On the buses

Bus drivers in Oxford are now among the best paid outside London, which may not make the city's traffic less difficult to navigate but is already making the job more attractive.

The Oxford Bus Company had been losing staff to BMW's Cowley plant, but last week decided to give bus drivers a basic salary of £17,500 a year, with opportunities for overtime. The rise will come into affect on on October 28.

The signs are that the strategy is already working.

Since the increase was announced, the Oxford Bus Company has had a flurry of enquiries from people wanting to train to become drivers. Former drivers have also offered to return - attracted mainly by the promise of extra money.

The new recruits will be welcome as the Oxford Bus Company has 340 drivers but needs 380 to provide its full service.

The company has been so short of drivers in recent months that managers have been forced to drive the buses themselves to cover the routes.

This week, managers interviewed a dozen potential drivers and more interviews are lined up for next week. But interviews are only the first stage of the process.

Applicants will sit a maths test, a basic test on the Highway Code, and undergo an assessment of their driving skills, before being selected for the training programme.

The training programme, which lasts six to eight weeks, sees the prospective drivers qualify for a Passenger Carrying Licence, learn how to use ticket machines, deal with passengers, and become acquainted with the company's route network.

Norman Davies, head of training, says: "New recruits must have a clean driver's licence and then we are able to teach them everything they need to know.

"Getting an understanding of the size and length of the vehicle is key because that is what will help overcome the difference between driving a car and a bus."

"I have been working on the buses for 27 years and I love it. It gets into your blood.

"Of course, just like all jobs, sometimes our drivers get stressed - there are so many different hazards out there. But most of them love it.

"You're not stuck behind a desk all day and the driver is his own boss much of the time."

Earlier this week Linda Mzizi passed his PCL test. Once he has completed his training on customer care and tickets he will be out on the road.

He says: "I enjoy working with people which is why I decided to apply for this job.

"It has taken me three weeks to pass my PCL and it was a load off my shoulders when I was told I had passed.

"Learning to drive a bus was harder than I thought it would be.

"There's a lot to think about because it's quite a skill to drive a bus and it takes a lot of concentration. I think I'm going to enjoy it though.

"And of course I was grateful for the increase in pay."

As part of their training, drivers are advised how to sit in order not to damage their backs and they are also taught how to lift luggage and heavy loads safely.

Of the Oxford Bus Company's 340 drivers just 20 of are women but the firm is hoping to attract more, especially as there are opportunities for part-time work and a creche may soon be opened at the depot.

Drivers are also trained to inspect their buses at the start of each shift for any maintenance problems and to make sure nobody has left anything on the bus.

More importantly, they also have to ensure there is nobody asleep on the back seat when the bus is returned to the depot.

Mr Davies says: "When you look at a bus driver you might think it's the easiest job on the planet but that's not true. There are a lot of pressures on bus drivers and lots of things to think about.

"Every day is different on the buses though and that's what I like about it."

**Anyone interested in applying to become a bus driver should call the Oxford Bus Company on 01865 785400.