Bus Eireann driver training programme

Designator

Has anyone here applied for bus Eireann’s new driver training programme? I applied for it about a month ago for cork and heard nothing yet , anyone have an update?

Designator

Got invited to an interview for this Friday in Cork, anyone else going? Wondering what to prepare for

TheGoatOne

How did you find it ? I had an interview and driving test in Cork yesterday too although I have a D licence already so it might have been a little different to yours. Going to Dublin on Tuesday for the medical. Thought the interview was very casual and straightforward and more a box ticking exercise than anything else. I suppose the driving test and driving safely is more important than anything for this role.

Designator

Thought it went very well. Didnt know what was going to be happening when I arrived friday first cause they just told me in the email that it was an interview so I didnt know what was going to happen. Went for a 30 minute drive in a small ford fiesta first with an instructor and another behind me in a following car, went through alot of roundabouts, onto the motorway etc.. Then went for an interview after this for about another 20 minutes just asking about my background and explaining the role etc.. Two very nice friendly ladies from HR , found it very relaxing and more of a chat than an interrogation. Then went for a 30 minute written test which was 15 minutes report writing and 15 minutes basic arithmetic questions. Found it easy enough once you take your time and think about it. Waiting for a call back now to see if Ive been accepted or not to go for a medical .. Then I have to do my theory test for my Bus licence and my CPC and they pay for the rest after that I was told, all included in the training. Hopefully this will give an insight to anyone else thats due to go up for their interview as well to know what youll be doing exactly..

TheGoatOne

Glad to hear it went so well for you. I’d say you won’t be long waiting for the call. They are crying out for drivers big time from what they were saying. I actually got my D license through the course at the Cork Training Centre and had already started that when I saw Bus Eireann’s training programme. Otherwise I would have gone for Bus Eireann directly with my B license. Think the training allowance you get is like €500 a week which isn’t bad? We only got €220 a week through the training centre.

Designator

And just another note for anyone going to capwell for their interview, the amount of lads I saw in the classroom with me when we were doing the exam questions wearing tshirts and shorts like, I know its warm lately but lads if youre going for a job interview anywhere, especially with bus eireann who like to have drivers neatly dressed in full uniform , at least have the common sense to wear a shirt and pants and be formally dressed to show some interest.

Designator

Anyone else headed to Dublin for the bus Eireann medical on the 27th of this month? Not sure what to expect at the medical, never done one before

TheGoatOne

I did my medical last Tuesday the 12th. Standard enough really. First the nurse will ask you the usual questions on past medical history, take your height and weight, test your hearing, scan your heart via an ECG. Then you move down to the doctor who takes your blood pressure, listens to your heartbeat, then you do the eye test and colour vision test. She gives you the result at the end then. For me took exactly an hour start to finish. Mine was all ok and am starting training this Monday!

Designator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119339239#Comment_119339239

Standard enough so really. Do you already have your theory test completed and all? I still have to do my bus theory test so I guess I'll be waiting until I have that done anyway before I start once I pass the medical

TheGoatOne

I came in with a D Licence already. Although I only passed the driving test very recently so I don’t have much experience in bus driving at all aside from the lessons/test. Just finished the first week of training in Bus Eireann. Lots to take in as with any new job.

Do you have your theory test/case study test booked and all?

Designator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119370211#Comment_119370211

I’m currently studying for my theory test , going to book it soon . They told me in the interview to just get that sorted and then I’ll be on the driver training programme

Designator

Flew through the medical , starting the driver training programme next month , delighted

csn453

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119314068#Comment_119314068

Did they give you any indication how long the driver training program takes.

Thanks

Designator

Got an email yesterday saying I’m good to start on the 15th while I’m waiting for my learner permit to arrive in the post , surprised tbh . 4 weeks training and then they book your full license test after the 4 weeks and once you pass that then you’re full time with them

dar_dc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119450709#Comment_119450709

Hi Designator,

How did the first day of training go?

Anyone else any currently in the same process. Also recently passed theory test and looking into the training programme.

Cheers

pwala84

So have you been approved for training before you passed your theory? Website says do not apply without lerner permit. So how did you get in?

Designator

They’ll still accept you for the interview and all without your theory test complete but as I found out when I started I was the only person that was successful in the interview without having my theory test completed , so was in a big rush to get it done before the start date after the medical . I only passed my theory a week before I started the driver training programme with them .

LaCla

Hi guys,

I have passed my interview,my driving assesment and they told me they will call me for medical check but didn't called me 2 months now.

Is that normal?

Why they are so slow and they are again post ad for diver training program on job boards?is not fair as we studied for theory test and cps very fast to be in time for the hiring time and they are silent all the time

First time I see this kind of behaviour from such a important company..😒

henryheniu

Hello I just want to ask about your experience as bus drivers? I’m attending for interview with bus eireann next to weeks. I never worked professionally as driver, just completed my learner permit and cpc. Will appreciate any information or advice. Thank you

henryheniu

Hi have you any idea what happens if you fail? Are you still able to do training with them?

Designator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122796261#Comment_122796261

This is for anyone whos in the process or thinking of applying. For your own sake read this. I worked as a bus driver for bus eireann in cork for two years and it was hands down the absolute worst job I ever had in my life. Absolutely zero work life balance , split shifts meaning youre not paid for any breaks, and you will be more than likely late for any breaks you have anyway. Its advertised as a 39 hour week, you are paid for 39 hours but in reality your week will be about 50 hours every week. Some days you may have 2 hours of a break in the middle of the day which you are not paid for. I often started work at 6am , didnt have any break until 12oclock, then a 1.5 hour break and back driving from 13:30 until 4:30 with no break in between and trust me I mean no break, you will be always late because of the way the timetables are made so you wont even have time to have a bathroom break or anything. Tachograph regulations dont matter on city buses as you are driving out of scope cause youre not going more than 50 miles from your depot so you will be absolutely screwed because of this.

The shift rotation is terrible also. I often started work at 2:30pm and worked until 00:30 , then was rostered back in at 10:30am the next morning . 10 hours rest is the minimum rest time inbetween shifts on city buses and it just goes to show you that management dont care about workers when they use the absolute minimum for their gain. Trust me I was often driving buses after 10 hours rest like this and its highly unsafe and dangerous cause you have not near enough rest time to be driving a double decker around a busy city.

The buses themselves are in terrible condition, in the two years I worked for them I lost count on how many times I broke down with a bus full of passengers during rush hour. And you will be almost forced to bring buses out into service with faults on them , check engine lights, low oil, cracked windows or mirrors, etc.

The only benefits to the job are the money , the payscale where you have gauranteed pay rises but its not worth it and badly needs to be increased for the state of the job. The pension and free travel and gp visits. But listen to me when I tell you, I would gladly spend the rest of my life on social welfare struggling to get by before I would go back and work a job like that again where you have no time for life outside work and when you are at work youre dealing with constant stress and pressure.

So anyone whos applying or thinking of applying, dont. You will regret it , it was two years of my life I will never get back which all I was doing was working and sleeping because I was absolutely drained from it. Do yourself a favour and stay well away from bus eireann. Theres a reason they cant keep drivers

henryheniu

Thank you for your reply. I was wondering how come they need so many drivers, while the pay is so well. That’s explains everything

henryheniu

did you contact HR?

Designator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122807364#Comment_122807364

it’s definitely one to avoid. Great to have a pay scale and gauranteed increases and pension but totally not worth it for the state of the company and their attitude towards drivers, they just don’t care. I’d rather work for minimum wage and have no pension or benefits rather than work for them again

henryheniu

Hi I'm just after interview with them, everything you mentioned in earlier message was right. Terrible working hours, expecting you to be available at any time, 1 day off for Xmas etc. I think this work might be ok for someone who just want to make some money and have no family. Im going to stay with my current employer an keeping my Mon to Fri job. They pay less but at least I'm off weekends and have life outside my work.
Good luck!

uglybaby87

Hi, I'm going for my interview next week in Limerick and I'm just wondering what kind of questions come up in the assesment ? I would be greatful for any guidance