Bus driver uniforms

[Qwerty133]

Good for them. I may be old fashioned but I do like to see proper shirts and ties (bonus points for eppeletts . I personally believe that professional drivers should dress in a professional manner.

Plenty of people manage to look scruffy in shirt and tie and plenty of others look professional in polo and shorts.
Overly tight or baggy clothing, and that which has not been cared for correctly (faded, creased, torn, stained etc) looks awful regardless of what the item of clothing is (although it is much more difficult to ruin some types than others).

 

[Poiuytre]

Plenty of people manage to look scruffy in shirt and tie and plenty of others look professional in polo and shorts.
Overly tight or baggy clothing, and that which has not been cared for correctly (faded, creased, torn, stained etc) looks awful regardless of what the item of clothing is (although it is much more difficult to ruin some types than others).

I do agree with you that many people do look scruffy in shirts or ties. But this is where managers need to have a quiet word with such people and replace any garments where needed, or try to help the employee where needed (poor appearance may be a sign of somone struggling at home due to an ill partner for example).

However generally, I firmly believe that drivers should wear shirts and ties - with some exceptions during particularly hot weather. PSV Operators need to make travelling on their vehicles an appealing option, presentation of both drivers and vehicles play an important part of that.

For me, specifying smart uniforms shows a certain degree of pride in serving your customers and value in your staff.

 

[SilentWatcher]

Good for them. I may be old fashioned but I do like to see proper shirts and ties (bonus points for eppeletts . I personally believe that professional drivers should dress in a professional manner.

Old fashioned, most definitely.

A driver's uniform should be designed with comfort and practicality in mind

 

[Poiuytre]

A driver's uniform should be designed with comfort and practicality in mind

Comfort and smartness can go hand in hand. If a shirt and tie is made of good quality breathable fabric and with plenty of space around the neck and shoulders for driving, I can't see why this wouldn't be comfortable for the vast majority of working situations. The problem seems to be if drivers simply have to order their uniforms off a tick sheet from a company like Dementions or Alexander's, without being able to get the right fit.

IMO Blazers have had their day, they're not particularly practical either worn or hanging in the cab. But a soft-shell jacket with shirt and tie seems to be the ideal balance of matching driver comfort with a good public image - providing the fit is right.

 

[greenline712]

Over the years I've worn many uniforms, both driving and controlling . . . and probably the most comfortable was a well-cut shirt, with epaulettes, and dark trousers, again properly fitted and in a decent fabric (no tie). For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not shaped like a model, with shoulders and so on, but a more "comfortable" shape!

Probably the worst was the NBC uniform, with woollen trousers and a shirt with pockets that should've been worn tucked in . . . google national bus company uniform and you'll see what I mean . . . awful!! After the long hot summer of 1975, we all complained so much that we were issued summer trousers in a lightweight fabric . . . and most of us wore them all year round until they fell apart!! We were issued with proper shirts as well, and the original "shirts" were worn as light jackets.

In my view, comfort is the most important . . . if you're uncomfortable, then you'll look scruffy, whatever you wear.

 

[GusB]

Comfort and smartness can go hand in hand. If a shirt and tie is made of good quality breathable fabric and with plenty of space around the neck and shoulders for driving, I can't see why this wouldn't be comfortable for the vast majority of working situations. The problem seems to be if drivers simply have to order their uniforms off a tick sheet from a company like Dementions or Alexander's, without being able to get the right fit.

Over the years the forum has had several threads about uniforms (rail included - there's a discussion about the wearing of shorts here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/hot-weather-toc-uniforms.288149/). While I've never worked in either industry, I have had to wear a uniform on numerous occasions and I find a polo shirt far more comfortable than a shirt and tie; I find the latter combination rather oppressive, to be honest.

I don't really care what uniform is worn, as long as customer-facing staff can be clearly identified as such and they deliver good customer service.

As a matter of interest, what you do you wear for work?

 

[Poiuytre]

As a matter of interest, what you do you wear for work?

I wear a shirt and tie. I've never found it be be uncomfortable personally.

 

[GusB]

I wear a shirt and tie. I've never found it be be uncomfortable personally.

If that's your own personal preference, fine, but don't assume that everyone else feels the same way. While I prefer a polo shirt, a cotton button-up shirt is fine (preferably with short sleeves), but don't expect me to wear a tie unless I absolutely have to!

 

[Wyrleybart]

Tend to see NXWM bus drivers more than others and they seems to be a mix of shirt and tie, and polo. I think that when NXWM introduced the Platinum brand the drivers all seemed to look very smart with collar and tie, but since NXWM have been branding everything silver grey IMHO the very smart Platinum brand has weakened.