Arriva Southern Counties

[RogerOut]

Hi Guys,

Currently an existing bus driver in London but not Arriva. Fed up of commuting there after 5 years so looking at working nearer to home. Tunbridge Wells is my nearest depot, 30minutes away ,as is Maidstone. My question is, what’s the pay like, do you have to wait ‘x’ amount of years to get it? Do they block book your holidays, like my current place does? Are they generally ok to work for?
I’m aware Arriva are or were up for sale but they will need staff surely whatever happens? They are also advertising.
Many thanks, Roger Out

 

[Bucephalus]

You should ask one of the drivers at the stand whilst they're smoking. I've obtained some useful info about other operators that way.

A 30 minute drive might offset the wage drop as you'll lose your seniority so it's a case of doing the maths and weighing it up. It's worth considering your own personal time and wear and tear on your vehicle as cost too

 

[RogerOut]

I did think about asking the drivers, only thing is I don’t live near the terminus so the buses just go through, rather than have time to stop and wait.
I’m getting fed up with the hour drive to my London depot and the working every Boxing Day for the last 5 years.

 

[RogerOut]

Anyone else work for Arriva? Bump

 

[RogerOut]

Sorry bump again guys. Anyone ever worked at Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells depots? A good place to work?

 

[Gareth1980]

Sorry bump again guys. Anyone ever worked at Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells depots? A good place to work?

not this two depots, However Gillingham pay £11.64 after 2 years... I know a driver out of there...

 

[M803UYA]

Sorry bump again guys. Anyone ever worked at Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells depots? A good place to work?

Southern Counties is among the worst of the arriva companies. I had the worst year of my career working there at Head office having been poached from elsewhere.
Fleet is ancient and unreliable, driver duties rota's changed on average every 8 weeks. Timetables are gamed tightly, meaning you will drive a full stint under domestic hours. I guess that might be true elsewhere but honestly there are better places to work for.

 

[Gareth1980]

Southern Counties is among the worst of the arriva companies. I had the worst year of my career working there at Head office having been poached from elsewhere.
Fleet is ancient and unreliable, driver duties rota's changed on average every 8 weeks. Timetables are gamed tightly, meaning you will drive a full stint under domestic hours. I guess that might be true elsewhere but honestly there are better places to work for.

I understand that timetables are indeed rather tight, although my friend likes this...

You do get plenty variety route wise I gather.

 

[Antman]

Sorry bump again guys. Anyone ever worked at Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells depots? A good place to work?

I know someone who worked at Tunbridge Wells for years and he was quite happy there, different people will have different opinions.

 

[RogerOut]

I know Tunbridge Wells moved to a new depot near the retail park a few years back. I don’t think they ren that many routes there from what I gather.

 

[M803UYA]

I know Tunbridge Wells moved to a new depot near the retail park a few years back. I don’t think they ren that many routes there from what I gather.

Maidstone and TW don't/didn't get much of the 'new' fleet, the double deckers are especially old.
IMO I would look at the smaller operators in your area (Compass/Go Coach?) - I find smaller operators better to work for, as more personal and you get to know your customers. It depends what you look for from work - people will have different experiences of a company, mine wasn't positive but that doesn't mean it'd not work for you.
I guess you'd reduce your commuting costs but that would be at the expense of your hourly rate.

 

[RogerOut]

Go- Coach are in Sevenoaks and Swanley, atleast they were. Didn’t they take a lot of commercial routes from Arriva? What are they like?

 

[M803UYA]

Go- Coach are in Sevenoaks and Swanley, atleast they were. Didn’t they take a lot of commercial routes from Arriva? What are they like?

They seem to be a decent enough operation, though I've not worked for them. I think a good starting point could be to give them a call.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Will be interesting to see if these operators are recruiting at the moment.

 

[RogerOut]

Not sure anyone is recruiting right now, I’m still at my place. Like I said , Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells are my closest depots , I’d assume maybe Tunbridge Wells is the better of the two? Go coach is a good company by all accounts but still not too far from where I am already so no point going there for a pay cut.
When I was at Bromley north station many moons ago, a 402 driver seemed happy enough, although I understand the route was cut some time back.

 

[Bucephalus]

I guess the situation will be what you make of it. There are about 4 bus garages that are closer to me than mine but I have friends here and chilled out management. We also have rest-days on tap