Meet Shane: Our man who comes early and leaves late

After working behind a desk for 30 years, Shane decided to change his career and become a bus driver.

“I graduated from the bus driver training courses in September, five years ago. Before then, I was a Federal public servant for 30 years and I was tired of sitting behind a desk. This opportunity came up, I went to an information session and booked my application. A couple of months later, I became a bus driver and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. It’s the job that I wish done a long time back,” said Shane.

As a part of Shane’s daily routine, the bus is always ready when he turns up at the depot for his driving duties. He says he always enjoyed talking with his passengers, particularly some of the older passengers who he sees regularly.

“I was very happy when they changed the COVID rules and passengers can get back to the front of the bus and talk to me again. During the pandemic, it’s hard to talk to anyone if they are sitting at the back. Now that the rules have lifted, regular customers are back to where they normally sit, and they enjoyed seeing what’s happening on the road and chatting with me.”

Shane has also been working as a transport officer at the Belconnen Starters Office where he opens the gate, allocates the buses, rosters the drivers and get them ready for the day. Some other drivers who enjoy the company will come early in the morning and have a morning coffee chat with other early birds until their shifts begin.

Thank you, Shane, for our man who comes early and leaves late! The one who dedicates himself to the work wholeheartedly.