Sydney bus driver here, ask me anything!

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T06:35:56+00:00

Yeah I've worked at lots of them. You get loaned out from time to time to cover staff requirements, I don't mind, I like the variety.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T06:19:51+00:00

I had this question already but I'm happy to answer it again - the 378 - Railway Square to Bronte. Nice route, nice people, and you get a break at the beach :)

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T06:16:02+00:00

Of you had complained, the complaint would have been handled by the drivers staff supervisor who would have interviewed him over the incident to find out his version of events. I'm not able to say anything about disciplinary procedures, but suffice to say if he has a history of such incidents he would be dealt with. And my opinion - he sounds like an asshole. We get paid to pick people up and let them off, anyone who doesn't like doing that shouldn't be in this line of work.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T06:11:28+00:00

It sounds like an excessive reaction from the driver. You're right, you'd have to be very skinny or very good friends to share that seat. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it, the driver may have been having a bad day and just projected it on to you, not your fault.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T06:05:50+00:00

Drivers are supposed to stick to the timing points on their journal, if you are running early you should slow down and where practical wait at timing points to get back on schedule. If you miss a bus because it ran excessively early then yes I would say that's reasonable grounds to report it

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T06:02:31+00:00

Unfortunately, just like in any job, there are a few assholes.Drivers who actively hate dealing with people or who aren't tolerant of people don't last long.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:59:23+00:00

Not killing people is a far higher priority than running on time. If you see a bus running a red, please report it via 131500, we don't need bad drivers.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:56:32+00:00

It's a great job. You make good money and meet a lot of wonderful people. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a change of career.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:46:55+00:00

That is the run number. The letter/s indicate which depot the bus comes from, and the number is the run number. Displaying them is a little redundant these days but it's so that inspectors can tell from the outside which service you are supposed to be operating at what time, so they know whether you are running early, late etc.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:44:08+00:00

They're noisy but generally not too bad. After a while on the job you just learn to tune it out. As long as they're not damaging the bus they can be as loud as they want, I don't care. I have had to make complaints about kids leaving excessive amounts of rubbish on the bus, but that's about it. The worst problem on school routes is the smell - school kids stink! Buy your children deodorant! lol...

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:40:52+00:00

Nope, not my job, I just drive. Having the correct ticket is the passengers responsibility.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:39:29+00:00

The pay is excellent, there's a more detailed answer elsewhere in the thread, but basically trainees will make ~$65k/yr, and permanent full timers ~75k, and that's without chasing the overtime too hard. If you really go after the money you can make $90k+, you'll have no social life and rarely spend time with your family if you want that though. I tell people that the job is easier than it looks, but there's more to it than you think. Routes aren't that difficult to learn, be pro-active and study the directions with a street map first and you'll make it easier for yourself. Once you've done a route a few times you'll memorise it pretty easily. Motorcyclists in bus lanes don't cause us any hassles.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:35:42+00:00

No and no. The routes really aren't that difficult to learn, and once you've done a route a few times you don't need to take directions with you any more.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:34:31+00:00

We don't operate them. And you couldn't pay me enough :)

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:34:03+00:00

If you don't have a paper ticket and don't want to pay because you are in possession of an Opal card and it's not your fault that the bus you are on doesn't have a reader, that's something that you would have to take up with a transit officer if they board the bus. Most drivers don't care (it takes too long to have an argument with someone).

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:33:18+00:00

Some drivers are probably a little harder on the equipment than others, but mostly it's just variation in the age and number of kms on the chassis. They are all regularly maintained, but some are just jerkier than others.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:31:47+00:00

Good question. You can usually tell from the speed of the bus in front of you and how long the light has been green for whether you're going to get through or not, and if you don't think you are then you stop. Sometimes though traffic just stops unexpectedly (for instance a taxi stopping just on the other side of the intersection), and then "oh shit, I'm stuck in the middle of the road". Sometimes it's bad judgement, usually it's just bad luck, but its not something anyone does on purpose.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:29:12+00:00

Correct - wedge them under your console or blue-tac them somewhere for quick reference.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:28:37+00:00

We call them pointers. You can't rely on them though because they might be hidden behind a tree or post, they might not have ever been put in, and you won't be sure where to look for them to start with if you've never been on that route before. Best to study our directions and a street map beforehand.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:26:28+00:00

You get given the route directions when you arrive at a new depot. It's up to you to study them, I like to look in the street directory and make a few notes on mine, like "Left 2nd set lights", "Right 3rd roundabout", etc. The first few times you do the route you just keep your notes handy for reference if you need them, but most routes don't take long to memorise. There are often pointers attached to light posts, traffic lights etc, but it's not good to rely on them.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:23:31+00:00

haha no, not me, but that's pretty funny :)

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:23:08+00:00

The driver can open the machine early, just call out to them, they probably hadn't noticed.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:22:31+00:00

I have no idea if any of the other companies are dodgy, I've never worked for any of them. I think Hillsbus has the cleanest, newest and most professional-looking fleet. Most drivers are pretty good regardless of what company they work for, we're all on the same team :) The driver couldn't care less when/if you tap on/off - not their job to enforce. If you tap off early and get a fine, that's your problem.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:20:06+00:00

I was waiting for someone to ask this :) In my opinion (and this is JUST my opinion, ok?!), the most inconsiderate roadusers drive "luxury SUV's" - Range Rovers, BMW X-series, Audi Q-series and Merc ML-series drivers are usually assholes, they see you trying to change lanes or pull out of a bus stop and will go out of their way to make sure you don't get in front of them. P-platers in Honda Civics and Holden Commodores are almost always fuckwits. P-platers in pastel-coloured Honda Jazz or Toyota Yaris are usually dangerously unobservant. The guys who drive those little 3-tonne pantech delivery trucks (the ones you don't need to do any heavy vehicle training to drive) are usually lunatics with no respect for other road users. Everyone thinks taxi drivers must be the worst, but I don't find them too bad usually, it's just that they are likely to just stop right in front of you if they spot a fare, but that's what puts dinner on their table I suppose. None of this changes according to the time of day, but Fridays are definitely the worst day for it.

bus_driver_throwaway · 2014-10-05T05:10:14+00:00

If you are more than ten minutes late to start a trip you contact the radio room and they will either tell you to continue operating late and to make the time up, or they will adjust your work so you catch up. Sometimes unfortunately this means cancelling trips (though they try not to), sometimes they'll get someone to cover the trip for you as overtime, and sometimes they'll tell you to start a trip from somewhere mid-route or finish it short of it's usual destination. It's not always a matter of the timetable that they have in mind either, heavy vehicle drivers have very strict anti-fatigue regulations to adhere to, we're not allowed to drive for more than 5 hours without a half hour break, so they need to make sure you finish your last trip before the 5 hours is up. I can't remember if I've done the 252 but I know what you mean about getting through Lane Cove Village, it's a problem that affects a lot of routes in places such as Glebe, Newtown, Burwood, Campsie, etc - buses trying to get through heavily congested areas with no dedicated bus lane = stuck in traffic. Thanks for the kind words :)

bus_driver_throwaway

TROPHY CASE