Joining us from Dudley's Coaches, David is one of our most experienced drivers here at Royal Motorways, with over 40 years of driving expertise. Following in his brother's footsteps, David received his license at the age of 21 and has enjoyed a fulfilling career in the coach industry ever since. However, he also highlights the challenges in attracting the next generation to the future coach industry. David emphasises the need to encourage younger people to give it a try, allowing more senior drivers the opportunity to give back and share best practices.
How long have you been a coach driver?
"I have had my licence for about 40-50 years, having started driving in the early 1970s, but have only been a full-time coach driver for about 8 years. I also hold an HGV licence."
How did you get into coach driving?
"I got into coach driving because my brother was a coach driver. I always wanted to have a go at it so when I was 21, I went and got my licence. I then went to my brother’s workplace and the manager said you can go out with him, so he took me for my test himself and I went from there."
At which company did you start your coach career?
"I started with Progress Coaches, but when the owner died about 30 years ago there was no-one in the family to take it on, so the company was sold to Den Caney in Northfield. I moved on to Rover Coaches followed by KCS, which is now Elgar Coaches. Then Mrs Dudley rang me up one day and asked if I would come and work on school contracts for Dudley’s Coaches. It was there that I spent the majority of my coach career – working part time for 30 years."
What do you like about Royal Motorways?
"I was one of the first two drivers working for Royal Motorways when it started up in 2020. It is run in a very similar way to Dudley’s and that is what I like and am used to. I am still enjoying the job, I am treated fairly and will continue to work as long as I still enjoy it and am treated fairly. I have been very lucky in that over all these years I have always enjoyed the work that I have done. I guess there are not many people who can say they have never been for a job interview!"
What do you like about the job?
"Over the years, I have met some very nice people and have visited many places that I wouldn’t have got to visit normally. I also like the flexibility and the blended rates of pay that coach driving offers depending on which jobs you do."
What do you think the next 15-20 years will look like for the coach industry?
"For the next 2-3 years I think it is going to be quite tight when it comes to attracting and retaining drivers in the industry. When I started, for insurance reasons, we were unable to take people on until they were 25, however, you can now join the industry at 18."
How can we attract new drivers to the industry?
"It is very difficult as this is a nationwide problem. The industry needs to excite them, and it is all our responsibility to make the industry attractive, exciting and a place that people aspire to join.
There are lots of positives. It is a very flexible career where people can opt to do a part time or full-time role to suit their particular circumstances and hours. When I started you could do all hours, but from a safety point of view that wasn’t the best, and the industry has rightly tightened up on this. As a part time driver, I can take the jobs that help both me and the company. The money is a lot better now than it was 30 years ago when I started, with blended rates now on offer depending on the job. There is a lot more variety too with different jobs ranging from Daybreaks to a variety of interesting destinations, holiday tours, private hire from schools to local festivals, weddings and special events and long distance National Express, or rail replacement work. And the coaches are now very modern and comfortable.
I believe we should therefore look at attracting and training younger people such as school leavers. We need trainers with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry who can train new recruits on the theory side ie current legislation, supported by time-served drivers who know the driving job inside out and who are respected because they have been doing it for a while. These experienced drivers want to give back, to share best practice, to do things right, and we need to celebrate and value these people who have dedicated their lives to serving the public. We have to find a way of doing that."
What makes a good coach driver?
"You have to be tolerant, look tidy in your appearance, take pride in your vehicle, keeping it immaculate, and possess the right attitude to customer service. I was told many years ago when I started that, being in the service industry as we are, dealing with the public, you have to be polite with all your customers and treat them fairly, even if you may not love all of them all of the time!
People who are practical, not too academic, and are happy with unsociable hours some of the time, are ideally suited to coach driving. They will like visiting new and exciting places, be good with people, have the right personality and be happy talking to anyone all day long. Forty years ago I was very quiet! I do talk a bit more on the microphone now, informing passengers of their journey and the destination, which comes from experience.
It is a very rewarding when you get a good review from your customers and given the opportunity, I think there are a lot of people out there who should give it a go!"
How would you summarise your career in coaching?
"It’s one of those jobs that you’ve got to like otherwise you wouldn’t be in it! Whatever job I’ve done I have always enjoyed doing it – whether full or part time. We are required to pass a medical every 12 months and as long as I always pass it, I will carry on."
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