that’s ever been left on your bus?

Ever drive back to the depot to discover somebody asleep in the back row?

When you’re driving your own car do you subconsciously make extra allowances for manoeuvre like when you’re driving a bus...not sure if that makes sense?

Slippin Jimmy

What is the strangest incident you've encountered on you're bus?

punisher5112

Anyone ever attacked you?

Have you put anyone off?

Have you been in many crashes?

Have you ever been sacked?

Has anyone ever died on your bus?

Have you ever knocked someone down?

How do you find the public treat you?

Did you only plan working for the summer and leave after?

How do you cope doing without toilet facilities for 5 to 7 hours without....?

punisher5112

Have you ever had a shoe box left with dirty old shoes stuffed in with dirty underwear, t shirt, sun glasses and some other junk.....????

Collie D

punisher5112 wrote: »

Have you ever had a shoe box left with dirty old shoes stuffed in with dirty underwear, t shirt, sun glasses and some other junk.....????

That’s very specific? Did you lose one?

punisher5112

Collie D wrote: »

That’s very specific? Did you lose one?

Ha a little wee came out :-)

Woden

What does marked in mean?

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Do you like the job or just see it as something that pays the bills?

Good question, I would suggest that it's a job you must like,but if one can manage that,then it can also pay the bills,without sending you crazy.


At the end of the day,it's a JOB,just like any other,but with some quite challenging aspects not found in other areas.


It's not to everybody's liking,and those who find they're not liking it,really should consider what their options are,for their own sake.


Life really is far too short to spend campaigning against issues which don't personally suit,when the same issues cause no difficulties at all,for many others ?

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

Woden wrote: »

What does marked in mean?

It means the driver is permanently on one route (or duty type) and works that permanently.


It is commonly found in larger operations,with certain varations depending on the location,whether here in Ireland or abroad.

mikeym

How long are your Shifts?

Do you have to pass the mini bus licence first before doing the bus licence?

Wheety

What do you think of people who don't say thanks?

Fitz*

Both Australian & Japanese bus drivers went on strike last year in a bid to increase job security, increase wages and improve rostering. To do this, they completed all their routes, but refused to take any fares. They still served the public who relied on public transport to get around their daily lives.

Do you think this was a better or worse idea to what happened in Ireland recently where the country came to a near standstill and traffic problems caused wholesale for what really ended up at the same result but with less hassle and a much worse public opinion of bus drivers as a result.

Collie D

FitzShane wrote: »

Both Australian & Japanese bus drivers went on strike last year in a bid to increase job security, increase wages and improve rostering. To do this, they completed all their routes, but refused to take any fares. They still served the public who relied on public transport to get around their daily lives.

Do you think this was a better or worse idea to what happened in Ireland recently where the country came to a near standstill and traffic problems caused wholesale for what really ended up at the same result but with less hassle and a much worse public opinion of bus drivers as a result.

Dublin Bus drivers did this about ten years ago (maybe more).

Stephen15

Thanks for doing this AMA. This is a sector I'm very interested in and one which I may pursue a career in future years whether as a bus/train driver or working in public transport in general.

Do you reccomend the job for a younger person as I find it seems that a lot of bus drivers are older guys particualry the DB however i have noticed that Go-Ahead seem to have a number of younger drivers working for them?

How difficult is to drive a bus compared to car, would it be very daunting at first for example?

Which shift do you prefer late or early?

What's the best and worst part of your job?

dhaughton99

How many cyclists have you run over?

My work involves a lot of driving (a car). Thankfully, I have a lot of leniency in my work and schedule, unlike a bus driver who has a timetable to keep.

I'd say at least once a fortnight, I'd have to pull into the hard shoulder and get an hours sleep. As someone driving all day, every day, do you not often find yourself fighting to keep your eyes open? If you do find yourself in this kind of a situation, do your company give you a free pass and let you swap drivers or buses so you can come off the road for a little while or end the day early? or do you get a bollocking and told to keep at it (making you not want to mention it in general?).

I appreciate the latter is much more dangerous, but also, presumably, a much more realistic situation?

Sexual Chocolate

Do you find newer buses more reliable these days or were the older ones just as good ?

What's the highest mileage you've seen on one ? The old AVs and AXs in Dublin Bus must easily have more then a million kms.....

Do you feel Dublin in general could do with more single deckers ?

Were the bendy buses years ago in Dublin a complete f*** up as some people have claimed in your opinion ?

And finally do you think that public transport should be cash-less ? As in Leap cards only.

unkel

There will no longer be any need for professional drivers like bus drivers, lorry drivers, taxi drivers or delivery drivers within the next 10-15 years or so. Autonomous vehicles will be much cheaper and much safer and will take over.

I guess you will be retired by then, but is this a hot topic amongst your younger colleagues? All of them will lose their jobs soon enough.

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

mikeym wrote: »

How long are your Shifts?

Do you have to pass the mini bus licence first before doing the bus licence?

How long is a piece of string ?


Individual duties vary enormously,varying from c.5.5 hrs to 13 hrs in terms of "spread" (not actual driving time).


Human nature dictates that you will mostly hear of the Long duties,and perhaps occasionally see a mention of the shorter one's.


The D class licence can be accquired without having to do the D1,subject to the age requirements being met.


Checkout www.ndls.ie for the details.

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

Wheety wrote: »

What do you think of people who don't say thanks?

It does'nt really bother me.


I deal with hundreds of people per shift,some require a personal touch,most simply wish to get transported safely and as rapidly as possible to their destination.


However,it is fair to suggest that in general Irish busdrivers are interacted with to a greater degree than Busdrivers in other large Cities,who may operate far more automated fare collection and boarding systems.

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

FitzShane wrote: »

Both Australian & Japanese bus drivers went on strike last year in a bid to increase job security, increase wages and improve rostering. To do this, they completed all their routes, but refused to take any fares. They still served the public who relied on public transport to get around their daily lives.

Do you think this was a better or worse idea to what happened in Ireland recently where the country came to a near standstill and traffic problems caused wholesale for what really ended up at the same result but with less hassle and a much worse public opinion of bus drivers as a result.

Aside currently,from their being no specific threat to Job security,and reasonably good conditions,the issue of No-Fare days was floated many years back.


The Busdriver does not actually own the vehicle he/she operates.


Any employee deliberately refusing to carry out their contracted duties leaves themselves open to significant risk,including legal issues relating to insurance.


I would imagine that an Operator would not allow their vehicles to leave the depot in the event of an organized refusal to accept fares.


Public Opinion is remarkably fickle,and sometimes we who occupy the Internet,have to step back and remind ourselves that we do not represent the generality of that opinion,but rather a (vocal) sector.

mikemac2

Do you have to do mandatory health checks?

Can a bad medical report force you off the road? I’m thinking cardio issues as an obvious example

freshpopcorn

Did you ever get anybody famous on your bus?

faceman

With the inevitable introduction of driverless cars and buses in the future, how do you think it will be handed by the state and operators? Could we see a scenario where the government would rather avoid trade union chaos and not introduce it on public transport or could we see an innovative approach to public transport as a result?

d8491prj5boyvg

What's the deal with "Stand clear, luggage doors operate"??! Why not "stand clear, the luggage doors are operating"?

irish_goat

How do you think you would cope if you were driving down Dame Street and suddenly told you couldn't go below 50 or the bus would explode?

Stephen15

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA wrote: »

I would imagine that an Operator would not allow their vehicles to leave the depot in the event of an organized refusal to accept fares.

That's an interesting point but you'd wonder which would cost the company more lost revenue from a fares free day or NTA fines

IAMAMORON

Do you still all go for pints in the Bachelors Inn and watch the soccer on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, when your supposed to be out serving passengers?

I dare you too honestly answer that.

punisher5112

Are my questions going to be answered or is it because I didn't put my hand out???

Envelope436

How do you determine when the bus is too full to take more passengers? Is it your own judgement or is there a system in place?

Bandana boy

Do you have a funny answer for passengers when they say thanks

A driver I used to see a lot always replied to a thank you with no worries bud I was going this way anyway.

has a female passenger ever asked you if she had a ronnie ?

Dyr

Was just listening to a couple of work colleagues sharing their tales of woe involving bad tempered, incompetent bus drivers (Bus Eireann drivers tbf). They both expressed their intense dislike for public transport

Do bus drivers ever feel like they might have a played a role Irish peoples dislike for buses?

wawaman

How do you manage the toilet breaks when you are en route?

MrVestek

If Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus were to have a fight to the death.. who do you think would win?

Also... do you think the runners up would have to fight the Luas drivers?

Cork Trucker

Why do a company like Bus Eireann who are 'screaming out for drivers' reject a large number of applicants despite the low level of interest in the job in the modern day, also why must someone who was previously rejected wait a minimum of 12 months to reapply.

I'm a former coach driver myself for a private operator, is this something you will consider once you retire from your current position.

rameire

Seen as you are a bus driver, I would assume you have many of the bus license categories,
have you due to this fact completed the License bingo and completed all other categories on your driving License?

Cork Trucker

rameire wrote: »

Seen as you are a bus driver, I would assume you have many of the bus license categories,
have you due to this fact completed the License bingo and completed all other categories on your driving License?

First time i have ever heard this :pac:

bluefinger

Will 3 answers arrive all together?

Yer Da sells Avon

Has a quarter of a century doing this job had a negative impact on your physical health?

(uncomfortable seats, irregular shift patterns, etc)

madein

Have you ever parked the bus in the depot with somone on board asleep.

NeinNeinNein

Do you ever forget where you are going and end up half way to where you shouldn't be?

I'm a Bus Driver, AMA

mikemac2 wrote: »

Do you have to do mandatory health checks?

Can a bad medical report force you off the road? I’m thinking cardio issues as an obvious example

All Group 2 Driving Licence holders are subject to a full medical every 5 years (Group 2 Licences are only valid for 5 years)


Some larger Operators also have their own Medial Officers who are entitled,in the interest of safety,to insist on higher standards than the published RSA guidelines.



The RSA publish a very comprehensive guide for Medical Practitioners which is available on their website,containing the full range of conditions which may effect a Driving Licence holders fitness to hold or exercise their licence vocationally.


https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/Medical_Issues/Medical%20Fitness%20Guidelines.pdf



Modern medical practice now allows a great many people to resume Driving even after certain Cardiac events,so while it is true that a serious medical will "force" you off the road,it does not follow that all Cardiac issues will be so classified.

IAMAMORON

Here come here.

The answers to these questions are later than the buses we are all hanging around waiting for...

It is disgraceful in fairness. I asked my question this morning and I am still waiting. I am complaining to management.

Jeepers you wouldn't want to be in a rush.

Do you have a bus driver nemesis? One that you won't wave too, instead you give him the narrowed eye?