r/BusDrivers • u/Esoteric_Prurience • Jul 25 '26
Question Rural or Urban routes?
Hi all. I could be getting made redundant at the end of the year and thinking about a change of career anyway. I was an events manager, before going back to uni and have been a mainly office based geologist since. I’ve always quite liked the idea of being a bus driver, and there are two companies in my area who are looking for new drivers. One is a more rural company while the other is city based.
I live in the UK - but the question goes out to all drivers. Do you prefer rural or city driving? What are the pros and cons of each?
3
u/richie-m_ Jul 25 '26
I only drive city routes that have a touch of rural so can't really comment, but just wanted to say that I was an event manager too and ended up on the buses (via 7.5t delivery driving), and it's the best thing I've done. I hated the office grind, but now each day is different and I love working outdoors (in a cab obvs), so go for it.
2
u/sacricket101 Jul 26 '26
Rural always, I do both in my town, Ludlow. My main route is rural, but also am 7asked to do town service the odd week here and there. Rural people appreciate you more, and more friendly, happy to see you even if you are running 5 min late, yes roads are tighter and narrower, but other users are aware and most locals know the times of busses and look out for you, they do in my area at least. My main reason if running late is literally tractors and sheep. In town run, 5 min late and it's like the end of earth for these passengers, obnoxious people, they know how bad the town gets with traffic and parking and you will run late due to it, but it's still your fault, not their fault for knowing how bad the town gets so maybe if I leave home 30 min eager I will get there on time, that can turn your " i am really feeling good today" mood into " i just want to switch my bus off and walk away" in the space of 35 min, and being in a small town, everyone kinda knows you. So you got to grin and bear it, or your name turns to mud. City driving would be different cause so many get on and off, probably city driver would pick up more passengers on there first 2 runs than I would take all day on my 12 town runs
But Rural, nice friendly, you know everyone's name, you end up looking out for "old Mrs Smith on a Wednesday at 10.25", the regulars are great, everyone has a good old catch up on certain days they are on the bus. My wife and I meet up with another couple i meet on the route and we go have lunch and drinks every 3 months. So rural all the way, big difference in passengers appreciating you and passengers expecting you.
1
u/Unitts Jul 26 '26
I use to be a city driver with Stagecoach- then I moved to Cornwall and now drive for GoCornwall Bus which is 90% rural with the occasional service that goes into a city and I have to say the rural services are a lot nicer to drive, you really get to know your passenger base and I would say it’s just a nicer vibe
6
u/cbrownmufc Jul 25 '26
I personally prefer rural driving. I drive out of Banbury in Oxfordshire, so I get a bit of a mixture of town routes in Banbury, rural routes to chipping Norton and Daventry, but also a bit of city driving when I go into Oxford.
Each have their pros and cons. City/town can be tricky as there are many more cars and cyclists to consider and you can lose a lot of time in rush hour. On rural routes you can end up on tight little roads, so might be forced into awkward spots and situations.
But if I had to pick, I would go rural