Smile! Bus company launches recruitment drive to find happy drivers
The company behind the Bath’s buses is launching a new campaign to recruit happy drivers.
First Group has revealed plans for a new advertising campaign that will highlight the personal attributes needed to be a good bus driver.
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An early version of First Group's new campaign
The firm’s HR director for the South West and Wales region, Catrin Asbrey, said a new series of adverts and posters would depict happy, sociable people - the type of person the company wants to recruit.
She said the campaign was not in response to complaints about drivers.
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“We’ve always had a focus on customer services. What we are doing through this process is ramping this up. This isn’t just about recruitment, we are running a lot of training.In recruitment 90 per cent of recruits come to us without a bus licence so we don’t recruit for the driving licence but for the right attributes.”
Ms Asbrey said would-be bus drivers already had to successfully complete a written test, as well as take part in an interview where they are given scenarios and asked how they would deal with them.
The campaign is part of First Group’s Better Journeys For Life vision for customer service. Ms Asbrey said: “The adverts explain that we like. We want people who smile or people who like people.”
She added: “Our drivers do what is a very difficult job, they drive the buses, negotiate the traffic, deal with customers, handle money. Getting the right person for us is actually really critical. Drivers need to be not just good drivers, but patient and understanding.”
B&NES Council tranpsort cabinet member Councillor Roger Symonds said he welcomed the initiative but said First would have to do more than recruit happy people.
He said: “It’s about providing good working conditions and motivating the drivers, and making them proud to provide an essential service.”
Comments
by Trick76
Friday, January 11 2013, 5:40PM
“I know from a very close source that the majority of 'Old School' drivers really don't enjoy their job. I also know that the change of management over the years has really upset them as they can't 'Have a laugh' any more (This refers to belligerent horseplay etc). They clearly disregard the change in how businesses are run and that change is (and was in their case, inevitable). Of course, a service or product provided should be delivered in a courteous and friendly manner. So, personally I really have seen a positive change by way of the new wave of drivers First Avon & Somerset have employed over the past few months. With regard to service, my source advised albeit randomly that whether you're ordering food from MacDonalds or the Beaujolais, a passenger should expect a decent level of service. Be prepared people, not only to complain about shoddy driver attitudes but of course praise them too! Has anyone here given a tip after a meal in a restaurant? A compliment goes a long way too...”
by AbandonShip
Thursday, January 10 2013, 8:03AM
“Bus drivers reflect the bus passenger population in that some are happy, polite and interactive whilst others are miserable, rude and selfish. Most are somewhere inbetween.
It is pleasant to board a bus with a cheerful, polite driver and this often compensates for lateness etc. However provide bus services at reasonable fares which run to the timetable, and I think most people won't worry about the presence or absence of smiles.”
by Imp-Act
Thursday, January 10 2013, 4:18AM
“Now we want a great big smile as you fleece the suckers!”
by a1rhella1r
Thursday, January 10 2013, 12:45AM
“".....so decide to catch a bus home from a stop that you happen to pass on a stretch of road somewhere in deepest Wiltshire - from where will you get you ticket then?"
That's why and smartcard or contactless bank card fares are a good idea. A pay-as-you-go smartcard with no expiry date will take care of that. My pay-as-you oyster is setup as an account and starts with 20 gbp. When it drops below 8 gbp, any cardreader I touch it on, bus, tube, tram or train will automatically top it up another 20 gbp before deducting the fare. Using oyster, there's a cap of 4.40 per day on buses. After that, further trips are free till midnight.
Most rural car parks have pay-and-display machines where you put money in and obtain a ticket. So why cant you have ticket machines at rural bus stops? They will probably run the same risk of theft and vandalism as car park ticket machines.It may mean redesigning shelter-less bus stops - http://tinyurl.com/arbj727
Arriva already operate a 'M-ticket' system on their buses- where tickets are sent to and bought from mobile phones - http://tinyurl.com/ag37cjg
I use this method for coach tickets. Virgin trains, Transpennine and Crosscountry also use m-ticketing.”
by jezer
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 9:31PM
“Well, that sounds fine. This may be a ridiculous comment, but how about recruiting people who can drive according to the Highway Code?”
by stigand
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 8:54PM
“Has anyone asked *why* bus drivers are unhappy?”
by Mr_Nemo
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 8:31PM
“"In mainland europe, off-bus-buy-before-boarding tickets have been around for about 50 years..."
That may be OK in busy urban areas, but supposing you decide to go out walking one day, go further and take longer than you expected, so decide to catch a bus home from a stop that you happen to pass on a stretch of road somewhere in deepest Wiltshire - from where will you get you ticket then?”
by bathbird
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 7:45PM
“A "happy bus driver" thats a joke !! I was attempting to board a 14 to go to the RUH and as I had my leg in the door I reached around to take my four year old sons hand the miserable so and so driver who was running late closed the door on me. I am eight months pregnant so it was not as if he could not see me.”
by 26sean
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 7:01PM
“http://tinyurl.com/babjlkn”
by killermansm
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 6:41PM
“Shouldnt this be a campaign for teetotal drivers after events revealed this week!”