QuestionHi Paul,
I'm in the US. I can tell you for sure the drivers don't follow the rules you mentioned, but maybe the rules are different here. Yes, they walk around the back of the bus before they back up but then they get behind the wheel and it might be 5 minutes before they actually back up and by that time I may have wandered in back of the bus. They definitely do not wait 5 seconds after they honk they horn, sometimes it even seems they start reversing a little first THEN honk the horn. Do you have video cameras on your bus to help you see when you back up?
The cat that got backed over did shriek loud but it was for like a real short second then completely silence. Have you ever hit a small animal like that with your bus? If you have hit anything small yourself out on the road do you stop afterwards? When I saw the bus driver a few days later I told him he had hit a cat and he said he didn't feel anything and it must have been another bus, but after a while you recognize the drivers and even their style of driving. It may sound strange but not all drivers drive the same way. Should I have mentioned to him that he hit the cat? I don't know why I told him, I guess it really left a big impression on me when I cleaned it up, jaw and front leg completely gone. I never told anyone that he had hit the cat and after I had informed him he kind of looked the other way every time he saw me. Now when I see him pulling in I wave and he waves back.
I'll have to get some of the safety clothing you talked about. How much does it cost over there? I enjoy working at the station because I feel like part of a team, I'd like to keep this part time job even after school starts back up. Most of the time the drivers don't see me when they're driving even only a couple of feet or sometimes inches from me, other times when they DO see me they treat me like a nuisance obstacle lol. It's a job that requires complete attention, I had trying wearing a walkman just in one ear but even just it one ear it cut out too much sound and I wasn't as alert.
Do you have any photos of the bus you drive or maybe photos of the type of bus you drive and others you've driven? I was surprised it didn't take you too long to get your license.
What's the most difficult parking space you've ever had to park a bus in? If you yourself are reversing a bus back up to a wall, how close do you think you'd be able yourself to get the rear bumper to the wall without actually touching the wall?
Jim
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Followup To
Question -
I see you're a bus driver and I have several questions
1. Are you licensed to drive the big intercity buses or just London buses?
2. How long did it take you to get your licence?
3. I see you started driving in 1995, how old were you when you started driving buses?
I'm in college and this summer I work in a bus depot sweeping the station area where the buses pull in and out, its like a big garage. Sometimes there are 7-10 buses in the parking area at a time, all with their engines running and its hard to tell which bus is preparing to back up or what, I really have to be careful. It seems that when I'm sweeping the parking area many of the drivers are completely unaware of me. I quickly learned that when a bus driver honks his horn it's a COMMAND to move and not a suggestion lol. It seems like half a second after you guys honk the horn you're already in reverse and moving, I've learned to move fast lol.
When you're reversing your own bus, how much visibility do you have? For example if I'm 6 feet behind your bumper and you start reversing are you going to see me? Since I'm around buses all day can you give me any suggestions that would make it easier for drivers to see me?
Thanks
PS last week a cat wondered into the station area and a driver backed over it, the shriek the cat made was incredible. Amazingly the driver just pulled forward and drove off, it took me 45 minutes to clean up. If you guys back over something like a cat wouldn't you notice it?
Answer -
Dear Jim
Firstly, my licence allows me to drive any vehicle with over 8 passenger seats, whether they are London's buses or intercity coaches (even London's new 'bendy' busses that carry around 200 passengers). It took me 4 weeks to pass my PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) Licence. This was an intensive course, and I was driving about 4 hours each day. In 1995 I was 22 years old. The minimum age to drive buses in the UK is 21 (or 18 with some restrictions).
I'm not sure where you are from, but from the time you sent your message I am guessing the USA. I haven't seen or know the rules for bus employees in the US but in my bus company all drivers SHOULD walk to the back of the vehicle to see if there is anyone (or anything) there, and also sound the horn twice and wait 5 seconds before reversing. All too often I see drivers just getting in their vehicle without looking, sounding the horn and then not giving anyone time to move out the way.
On the question of whether the driver can see you, it depends on a number of factors (including the type and size of vehicle you are standing behind). I would guess that the driver couldn't see you. Remember this rule: “If you can't see the drivers face in the mirrors, then the driver can't see you”. Also remember that if the driver CAN see you, it doesn't mean they HAVE seen you. Although it is the driver's responsibility to make sure there is nothing behind him/her, that won't help you if he/she runs you over. That cat you mentioned didn't have much chance to complain. Working in bus garages is very dangerous and there have been too many people killed in London, by buses running them over while in the bus garage. Our employees now have to wear High-Visibility vests when walking in the bus garage, I suggest you do the same. Hi-Vi vests can be quite expensive but it is surprising how well they work and your employer may supply you with one if you ask. You should not stand behind any vehicle with it's engine running as it could reverse over you at any time and without warning. If you are not sure whether a vehicle is running or not, touch the side of the vehicle and you should be able to feel it vibrating if the engine has started. Lastly if you are walking between buses it can be just as dangerous so bang on the side of the vehicle before walking through the gap. This may make the driver jump but at least they will know that you are there.
It is possible not to see or feel something that you hit especially if the driver is not checking his mirrors correctly, but from your description I guess he should have heard it.
I hope I have been of help answering your questions, and please feel free to ask again if you have more questions
Yours,
Paul
AnswerDear Jim,
It's nice hearing from you again.
The rules are there for the health and safety of all employees in the garage. Just because there are rules doesn't mean everyone will follow them. I see a lot of drivers breaking the rules and I remind them of the dangers of reversing unsafely. It is very important that you are alert and aware of the possible dangers. Ask your boss what the rules for drivers at your work place are and if they don't follow these rules inform your boss. Remember the Health and Safety of company employees is the responsibility of EVERYONE. It definitely is NOT a good idea to wear a Walkman, even in one ear, your ears are there to hear things like buses moving nearby and with only one ear in operation it will be hard for your brain to work out where the sound is coming from.
We have video equipment on the rear of some our busses but this gives the driver a view of only a few feet and if the driver is not looking a then video screen he still won't see you. Remember that at the end of the day YOU need to make sure you are safe, don't trust that other people will do their job safely.
A bus garage is not a very safe place for a cat. They are small, they don't understand buses, or go to Health and Safety classes. I have not hit a cat, but have hit a few pigeons that jump out from under bridges without checking if it is safe first. If you see any other small animals in the garage try to get them to a safer place (outside), but do not put yourself at risk. NEVER go under a vehicle to try to get anything. It the United Kingdom there are some animals that if hit must be reported but a cat is not one of them, A bus driver's main responsibility is to give their passengers a safe and comfortable ride. A driver may make a split second decision to run over an animal that runs into the road in an effort to prevent injuring (or possible killing) his passengers. If a cat runs out from under a parked car and the driver decides to swerve or brake to avoid hitting the animal he may hit something else and there may be a lot of people injured.
A high visibility vest costs about £10 ($16) here but things in the USA are usually cheaper than here. If want one then send me your address and I will send you one for free as I have a few new ones spare. (send your address to paul@redpython.co.uk so it doesn't get published on the internet)
I drive all sorts of buses. To see some of the buses in London go to http://www.londonbusroutes.net/photos/. The type of bus I currently drive when working as a driver can be seen at http://www.londonbusroutes.net/photos/W03.htm. When I am instructing people to drive, the type of bus I use can be seen at http://www.londonbusroutes.net/photos/176.htm This is the ACTUAL bus I use, but it is now painted white.
If the gap is capable of fitting a bus in it then I can get it in it. The bus I drive is 8 feet 2 and a half inches wide. I often pass through gaps with only half an inch of space on either side. London's buses don't have bumpers so when drivers hit things it is usually the rear window that breaks first! Driving a bus through a gap or parking very close to a wall is not hard as long as you are driving at the correct speed (very slowly) and are paying attention to all that is going on around you.
Nice to hear from you again,
Paul.
