'You just never know how people will react' - Behind the wheel with our bus drivers

Bus drivers nationwide are in the spotlight for the Bus Drivers Appreciation Week, amid rising safety concerns.

The celebration highlights both the role drivers play in communities and the growing calls for improved security measures to protect them on the job.

Among those celebrated was Fiji-born Bill Lomaloma, a 73-year-old Wellington driver, whose passion for bus driving had kept him returning to the industry despite having retired three times.

Lomaloma has been driving buses since 2005, mostly recently joining the Airport Express route in the capital.

"I love chatting to people, and I'm an outgoing person, so I enjoy the job. The passengers really lift me up every day," he said.

Even in tense situations, he believed good communication was key.

"A passenger refused to pay, so I explained politely that everyone needs to. He left swearing, saying abusive words, but when I looked back, all the other passengers were clapping. I always remember that day."

However, Lomaloma said recent attacks on buses had left many drivers scared.

"It's always in the back of my mind. You can be nice to people, but you just never know how people will react. You just never know."

He said investment in security inside public transport could help attract more people to the workforce.

"[Maybe] patrols in the buses, to have the policemen inside or even bus inspectors would help us drivers do our job properly.

"But in saying that, there'll always be incidents. And for me I don't think the solution is to cage the driver, like barbed wire. We need to educate people.

For many drivers, a simple "thank you" from passengers was enough, Lomaloma said.

"Kindness is free. A small greeting can change someone's entire day."

'I found my happy place' - Auckland bus driver

Marty Smith, one of Auckland's 2336 bus drivers, echoes the sentiment. For him, bus driving is about setting a positive tone for passengers' mornings.

"Often, the first person they see is the bus driver. I want to contribute in some small way to their mood. And they pay me to do this - it's crazy!"

Smith, who works for Ritchies, said he found fulfilment in the work.

"The first thing is that I am not 25 [years-old] anymore and the opportunity of being able to contribute in this way at my age into the community is extraordinary."

Another Auckland driver, Shayle, had been working with Howick and Eastern Buses for three years.

He was known as the "hydrogen expert" for his expertise in driving the country's only hydrogen fuel cell bus.

"It is my baby", he said mentioning his beloved bus.

Shayle said his favourite route, and one he did frequently was Route 70, connecting the suburbs of Botany to Britomart via Panmure.

"I love driving," he said, "I found my happy place and I will be here until either they get rid of me or retire."

Women behind the wheels

The bus driving sector, long dominated by men, was seeing more women coming through, said Delaney Myers, CEO of the Bus & Coach Association.

"We would love to see more women coming through the doors.

"Modern vehicles are so much easier to drive. It's a complete misnomer that you need to be physically strong to drive the bus, you don't these days and all of the training is provided."

Down in the Wellington Region, driver Paulette was one of the wahines behind the wheels.

"I'm the type of person who's always waving at the other bus drivers," she said.

The 65 year-old has been driving for UzaBus for 20 months, but it wasn't a job she had ever considered before.

"I'd never driven a bus or any heavy vehicle.

"I wasn't sure I would be able see over the steering wheel and reach the pedals. I love it. I love bus driving."

Another woman behind the bus wheels in the Wellington region is Upper Hutt resident Dana.

The 25 year-old is one of the youngest drivers working for Tranzurban, and has wanted to drive large vehicles for as long as she can remember.

"I think it came from when I went with my grandparents down to the South Island on the ferries and you would see all the trucks lined up."

"I actually wanted to become a truck driver, but when I saw the advertisements on the front of the buses, I thought, I might try bus driving first."

Driving skills can be taught, but customer service skills were key, Myers said.

"If people are coming from a background in customer service or something like that, those are the kind of people we are after.

"Come along, get in touch with a local bus company if you're interested and see what's actually involved."

Rising concerns over driver safety

Safety for drivers was an escalating concern, Myers said.

Auckland Transport reports 33 physical assaults on drivers in the first half of this year, up from 21 in the same period last year.

Verbal abuse is also up, with 48 incidents, including threats of harm and even one involving a weapon.

In October, a woman was tragically stabbed on the Number 74 bus in Onehunga.

On Thursday, a driver in Saint Lukes suffered fractured ribs and eye injuries from an assault.

Auckland Transport's operations manager, Duncan McGrory, told RNZ reporter Finn Blackwell he condemned any abuse toward drivers.

"They work hard so Aucklanders can move around their city and they deserve to have a safe workplace," he said.

"We are working closely with community groups, NZ Police and other agencies, but ultimately, public transport is an honest reflection of the communities it serves.

Initiatives to improve safety included panic buttons, CCTV on all buses, and protective driver screens, which were set to cover 80% of buses within two years.

McGrory believed antisocial behaviour in public transport reflected broader issues, calling for respect and courtesy from all passengers.

Delaney Myers agreed and said buses were drivers' workplace and needed to be respected.

"When you are boarding or hopping out of your bus, say hello, or give a quick smile sometimes. That's all it takes to really improve someone's day.

"As everyday Kiwis, we should be taking a little bit of responsibility collectively for behaviour on buses."

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