Been offered new job as a a bus driver

[enskied]

Public transport is changing all over the country. Liverpool, Manchester all becoming more in tune with London.
Its not an easy option, but it is an option. You are dry in a bus.

[Sean06]

Depending on where you are in the country, I’d say go for it. In London they can earn over £40k these days. I couldn’t put up with the passengers or London traffic myself!

Did you not tell someone else, who has already accepted a job elsewhere to 'wait it out until later on this year?'

That was a different job, different situation. Do you have any constructive advice for the OP, CarryingMgmnt?

Just put him on ignore you will feel much better.

[Woody84]

Before joining RM i also applied with a bus company and was offered a job, the thing that massively put me off the buses were-

Shift patterns
Unpaid long breaks (up to three hours apparently)
The public
Bus companies having very bad management… yeah I know.

But there were also pros to the job and still something I’d possibly look at in the future. I say go for it, as someone else said at least you’ll be dry.

[heraldmoth]

I have been with royal mail 26 years started when I was 18 it's the only job I've had the thought of doing another 20+ years doesn't fill me with joy. I know it's a no brainer to make the change but I think iam a bit institutionalised. The job has changed for the worst over the years and with the uso changing this year it's going to get even more worse. I just can't help but to have doubt if Iam doing the right thing what if I don't like this new job really didn't want to work weekends split shifts and so on what would you guys do.

Go with your gut, but I’ve never seen anyone leave and end up worse off, even people who have been sacked

[Acca Dacca]

I have been with royal mail 26 years started when I was 18 it's the only job I've had the thought of doing another 20+ years doesn't fill me with joy. I know it's a no brainer to make the change but I think iam a bit institutionalised. The job has changed for the worst over the years and with the uso changing this year it's going to get even more worse. I just can't help but to have doubt if Iam doing the right thing what if I don't like this new job really didn't want to work weekends split shifts and so on what would you guys do.

Go with your gut, but I’ve never seen anyone leave and end up worse off, even people who have been sacked

They certainly never tell you if they do though

[Satnavsatnav]

I drove for first Manchester for 2 years and all I can say is it's the worst job ever, It's marmite,you love it or hate it. Being spat at , having fireworks thrown at you and constantly verbally abused that's just some highlights you will definitely experience. Good luck

[richietns]

I have been with royal mail 26 years started when I was 18 it's the only job I've had the thought of doing another 20+ years doesn't fill me with joy. I know it's a no brainer to make the change but I think iam a bit institutionalised. The job has changed for the worst over the years and with the uso changing this year it's going to get even more worse. I just can't help but to have doubt if Iam doing the right thing what if I don't like this new job really didn't want to work weekends split shifts and so on what would you guys do.

Go with your gut, but I’ve never seen anyone leave and end up worse off, even people who have been sacked

I've seen people leave for a couple of year only to come back to RM there's a ton of worse jobs.

[Londonsburning]

Please stop derailing and dominating threads, CarryingMgmnt, it is becoming tedious.

Lol. I've neither derailed or dominated any thread. You need to give your head a wobble and stop giving people poor advice on here.

[Smoothbackground]

Lol. I've neither derailed or dominated any thread. You need to give your head a wobble and stop giving people poor advice on here.

As our resident aspiring Fireman Sam (aka LondonsBurning, CarryingMgmnt, etc, etc) can’t you go find a pole to slide down or something?

[Mick100]

Well if you don’t leave to be a bus driver leave for something else this job knackers your knees I walk like a cripple to late for me as I’m over 60 started at 35 the good old days,your young enough to get out don’t leave it to late the job is getting worse by the year

[Checkerfinch]

I left RM over 6 months ago to try a different job and didn't like it. I'm a bus driver now and I like it. Yes, the earliest shifts can start at 4am but I can also be finished before 1pm while posties are still delivering the mail.

I'm in a small town and like most of the new starters have found, the majority of passengers are okay. These are the same people who answer the door when you have a package. Not had anyone say anything to me for being late so far.

Management is mostly done by the Controllers who are also relief bus drivers and know the job.

I get most Sundays off and have already had more Saturdays off than I had at Royal Mail as a reserve. Rota is fixed over a year in advance so I know my days off.

I work more hours, but I'm also taking home significantly more for far less hassle. The other bus drivers are usually surprised how little I was paid previously.

I'd like to add I'm not with Stagecoach and I've heard they're poorly managed, a bit like RM. So choose your employer carefully.

[Londonsburning]

I know a few people who have left RM over the years to be bus drivers, not a single one of them has returned to be a postie and every one of them are still driving buses . Plenty enhanced rate O/T, way less stress, better overall work/life balance. As mentioned above though, stagecoach is further down on the list of public transport employers, although not the worst.

[NWpostie]

If you already have a cat C1 on your driving licence you could consider applying to become a 7.5t driver for RM distribution centre, the money is better and you're not carrying a bag around.

I made the move last year, it's great so far.

* You need to get a tachograph card and a CPC, RM may put you through your CPC training internally.