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'Traction' knowledge

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MotCO

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Reading various discussions on train driver traction knowledge, is there an equivalent for buses? My local routes have a mix of Enviro, Scania, MAN and Wright products - do the drivers have to be type-trained, or is it easy to drive any type of bus
 
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Teflon Lettuce

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MotCO said:
Reading various discussions on train driver traction knowledge, is there an equivalent for buses? My local routes have a mix of Enviro, Scania, MAN and Wright products - do the drivers have to be type-trained, or is it easy to drive any type of bus
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Years ago London Transport rules were that you couldn't drive any vehicle that you wasn't "type trained" for, and that training took half a day.
When I passed my test with an ex-NBC company back in 1995 the day after passing my test I was given type training on all of the different types at our depot {Bristol VR, Leyland Olympian, Volvo B6 and Merc L608}... in reality that consisted of a [very] quick explanation of the different controls/ switches and a 2-3 mile drive... all of which took about half a day

At the last company I worked for it was a case of being sent out on my first day with another driver... and all route learning/ type training was done "on the job" with passengers... at that company we had MAN's and tbh not one single driver had any real idea how the heating/ air cooling system worked {anyone who's driven MAN's will confirm it is a ridiculously complicated set up to control} which led to me feeling extremely idiotic on many an occasion when passengers complained that it was too hot/ cold... and I had no idea how to adjust the controls to improve the situation!

As to whether it is easy to drive any type of bus, I assume you mean "once you've driven one type is it just the same as driving any other type?" to which the answer is an emphatic NO. Controls on different types are in different places just like they are in different cars... Optares have the indicator stalk and wiper stalks on the left and also have a seperate stalk for the main beam/ dip with a button on for the flash... ADL vehicles have a combined indicator/wiper/ mainbeam stalk on the RIGHT! door controls can be in different places.. some types have one button for the doors... some have seperate buttons for open and close....

then there are the warning lights... some manufacturers make it easy and put in warning lights that are easy to understand what they mean... some other manufacturers think that you have a degree in hieroglyphics {DAF are particularly bad for this}
 
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carlberry

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MotCO said:
Reading various discussions on train driver traction knowledge, is there an equivalent for buses? My local routes have a mix of Enviro, Scania, MAN and Wright products - do the drivers have to be type-trained, or is it easy to drive any type of bus
Click to expand...
In reality it's much like cars in that you'd want to take a few minutes to find where the controls are etc before driving a different type so in that way it's easy.

However bigger companies will have various rules or agreements with the unions about how much type training would be required (which is never going to be as much as the railways need).

Most drivers would prefer not to have a bus full of passengers waiting whilst they worked out a series of interlocks for a door, or worrying as they realised that the brakes aren't quite as effective on this type as they're used to!
 
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philthetube

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You should know where the fuel cut off is, the emergency door locations and how they open, including where the hammers are. Also where the fire extinguisher is and how to operate it
 
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Swanny200

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Teflon Lettuce said:
Years ago London Transport rules were that you couldn't drive any vehicle that you wasn't "type trained" for, and that training took half a day.
When I passed my test with an ex-NBC company back in 1995 the day after passing my test I was given type training on all of the different types at our depot {Bristol VR, Leyland Olympian, Volvo B6 and Merc L608}... in reality that consisted of a [very] quick explanation of the different controls/ switches and a 2-3 mile drive... all of which took about half a day

At the last company I worked for it was a case of being sent out on my first day with another driver... and all route learning/ type training was done "on the job" with passengers... at that company we had MAN's and tbh not one single driver had any real idea how the heating/ air cooling system worked {anyone who's driven MAN's will confirm it is a ridiculously complicated set up to control} which led to me feeling extremely idiotic on many an occasion when passengers complained that it was too hot/ cold... and I had no idea how to adjust the controls to improve the situation!

As to whether it is easy to drive any type of bus, I assume you mean "once you've driven one type is it just the same as driving any other type?" to which the answer is an emphatic NO. Controls on different types are in different places just like they are in different cars... Optares have the indicator stalk and wiper stalks on the left and also have a seperate stalk for the main beam/ dip with a button on for the flash... ADL vehicles have a combined indicator/wiper/ mainbeam stalk on the RIGHT! door controls can be in different places.. some types have one button for the doors... some have seperate buttons for open and close....

then there are the warning lights... some manufacturers make it easy and put in warning lights that are easy to understand what they mean... some other manufacturers think that you have a degree in hieroglyphics {DAF are particularly bad for this}
Click to expand...

TL, the ex NBC company, from the sounds of the fleet you were learning, it wasn't Maidstone and District per chance?
 
Highlandspring

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The first question from the examiner when I did my PCV test, before we’d even got into the vehicle, was “please show me the emergency fuel cut off”. I didn’t have a clue as it was the only thing I’d never been shown while I was learning and I’d never thought to ask! I did pass despite being unable to answer (it was recorded as one of my two minors).
 
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Eyersey468

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The company I work for gives you a day or two vehicle familiarisation when you pass your test and then any new vehicle types that appear you learn on the job
 
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Mwanesh

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You have just reminded me when i started bus driving during the Olympics.I did my licence private and cpc.I walked in on a Monday morning they were so short staffed that i only got on the bus drove it round the yard , reversed it and got told you are in service.I was given a map and they took off the ticket machine and say just todays special.The faces of the passengers most thought it was a joke .
 
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Teflon Lettuce

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Mwanesh said:
You have just reminded me when i started bus driving during the Olympics.I did my licence private and cpc.I walked in on a Monday morning they were so short staffed that i only got on the bus drove it round the yard , reversed it and got told you are in service.I was given a map and they took off the ticket machine and say just todays special.The faces of the passengers most thought it was a joke .
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it is an unfortunate part of bus driving.... if ever you dare to say that the training is inadequate because you haven't been type trained/ ticket trained/ route trained.. you are just given the standard response of "you're a professional driver... get on with it" Considering that a large majority of our bus services are operated by companies that also operate trains I'd really like to get hold of an MD or 2 at group board level and ask them would they say the same to a train driver? Seriously can you imagine a new starter being put in the cab of a strange locomotive and told "Euston's that way...."?
 
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Eyersey468

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Teflon Lettuce said:
it is an unfortunate part of bus driving.... if ever you dare to say that the training is inadequate because you haven't been type trained/ ticket trained/ route trained.. you are just given the standard response of "you're a professional driver... get on with it" Considering that a large majority of our bus services are operated by companies that also operate trains I'd really like to get hold of an MD or 2 at group board level and ask them would they say the same to a train driver? Seriously can you imagine a new starter being put in the cab of a strange locomotive and told "Euston's that way...."?
Click to expand...
The company I work for introduced a staff intranet a while ago which includes shifts, duties, route maps etc which helps when on an unfamiliar route, obviously you have to look the route up before setting off.
 
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Swanny200

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TL, it was only because I have fond memories of M&D that I asked and it was one of the only ones that I knew in 95 that had the VR's, B6's and Mercs at the same time, plus the olympians that they had were a little bit more than just a bog standard olympian.
 
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