It’s not a profession. But it’s an honest job and i think anyone working in an honest job should be respected for it, wether its a profession, a trade or whatever. However i bet if you asked bus drivers if they liked their job they would say no, i think they get alot of abuse.

It is good money,but I dont think it is the best job,bus drivers have to put up with a lot from the public.

One of my mates started off as a bus driver, then got onto driving coaches and taking trips abroad – much better money in this. Bus drivers earn about £16,000 where i am, but they have to work long hours, night shifts and take general abuse on a daily basis from passengers. Driving all day long in cities is very stressful too. However, it was a job that i considered a few years ago.

im a female bus driver, l love my job, there is alot of abuse but also alot of very nice passengers too, who on occasions make my day very good, the moneys not bad, the hours are all over the place and you can get promotion, the hardest thing l found to cope with was the different shift patterns, it takes a few months to get used to them, as for london bus drivers l cant comment as l work in the midlands area.

Its good safe job and actually has prospects (inspector etc)
When you include shift allowance money is decent enough
And you’ll certainely get to meet lots of “INTERESTING” people
Best of luck

i think any job is a good profession, anybody who gets up and goes to work should be proud no matter what job they have, the wages for most jobs are dire these days anyway, good luck, go for it.

Yes I think so. My husband worked as a bus driver but with a lot of determination worked his way up to a managers position recently and is earning v.good money. He never got any qualifications at school either so anything is possible. Hours are irregular so if you are prepared to work at different times then fine but also be prepared for some hassle from passengers. Will it get any better? Hard to say but I definitely think the profession is underrated because you get other benefits too.

My Husband started work as a parcel boy, then tram driver, trolley buses and finally on to petrol buses, and loved every minute of it. When he worked which was over thirty years ago it was classed as a good job , and in those days the money was good. The job is what you make it, and promotions are there as well. There is one good thing and that is ..it is regular, so you are never without a wage. Good luck to you…try it you may like it.

The money, hours AND conditions are terrible.

There is very little chance of promotion – ONLY 2 Bus Drivers I know have been promoted to Inspector in the last 10 years.

The money can be quite good. £30k is possible in the north west of the UK. London will be better still, plus perks like the driver’s spouse and children all get free bus travel ( it used to be tube travel as well in London).
Some passengers can be rude and aggressive, trying to hold you up for your money. Others are a delight especially the pensioners who are always so pleased to see you and give you sweets.
In 27 years as a bus driver, I have never been threatened. People can be rude in any job, bus driving is no different.

First of all are you talking about bus drivers for yourcity or one that drives long distances?? IE: from state to state??Here in Albuquerque, NM I am going to have to say that the money sucks for the bus drivers (city). I rode one for three years & they put up with a lot of garbage & they pay is not worth it. AS for the hours you have to be like every job to be able to get the hours you want you need to start at the bottom & work your way up. Same way with promotion. I have a good frien that got no where with the bus system here, quit went to another department with the city stayed til he got top pay, then went back to driving a bus & still makes good money.