One of Carousel Buses first drivers celebrates 20 years behind the wheel

Carousel Buses driver Shamas Kayani has clocked up two-decades driving buses – and is now sharing his knowledge with new recruits.

Mr Kayani who hailed bus driving as the “best job in the world” still loves serving his passengers around Buckinghamshire.

When he joined Carousel Buses as one of its first drivers and employees in 2003 under the original owners, Girls Aloud topped the UK charts and England won the Rugby World Cup.

A familiar face on Carousel Buses services, he is now passionately sharing his years of experience with new drivers as they undergo training and go into service.

To honour Mr Kayani’s long-service he was awarded the Lifetime Star Award at the Oxford Bus Group’s recent Really Amazing Awards.

Mr Kayani points to the strong sense of camaraderie at the company, opportunities for progression and effective senior management as reasons behind his long service.

He said: “I’ve loved being a bus driver over the last 20 years, it is the best job in the world. This company also feels like home to me.

“I’ve always enjoyed interacting with passengers and my colleagues over the years, I have made many friends and I am now training the newer drivers when they join.

“The management listen to us and make the right decisions; they have brought in newer buses over the years which are more comfortable and better for drivers.”

Carousel Buses is currently recruiting for bus drivers to serve its main routes around Buckinghamshire and its transport-on-demand PickMeUp service. Full training is provided and drivers earn between £32,000 and £39,000 per year on average.

Luke Marion, Carousel Buses Managing Director, said: “Bus driving is such a rewarding job and Shamas’ journey is a great example of how fulfilling working at Carousel Buses is.

“To have experienced drivers like Shamas now sharing their experience and knowledge with new drivers is invaluable to us and helps us further ensure an excellent training programme for new recruits and a first-class service for our passengers.

“Bus and coach drivers perform vital roles in the communities they serve and public transport is key in connecting people, reducing congestion and improving air quality.

“At Carousel Buses we offer stable, long-term employment at competitive rates of pay. We are currently recruiting drivers and I would encourage people to find out more via our website.”

A subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group, Carousel Buses employs around 80 people and operates around 45 buses in High Wycombe and the wider Buckinghamshire area. It also serves locations including Slough in Berkshire, Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and Uxbridge.

For more information on current full-time and part-time bus driving opportunities please visit here:  https://www.carouselbuses.co.uk/careers