Saying thank you to bus drivers

[GodAtum]

If I'm exiting at the front I always say thanks but if I'm exiting via the rear I just nod my head. What do other members do?

 

[jon0844]

Pretty much the same, although less so exiting from the middle or end doors on a crowded London bus - especially if it is a driver that uses the accelerator and break pedals like on/off switches!!

I suppose you might thank such a driver for not killing you in those circumstances.

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[142094]

Depends where I am - only one door on buses in Newcastle. ftr in York has two doors, although the driver wouldn't be able to hear (seperated from everyone else). Sometimes thank the conductor but depends whereabouts on the bus they are.

 

[jon0844]

I wonder if this is why London bus drivers always seem incredibly miserable, and show a real hatred towards passengers - given the way they seem intent on knocking them over whenever possible by the sudden stop/start movements (and not because of heavy traffic). The fact is they are disconnected from passengers most of the time, behind the security screens, and rarely get a thank you.

On rural services, people get to know their drivers (and vice versa) and while there are still some rotten apples, most actually appear to enjoy the job.

 

[142094]

Quite possibly. It seems the bigger the company, the more miserable the drivers (of course I'm not tarring all drivers with the same brush). Perhaps this is down to pay and working conditions? With the smaller operators I find that they are more welcming of your customer as they know that they probably wouldn't survive as a company if they were miserable all the time.

 

[jon0844]

One thing I realised very early on in life is that if you become miserable in your job, it becomes hell. If you try and remain happy and think positive, your day goes a lot quicker.

Being nice to passengers, and ignoring the inevitable a*****e passengers, makes your job a million times better.

 

[Ivo]

Say "Thank You" when alighting at the front, unless they have been rude to me in which case I would think twice (and deervedly so on their part), or - if exiting via the rear door - by giving a hand signal along the lines of those given by drivers when given priority by other drivers in the opposite direction. And the latter is a good one when every other bus you use is articulated...

 

[deltic1989]

I tend to say something along the lines of " cheers, mind how you go" or "thank you Driver". Unless they have tried to use the speed humps in my area as take off ramps. In Lincoln our buses only have a front door so its easier to give a verbal salutation. I just find its polite. Also if I think that a Driver has done particularly well (being very helpful to passengers in need and such) then I will be sure to pass on my compliments to the management, (usually via my Mum who works for Stagecoach East Midlands)

 

[SS4]

I say thank you whenever I get off at the front (which is common in Birmingham, iirc only the 67 has rear/middle doors). It's good manners for a service you received

 

[gordonthemoron]

In the midlands & north I say thanks, in London I don't bother. Don't think I've said anything outside UK

 

[stut]

Always say thankyou in the UK, unless it's somewhere with rear doors, like London. I also always greet the driver when boarding, it would seem odd not to.

Abroad, I follow others' lead. Always try to say 'hello' anyway.

 

[matt22000]

In Dublin, most if not all passangers say thankyou to the driver, exiting at the front.

Tourists always seem perplexed at this strange custom!

 

[jon0844]

I can't think of a time when I haven't thanked the driver, if the opportunity was there, as even if the driver drove like an arse or was generally rude, I wouldn't give him or her the pleasure of thinking I was the bad one!

 

[WestCoast]

I only thank them if they have been pleasant and driven satisfactorily. Tend to do everywhere but London; partly because of the rear doors and partly because the drivers hardly ever seem to speak to people in London. It's customary in every other part of the UK it seems, particularly in towns and in the country.

 

[transportphoto]

I have once got off a bus - only pax and driver was going for break so the bus behind was picking up, he was set down only.

"Thanks for the deviation off route, even though should something had happened you wouldn't have been insured!"

I then pointed the deviation out to the company and that particular driver got his wrist slapped.

But generally - where the operability is there I always say "Thanks" as I get off and sometimes get 'Ok, cheers, ta' in response which is nice!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Note that the deviation was becoming a regular thing with that driver

 

[yorksrob]

Usually I do. If I get a sarky attitude from the driver I dont. For example:

Bus stops behind another bus.
I walk towards the rear bus to catch it.
Driver begins to pull away.
I begin to run, flailing my arms to get the bus drivers attention.
Bus driver stops and intones aggressively "Why didn't you wait for the bus at the stop over there"
I reply "because you stopped the bus here".

Bus driver fortunate not to be told to shove his vehicle up where the sun don't shine.

 

[Techniquest]

Generally speaking, always thank the driver, difficult to do when getting off through the rear door in London. I usually try to bellow it as getting off a bus in London, then after a couple of times I realise it's pointless and give up.

 

[142094]

"Thanks for the deviation off route, even though should something had happened you wouldn't have been insured!"

Is that even correct? What happens when there are unforseen circumstances, such as a crash and the driver has to take an alternative route?

 

[transportphoto]

Such deviations have to be authorized by their control room, without a record of such been authorized by control the insurance is invalidated. (Heard that from another few drivers from both same / different companies.)

 

[SS4]

Generally speaking, always thank the driver, difficult to do when getting off through the rear door in London. I usually try to bellow it as getting off a bus in London, then after a couple of times I realise it's pointless and give up.

I tend to use hand signals when getting off the back such as raising the palm or giving a thumbs up

 

[Dennis]

I'll normally mutter something to the driver when disembarking unless it is a rateable vehicle which merits a big thumbs up and "nice motor" comment

 

[route101]

i always do or ill feel really guilty. On the late evening First Glasgow 66s i even get a thanks from the driver.

 

[07andrew]

I just say "Cheers Pal" to the drivers but they don't say anything back, after I took time to open my mouth to say thank you.

 

[StoneRoad]

usually "Cheers" or "Thanks"

if the driver has been better than usual then I'll try and acknowledge that in some way, and the reverse as well!

If I see exceptional service then I may well inform the operator.
(there are quite a few around my usual haunts)

Most companies seem to get rather more complaints than compliments, so I try to even things up......

 

[Daniel]

Verbal thanks if exiting via rear doors.

If exiting via the middle, usually look towards the front as the driver is generally watching the back doors rather than the front via the mirror, either a nod or a wave, (and a ta-drive on the shorter single deck buses).

Bendys if going via the rear - a quick wave to no-one, as bendy drivers mointor the rear doors via CCTV, so if they're gonna see it, that's how.

 

[martinsh]

If I'm exiting at the front I always say thanks but if I'm exiting via the rear I just nod my head. What do other members do?

Ah, but do you do it in Polish (Dziękuję), if the driver is Polish ? Have got one or two strange looks doing this !!

Also I sometimes say it in Latvian (Paldies) just for a change to see if they are listening. Usually they don't notice.

 

[bus man]

If iam exiting at the front and the experiance as been good ie good driving pleaseant attitude from driver then I will say Thank You.

If on the other hand it hasnt then I don't .

 

[Tom B]

I always say "thanks driver" although in London this often gets you incredulous looks - as does getting on and saying "morning". The exception is where the driver has acted like an idiot - e.g. driving badly, smoking, playing the broken ticket machine card etc.

 

[ReverendFozz]

i always say good morning/afternoon, thank you when i recieve the bus ticket and always say thank you, goodbye, have a good day as i get off, even if the driver is an arsehole, basically wont drop to his level by having the attitude he has, as i am better and try to rise above that.

when i get off i will mostly always say thank you mate, cheers fella, cheers squire or simply thanks mr driver

i even said gracias senor on a bus in benidorm and sil vous plait monsieur on buses in calais and paris

 

[WillPS]

Always say thank you. Rarely get any middle-doored buses any more, but when we did I'd try a wave or something.

I always do the same when getting off a train in the guard/drivers vicinity.