A DJ from award winning north east Scotland radio station, Original FM, made a special visit to First Aberdeen last week. Rick Cowie, who presents Original’s popular weekday evening shows, achieved a lifelong ambition by driving a double decker bus.
Under careful supervision from First Aberdeen’s Driving Academy, Rick took a two hour lesson on one of First’s Platinum double deckers. The on board TV screens, leather seats, and free wi-fi proved no distractions as instructors were impressed by Rick’s driving skills.
“Like a lot of kids growing up I wanted to be a bus driver,” said Rick. “Last week my dreams came true! I loved driving the Platinum bus – handling the vehicle was easy, it’s a very smooth ride, but what struck me was the sheer size of the bus and the skill involved in manoeuvring without colliding with anything. I certainly have a new found respect for the bus drivers of Aberdeen.”
New driving recruits ordinarily undergo a three week training course, which includes a customer service programme. However, Rick was given a two hour crash course at First Aberdeen’s bus depot by Craig Duthie, one of the company’s Driving Instructors. Craig said: “We’re recruiting Drivers at the moment and I tried to convince Rick that he’d be better off pursuing a career with First as a Bus Driver than doing his radio show! In all seriousness, Rick is clearly an experienced driver and if he underwent our three week training course he’d undoubtedly excel as a bus driver.”
Following an increase in passenger numbers (First is carrying an extra 1,000 customers a day) First Aberdeen has launched a bus driver recruitment campaign – the company is looking to hire 15 drivers immediately and around a further 75 over the next 12 months. For more information or to apply for a driving position, visit www.firstaberdeen.co.uk