Try out being a bus driver at Busways open day

Bus driver Francis Kelliher with Lisarow school students March 2022

Residents looking for a reliable job which leaves time for life interests in the middle of the day can try out bus driving at a Busways Wyong Depot Open Day on Saturday, June 25.

Busways is looking for casual bus drivers in Wyong and Gosford to do 15-40 hours a week, which includes school bus runs from 7am-9am and 2pm-5pm Monday to Friday, plus charter runs when required.

There are opportunities to move onto permanent part-time or full-time roles as positions become available.

Session times this Saturday at the depot in Arizona Rd, Woongarrah, are 10am, 11am, noon and 1pm.

Morning tea or lunch will be provided.

Prospective drivers should bring their licence and wear enclosed shoes.

Attendees will get the chance to test drive a bus in a safe location with full supervision from Busways experienced driver trainers.

As an essential service, employment as a bus driver continues through health lockdowns, and there is time during the day for personal interests or keeping fit.

Busways Gosford bus driver Francis Kelliher uses his three-hour break each day to go either swimming, cycling or mountain bike riding.

“My break allows me to swim about 3-4km each week and ride 80-100km each week,” he said.

Busways Gosford Driver Trainer Nick Francis takes a test driver through the ropes

“On Wednesdays or Fridays, I go mountain bike riding down Kincumba Mountain with other Gosford bus drivers.”

Kelliher is also a Busways School and Community Educator teaching bus safety in schools.

“At 58, I love to keep healthy and fit, and my stamina helps me play two soccer games a week,” he said.

At a recent Busways Gosford Depot Open Day a wide range of interested locals got behind the big wheel and were able to try out driving a bus in the back streets of Kincumber.

Those who passed the initial bus driving test will now move on to the next test, going for a longer drive, followed by a Medium Rigid (MR) licence upgrade, Driver Authority course and medical.

Full training is provided, helping you to obtain the licence and accreditations that are required for you to become a bus driver.

Primary source: Media release, Jun 23, 2022, Busways