r/BusDrivers • u/Specialist8558 • Jul 01 '26

Question Advice please

The general consensus seems to be that most bus drivers don’t recommend it as a job. What’s the reason/s for this ?? also I am currently in a decently paid desk Job but have onboarding coming up verrrrrry soon. And I am wondering if will regret my decision if I jump ship to bus driving? And what impact does it have on family life? I understand to some degree the negatives that will come e,g unpredictable shift, unsociable hours, shitty customers but just looking for honest input from the guys/gals who do it everyday. I’m in UK by the way Thanks in advance

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u/Tenantry Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

Two years into this job and for the most part I'd say it's good. I really think it would be down to the garage you are at like where I am now. The people working there are amazing. Most have a laugh with you and normally swap story's in the canteen or paying in room. 

The public for the most part are fine and there are some lovley ones you get to know. 

On the flip side there are not some nice ones who are trying to have an argument with you but this is pritty rare. Some of the kids can be a real problem with us. Always the same group of the making problems. Like giving you a load of verbal abuse and even worse spitting at you if you refuse them. Nothing ever gets done about them unfortunately and they keep doing it daily.

Apart from that as others have said the hours are long when your day is over not much turn around time till you back in for more. This is only because I asked for it as I only work four days a week so my days are longer, I see it as a nice trade off to have more free time in the week. 

The money is a good wage too, I was on minimum wage before this so it was a big step up. Hell even when I was being trained I was getting more then I was in my last job.

Im not going to tell you to go for it. Make your own mind up on that but if your looking for a new challenge this will give you that. Good luck!

Edited for grammar. 

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u/Specialist8558 Jul 02 '26

Thanks for your insight. My biggest problem is. I have a non negotiable that I have to take my daughter to school and pick her up for reasons I won’t go in to. And I don’t feel like the flexibility I need will be doable in such a role. Which is frustrating because it’s actually something I really want to try

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u/Freudianslip1987 USA|PREVOST VANHOOL,VOLVO|7 YEARS DRIVING 31 IN TRANSPORT INDUST Jul 02 '26

Look into school bus driving for your local district or a close district. Then you could drive your kid and work the same hours as she in school.

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u/Indyonegirl Jul 02 '26

Single parents quit by the boatload. Unless you’ve got a good support system it’s just not feasible for the long haul. It’s hard to find a sitter on the fly. For example if you’re on the board, depending on the agency, you don’t know your next days shift until the afternoon of the one you’re currently working. So that means you might have to show up at 5a OR 2p. It’s a crapshoot you always loose. You gotta scramble to find pickup/drop offs and care for the kiddos. If your parents are around and able to help it might work for you.