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Becoming a new bus driver
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Eyersey468
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No it won't matter, they will route learn you on all the relevant routes before you are out on your own
Personally, I would say it's easier to learn routes if you already know the area a bit, and you will get passenger asking whether your bus goes to some place you've never heard of and isn't an official bus stop name, and it turns out to be the name of a pub that was demolished 10 years ago, and that sort of thing.
Having said that, there are plenty of people driving buses now and in the past who have moved country as well as town and got a job on the buses.
I know almost nothing about Newport or Newport Buses, but any reputable operator will offer route learning (as Eyersey468 has said) - this could involve video footage and written material with pictures of particular hazards to look out for (watch out for the trees on this road, the bus lane approaching that junction is just too narrow for a bus, you need to start steering at the exact moment the front of the bus is level with this lamp post to get round this awkward bend, and DON'T GO UNDER THAT LOW BRIDGE sort of stuff) as well as going out and seeing it from a bus.
Traditionally, new drivers were sent out to travel passenger on service buses to do route learning, it's becoming more common to be taken out driving the route with an instructor or experienced driver. Different people learn in different ways, and the latter makes it a bit hard to make notes or draw lines on a map or anything like that.
Are you going in as an existing PCV licence holder or a full trainee? Some operators might prefer someone who has a PCV but might need a bit more route learning than someone who needs full training.
Either way, if you find you're not comfortable with it all after initial route training, it's worth saying something - they would probably prefer you to have a bit longer on route learning rather than risk you getting lost / having accidents - although they might expect you to do some of it in your own time. (I once met a London Transport driver who would walk the entire route which must have taken a bit more time than LT allowed!)
Don't know enough about Newport Buses to say how they bring new drivers in. The traditional was that new drivers went 'on the spare' so could be expected to do more or less any route with any type of bus at a moment's notice on any day. Many operators now do try to give drivers an easier start - maybe starting off on a relatively simple route (or small group of routes), and / or having a week or so driving in service but with an experienced driver (some call it 'mentor' but the language varies) on the bus.
Best of luck.
Having said that, there are plenty of people driving buses now and in the past who have moved country as well as town and got a job on the buses.
I know almost nothing about Newport or Newport Buses, but any reputable operator will offer route learning (as Eyersey468 has said) - this could involve video footage and written material with pictures of particular hazards to look out for (watch out for the trees on this road, the bus lane approaching that junction is just too narrow for a bus, you need to start steering at the exact moment the front of the bus is level with this lamp post to get round this awkward bend, and DON'T GO UNDER THAT LOW BRIDGE sort of stuff) as well as going out and seeing it from a bus.
Traditionally, new drivers were sent out to travel passenger on service buses to do route learning, it's becoming more common to be taken out driving the route with an instructor or experienced driver. Different people learn in different ways, and the latter makes it a bit hard to make notes or draw lines on a map or anything like that.
Are you going in as an existing PCV licence holder or a full trainee? Some operators might prefer someone who has a PCV but might need a bit more route learning than someone who needs full training.
Either way, if you find you're not comfortable with it all after initial route training, it's worth saying something - they would probably prefer you to have a bit longer on route learning rather than risk you getting lost / having accidents - although they might expect you to do some of it in your own time. (I once met a London Transport driver who would walk the entire route which must have taken a bit more time than LT allowed!)
Don't know enough about Newport Buses to say how they bring new drivers in. The traditional was that new drivers went 'on the spare' so could be expected to do more or less any route with any type of bus at a moment's notice on any day. Many operators now do try to give drivers an easier start - maybe starting off on a relatively simple route (or small group of routes), and / or having a week or so driving in service but with an experienced driver (some call it 'mentor' but the language varies) on the bus.
Best of luck.
Eyersey468
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I agree it is easier to learn the routes if you have a bit of local knowledge but as I say it's not essential. When I started at East Yorkshire in 2007 new starters were on the midibus rota, these days they go out with a mentor.
Eyersey468
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Good luck with it.
James12
New Member
Hey guys and gals,
first time poster here. I’m interested in becoming a bus driver but my local depot won’t take me on but one for the same company the same distance away will, however I don’t have any local knowledge of the area. Would this make things difficult for me and what’s the best way to learn routes in a place you don’t know?
first time poster here. I’m interested in becoming a bus driver but my local depot won’t take me on but one for the same company the same distance away will, however I don’t have any local knowledge of the area. Would this make things difficult for me and what’s the best way to learn routes in a place you don’t know?
The company will show you all the routes.
It will be a little harder but you’ll soon pick it up. They train you on the routes but you can go and drive them in your car in your own time. Also drawing them out on paper or Google Maps helped me.
westcoaster
Established Member
Strava had a route plotter that you can create and save.
Eyersey468
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As others have said you will be route learned. Good luck with your new career, I've been in the industry since 2007, if you want any help or advice about anything feel free to PM me
They'll give you full route training, my friend started there recently as a PCV holder. Expect to do most routes (including schools) for a while until you get on a roster full time.
GusB
Established Member
As there were two very similar threads asking for advice about driving careers, I've merged them into one. Hopefully there shouldn't be any 'continuity' issues, but if there's a post that seems out of place, use the report function to let us know. Thanks 
Geordie driver
Member
I wouldn't worry too much about routes. Once you have driven them a couple of times it's a piece of cake. If it's a decent company they will pay you to learn them, but once or twice round maximum, no way I would route learn in my own time.
The first couple of weeks driving can be very wearing. It's the keeping to time and selling tickets bit that can seem a bit daunting, but it soon all slots into place; just don't let the public or your managers grind you down.
I still miss it a bit, it gets in your blood.
The first couple of weeks driving can be very wearing. It's the keeping to time and selling tickets bit that can seem a bit daunting, but it soon all slots into place; just don't let the public or your managers grind you down.
I still miss it a bit, it gets in your blood.
James12
New Member
Thanks for your help everyone!
Get the job in the other depot as time goes on transfer to the one near you.
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