Whilst staff shortages and bus service reductions are being very widely witnessed across the country, Reading is experiencing quite a different – and perhaps unique – story.
Although not totally exempt from these challenges, Reading Buses believe that in the circumstances they are faring better than most – thanks to recruitment changes put in place a decade ago.
And one of the most crucial of those benefited driver Maks Pruszewicz who has become known as Reading Buses very own ‘Smiling Bus Driver.’
Employed in 2012, he was dubbed as such on the Chris Evans Radio 2 Show after winning the Top National Bus Driver accolade at the UK Bus Awards in 2017.
Maks, 61, from Calcot, has continued to encourage people to consider changing professions and become a bus driver like him and achieve success and job satisfaction.
After a career in which he has experienced numerous driving jobs as well as customer service roles, he decided to apply to be a bus driver with Reading Buses and now has what he describes as ’a job working with people that makes me really happy.’
After being asked what his thoughts were about the role he said: “There is no doubt in my mind that driving and meeting people alongside being well paid with good benefits, is a great combination.
“I get to meet people every day and just love being able to be myself as well as a warm and friendly person.
“I am part of a great team and work in a lovely part of the country. I love that I get to be part of helping people get around Reading – and that makes me smile.
“Reading Buses is helping to connect the community together and we drivers are part of that – as well as driving the company to go forward and build something even better.”
Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams fully endorsed Maks’ views. “We are always looking for enthusiastic people like Maks to join our driving team.
“We are continually keen to hear from anybody who enjoys working with people. You don’t need to be able to drive a bus – we can teach that.
“The company changed its recruitment policy over 10 years ago from looking for people who drive buses to recruiting ‘people who like people.’
“That is the one element you can’t teach!
“At Reading Buses we are also fortunate to have an award-winning training academy which will help people-minded drivers to go through their training to join the team and flourish.”
Prospective ‘people who like people’ drivers can find out more at www.reading-buses.co.uk/drivers