A Day in the Life of a London Bus Driver.

An insight into my working day.
Many thanks for taking the time to visit my channel. If you like what you see here.
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[@BusDriverLife]

Very nice video!! I hope to visit London one day! I'm glad to see another bus driver making content! I'm looking forward to more videos! Also...early mornings can be rough..at least the waking up in the middle of the night part.

[@_Mikes_Life]

The first bus out of the depot is 4:15 I’m on it all week. It’s killing me.

[@BusDriverLife]

@@_Mikes_Life I guess the bright side is it’s just one week!

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@BusDriverLife let me have an hallelujah 🙏

[@Rambo-xk5ml]

Fantastic Video! More videos like this would be excellent :)) keep up the good work

[@_Mikes_Life]

Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Love this.

[@StewartFrampton-bg2tv]

Ex London Bus Driver & Union Representative at Go - Ahead London General! Routes 14, 22, 74, 85, 39, 485, 493, loved it Retired now aged 67!

[@_Mikes_Life]

Retired and happy? They’ll take you back, still a shortage of bus drivers

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

5:25 I know the feeling, when at times, i cant find my bus in the morning. 😂 A fantastic video Mike.

[@_Mikes_Life]

I call it the March of the zombies. Watching everyone trudge around looking for their bus. Especially when it’s cold and wet.

[@oxfamshop]

You are bringing back memories of when I worked london underground on the dead early turns . And the late turns missing the staff coach a ccoule of times and once sleeping in golders green canteen. Only 2 night buses in london then

[@_Mikes_Life]

Old school. In the canteen.

[@mirabelletaylor-cummings702]

Hi Mike , I’m an illustrator and my little boy loves buses and informational books, love the insight in your video and wondered if could draw some pictures from your video as inspiration for a book for him? - Mirabelle

[@dbvegan2840]

I really enjoyed watching the video, keep going thanks

[@_Mikes_Life]

Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@coolJacobworld3960]

Me too

[@outandaboutwithcraig3081]

I’ve been a bus driver for 15 years now and still enjoy it. 🚌 👍

[@Gerald69420]

Take a month off, do something fun and honestly say this after. I've been a bus driver for a month and it's literally the worst job I've ever had.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@Gerald69420 going through my old videos. Are you still a bus driver or did you hate it enough to leave

[@Gamingwithlincoln187]

Thanks for the video when my child grows up he can do things like these and drive buses

[@stevethefootycoach]

Good video. I enjoyed watching it. When I drove a bus in London (many, many years ago, when it was London Transport I drove Routemasters out of Leyton) early shifts like these were only 6 or 7 hours long. Not 9 hours long! These guys work hard, for sure.

[@_Mikes_Life]

They work very hard for very little pay.

[@md-detailing]

Great video! Cant wait to visit London, hello from Croatia! :D

[@_Mikes_Life]

Welcome

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Perfect windsor knot.

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video. ☺️

[@_Mikes_Life]

Thank you Joshua, thanks for watching.

[@Sayno2ulez]

You looked happy just seen u at work

[@callump4302]

More like this please 😊

[@_Mikes_Life]

I’ll do my best.

[@arronsmith4868]

I agree with you I perfer to do lates. Most perfer the early shifts but I like latest because I feel it goes by the quickest, buses are quieter and I don't have to rush around when I wake up. Only downside is if you have a family lates can not be that great.

[@_Mikes_Life]

I’m doing a week of lates this week, last bus in the depot. It’s been bloody hard work. And I’ve still got three days to go.

[@TheTransportHub17]

Great video 👍

[@_Mikes_Life]

Many thanks.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Every day hero.

[@NextSound170]

Recently joined to it myself, enjoying spare learning the roads etc good job, beats office work by far

[@_Mikes_Life]

It’s a great job. Pays a bit crap. Never worked in an office.

[@ManlykefreshINC]

I hated the stagecoach jumper when I used to work at Stagecoach London 🤣🤣 Great video 👍🏾

[@_Mikes_Life]

I don’t mind it so much. Many thanks for taking to time to watch my videos. 🚌

[@BristolRE]

Good video. I try to stick to late shifts, a nice lie in during the morning and the shifts quieten down after your break.

[@_Mikes_Life]

I do prefer a late shift, but I’m to new to get my own way.

[@BristolRE]

@@_Mikes_Life Lol, if you're still on a spare rota then that may be difficult, once you get on a rota it's easy enough to find a mutual swap as most don't like lates. I started in 1986 and pretty much have done lates most of that time.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@BristolRE we have a shortage of drivers so most drivers, do early, middles and lates.

[@BristolRE]

@@_Mikes_Life Yes, that's standard across all rota's, hence the ability to swap with other drivers to suit each other.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@BristolRE not in my garage.

[@AH-ko9jj]

Hi Mike I'm similar to you was black cab driver 20 years and now on the buses since november. Its nice getting regular money and holiday pay. Good job mate.

[@_Mikes_Life]

What depot/ company are you at?

[@AH-ko9jj]

Stagecoach Rainham.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@AH-ko9jj do I know you.

[@AH-ko9jj]

No but I'm sure we must of crossed paths.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@AH-ko9jj with you, I now know of four, taxi drivers who now drive buses, I’m sure there will be more.

[@clarisemahinay7562]

It is an exciting life sir...

[@_Mikes_Life]

Not really

[@ManlykefreshINC]

Ahh how I miss Bromley Garage.🙏🏾 The only stagecoach garage I actually loved working at

[@_Mikes_Life]

Where do you work now.

[@ManlykefreshINC]

@@_Mikes_Life GAL Morden Wharf.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@ManlykefreshINC I hear Morden Wharf is closing down.

[@ManlykefreshINC]

@@_Mikes_Life all hear’say at the moment. One manager says we are moving to Plumstead one day and another says we ain’t going anywhere so who knows 🤣🤣🤣

[@_Mikes_Life]

It’s like the taxi trade, rumour control, out of control. Be lucky Brother.

[@DeanBall75]

Great video! But how do you know which vehicle to take out, do you just get in the next one that is in the line, can you choose any bus as long its the right 'type', or is it allocated?

[@_Mikes_Life]

There’s a guide. We only take the bus we’re allocated

[@Brock-Lesnar-WWE]

I could never do a early morning shift living with 4 other people in the house. It must be the worst especially dealing with abusive passengers and controllers in your ear

[@_Mikes_Life]

It’s not so bad. Once you’re up.

[@Brock-Lesnar-WWE]

@@_Mikes_Life how many times do you get abused or deal with people who dont pay..every week?

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@Brock-Lesnar-WWE an incident a day.

[@itsonlyme458]

Great video and really informative. What are the eyesight standards for bus driving as I have a weak left eye? Is it just a normal eye test? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[@_Mikes_Life]

Many thanks. I believe it’s a normal test. It’s the usual one I get from the opticians

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Can tell you'd be excellent at the trade.

[@ericdowds2627]

Just watching your older vids Mike and enjoying them is that your black cab your driving into work when the wife isn’t working

[@_Mikes_Life]

Yes, back to work tomorrow without the cab. Boooo

[@-Hooman-]

I've my licence yesterday now looking for a jobs game started I'm also in Lewisham wish me luck :)

[@busvideosinandaroundnz7024]

Nice video! What is your favorite shift?

[@_Mikes_Life]

If I need to do something in the day, earlies if not I like a middle shift, you get a lay in, in the morning and you’re home at a reasonable time

[@fruitdemer201]

Lovely Mr bus driver. Going to become one after doing parking tickets lol I am surprised that the company allows you to film this though.

[@_Mikes_Life]

If you can do the shifts, it’s a good job.

[@ljmccutcheon09]

Really interesting, as I have interview and becoming Trainee bus driver give insight what you get up to once pass the training.. Are the garage where you are based do they give work 24 hrs before you start an shift?

[@_Mikes_Life]

+LJ McCutcheon As a new driver I’m not on a rota yet. But, my shifts are on the company’s app a month in advance. So I know my workdays and rest day well in advance. When I’m on a rota, I’ll be able to see a whole year ahead.

[@ljmccutcheon09]

That is good to know because it’s would be same for me if get though the theory and driving assessment! Keep up the video they are very interesting and very useful for me.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@ljmccutcheon09 how did you get on the the driver training??

[@jamesfrench7299]

You would have loved it in the.70s and 80s with the RMs, RTs, RFs Leyland Titans, MCW Metrobuses, Leyland Fleetlines, Leyland Nationals and AEC Swift 505s ALL home grown vehicles.

[@_Mikes_Life]

I was still at school. My Dad would’ve driven them though.

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@_Mikes_Life I saw a recent dash shot of a current bus. Looks well appointed.

[@aasharif7501]

Were you green badge or yellow? Either way why did you give up driving a cab?

[@jbc825]

Really interesting video and TB always seems like a nice garage to work at, do you do all the routes there?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Thanks for watching. I only do the 261 route and sometimes the 638

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Feel your pain getting up at 3. Not easy.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

i pop milk into the coffee first too. 3am! boy.

[@Triko5]

After 6 years on the 261 finally i left now driving Class 1 lorries definitely much better

[@_Mikes_Life]

As long as you’re happy, the move is a good one.

[@TheBestChocolate]

Hello this is just a content suggestion but it would be really cool if you could record some of the routes and upload them

[@_Mikes_Life]

Ok

[@vimtocrazy739]

Instant coffee went out in the 60s .

[@_Mikes_Life]

Not in my house. I’m a child of the 60’s

[@martinjenkins1827]

Do you have to do the late or early shifts can you not do just a 9 to 5 shift ??

[@_Mikes_Life]

Sadly, There’s no such thing as a 9-5 bus shift.

[@moonmiraz8815]

Do you like driving 472 enviro400 in 2015 in the end of September

[@thenorthumbrianbusdriver3320]

Great content dude, more of the same please 😁

[@_Mikes_Life]

Many thanks. Can you think of anything you’d like to see a video on?

[@thenorthumbrianbusdriver3320]

@@_Mikes_Life I have a little channel myself and I am restricted on what I can and can't do, so anything bus related that you are allowed to do, maybe a question and answer thing

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@thenorthumbrianbusdriver3320 restricted by your company?

[@thenorthumbrianbusdriver3320]

@@_Mikes_Life yeah can't film while in uniform or whilst on bus unfortunately it's arriva policy

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@thenorthumbrianbusdriver3320 no one has said a word to me, so, I’ll carry on until I’m told different.

[@noorbaccus]

Hi, great video. I am thinking of becoming a bus driver. I live in Orpington . As a parent with an 9 years kid , I have to make sure I am hone in the morning everyday for school run and my wife finished work at PRUH by 3 pm for school run. I just want to know if I can do middles shift permanently? Please advise?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Not always. Thanks hey will try and help you out, but it’s generally what you’re rostered for.

[@noorbaccus]

Thanks for a quick reply. Can we meet this Wednesday afternoon or evening?

[@aw7544]

Milk in coffee first seems to make it creamier

[@moonmiraz8815]

Do you drive 96 in 2011 are you the 472s driver in 2015 in September

[@carola-lifeinparis]

So why do you choose the Windsor knot? Do you have to? This is so early in the morning

[@_Mikes_Life]

It’s stupidly early. When I have to get the shift bus, to work, I have to get up even earlier. I’ve always tied a Windsor knot, unless I’m running really late, then any knot will do. I will alway re-tie the tie, when I have a minute.

[@Captainpubwatch]

Driving London A Windsor Knot is a proper giveaway to an ex - serviceman, deffo an indication to a military man : ) Never seen it in other circles TBH

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@Captainpubwatch ten years Coldstream Guards

[@moonmiraz8815]

How was it to drive 472 in September 2015

[@davieboitt539]

How many routes do you have to learn when you start ?

[@_Mikes_Life]

I started with the two. One of which was a school bus route.

[@arsenalforever5877]

Who many days do you work in a row until your few days off?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Usually seven then two days off. Bus company’s start their week on a Saturday. So they can say you never do seven days in one week. But 2+5 still =7

[@johngreene6805]

Ive done the job for 28years ive enjoyed it im on a rte i enjoy so yeah its a good job not for everyone

[@_Mikes_Life]

Thanks John.

[@alexsalisbury7501]

do that a video again with you driving routes videos please

[@_Mikes_Life]

I don’t have the facility to do in cab videos, just yet. I’m working on it.

[@isaac993]

@@_Mikes_Life nice vid can’t wait to see cab videos

[@Sayno2ulez]

That's not a bad route better then the 53s lol

[@_Mikes_Life]

Plumstead to County Hall. I’d love to do that route.

[@Sayno2ulez]

Your be runningvabout hour late garenteed

[@malihaswaleh6359]

Same maybe

[@aeraj567]

what the pay like

[@teddysmith7253]

Hi I’m looking at becoming a bus driver for stagecoach. What garage do you work for as I applied to do training and been sent a email back saying I will get a invite to the garage very soon. But this Is for the plumstead garage

[@_Mikes_Life]

I work out of Bromley Common Bus Garage

[@teddysmith7253]

@@_Mikes_Life ah cool. Do you get to pick the route you drive or do they randomly pick for you?

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@teddysmith7253 Sadly not, you will drive the route they choose

[@mmclean2712]

Any advice for those who are thinking about becoming a bus driver.

[@mmclean2712]

@@INTJ82 too late. Been a driver for 8 months now. Lol

[@haj619]

@@mmclean2712You still enjoying it?

[@malihaswaleh6359]

Can you do a route that is 179 to ilford

[@_Mikes_Life]

Not from my garage

[@peacepage]

BUS drivers are under paid, I work for justeat on weekends and usually make £400 in 2 days plus 520 a week my main job. Bus driver makes around 500 a week

[@_Mikes_Life]

You shouldn’t have to work two jobs

[@peacepage]

@@_Mikes_Life 🙋🤣 I was planning to become a bus driver even had interview and offered me a job. They pay £12 per ,£480 a week 🤣 sometimes I make 250 on Saturday only

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@peacepage just east is deliveroo I believe. You’d have to go some hours to earn £200 I suppose

[@peacepage]

@@_Mikes_Life similar but are different. Yes I usually work 12 to 14hrs aday but love the freedom.

[@shoeahorse]

I am surprised they don't issue you with clip on ties...They are so easy to put on...And heaven forbid, if someone ever tried to choke you, they would just pull off...

[@_Mikes_Life]

You can get clip one in don’t like them.

[@stephenhyland4256]

Is that a black cab your driving

[@_Mikes_Life]

Yes

[@marekmazurek98]

Got my practical bus test in 2 days I'm hoping to pass and am only 22 Edit: passed first time got clear score

[@_Mikes_Life]

I hope it goes well for you.

[@Me-oo4yu]

Why so many buses parked up in the garage not being worked on?

[@_Mikes_Life]

We don’t have a night bus at my garage. All the buses you saw, we’re waiting to go out in Service.

[@shoaibbaloch2503]

Why did u leave cab driving ?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Because of covid. No work

[@EinkOLED]

You drive a black cab as your car?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Yes I do. A TX4

[@Eaglemaster486]

Day in a life of a Stagecoach London bus driver

[@bigzeeks]

One day this is what I will become 🙂

[@_Mikes_Life]

A fat old man with a beard?? Or a bus driver Lol.

[@vicsgames3303]

@@_Mikes_Life LOL

[@nobody_123]

Is this the West Ham bus garage?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Bromley

[@nobody_123]

@@_Mikes_Life I’m really looking into being a bus driver that’s why I came here

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@nobody_123 it’s a good job, it’s not for everyone. Shifts etc.

[@nobody_123]

@@_Mikes_Life I agree with you, it can’t be for everyone in 2 ways because A. driving a bus doesn’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea and B. you may be asked to work on hours where you can’t make it

[@dbvegan2840]

Were/are you a black cab driver? As you are driving a TX4 at the end...

[@_Mikes_Life]

I was, I suppose I still am, I still have the license.

[@paulodealmeida5685]

@@_Mikes_Life Good insight to a typical day of a bus driver, thanks. Do you have a green badge or yellow? Do you think you’ll get back in the cab in the future?

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@paulodealmeida5685 Hi there. Thanks for watching. I have a green badge, and as to whether I’d go back to driving a taxi, I’d never say never, but I’m more than happy driving a bus.

[@paulodealmeida5685]

@@_Mikes_Life I'm currently studying the knowledge, supposed to have had my first appearance yesterday after passing the map test back in December. I've considered bus driving, but shift work with my current family commitments may be tricky.

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@paulodealmeida5685 shift work is a pain. Kids and family make work awkward at times, but I muddle round, and work things out.

[@shoaibbaloch2503]

How do apply for the free tfl oysters?

[@_Mikes_Life]

No idea

[@shoaibbaloch2503]

@@_Mikes_Life did you not get the free bus pass as you used to work for tfl?

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@shoaibbaloch2503 yes, but the company organised the oyster.

[@mdnahidn]

*If a bus driver is contracted to work 37 hours/week, does all these 37 hours usually involve driving?*

[@_Mikes_Life]

You’ll never be contracted for that amount of hours. Most companies make you opt out of the working time directive. You’ll work seven days on two days off in rotation. With a long weekend thrown in every month.

[@mdnahidn]

@@_Mikes_Life Thank you so much. How about the second questions involving actual driving if someone is expected to work 1.0 full-time? (Not sure if I am actually asking the right question!)

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@mdnahidn you can only drive ten hours a day. Most duties are 8-12hrs Your duty can be up to sixteen hours. A split shift. But only ten hours driving.

[@mdnahidn]

@@_Mikes_Life That helps - thank you. Now I need to find a way to impress garage manager!

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@mdnahidn don’t crash, don’t get complaints, don’t be late. Be a yes man, do the overtime, be available.

[@mmclean2712]

Soooo, i have decided to train to become a bus driver but i'm now struggling to pass the theory test. Can you or anyone help me Please?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Im not sure what I can do to help. I used an app called theory test Pro. It was very useful.

[@robertwalters5654]

So you have a taxi as a private car now

[@_Mikes_Life]

I did that video is two years old. My taxi is a taxi now

[@robertwalters5654]

I was a taxi driver near coventry 1986/1990

[@_Mikes_Life]

@@robertwalters5654 do u drive buses now?

[@robertwalters5654]

@@_Mikes_Life no I am actually a warehouse operative I unload lorries or load them or sort them or even or just monitor the operation from a very high platform a lot less doing what I do 25 hours a weak I work five hours a day Monday to Friday

[@_4.2_]

For a early duty that starts at 4:00am it finishes a bit late don’t you think

[@_Mikes_Life]

It used to finish at 11:30am then they blamed covid for the lack of drivers and stuck on another two hours.

[@TheBestChocolate]

ok

[@russellford7316]

3AM

[@_Mikes_Life]

Oh yeah.

[@HeartNDagger18]

Are you doing bus driving to get a greater sense of what other people do for a living? Because I want to know why you would do bus driving instead of being a black cabbie?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Covid ripped the arse out of the taxi trade. Bus driving was always going to be a stop gap.

[@warshysaid8564]

Hello

[@warshysaid8564]

Nice Excuse me can u help me how can I apply a driving job

[@_Mikes_Life]

If you have a clean UK car license. You can apply to any company. Apply online.

[@warshysaid8564]

@@_Mikes_Life thanks but am not in UK am in Tanzania

[@warshysaid8564]

@@_Mikes_Life I haven't clean uk car license coz not in uk how can I do?

[@_Mikes_Life]

Where are you?

[@VICTOR-pf9eg]

You Drive a black taxi and you drive a bus don't you ever get t Tired 😴😩 so I'm thinking you do two jobs you really need to be careful

[@_Mikes_Life]

I don’t drive a cab, and haven’t for 18months.

[@VICTOR-pf9eg]

@@_Mikes_Life okay thanks 👍💯

[@Gerald69420]

You make such a fuss about waking up at 3. Why don't you just not sleep then you won't have anything to complain about.