We all know that the success of the Daffodil Line depends on our regular drivers. They are the people that make the service tick. The Daff runs regardless of endless roadworks, traffic congestion and inclement weather. Last time we featured Mark who many of you know well and this time we talk to Steve who often drives the Daff at weekends.
When did you first become a bus driver?
I trained with Badgerline, a predecessor of First Bus at their Digbeth depot in Birmingham in 1994. It got me into the industry. It wasn’t very long before I switched to West Midlands Travel as they offered a better package for drivers. At the time there was stiff competition on routes between these companies and having to keep time on very busy runs, but I stayed with WMT until 2001.
Why did you join DRM?
We used to love coming down to the Bromyard area for short breaks; it was beautiful countryside and then decided to move down. I began working for DRM in 2008 having worked for a few years at Prospect Coaches. I was treated as a new starter which is one of the problems when you change jobs in the bus business. By then I had been driving for three large companies for 14 years!
What do you like about the job?
You are your own boss when you are on the road and whilst that brings extra responsibility it is all part of the job. Some bus drivers say that they hate driving, so you have to enjoy driving as you spend many miles between the wheel. Some people say to me that it must be boring, but each journey is an adventure. There are traffic situations which are challenging and during the day many different groups of passengers board, travelling for all sorts of reasons; it all makes it interesting.
How important is it to look after passengers?
I always say that the first passenger to board can make or break your day! Sometimes passengers get the wrong end of the stick when you are trying to help them. I’ll give you an example. Sometimes a concessionary pass shows up as invalid on the ticket machine. It cannot distinguish when there’s a credit or debit card in the same folder or purse and so shows up as not valid. Pulling the concessionary pass out helps! You can’t judge people by their appearance-most people are lovely but sometimes a passenger can take their frustration out on the driver.
What is the worst thing about the job?
If you accept the job you have to work long shifts. Some don’t like working weekends whereas I am happy to pick up these shifts. But you have to have your family behind you as your working life affects them too. When I finish a shift I like to walk the dog and of course family is important to me so that’s how I spend my free time.
Are some buses better to drive than others?
The DRM tri-axle Scania buses are by far the best I have driven. On the Daffodil Line you also need robust buses as the roads beyond Newent to Ross have very poor surfaces. It is also important to have plenty of room at the front of the bus so that we can cater for bags, trolleys, buggies and wheelchairs. If my passengers are happy so am I.
Thanks Steve for spending your break talking to me. It is good to have experienced drivers on our route. It makes a real difference.
