Bus Drivers' Rough Driving

[TheGrandWazoo]

For the most part, I think the drivers are generally ok, and it's generally the vehicle that is responsible. Wright Streetlites are one design that causes a few issues. Gearboxes are often not set up right, so you get very jerky gear changes especially as vehicles struggle to find the appropriate gear. That can be solved - been on a few recently where gear shift has been fine. However, braking and retarders does seem to be a perennial problem and that is compounded by the lightweight construction so ride quality does suffer.

There have been a couple of times in recent years where I've genuinely been concerned by driving standards, and oddly both were trips to Bilston in the West Midlands. One was a Diamond driver on an e200 from Willenhall who seemed to aim the vehicle rather than drive it, whereas Banga Travel had a Solo racing through the back streets of Wolverhampton like a go kart.

My late father started driving Bristol L5Gs and went through the LS, MW, LH, RE eras and finished off driving Olympians and Optare Vectas/Metroriders so from crash gearboxes and heavy steering to push-button driving.

 

[Geordie driver]

For the most part, I think the drivers are generally ok, and it's generally the vehicle that is responsible. Wright Streetlites are one design that causes a few issues. Gearboxes are often not set up right, so you get very jerky gear changes especially as vehicles struggle to find the appropriate gear. That can be solved - been on a few recently where gear shift has been fine. However, braking and retarders does seem to be a perennial problem and that is compounded by the lightweight construction so ride quality does suffer.

In my direct experience, if you complain to the company about the ride quality on these vehicles, they will invariably blame the driver and say they will speak to them. They won't speak to them because they know it's not the drivers fault.

Despite the company knowing full well it's down the their procurement and maintenance choices. The same goes for heaters on in summer and off in winter.

Would anyone accept this in their own vehicle? Why is it ok for bus passengers?

So passengers sit there seething at the driver who they believe is going out of their way to provide a poor service. Drivers then get stick for something they are not to blame for.

Company then wonders why it can't retain drivers.

 

[M803UYA]

So passengers sit there seething at the driver who they believe is going out of their way to provide a poor service. Drivers then get stick for something they are not to blame for.

Company then wonders why it can't retain drivers.

Add into the mix these telematics devices which may, or may not be set up correctly and you've hit the nail on the head as to why there is a shortage of drivers.

 

[Gloster]

Four or five years ago I was in one of Southern Vectis’ small single-decker (Enviro 200?) of the type that they transferred to morebus on a 9 going up Staplers Road, not a normal route for them. The whole way up the hill the bus would accelerate, change up, lose too much speed during the change, be forced to change down, and then start to accelerate again.

 

[baza585]

Four or five years ago I was in one of Southern Vectis’ small single-decker (Enviro 200?) of the type that they transferred to morebus on a 9 going up Staplers Road, not a normal route for them. The whole way up the hill the bus would accelerate, change up, lose too much speed during the change, be forced to change down, and then start to accelerate again.

Yes this batch is awful for this. I think it has Astronic gearboxes. Southern Vectis drivers were allegedly delighted when they were transferred to the mainland. Not sure if it is the setup but the whole batch do this, it's not the drivers.

Worse than any Streetlite I have been on ......

 

[eh1]

I find applying the handbrake just as you come to a stop is generally the best to bring the bus to a gentle stop. It seems to be a normal practise amongst my company's depots. Do other drivers tend to do this? If you apply too early it can produce a jolt!

 

[185]

Drive green has a speeding report now, and at FirstGroup at least it gets a “please explain” type conversation with management.

And a mass exodus of their staff to all the other firms or onto the wagons.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And a mass exodus of their staff to all the other firms or onto the wagons.

You don't think that major freight/logistics firms don't have similar telematics/incab systems?

 

[Geordie driver]

You don't think that major freight/logistics firms don't have similar telematics/incab systems?

I am sure they do, but they won't have employers who lie at the drop of a hat, or passengers berating you as a result of those lies.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I am sure they do, but they won't have employers who lie at the drop of a hat, or passengers berating you as a result of those lies.

Shall I put you in touch with my good friend who might tell you something markedly different?

Shirty front desk supervisors? Store managers lying? Ridiculous routeing? Vehicles that technically legal but with damage in cabs, and are being double shifted so the oil never gets cold? Being cut up by other drivers as 26 tonners can clearly stop on a dime? My mate had to be cut out of his cab after someone had got impatient, overtook, then realised they wanted to turn right so stopped immediately. My mate had to take evasive action so onto a verge that then gave way, and the car driver denied it happened.

Please, please don't think it's a bed of roses as an HGV driver. Money is better but the job is often a lot harder.

 

[Tevion539]

No. As operators have cut back running times and minimal time at the terminus over the years the drivers have adapted to make the best of it.

I was a strong believer of take your time and the late running will force them to add more time in eventually. The operator I worked for didn't care so the late running continued and the ragging round to try and get home vaguely on time (or get time for a smoke) continues to this day unfortunately.

We had the same at First Cymru. Sad really.

 

[Geordie driver]

Shall I put you in touch with my good friend who might tell you something markedly different?

Shirty front desk supervisors? Store managers lying? Ridiculous routeing? Vehicles that technically legal but with damage in cabs, and are being double shifted so the oil never gets cold? Being cut up by other drivers as 26 tonners can clearly stop on a dime? My mate had to be cut out of his cab after someone had got impatient, overtook, then realised they wanted to turn right so stopped immediately. My mate had to take evasive action so onto a verge that then gave way, and the car driver denied it happened.

Please, please don't think it's a bed of roses as an HGV driver. Money is better but the job is often a lot harder.

I don't know a single person who has left for HGV who has returned to bus driving.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I don't know a single person who has left for HGV who has returned to bus driving.

I know of at least two, the majority of people I know who have switched to HGV driving are constantly moaning (rightfully) about the woes of the job - late home, unexpectedly away from home without overnight facilities in or out of the truck, having to sleep overnight 12 miles from the yard as they're out of hours, waiting hours to be loaded/unloaded, shirty office staff, site managers or staff being aggressive or demanding the impossible.. so on and so on.

The advertised hourly rates are better but I easily earn more than most of them with minimal overtime and I'm home every night with shorter shifts.

As far as being on topic, no drivers are not trained to drive this way. The OPs experience with one company isn't at all representative and is quite frankly insulting to PCV holders.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I don't know a single person who has left for HGV who has returned to bus driving.

I guess the money helps Seriously, that's as may be but if you're making out the HGV world doesn't have some of the same faults as the PCV world, that's not necessarily correct. In much the same way, drivers are micro-managed with in-cab systems - all the usual things about harsh braking, acceleration and fuel economy, idling. In fact, large logistics companies and supermarkets were way ahead of the bus industry in introducing that tech.

As always, they'll be small firms (in either facet) who simply trust their drivers and as long as they're not having prangs etc, they're happy to let them manage themselves.

I know of at least two, the majority of people I know who have switched to HGV driving are constantly moaning (rightfully) about the woes of the job - late home, unexpectedly away from home without overnight facilities in or out of the truck, having to sleep overnight 12 miles from the yard as they're out of hours, waiting hours to be loaded/unloaded, shirty office staff, site managers or staff being aggressive or demanding the impossible.. so on and so on.

The advertised hourly rates are better but I easily earn more than most of them with minimal overtime and I'm home every night with shorter shifts.

As far as being on topic, no drivers are not trained to drive this way. The OPs experience with one company isn't at all representative and is quite frankly insulting to PCV holders.

Exactly. There is generally more money available driving HGVs but there's plenty of downsides too.

In relation to your final point, drivers are human; most are very good but some foibles and weaknesses and personal traits. Those are generally and thankfully rare.