I liked this - simple, direct, and straight to the point. It makes the bus driving job actually seem a bit more realistic to me. It's been a thing on my mind for years at this point. People try to tell me, "It's the worst job ever" "What, are you crazy?" but transport's a lifelong passion of mine and, if I have any hope in the working world, the bus industry almost feels like home. Thanks for the insight. I know I'll need it.
Thanks, bus driving can be stressful, too much hassle and grief from passengers and other road users. When I started back in 1986 it was a different job (and a different world) completely. If you're planning on giving it a go, then go for it.
@@BristolRE Come and work for Mcgill's buses up in Renfrewshire, Scotland....the biggest independent operator in the country and see how hopeless our rota is.
@@BristolRE It's practically nonexistent and all over the place. I'm a constant spare driver so I get hit with random stuff every day and the days off are random too. I think TFL has got it together far better than First, Mcgill's and the like. And yes it's way coooooler up here in Coldland.
@@TrainBoy-tf9gh Not something I could show. You become a bus driver by applying to a bus company and they train you. Watch this series if you have not already: ua-cam.com/video/2FQ5AdW0k14/v-deo.html
You may have covered this before, but....What are the yellow tags with black numbers that are on both sides of the buses. They look they can be removed and changed. They were on the old Routemasters. I always have wondered what they are for.
They are removed and re-allocated each night. It identifies where the bus falls in to the 'diagram' for the day. See here: ua-cam.com/video/CgRBowp5PNo/v-deo.html
Can plan the next 3 years if I wanted to, assuming they don't change the rota, Lol. Even in London Transport days the week always started on a Saturday, I *assume* this was because, back in the day, renting a holiday home, package holiday, Butlins etc always started on a Saturday, so any holiday you had needed to fit in with that to stop drivers calling in sick.
Is this rota for anyone driving the 121 route, or for you specifically? Do you have your own personal rota with different routes or do you only drive the 121? Very informative video btw
Yes, because I work for Arriva I only drive buses from my garage that I am based at. I have driven the 318 a couple of years ago, but these days I avoid most routes and only drive the 121 313 and 377.
I liked this - simple, direct, and straight to the point. It makes the bus driving job actually seem a bit more realistic to me. It's been a thing on my mind for years at this point. People try to tell me, "It's the worst job ever" "What, are you crazy?" but transport's a lifelong passion of mine and, if I have any hope in the working world, the bus industry almost feels like home.
Thanks for the insight. I know I'll need it.
Thanks, bus driving can be stressful, too much hassle and grief from passengers and other road users. When I started back in 1986 it was a different job (and a different world) completely. If you're planning on giving it a go, then go for it.
Another educational masterpiece. Thank you for showing us.
You're welcome
Great video Peter and very interesting.
Cheers
I wish our rota was as fair as that.
Yours isn't? Only exception is lack of Sunday work can cause split rest days.
@@BristolRE Come and work for Mcgill's buses up in Renfrewshire, Scotland....the biggest independent operator in the country and see how hopeless our rota is.
@@markcaldwell2831 Lol, I'd love to, Scotland has to be cooler than down here (and I hate the heat). What's wrong with your rota?
@@BristolRE It's practically nonexistent and all over the place. I'm a constant spare driver so I get hit with random stuff every day and the days off are random too. I think TFL has got it together far better than First, Mcgill's and the like. And yes it's way coooooler up here in Coldland.
Thanks for showing me the rota
You're welcome
BristolRE can you show me how to become a bus driver
@@TrainBoy-tf9gh Not something I could show. You become a bus driver by applying to a bus company and they train you. Watch this series if you have not already: ua-cam.com/video/2FQ5AdW0k14/v-deo.html
You may have covered this before, but....What are the yellow tags with black numbers that are on both sides of the buses. They look they can be removed and changed. They were on the old Routemasters. I always have wondered what they are for.
They are removed and re-allocated each night. It identifies where the bus falls in to the 'diagram' for the day. See here:
ua-cam.com/video/CgRBowp5PNo/v-deo.html
Six months of shifts all planned out Peter? How strange that the working week starts on a Saturday instead of Sunday or Monday?
Can plan the next 3 years if I wanted to, assuming they don't change the rota, Lol. Even in London Transport days the week always started on a Saturday, I *assume* this was because, back in the day, renting a holiday home, package holiday, Butlins etc always started on a Saturday, so any holiday you had needed to fit in with that to stop drivers calling in sick.
No late rota at E then? At RM there is a late rota which consists of 4 or 5 routes
Unfortunately not, there is a late 279 and late 191 rota, but that's it
Is this rota for anyone driving the 121 route, or for you specifically? Do you have your own personal rota with different routes or do you only drive the 121? Very informative video btw
First. Nice vid, do u drive only arriva buses because many go past my house such as the 318
Yes, because I work for Arriva I only drive buses from my garage that I am based at. I have driven the 318 a couple of years ago, but these days I avoid most routes and only drive the 121 313 and 377.
Quite easy to know?!
Yes
@@BristolREwhy isn’t it on a app I’d rather have it on a app than paper