When York’s newest bus driver isn’t hitting the road, she’s hitting the books.
That’s because 22-year-old Pippa Salisbury is studying for a sociology degree at the University of York.
She’s the first student to get a job as a driver at First York, which she will do two days a week to combine it with her third year at the university.
Like many her age, Pippa was working in a fast food chain but wanted a change. “I’ve done all kinds of jobs in hospitality and bars and tried lots of places, often not hearing back at all.
“I was surprised I was even eligible to drive a bus,” she added, even though she’s held a driving licence for three years.
“I saw an ad for bus drivers and decide to apply. I was unsure about the interview but at the end I was offered a job and began training – I was amazed!”
Training a new bus driver takes between six to eight weeks and includes classroom-based learning alongside on-the-road driving tuition.
Candidates need to have held a full driving licence for six months and are allowed to have a maximum of six penalty points. New recruits are also paid during their training.
Buddy support
When qualified, a ‘buddy’ supports drivers in service for the first two weeks.
Pippa has a contract giving her two days’ work a week with pay of £15 per hour which she manages around her lectures.
The security of guaranteed working hours also appeals. “In many jobs it’s zero hours contracts, so you can’t be certain. Typically it might be three or four hour shifts but with driving I know it will be a lot longer so I can earn more.”
She drives on the university routes as well as other city services so regularly sees fellow students and accepts there will be jokes.
“It’s fun and every time I’m out with my friends and meet other people, they always say: “She’s a bus driver.”