Being a bus driver is a fun job. You see a lot of places, you drive around and meet a lot of people. Being on the move all the time requires you to undergo an extended amount of preparation beforehand. Whether it’s for our own well-being or to get ready in case there’s some fixing up to be done. Don’t head on any trip before you discover the 11 bus driver essentials you should have with you all the time. If you’re a professional driver looking to bring your health, relationships and happiness to the next level, join our free Facebook community.
1. AN EXTRA SET OF CLOTHES
A bus driver’s job is a dynamic one. You can go from driving in a nice shirt and leather shoes the one moment, to having to open up the hood two minutes later. Some of us get company uniforms but this may not always be the case. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve ruined a nice shirt with luggage compartment grease. This is why spare clothes are first on the list of bus driver essentials. I always recommend having an extra shirt or polo hanging somewhere AND wiping the bunkers preemptively from time to time. Most of us forget to after washing the bus and I bet the cleaning staff forgets to do it too. It is an easy-to-miss but really important spot as it can get your hands very dirty, which brings me to the next point.
2. TWO PAIRS OF GLOVES
Whether it’s for opening the luggage compartment, cleaning the bus or fixing up, I recommend having 2 pairs of gloves with you at all times. Opening the luggage compartment in rainy or snowy weather will get your hands dirty and you know it. What about cleaning the bus? You can say whatever you want but if you’ve cleaned the bus just once you’ll know how dirty it can get after a single ride. Please use your gloves, ESPECIALLY WHEN HANDLING USED BOTTLES. I was on sick leave for weeks in the middle of summer because I got mononucleosis from cleaning without gloves. It takes just a bit of negligence for things like that to happen. I was alright but it could’ve led to much worse health issues. I would recommend using disposable gloves for cleaning, and regular work ones for everything else on the bus.
3. PILLOW, BLANKET & SLEEPING MASK
Note: Don’t sleep like this, it’s very dirty. I’m 6ft 3 so sleeping on a seat was not an option for me. Trying to sleep in the luggage compartment gets me paranoid of getting closed in.
You’ve probably found yourself waiting for hours at a place numerous times, but couldn’t fall asleep at all. And you’re not to blame. Passenger seats aren’t made for sleeping. While you can lay down in the luggage compartment during summertime, that is not an option in the winter. This is why you should always have a pillow on your bus. Whether it’s just a neck pillow or a proper bed pillow (which I recommend much more). One of those and you’re good to go. What about the sleeping mask? Sounds a bit feminine, doesn’t it? Never spent a night in a hotel room where you couldn’t fall asleep because of a random small light that couldn’t be turned off? Liar. The sleeping mask is for situations like these. Whether you’re in a room trying to fall asleep after a long day of driving, or just got an hour to spare in the bus, a sleeping mask is a great investment.
4. TOILET PAPER & WET WIPES aka “You gotta bring your own buttwipe, kiddo”
When I was a conductor and I visited Dubrovnik with the bus crew for the first time, we slept in a private apartment. While I was touring it, I noticed there was no toilet paper. Anyways, I ask my colleague “Hey John, where’s the toilet paper” to which he laughs and responds “You gotta bring your own buttwipe, kiddo”. A month later, me and John were on the road again. He was driving and got stomach cramps all of a sudden. Then he asked me to check for toilet paper in the bus. Of course, I checked, and after I found nothing I told him “You gotta bring your own buttwipe, Johnny Boy”. He didn’t find this as amusing, so the ease it up for him I gave him a pack of tissues.
Oh, and while we’re on the topic, make sure to check out our post about the ever-locked onboard toilet.
5. A NOTEBOOK is a Must Have for every bus driver
Every bus driver I’ve seen has a notebook. Myself included. You can have them in any shape or size, a fancy leather notebook or a third-grader’s paper notebook. It’s not about the outside, and it’s not even about the inside of it. I write the basics of my ride (license plate, kilometers, expenses) – just so I can later send it to my company and have it all in one place. I also add some stuff for myself, such as if the tour guide shared the tip or my own expenses. Some of my older colleagues even write down the hours they worked and who knows what else. They say it’s so they have proof for something. Who knows.
6. POLARized SUNGLASSES (or nonpolarized that look good on you)
I spent my first paycheck on a pair of golden Ray Ban aviator shades. These are probably the coolest sunglasses you can get. Joking aside, when you’re on the road 24/7 you’ll drive towards the Sun at least half of the time so better be prepared for it. Yes, you can just lower down the windshield blinds but then you will :
a) Reduce visibility and not see cool places along the road
b) Piss off the passengers who will also not see cool places along the road.
This is something where you shouldn’t be cheap and get a 5$ pair at the flea market, rather think of it as a long-term investment. If you take care of your sunglasses, they can last you decades. The only reason I don’t wear mine anymore is because I got a size too big and I look like a fruit fly wearing them.
7. A FULL REFRIGERATOR – A Bus Driver’s Best Friend
If you’re the only one driving your bus, or sharing it with just one colleague – do yourselves a favour and never have an empty fridge. A golden rule is to have it filled 70% with water, and the rest with coffee/snacks/beer, as there’s nothing better than opening a cold one at the end of the day. Try to get the cheapest water there is, because that way you can invest more money into beer. Not to mention the bigger margin when selling water to passengers. No matter how you decide to fill it up, a full refrigerator is an absolute essential for every bus driver.
8. YOUR OWN TOOLBOX
Although most companies have mechanics and you’ll rarely ever have to do any mechanical work as a bus driver nowadays, having your own toolbox with screwdrivers, a socket wrench, a flashlight, and cable ties can be a lifesaver when you’re out on the road and encounter an obstacle. Even if you’re unexperienced, you’d be surprised how simple it is to repair broken seats, hanging bumpers, and a number of other things. Have faith in yourself and others will have faith in you too!
9. MEDICINE (NOT YOUR FIRST AID KIT FROM THE BUS) AND SUNSCREEN
As bus drivers, our job to drive and keep our passengers safe is a big responsibility, and you can’t keep anybody safe if you can’t keep yourself safe first. Let’s start with something less crucial but still important – sunscreen. As I said before, you’ll be driving towards the sun quite often, and it would be a shame to make your face look double the age you are because you’re lazy or ashamed to apply it in front of other men.
On a more important note, anything can happen on a long distrance trip. Whether it’s a mild headache or food poisoning it’s up to you to keep symptoms at bay while you can. Always carry painkillers and tablets for bringing down a fever with you in your backpack, and stay well-hydrated. If you’re by any chance feeling like you can’t drive anymore, stop at the nearest rest stop (or immediately) and take as long a break as you need, or call your dispatcher to find a replacement driver. Don’t play around and risk your life and your passenger’s lives. You only have one.
10. FOOD FROM HOME – every bus driver’s Essential
Even if you’re not in the industry and you’re just a passenger, you probably noticed a lot of us are not in the best of shape. While this is largely due to the mostly sitting nature of the job, you also have to think about the places most buses are going through. Think gas stations and bus terminals. It’s usually bakeries and fast food, and even getting a hot dog would be healthier than some of the sugar-filled pastries I had to eat because I had nowhere else to go. Do yourself a favour, buy a steel food container (because the plastic ones are full of estrogen), take a balanced meal from home (we’ll talk about some simple & quick recipes in the future), and enjoy it.
11. SWIMMING TRUNKS & A TOWEL Are Essentials for a Bus Driver On The Sea
Whether you’re driving at the seaside and expecting to have some time off between the rides, or taking your passengers on a weekend getaway in a spa resort, your beach gear is a must have! I’d go as far as put it on top of your suitcase as soon as you find out you’re going, just in case.
There you go. With all the things you should carry with you it sounds like being a bus driver is not too different than taking your children on a beach day. I’m sure you know about most of the stuff I mentioned, but there’s always something new to know and try out. After all the goal of Thrive2Drive is to skyrocket your wellbeing as a bus driver. Thanks for reading and see you next time.
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