I started with Shorelink as a trainee driver just over 12 months ago, coming from a background where I had run my own professional business for over thirty years, not knowing quite what to expect, but hoping I could bring my ‘people skills’ into play, and make a contribution.
I was delighted to find that the management and staff (office and workshop), and drivers, are all friendly, professional and supportive, and there is a strong team spirit here.
The areas that we service are very pleasant to drive around, and the passengers of all ages, nice to deal with, and you find yourself on good terms with them very quickly (even after a ‘rocky’ start, like the first day I found myself running late on the first couple of runs on a new shift, and was greeted at each stop by ‘get lost, did you?’, or ‘stop off at your girlfriend’s place?’, and – the worst one for me!! - ‘when’s the real driver coming back?’).
It gives me a great feeling of satisfaction and worth when passengers go out of their way to thank me for something that I feel is just part of the service they should expect to receive from a professional bus driver.
I also enjoy the variety of work apart from route runs. I have been doing frequent and varied charters to interesting locations, and I get a buzz out of runs in and out of the CBD, rail work (when train services are replaced by buses), and special event work (like the Easter Show)! In short, I have enjoyed this (change of) career right from the start, and continue to love it (just ask my wife, family and friends…and me!).
Like many drivers, Dureid started in a different field and moved into bus driving. He joined TransdevTSL - Shorelink Buses three years ago after a time spent driving a cab.
"I did taxi driving in the city. Taxi-driving there is too much pressure. To make money you must not waste a second from the 12-hour shift.
"Here at TransdevTSL - Shorelink Buses, it is easier. Every four hours you have a rest, tea-time or meal break. It's nice and easy, not much pressure.
Dureid takes pride in being a driver and doesn't think just anyone could do it. "You have to be a certain type. Not everyone can do bus driving"
He thinks that people-skills are important to his passengers. "You have to like people," says Dureid.
"The passengers we have are really nice. Some of them chat and you get to know them."
As well as people skills, Dureid doesn't underestimate the need to be good on the road. "You must be a good driver".
His advice is to "observe and pay attention to what you are doing." You can tell he takes his driving seriously and is always looking for ways to improve his skills. But he says that learning to drive a bus at the start was fine.
"If you are a good driver, it is quite easy. After a few weeks you get to know the area if you are not living here and it is quite easy after that. The management change you to a new route for a change of scenery after that."
He prefers the leafy suburban routes that TransdevTSL - Shorelink Buses operate as well. "It's a lovely place here," he says. "We drive around Wahroonga and Turramurra and Gordon."
"It's a much nicer place to drive around than the city. Too much traffic and crossing the bridge. When I come here in the morning or afternoon it is against the traffic."
For new drivers Dureid says it only takes a few days to settle in with the team. "The other drivers are a really nice bunch. You meet them in the Driver Room a few times a day for a cup of coffee.
"Other times you see them on the road and always have a wave. One time a passenger saw this and said, ‘you like to wave!'"
Dureid has been in Australia a long time but like many Australians he wasn't born in the country. "I'm from the Middle East. I've been here since 1970 and have spent most of my life here now."
He believes TransdevTSL - Shorelink Buses are fair and kind to employees. "The company is really good. If you do the right thing they treat you well."