Lothian looking for new drivers to
sign up for four weeks of training
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Revved up
and raring
to go
By PHYLLIS STEPHENTWO OF THE newest bus drivers at Longstone
Garage were nearly at the end of their four-week
long training programme, and both were
brimming with confidence about their own
driving ability. By the time we go to press you
might just see them on some of the single
decker routes. All new drivers are allocated
to these buses on routes 30,36 and 38 first
before graduating to a double decker after
about a year or so.
Recruits undergo rigorous training at Lothian
with everything from theory to practical
experience thrown in to the lessons and tests.
The company needs new members of staff and
are holding an open day on 28 January. With
around 1,700 drivers Lothian can cover all shifts,
but there is little wriggle room if any drivers are
ill or on leave. If you are aged around 19 or over,
and have a clean driving licence then apply now
or attend the Open Day. New drivers can earn
from £13 an hour upwards, and the shift patterns
are very flexible and include part-time work.
Craig Skirving is a former postie who recently
qualified as a bus driver having been put through
his paces by the former bus drivers whocomprise the eight-strong training team at the
bus company.
The 24-year-old said he is looking forward to
being warm and cosy on a bus from now on,
rather than delivering mail in all kinds of
Scottish weather.
Craig feels that the training he has been given
has more than prepared him for his new role,
and he explained his change of career: "Well, a
company the size of Lothian, it's a good
company, and I had thought for a long time
about becoming a bus driver. Then I saw the
Open Day advertised on Facebook and that
prompted me to apply. I finished being a
postman on a Friday and the following Monday
I started here straight away.
"It is great to drive a bus around Edinburgh- some bits I haven't seen before. But I know the
streets pretty well from my previous job. I like
that I will be working on my own - apart from
the passengers of course.”
Holly Aitken (26) is a local mum - with the
youngest of her children a baby of just eight
months. She applied about three months ago and
was very keen to get on the road.
The final five days deals with customer care, as
Holly commented it’s all about "making sure the
passengers get a comfortable ride wherever
they're going".
She explained: "I'll be based at Longstone
and I feel quite confident about starting my first
shift from here. The trainers are really good and
if you ever struggle with anything then they are
really reassuring.
"I was a delivery driver for a chippie before
this, so have a lot of driving experience. With the
shifts, I will be able to plan quite easily the
childcare I need to have covered well in advance.
I have a supportive family with my mum who
helps out a lot, and my partner who runs his
own business.
“I enjoy driving and the shifts will be easily to
work around - and also being paid weekly it will
make it quite easy to manage.”
And Holly also gave the Lothian uniform her
seal of approval - which she thinks is “quite
smart and very cosy”.
Driver Examiner Graeme Healy congratulates new recruits Craig and Holly
(front) with fellow trainers Michael Robinson and Scott Crosbie (behind)New drivers Craig Skirving and Holly
Aitken can throw away their L plates