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Welsh Recruitment

(continued from page 6) ….. public Service Vehicle Operator’s (PSV) Licence. Whilst the course was intensive, the training department of the company were brilliant and got me through both the theory and practical exams with no problems. After that was a period of time in which I had to learn and memorise the routes that I would be driving.

What would you consider to be the most rewarding part of your job?

I would definitely say that the most rewarding element of my job is when people thank you for helping them, for example those with heavy shopping or pushchairs. Also, it’s nice to be thanked for waiting for someone or just giving them a smooth ride home at the end of the day.

And the most challenging?

The most challenging part of the job is trying to keep to the detailed time schedules. There are a lot of roadworks around at the moment and this can mean a lot of heavy traffic and congestion.

What new skills and knowledge have you learned from your new job?

I have completed my NVQ which is a valuable qualification to have, but more importantly, I have learned how to be calm and patient with a variety of different people and personalities.

Do you work flexible shifts that fit around your home, life and family commitments?

The shifts change from week to week. This week I have been on mornings and next week I am on afternoons, with the weekend off in-between. The good thing about my schedule is that due to the rostering system, you know when you will be working weeks in advance. This makes it easy to plan your other commitments around your day. You can also swap a duty with another driver if there is something you need to do on a specific day, or have a pre-arranged appointment, for example.

What difficulties have you encountered working in a role that demands such high quality customer service?

You can sometimes get awkward passengers who will try to avoid paying their fare or who will try to use an invalid ticket, but all the buses have direct radio links to the bus station control room and assistance is readily available should you want it.

Do you think it helps to have previous experience working as a driver, or do you think it’s more a case of applying your own life experience along with the training scheme you received?

I don’t think you need any previous experience. As long as you have a valid UK driver’s licence, it all comes down to the training and your own common sense.

As a bus driver, you must meet some varied and interesting people on your rounds. Who was the most unusual traveler who got on your bus?

You meet all sorts of people each day, the majority of whom are really nice.
Unfortunately, there can be stories that get blown out of all proportion, so that you only ever here about awkward customers or unruly kids. The most unusual however, were a pair who were dressed as Batman and Robin. I assumed they were off to a fancy dress party, although it was about 3 in the afternoon on a Wednesday. They raised a few eyebrows as well as smiles.

What advice would you offer to other people who are thinking of becoming involved in the transport sector, who perhaps feel inhibited because they may not have had any previous experience?

Just give it a go. I have been with the company for 7 _ years now and really enjoy it. Alongside my role as a bus driver, I now work in the Traffic Office part-time and act as a mentor to new drivers before they set out on their own for the first time.

For more information visit www.newporttransport.co.uk