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Hello guys and girls,
I've been booked into the ramsgate coach park tomorrow and on the receipt for the parking is says approach from the Royal harbour tunnel.
Does that mean coming in from the A299 as I'm dropping off on marine parade normally I just go to Broadstairs but I've been booked in this time any help?

Good Morning, I live I Australia currently a bus driver. Looking at coming to the UK. Can you please tell me what I need eg licenses to drive a bus.

Question: Can you go up to front of Buckingham Palace with a coach these days?

Hi afternoon people. Anyone work for stagecoach? Can you give me some advice please? Thanks in advance.

Hello I'm having doubts that maybe, I'm not confident in being a successful bus driver. I love driving sure and I love passengers and I love the environment. But I've tried to get my head round how to physically be a bus driver, I'm not sure I can. Any advice please.

Good afternoon. Standard coach driver question. What sat nav is best suited for coaches? Currently got a Garmin Dezl 9700 but, I'm finding no matter how many times you try to avoid tight unsuitable roads it still wants to take you around there because it’s the quickest way. Not what I paid £300+ for. Are Navpal any good? Tia

Some advice please!
Taking a job locally as a service bus driver (no tacho) am I on my day off able to do a HGV or PSV agency shift.
Any pointers.

Hello afternoon,
I start my PCV training on 18th September with Stagecoach.
Anything anyone would recommend keeping in mind?

Fellow coach drivers: When going somewhere you don't know, do you use a normal sat nav or a truck & coach sat nav?

Hi. Has anyone else had any problems with inconsiderate people parking cars in coach bays using a disabled badge?

Afternoon folks, Flying down the m23 earlier on my way home, 2 trucks elephant racing in lanes 1 and 2, check the mirror. Nothing anywhere near me, overtake the trucks pull back in, still nothing anywhere near me. About time they let us use the outside lane provided it’s safe to do so!

Afternoon, I've been told that I have to record the amount of add blue put in a PSV Bus is this correct?

Tacho question.
If you leave your tacho in but on rest then remove it at the end of tge shift does thr daily rest begin as soon as it was on rest or at removal of card.
Fairly sure its start of rest but just wanna check.

Those were the days! Why did motorway service stations replace their in-house restaurants with fast food outlets? The food at Motos own restaurants was awesome! We used to do the Torquay to London run a lot in 2005-2006 and stop at Leigh Delamere where we could get a proper full English breakfast which was really nice and filling and on the way back they had really nice curry and rice or chili and rice or Harry Ramsdens fish n chips. It was so much better then. All we needed to show was our little Moto disc the size of a pound coin. Anyone remember them? Then they brought in photo-cards. We also got gift vouchers to use in WH Smith. It was so good. Now it’s all McDonalds, Greggs, Costa etc. You can’t get a proper meal at those places. Many might disagree but everything Was better in the past!

Your opinions are welcome please give them. 12 months ago I sent off for my provisional license to get my training started all self funded and I passed my test 2 months ago it was a boyhood dream to drive buses so job done. I did this because my job as a baker was under threat of redundancy but this week I have been told that my job is safe, so would you still go for your boyhood dream job or stay put or wait for the right time then move? I have to admit I don't know which way to go I am 56 and been baking for 35 years.

Please tell me what you would do cheers all.

I have question guys, about Staff passes, do stagecoach accept first staff passes at all do you know? Thanks

Hi evening people, does anyone know what this means? Thanks in advance.

Good evening all. I have a private group heading down to Cookham next week and on one day visiting Windsor 🇬🇧
The organizer has asked me if I can drop off closer to the centre of Windsor than the coach park on Alma Road as she struggles with her mobility. Does anyone know if this may be possible or if I need a permit. It’s a while since I’ve been down and always usually just dropped at the coach park 🅿️ Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone, Driving test on Tuesday any tips? worried I am going to get marked down for every little thing! TIA

Hi,
Does anyone know if any of the bus companies have said they will apply for the 80% of staff members wages, if they can’t work or will they make them take unpaid leave?
Thanks

I'm quitting the bus driving lark.

Well, looks like I'm out of bus driving. I fouled up pretty badly yesterday (nothing damaged, none hurt, but a pretty big mistake) and decided to resign rather than face disciplinary. To be honestly, I mentally checked out of bus driving years ago. Sick of chasing running times that never improve, not being able to have a thought without missing someone's bus stop, the constant disputes with passengers and car drivers. And more than anything else, the monotony of doing the same thing day in day out. As the quote from the videogame 'Farcry' goes: Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over and over, and expecting sh*t to change. I'm making the change. Already checked out a few class 2 training schools and never want to see inside a bus cab again.

Onwards and upwards.

Can somebody tell me if this is legal? You start work at 11:00 travel passenger to your bus and take over it at 11:38 drive to the routes terminus and sit for 7 mins then drive to your next terminus and get another 7 mins sitting time then drive back to your first terminus and get a further 7 mins sitting time and then back for your break at 17:18 and then get a half an hour break. Won’t say the company but they believe it’s not illegal because of the sitting time at a terminus but in reality that’s loading time and is not guaranteed because of traffic etc.

Afternoon everyone. What hourly wage is everyone on? I consider £9.33 rather low? Thanks.

What are people's thoughts regarding a salary parity between bus/coach drivers and train drivers?
I appreciate both jobs have different demands and driving trains, you potentially carry more passengers, but driving buses/coaches have plenty of challenges too.

Afternoon all, This could be a really stupid question, but I have been discussing today with my colleague about going for my HGV license. He is saying that the bus / coach CPC is also valid for HGVs. Is this true? (I passed my car test in 2016 and passed my PCV in Feb 2022)

Good afternoon, Doing a career change at 55 and doing my theory soon but, I'm having second thoughts about driving, anyone with anything good to say about it? Go on cheer me up FFS.

Hi folks, new to the coaching game. Looking for a good Satnav. Have been recommended Garmin, they are coming in at £150+. Others? Equivalent at £50. Both coach compatible. Any recommendations?

Good afternoon, Been asked to move coach from yard to garage for MOT. 3 mile journey and am told to put tacho onto “Out of Scope”. Done this only once before, long time ago so need to “remember”. Any help with the sequence would be appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

Afternoon Peeps, So question if I may and Ill try and answer it myself for educational purposes.

DOUBLE MANNING WITH TACHO CARDS

So, I'm experienced with tacho cards, but where I'm new is double manning.
I've become so very confused as I seem to get conflicting info to the point I've snapped at my driving partner and we have had a big row, so can someone settle an argument.

When changing over tacho cards aka changing drivers do you

1 - Take out card 1 first, then take out card 2. Then insert new driver 2 into slot 2 and then new driver 1 into slot 1
This I call 1221
or
2 - Take out card 2 first, then take out card 1. Then insert new driver 1 into slot 1 and then new driver 2 into slot 2
This I call 2112
or
3 - It really doesn't matter which order you do it as long as you remove BOTH cards before inserting any into the machine AND they are both reinserted within a reasonable amount of time (I would suggest 2 minutes for the whole process)
This I call changing the cards

Now, I...

Fellow Drivers. I need someone to point me in the right direction please. I have a private hire drop off to do on Stansted airport tomorrow morning. Never been to Stansted before with a coach, only been with a car. Where do I need to go to drop the passengers off please? Only drop off and empty back to the yard.

Thank you very much for any help. Have a great day. 🙂

Hello afternoon all, So currently a service Bus driver, I would like to try Coach work is it any good hours wise and pay? Thanks

Hello, Looking forward to starting my first ever coach driving job in September. Been driving Artics for the past 7 years can't wait to step away from a unvalued industry & try something new. Any advice please. Thanks. 😊👌

Something different in the job market for PCV Drivers. First time in over 20 years have I seen a bus company, Centrebus in Luton offering drivers a 4 on 4 off shift at £12.30ph. I have always liked the idea of 4 on 4 off as I could plan my time months in advance knowing what days I had on or off.

If you done a job but had to hand coach over to another driver and get a lift back to depot which is 2 hours away, I was told once taco out my 9 hours off start yet I have to travel in a company vehicle for 2 hours to get back to my depot in a company Van someone driving me back what is the correct thing?

Hi afternoon, Bus driver here with a spent criminal record for common assault in a domestic event. At the moment doing trucks. What are my chances of returning to buses? Are there employers getting drivers in my situation in? Honest opinions and debate, please. Thank you.

Picked up staff from PRYSM in Portsmouth, to take to PRYSM in Brighton. 1 hour 30 minute journey and 45 of them managed to completely ruin the coach.

Drenched seats with alcohol.
Toilet actually broken.
Taps broken.
Food everywhere.

I had to stop on A27 and use a megaphone because the PA system would not overcome their loudness, to tell them all to sit down because they were all standing up and shouting, singing & drinking.

I dropped them off and went to the Marina to check damage and this is what I found. I spoke to the team leader and told them I wasn’t taking them back. Absolutely disgraceful. These are meant to be nightclub STAFF. What do you guys think?

Afternoon all. I am a bus driver but now wants to leave and wants to work for national express. Could you please guys tell me if driving for national express is better than driving buses? I mean what's the main difference? If someone switched from driving buses to coaches then are they finding better than buses? Thank you.

Hello, This is regarding to the coach sideways stuck on the road. For all we know, there may have been a problem ahead i.e accident and the driver had no choice but to attempt to turn round or do a mile long reverse. Clearly the driver has had to take this action and accidentally done this so, to the driver I support you and hope your okay and no backlash comes of this.

A bit of assistance please.
What is the traffic law regarding picking up passengers, between temporary lights at road works?
I've tried to find what the law is but with no success
Been told to stop and pick passengers up
Thanks

Long shot and sounds daft to most of y'all. What's the best satnav to get that won't break the bank? As obviously Google maps isn't really the tool for us. Either mobile app or unit for consideration.

Afternoon guys, Is anyone here work for First? How's 3 weeks on furlough going? Thanks.

Do a local run from Oakham to Stamford, every hour, I'm supposed to drop off, mainly elderly at this stop were the coach is parked, asked him nicely if he could move to were he is supposed to park, 20 meters away, 4 hours later, he still there, this made it very difficult for the vulnerable, asked him again, he got very abusive, started swearing, said he can park were he likes, told me he had permission from my gaffer, REALLY, told me I was a jobs worth, should this man really be driving, should a vile man, when I drive coaches I'll always park were I am allocated, and do everything I can to help others out. 😡

Hello. Received an offer for trainee driver position yesterday! Properly excited for the change of career. Any advice you guys have for me?

Hi all, quick question about medical and teaching the great age of 45, I know medicals are very 5 years but how soon should I have one when I’ve just turned 45? Company doesn’t know and getting into DVLA is a nightmare. Thanks 😊

So I’m about to learn how to drive a bus as I got offered a job at first the other day. Is there any tips or anything I should know that could help me?
Thank you

Right guys, can someone help please? Am going in the morning to the Iow till Friday, I never been there, but need to do a tour of the island, to include Alum bay and Godshill a must, got 6 hours to do it in leaving from Sandown then Shanklin, any help on getting round, where to maybe stop etc. would be a massive help. Tia.

Hi there folks, I'm currently in a bit of a sticky situation where basically I've just applied to work for Stagecoach east Scotland and been successful however now I'm starting to regret it due to what others have been saying and pissing on my parade. My question basically is what is it like in the life of a driver, I currently work as a carer so huge change of career in something I've never done before and do work long shifts (15 hrs) so when I'm told it's long days, that doesn't really phase me. I just want to know the home truths that obviously the interviews aren't gonna tell me. I wanna know all the ins and outs and basically the life of a drive like I say. Any light on this would be hugely appreciated! Cheers in advance!

Hi, Don't know if this have been asked before.
If you crash your bus while driving do you need to report it to your personal insurance company. I'm having a debate with a friend.
My view is no because it's not your personal car and the company I work for has their own insurance company.
He says yes because if a insurance company runs a check on you it will show up.
What details do you have to give your company if you crash a bus. Would it be like driving license number and such

I'm really getting to the point of quitting my bus driving job - the abuse from passengers is something else!
Shameful!
Been reduced to tears is not part of my god dam job!
I am a working mom of nine. The abuse recently has been something else the thought of going to work later actually makes me feel sick! 😞

Evening all, Anyone know the recent situation with Cleveland Bridge in Bath yet please? Cheers guys

Hello guys. I been in the buses industry for more than 10 years as driver! I’m thinking to switch to coaches is worthy? Or shall I stay as I am? Any advice will be much appreciated. Tia.

Hi. Thoughts on tap on/tap off?? Waste of money if you ask me, only seen a handful use it because driver asked them to. That money could of gone else where!

Hi everyone. Why is the 620 late every day between 11 - 45 and 12 - 30 then 3 bus together Tossers

Afternoon folks!
Can somebody please advise me on the rules about children standing up on coaches as all seats are full.
Thanks Darro

Hi all. The Ultra Low Emission Zone ULEZ is expanding across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023. Although this may be the policy that ends Mayor Sadiq Khan’s political career, it is still will be going ahead despite pressure from his party. Make sure your vehicle is compliant or pay £100 per day for HGVs and busses or £12.5 for non-compliant cars. You can put in your registration and find out if you have to pay below 👇🏼

Good Afternoon All, Need some advice, What are national express coaches like to work for? Is it good? Tia.

Hi all, so you drive into a drop off point, you know you have 6 passengers to drop off. You open the doors, turn on the lights and announce you’re at Nottingham. No one moves, you walk the entire length of the coach asking where people are going to, with little or no response. You then set off for your next destination, in my case this was chesterfield. 300yds up the road 4 passengers said they wanted Nottingham and wanted to get off. I said they were too late and because I’d announced and asked people where they were going the next stop would be Chesterfield. Which is where I dropped them. Would you do the same or just stop and open the doors asap???

Good Afternoon All, Quick question what time does West ramp stop charging you please? Thanks

Right. You guys of so many years experience of travelling to Europe. Dover at the weekend was horrific. Many blaming Brexit. Probably many doing a first skiing trip. This is all down to the French checking passports as your entering French territory so at the end of the day/weekend don't blame Brexit blame the French. It's been like this for years, way before Brexit. Also look at the ferry operators that have taken the bookings for that specific day that you travel. Is that down to Brexit? Is it bollocks. It's down to greed within the operators to take as many bookings as they can. It's not the government's fault it's not Brexit it's down to the ferry operators and the French simple as that. Stop moaning about sh*t. If you can't make your job in the correct hours then stop the coach and say you will carry on 9 hours later. It's your licence it's your job. F**k your boss, sod what your next door neighbors dogs boyfriend does.

Keep legal, keep safe,
Just work the legal hours you can.

Question, if a member of the public, forces his way violently on to your coach, to attack passengers, barges you out the way, and swings to attack a passenger who also happens to be your family member, how would you react?

Hello. Where the best to drop off at Southend on sea meant to be near the pier luckily been told to park by the old gas works near the sea life centre

Need to take a double decker 15m long tri axle under this bridge. I know the sign says 13 foot 3 inches but, it does look extremely low. Where is the 13'3 measured from? Its on the A371 in Winscombe

Hi all,
Leaving on my first tour, for Ireland on Monday 7th and get back on the 20th, that’s obviously more than 10 days so I’ve gotta have a 45hr break in the middle, to stretch for the 13 days,
Also what documents does the coach have to have, heard something about waybills? Are they still a thing?
Thanks all

Hello. Going to Brighton tomorrow was looking to Park on madeira drive but looks like I can only drive in from pier, at the end is a dead end. My question, is there enough room to turn a coach around at the end so I'm facing back up to the pier again? I'm in a 61 seater

Afternoon, Having a conversation with another driver about our journeys down to Croatia with you know who,
coach operators seem to have different ideas about two drivers getting down there in 21 hours, l stand corrected that if you start your 21 hours either at Dover or Stop 24 it probably is a miracle, if you make it in 21 hours, l know when l have met the coach at City Europe (Calais) it has been a close call getting to Croatia in the 21 hours.
Even travelling through Slovenia into Croatia, l have found the Slovenian Ministry very hot on checking paperwork especially registration for VAT.

Help needed, next Wednesday dropping a group off in Westminster area bout 10, but not picking them up till half 9 in the evening. Is there anywhere close that's long stay for coaches? (I don't want to stay with the coach for 9 hours) I know about Bayswater Road but was hoping for somewhere between Westminster and where the accommodation is in Dulwich? Thanks all.

Hi. If you were with a work colleague in a works vehicle, which your work colleague was driving at the time and they were vaping and texting at the same time as driving at speeds of 60 - 70mph what would you do as the passenger / employee of the company?
I’ve been in some tricky situations in my life but nearly hitting 20 odd artics in the space of 10 minutes scared the living daylights out of me. Without giving names I reported the incident to my boss. I’ve reported previously to him about smoking in company cars. I don’t smoke but have to suffer from those that think it’s ok in company vehicles if no management is around. Management response is nothing they can do about it. The law is very clear on smoking nowadays especially in places of work. My boss wants me to name names, this puts me in a difficult position, morally I don’t want anyone to lose their job, which the boss has said will happen, it will no doubt create an uncomfortable workplace environment for the rest of the...

Hi, I feel a bit guilty as had for the first time kick 6 people off my Coach for fighting, left them at a safe place but was around - 1 as this is the first time I have had to do this and doing the job now for 7 years did I do the right thing?

Any advice for first time doing ski trip? I am double manning with an experienced person just wanted an heads up. TIA

By now all Professional Vocational Truck and ‘Bus Drivers should have received a communication from the Government regarding the Driver’s Certificate of Professional Competence..
They seem to have missed off..
4. Scrap the scheme as it is an expensive, complete waste of everybody time and effort which is also is a serious barrier to anybody wishing to drive professionally for a living..