(06 Sep 2025, 7:44 pm)F114TML wrote Tbf whenever I did the sedgefield one they were little bother. Bit loud, maybe the odd bit of luggage, but that's it.

Only a couple of drivers do the 5197 (and even then one of them does it most of the week), and ours (5045, now with someone else) had one permanent driver and two relief drivers (the two relief drivers also cover the 5001 to Easington).

The drivers therefore build a rapport with the kids, the kids know how far the driver will let them go. They're much better behaved that way.

Would it not be DBS requirements that dictate a small pool or regular driver, rather than rapport building exercise?

(06 Sep 2025, 5:54 pm)Superman wrote A very expensive school bus then. Absolutely not performing any return on investment, so I cannot see that being the case forever.

It's more likely the contract it is used on will end next year and the bus will move on to another location.

Otherwise, in order for it to actually pay for itself, then the price for a daily school bus in Sedgefield will go up faster than Angela Rayner's tax bill.

Only £30k that Rayner didn’t pay. I m waiting to see what Frogface owes. Looking likes £millions .

Surely all drivers are DBS?

(06 Sep 2025, 8:41 pm)idiot wrote Surely all drivers are DBS?

The drivers on school work have to have an Advanced DBS check - likewise the driver on Flex at Stockton also had to have similar.

(06 Sep 2025, 6:30 pm)Storx wrote Demonstators aren't they with Arriva, GoAhead and Stagecoach each having one?

Arriva (AR74 ZEB) - Currently at Ashington
GoAhead (GA74 ZEB) - Currently at Brighton
Stagecoach (SC74 ZEB) - Not sure where it's at now

That's the 3 of them. There's AD24 ZEB around aswell, but unsure where that's at these days. Edit: at Harrogate.

First and National Express (West Midlands) got them too.
FB74ZEB and NX74ZEB

(06 Sep 2025, 8:41 pm)idiot wrote Surely all drivers are DBS?

No, a DBS check is generally not required to become a bus driver.

It is only necessary if you are regularly operating specific types of routes, primarily school services or some closed-door routes. Some contracts may also stipulate a DBS check, but in most cases, major operators do not conduct them for the majority of their workforce.

Legally, there is no requirement for a DBS check, despite the potential situations bus drivers might encounter when operating in BAU (such as driver and vulnerable passenger alone together, late at night or terminus etc). Arguably, they all should be - I absolutely agree.

(06 Sep 2025, 9:37 pm)stagecoachfan wrote First and National Express (West Midlands) got them too.
FB74ZEB and NX74ZEB

Thanks for that, missed those ones tbh.

(06 Sep 2025, 9:37 pm)stagecoachfan wrote First and National Express (West Midlands) got them too.
FB74ZEB and NX74ZEB

The National Express one doesn't appear to have been used since it was built - the only photographs of it anyway on the web are parked in the ADL storage area at Camelon (or recently on test round Falkirk).

Now that I'm surprised at. I thought the companies would have them trained in basic safeguarding too.

(04 Sep 2025, 8:27 am)Kuyoyo wrote  all the Lakes ones are still required this weekend after all.

Can you expand on this please.  Are some open toppers being borrowed from the Lakes for the Great North Run, and if so which ones are expected or turned up.

(08 Sep 2025, 10:54 pm)Brampton Trev wrote Can you expand on this please.  Are some open toppers being borrowed from the Lakes for the Great North Run, and if so which ones are expected or turned up.

No, no Lakes Open Topper were loaned for the GNR. Mainly because there's none to spare to come on loan.