Thanks Alan. I was a bus driver in Christchurch for 5 years about 50 yeats ago. Your story sounds awfully like what I experienced. Early starts, broken shifts, late finishes. Negotiating to get rid of shifts you didn’t want. Working weekends. No choice in holidays. Three differences that spring to mind. First, I suspect our pay was somewhat better, in relative terms (I bought a house and started a family while driving). It would be interesting to compare properly. Second the buses we drove were crap in comparison to modern ones - cold in the mornings, and often full of diesel fumes, few features you’d expect in modern vehicles, bench seats for passengers. Third, none of the surveillance you describe. Instead there were inspectors who prowled the routes to make sure we had sold each passenger a ticket. But we warned other drivers of “sharks” ahead. Thanks again!
Hi Bill, buses in the Karori depot were ancient. A 2005 bus with over 1 million km on the clock is a rattling unreliable and often uncomfortable entity. That's why when I found a bus where the heater worked I'd hold on to it with everything I had. Unfortunately, Kinetic aren't interested in buying new diesel stock, so we get all the old buses handed down from Auckland, while Auckland continues to electrify. I think you're right re wages in your day. I was fortunate to have a 42.5hr split shift for which I was paid $917 in the hand. Some drivers were making just over $800 in the hand, for long split shifts. After two years our pay would increase 6c an hour, and every subsequent year another 6c until 20 years service when pay increases would stop. It's not good, and they wonder why they can't get drivers. What's more, in the next pay negotiations the union is fighting to maintain the status quo, which to my mind is a travesty.
Oh Alan. I Tautoko/support everything everyone has said. My partner and I planned to make our way onto one of your last rides but logistics weren’t on our side.
We were there in spirit!
To your whanau, thank them for sharing you with the people of Wellington and us.
Thank you Alan for your care for your passengers and your brillant story telling. I know they will miss you too. What a lovely gift you made for your supervisor. It was so cool to get a big wave and toot from you this week. Enjoy the Comino!
Thanks Alan for your wonderful stories since you became a Bus Driver. You have a big talent there! Have loved reading them from the first to the last and somewhat sad this part of the journey is over, albeit fully understand why. Definitely staying on for Comino! All best.
I think there are too many people being exploited, and unfortunately, this is going to continue for some time under the current government. Stay tuned for our walking adventure. Hopefully Uber will not need to be called on 😂
Thanks for your wonderful word’s & allowing me to understand the difficult but worthwhile mahi of bus drivers. Definitely need to look at pay & hours. That’s a big huge day!
Kia ora Alan, I felt pretty sad reading this. It beats me how employers can undervalue the employees who make their profits for them while providing an important public service.
I enjoy your writing. And really like the art you made for your supervisor - clearly you’re talented as well as an all round decent, good person. I sure am sticking around for the camino adventure! Ngā mihi nui.
Thanks so much, Nic. I greatly appreciate your solid support of my stories and travels. Hopefully, I'll have some worthwhile things to share from our Camino adventure.
Thanks Vanessa, and it was always a pleasure passing you in my bus, even though I was often late with a toot and a wave. In fact, I think I only tooted once.
Heart Warming Alan, Thank you for sharing your Journey with us all.
Really enjoyed your writing Alan. Please do keep us up to date on your Camino travels.
Thanks Sean, stay tuned. Only 12 days til we head off.
Thanks Alan. I was a bus driver in Christchurch for 5 years about 50 yeats ago. Your story sounds awfully like what I experienced. Early starts, broken shifts, late finishes. Negotiating to get rid of shifts you didn’t want. Working weekends. No choice in holidays. Three differences that spring to mind. First, I suspect our pay was somewhat better, in relative terms (I bought a house and started a family while driving). It would be interesting to compare properly. Second the buses we drove were crap in comparison to modern ones - cold in the mornings, and often full of diesel fumes, few features you’d expect in modern vehicles, bench seats for passengers. Third, none of the surveillance you describe. Instead there were inspectors who prowled the routes to make sure we had sold each passenger a ticket. But we warned other drivers of “sharks” ahead. Thanks again!
Hi Bill, buses in the Karori depot were ancient. A 2005 bus with over 1 million km on the clock is a rattling unreliable and often uncomfortable entity. That's why when I found a bus where the heater worked I'd hold on to it with everything I had. Unfortunately, Kinetic aren't interested in buying new diesel stock, so we get all the old buses handed down from Auckland, while Auckland continues to electrify. I think you're right re wages in your day. I was fortunate to have a 42.5hr split shift for which I was paid $917 in the hand. Some drivers were making just over $800 in the hand, for long split shifts. After two years our pay would increase 6c an hour, and every subsequent year another 6c until 20 years service when pay increases would stop. It's not good, and they wonder why they can't get drivers. What's more, in the next pay negotiations the union is fighting to maintain the status quo, which to my mind is a travesty.
Thanks for enjoyable writing and your driver insights. I always let the bus go first now.
My work here is done 🤣. Thanks for following!
Thanks Driver, Hello Camino walker!
I have loved your stories and learning about your work. Thank you
I've really enjoyed reading these Alan, riding the bus vicariously through them. Enjoy the walk, and we'll enjoy reading about it.
Thanks Driver!
Thanks Thomas. I hope you are well, and still gainfully employed in the current climate!
Oh Alan. I Tautoko/support everything everyone has said. My partner and I planned to make our way onto one of your last rides but logistics weren’t on our side.
We were there in spirit!
To your whanau, thank them for sharing you with the people of Wellington and us.
Go forth and enjoy life!
Looking forward to the next adventure for sure!
Donna
🚍🌅🥾🚶❤️
Ah, Donna, thanks so much. We didn't get to catch up on or off the bus. Let's have dinner when we get back in October. Love to you both! ❤️
Thank you Alan for your care for your passengers and your brillant story telling. I know they will miss you too. What a lovely gift you made for your supervisor. It was so cool to get a big wave and toot from you this week. Enjoy the Comino!
Thanks Nat. Keep following for tales of decrepitude and tired legs, but hopefully no blisters!
Thanks Alan for your wonderful stories since you became a Bus Driver. You have a big talent there! Have loved reading them from the first to the last and somewhat sad this part of the journey is over, albeit fully understand why. Definitely staying on for Comino! All best.
Thanks, Jonathan, for your comments and for following along. Driving days may not be over, just need to reassess how. Take care.
So enjoyed this Al, and found so many parallels with management in the health sector.
Can’t wait to hear all about the Camino.
I think there are too many people being exploited, and unfortunately, this is going to continue for some time under the current government. Stay tuned for our walking adventure. Hopefully Uber will not need to be called on 😂
Thanks for your wonderful word’s & allowing me to understand the difficult but worthwhile mahi of bus drivers. Definitely need to look at pay & hours. That’s a big huge day!
Thankyou Kathy. Appreciate that. It can be exhausting for sure, but a big part of me is missing it already — at least the bits that I enjoyed.
Kia ora Alan, I felt pretty sad reading this. It beats me how employers can undervalue the employees who make their profits for them while providing an important public service.
I enjoy your writing. And really like the art you made for your supervisor - clearly you’re talented as well as an all round decent, good person. I sure am sticking around for the camino adventure! Ngā mihi nui.
Thanks so much, Nic. I greatly appreciate your solid support of my stories and travels. Hopefully, I'll have some worthwhile things to share from our Camino adventure.
I look forward to reading about your Camino journey! I have no doubt that anything you share will be more than worthwhile! Travel well. 🌿
Loved reading your stories Al, and can't wait to read about the Camino. Elspeth
Thanks Elspeth! I really appreciate that. Stay tuned!
Thanks, Driver. And safe travels. I’m definitely tapping on for the next journey. x
I see what you did there - "tapping on" 🤣
Thanks Vanessa, and it was always a pleasure passing you in my bus, even though I was often late with a toot and a wave. In fact, I think I only tooted once.
Loved reading about your work. Keep writing.
Thanks Rena!