Roxana
BUS DRIVER
Previous work:
Retail and customer service
Why did you choose a career as a bus driver?
There is a backstory here. When I was a young girl I said to my mum that when I grew up I wanted to drive a big truck. And then I forgot about it for a few years! When my youngest child started high school, I decided to apply for a bus drivers’ job for flexible hours so that I could pick up the kids from school. I had been working in retail and customer liaison before this and so I had a customer service background.
What do you love most about being a bus driver?
I enjoy driving, this is the main reason why I applied for this job. I’m outdoors and not stuck inside and I’m out and about in the fresh air. If you enjoy driving then I’d definitely recommend applying for a job.
I have autonomy in my day-to-day work. I’m independent. it’s completely different to what I was doing in retail because I didn’t have autonomy and wasn’t able to make many decisions. Now it’s just me on the bus with my passengers, getting them from A to B. I enjoy the responsibility of making decisions and taking care of them.
I see beautiful views and even though I go to the same places every day, I still enjoy them. When I am on my break, I take pictures of Milsons Point and Cremorne Point and have hundreds of them.
How do you maintain your work-life balance?
I have set hours every day from Monday to Friday so I can plan what to do when I finish work. I have kids and a dog and need to be available to my family to do the shopping, get dinner ready and run the household. I also get the weekends off which are important to me.
How has your work helped you to improve the quality of your life?
I start at 4.30am and finish at 11.30am. This means I have the rest of the day to do what I want. My older kids who are at Uni might be home, or I might use the time for running errands. I like the early morning routine which I have been doing for a year now. I used to start at 9am but I prefer the earlier start now that I don’t have to do school pick up anymore.
My supervisors at Keolis Downer were flexible and they supported me to change my routine as my family commitments changed. I used to work part time but now I work more hours and start earlier. The business is also supporting me to do further professional development and I am in the middle of a Cert III in Business (Customer Engagement) to develop more skills.
Another great benefit of working at Keolis Downer is that they offer purchased leave so I can take more time off during the year if I need to. They also provide a Fitness Passport which gives us discounts at certain gyms. So I’m getting fitter too!
How does your work help you to help your community?
I do the same routes every day and I get to know my friendly regulars. I take them to their shopping destination and pick them up on the way back. I know their routines and I look out for them. They’re not driving so they rely on me for safe transport. When I don’t see them, I wonder if they’re ok. When I do see them again, we catch up on the bus and they tell me stories. We both enjoy the social connection and we’re both happier for it. I love it when they say “to my favourite bus driver” in the cards they give me. This little token of appreciation makes my job so much more special.
”I have autonomy in my day-to-day work. I’m independent. It’s just me on the bus looking after my passengers, getting people where they need to go.
Autonomy, work-life balance and supportive team culture
Our bus drivers enjoy autonomy, work-life balance, a supportive team culture and social connection. With a potential to earn up to $90K (full-time average), we give you onsite training with a recognised qualification, so no experience is needed. You just have to love to drive!
Part-time, full-time, casual, and job share options are available. Other benefits include a FREE license upgrade, health and wellbeing programs including Fitness Passport for you and your family, staff rewards and discounts, and more. Start the journey toward a fulfilling and rewarding career today. You won’t look back.
