‘Bus driving provided me with the perfect career change,’ says former Army driver

Claire Kelly-Parkin served as a driver in the Royal Logistics Corps, touring Afghanistan, Iraq, The Balkans and Northern Ireland until 2012. The 49-year-old took an extended break from working following her departure from the Army due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

But Claire, who lives in Abingdon is now a thriving member of the Thames Travel’s driving team dedicated to providing passengers with reliable, daily services across Oxfordshire. Claire drives the X2, X32, 33 and 98 services four times each week in the mornings and early afternoons so she can balance her work with a busy home life which includes looking after her two children and four dogs.

She said: “Leaving the Army was tough for me and a lot of the work I did will stick in my mind forever. As a Class One Lorry Driver, I had several options to return to work. But the jobs available were impossible to fit around my lifestyle. Thames Travel is very supportive and the flexible shift patterns offered to its employees are a great help.

“Bus driving is far more flexible than most jobs advertised, in my opinion. It’s also easy to transfer key skills developed from former careers such as communication, providing a good service and being responsible.  It’s a great career for former Army servants to explore but also civilians too. There are always challenges to overcome and no two days are the same which is what I enjoy.”

Thames Travel is currently recruiting PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) Drivers to serve its routes in and around Oxfordshire. Drivers can be paid up to £17.21 per hour and receive full professional paid training as part of their employment hours, opportunities to work overtime and free travel passes for them, a second adult and any children. Claire says her work is not limited to her responsibilities behind the wheel, though.

“When people get off the bus, I find their attitude can change,” said Claire. “People really appreciate friendly, approachable, drivers. My job description is a bus driver, but we are capable of so much more. It might be assisting the elderly off the bus without taking away their independence or being that friendly face to have a quick chat to when people board. I get a lot of satisfaction out of my engagement with our passengers who I truly believe appreciate a good service. We are often the beginning and end points of peoples’ working days so it’s important to do your job with a smile.

“I would recommend bus driving to anyone considering a career change or starting out their professional life.”  

Phil Southall, Thames Travel Managing Director, said: “Claire’s story is a great example of how bus driving provides people searching for new employment with an opportunity to transfer skills established from previous roles. She uses her experience and people skills to provide our

customers with the best possible service and ensure that they begin and end their days with a smile on their face. Following an expansion of our services to provide improved connectivity between Oxford and the county’s towns and villages we are activity recruiting drivers. Our services are vital for our region’s economic recovery and we need more drivers to help deliver more frequent services.”