Bus driver Review

Apprentice bus driver, learn to drive the bus, learn routes, deal with passengers, issue tickets, provide safe and comfortable travel to passengers.

I have learned to drive a bus and gained Cat D Licence. I have developed a basic geographical awareness of Bolton and its surrounds, as well as parts of Manchester and Salford.

I have enjoyed learning to drive the bus, and more recently learning to drive on the busway. I have enjoyed the comradery of my fellow apprentices, instructors and drivers. I have been welcomed and looked after I have not enjoyed the lost time in waiting, or the time spent completing worksheets.

It is reasonably well organised/structured - most instructions are available on the Blink app, so can be found if not taught. However, there have been problems with facilities (due to ongoing and impressive updates), provision of vehicles and not enough instructors.

This is difficult to evaluate as a lot of information is via Blink and due to high turnover of staff there appears to be issues with staffing on the training side. Everyone has been helpful, but day to day tasks have been left to Mentors, which I will only have for 2 days.

The Realise trainer is available to ask questions, but so far I have been completing worksheets by finding the information on-line - there has been very little interaction with Realise. So far I have had the induction and Learning Day 1; my next Learning Day is after I start driving in-service, and our initial tutor has left. Much of the training has been PowerPoint presentations, not much in interaction eg quizzes testing established knowledge, role play or information. The workbooks are mainly based on the driving test and do not have a mark scheme. The answers are character limited, so sometimes it can be difficult to complete a full answer, which means it can take more time to precis or reduce the size of answer. We have not had classroom time to complete work, and am completing on my old clapped out pc, which puts a strain on family time.

By making me reflect on my learning (which I do anyway having worked in the education sector) and by repeating what we have already learned for our driving test, it is better ingrained, but I can't say, at this stage, that it will help me to perform better. It is very much designed for someone fresh out of school or with little work experience.

There is Andyshed, but I am not yet aware of any social activities or events. However the Blink chat keeps everyone updated and informed. I already have social events in my home area, so I haven't felt the need to seek these out yet.

Yes

The company is heavily investing in new facilities and technologies, is committed to electrifying the fleet and has a professional outlook and vision. The company is customer-focussed and the emphasis throughout training has been to provide quality transport rather than rushed, profit-focussed practices.

Go for it. Follow routes when doing driver training to familiarise yourself ready for route learning, be prepared to seek information and ask questions.