Meet Pymble’s Bus Drivers
Every week we will feature a profile on one of our wonderful Pymble bus drivers. This week, we learn more about John on Bus 2 and what makes him tick!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi, my name is John and I have lived on the Northern Beaches of Sydney for about 40 years. Following a successful corporate career, I decided to take up a career as a bus driver as a semi-retirement option – I’ve got too much to offer to retire early. I didn’t think that I would enjoy it as much as I do. I am married with two adult boys; one is a lawyer specialising in criminal law and the other is a business analyst focusing on data analysis. Both boys were married last year so it was a big year for our family. My wife is a community pharmacist and enjoys her role helping others in the community.
How long have you been a Pymble bus driver?
This will be my first term driving for Pymble having worked with other private schools over the past year or so.
What do you love about your job?
I find the job really rewarding. I appreciate the thanks I receive from the public when I work on general routes and the appreciation shown by school kids each day on regular school runs or charters. There is something really satisfying about completing your day knowing that you have delivered your passengers safely and comfortably.
What do you find challenging in your job?
No surprise here – the other drivers on the road. You see some weird and wonderful things when you drive a bus and the key to being a great bus driver is to stay calm and composed irrespective of what happens. I am a very calm driver and nothing really upsets me when I drive.
How did you get to school when you were young? Did you travel by bus?
Yes, I travelled by bus however buses in those days were far less comfortable than the modern coaches we drive today.
What did you like about school when you were young?
I enjoyed school when I was young and achieved strong grades. Perhaps the best thing about school was the long-term friendships I enjoyed – some of which are still going strong today.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love playing golf and have enjoyed some amazing trips over the past few years including a trip to France and Spain in 2019 and perhaps the highlight on every golfer’s bucket list – a trip to Augusta in the USA to watch the US Masters in 2018. I am travelling to Vietnam in April this year for another golfing holiday and am very much looking forward to that.
Do you have a pet or did you have one growing up? If your pet could talk, what would it say?
Much to our boys’ displeasure we didn’t have a pet as with both of us working full time, we didn’t feel that it would be fair to leave a dog alone all day at home when everyone was out and about. Our youngest son and his wife now have a schnauzer and they love her to bits. It is fun to play with her whenever they visit and she certainly has a personality of her own.
