Best bus / coach company to work for?

[notadriver]

I'm looking for examples of bus or coach companies that treat their drivers well, don't work their drivers too hard and pay decently and I'm not joking - I'm sure they exist.

I'm voting for Metroline - as they seem to be one of the highest paying bus conpanies in London. The night bus rota pays £25 an hour and you do 5 shifts of 6h30.

Any others ?

 

[Alistair G.]

That is an amazing rate of pay but then having read some of horror stories of drivers being attacked on the night buses I guess it's not for everyone.

I worked for de Courcey travel, Coventry. Rubbish pay, rubbish management, rubbish conditions and so disorganised u wouldn't believe it..... I would putthem somewhere near the bottom of your list!.

 

[Antman]

I'm looking for examples of bus or coach companies that treat their drivers well, don't work their drivers too hard and pay decently and I'm not joking - I'm sure they exist.

I'm voting for Metroline - as they seem to be one of the highest paying bus conpanies in London. The night bus rota pays £25 an hour and you do 5 shifts of 6h30.

Any others ?

Are you sure Metroline pay £25 an hour?

I know a night driver who works for another London bus operator and he doesn't get anything like that.

 

[BestWestern]

Brighton & Hove always seen to be reasonably well regarded. Pay rates are towards the better end of the scale I believe, and Go Ahead seem to plough lots of investment into decent vehicles. It is rather like a mini London operation, which may explain why I suppose.

Undoubtedly anything with pink swoops (or its awful replacement) will be crap.

 

[Busaholic]

That is an amazing rate of pay but then having read some of horror stories of drivers being attacked on the night buses I guess it's not for everyone.

I worked for de Courcey travel, Coventry. Rubbish pay, rubbish management, rubbish conditions and so disorganised u wouldn't believe it..... I would putthem somewhere near the bottom of your list!.

At least on Metroline the driver is unlikely to get attacked behind the security screens all London buses have.

 

[Alistair G.]

At least on Metroline the driver is unlikely to get attacked behind the security screens all London buses have.

Sorry, when I said attacked I was thinking more verbally with all the drunks, but even with a security screen I still wouldn't feel brilliantly safe!.

 

[GatwickDepress]

How do Arriva, First, and Stagecoach compare to each other on the whole?

 

[notadriver]

I think stagecoach are the best - they pay the highest and have the newest vehicles.

 

[Robertj21a]

I think stagecoach are the best - they pay the highest and have the newest vehicles.

Stagecoach also have the best reputation in the industry, the most professional management, and an excellent reputation for innovation. They're definitely at 'Number 1' position in the league - with a big gap before all the others.

 

[vicbury]

Stagecoach also have the best reputation in the industry, the most professional management, and an excellent reputation for innovation. They're definitely at 'Number 1' position in the league - with a big gap before all the others.

But of course this varies from region to region. First are much more innovative and professional in Bristol and Bath than Stagecoach are in Swindon. Some of Stagecoach's vehicles in Swindon are a disgrace!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

But of course this varies from region to region. First are much more innovative and professional in Bristol and Bath than Stagecoach are in Swindon. Some of Stagecoach's vehicles in Swindon are a disgrace!

I guess, on average, Stagecoach are the best of the big 5 but there will always be weaker firms. I actually think Stagecoach West are ok (even in Swindon); it's Stagecoach Wales that seem a bit duff, especially their retrenchment from the east (e.g. Evacuating Chepstow) whilst SC West have increased their presence in the Forest of Dean!

 

[Busaholic]

If the buses that First run in Devon and Cornwall were run by an independent I'm sure the S.W. Traffic Commissioner would have sent them packing: that's the influence a large company can have which may be unfair but is the way of the world.

 

[34D]

Stagecoach also have the best reputation in the industry, the most professional management, and an excellent reputation for innovation. They're definitely at 'Number 1' position in the league - with a big gap before all the others.

I would agree with this assessment.

 

[90019]

Lothian pay me £12.68 an hour to drive their buses about, which I'm pretty happy with.

Being on the four day rota is a bonus. The shifts are the longest in the company, with most being around 12 hours long (there are a handful of 11 hour ones) and being a single deck driver means my breaks aren't paid. But I don't mind as I only work four days a week (hence the name, duh) and with the current rota, I get a long weekend of six days every three weeks.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If the buses that First run in Devon and Cornwall were run by an independent I'm sure the S.W. Traffic Commissioner would have sent them packing: that's the influence a large company can have which may be unfair but is the way of the world.

They may be tatty but unless their maintenance record (esp. prohibitions and MOT failures) is poor, then neither the TC nor VOSA will be unduly concerned.

In the past, large operators have been dealt with heavily for transgressions. First Bristol got into trouble but the most serious was Stagecoach East Midland (I think) - granted it was c.2003 but seem to recall that heads rolled and vehicles were hurriedly drafted in.

 

[hassaanhc]

They may be tatty but unless their maintenance record (esp. prohibitions and MOT failures) is poor, then neither the TC nor VOSA will be unduly concerned.

In the past, large operators have been dealt with heavily for transgressions. First Bristol got into trouble but the most serious was Stagecoach East Midland (I think) - granted it was c.2003 but seem to recall that heads rolled and vehicles were hurriedly drafted in.

In 2009 First London were fined £400,000 for an accident in 2004, where a driver was killed when a bus moved unexpectedly due to a faulty gear selector, and it was found there were a total of 10 buses with the same fault http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/coilon1812.htm

In late 2008 First started having drivers seats specified with headrest and seatbelt, with the seat being trimmed in leather. Their assault screens were also designed to only have a tiny gap to place change, with the rest of it being sealed with no gaps.

 

[scotsman]

I quite like Hebridean Transport and Galson Motors. Exceptionally friendly drivers, and low fares!

 

[Stan Drews]

......that heads rolled and vehicles were hurriedly drafted in.

That seems to happen every 6 months or so at First Scotland East!!!!

 

[notadriver]

Lothian pay me £12.68 an hour to drive their buses about, which I'm pretty happy with.



Being on the four day rota is a bonus. The shifts are the longest in the company, with most being around 12 hours long (there are a handful of 11 hour ones) and being a single deck driver means my breaks aren't paid. But I don't mind as I only work four days a week (hence the name, duh) and with the current rota, I get a long weekend of six days every three weeks.

Do the double decker drivers get paid breaks or a higher hourly rate ?

 

[90019]

Do the double decker drivers get paid breaks or a higher hourly rate ?

Paid breaks and shorter shifts with the same hourly rate, but no option to work four days a week rather than five.

The four day is really the only reason to stay on the single decks,

 

[anthony263]

First Midland Red pay me £9.10 per hour on a 39 hour week here in Worcester.

 

[Liam]

I quite like Hebridean Transport and Galson Motors. Exceptionally friendly drivers, and low fares!

Couldn't agree more. I had a great trip on HT a few weeks ago from Stornoway down to the ferry at Leverburgh with the wonderful Calum at the wheel. Didn't even mind helping him carry his deliveries when changing from the coach to minibus at Tarbert.

The driver on the Postbus on North Uist was really nice too.