Driving a bus is above all customer service

Receiving thanks and helping customers make the day for Rezhyan, Ermal and Mika. The willingness of colleagues to help also lifts the spirits: driving a bus is enjoyable work.

When asked what the most important thing about a bus driver's work is, Rezhyan, Ermal and Mika all have the same answer: staying calm. Even if you are on a tight schedule, it is not worth stressing behind the wheel.

"When you have a schedule and a lot of passengers, you have a big responsibility, which can create pressure. The most important thing is to stay calm and relaxed in all situations, as it helps in both customer service and driving," says Mika.

On a busy shift with plenty of passenger, Ermal likes to think that the end of the line marks a new shift.

"If there's time, I walk a little and stretch. When I start driving again, it's a new opportunity to succeed," he says.

Helping makes you happy

Driving forms a large part of a bus driver's job, but the trio highlights customer services as the most important thing.

"When customers enter the bus, I always smile at them. If you start the day with joy, it will be a good day," Rezhyan says. 

"I like to think that the customer who enters the bus is the one paying my salary. I take the passengers to the agreed place at the agreed time. When they are on their phones, the journey is going smoothly and everyone feels safe," Mika says with a smile.

In summer, a lot of tourists get on board Föli and need help buying tickets, among other things. Helping others makes you happy.

"I can give an address to a tourist or help an elderly person get on the bus, for example. And when passengers shout their thanks when leaving, it's a big deal for me. If feels great," Ermal says.

Comfortable job with short training

Everyone has their own story about how they became a bus driver. Mika ended up in the field by chance when he left a long career in graphics and already had a driving licence for bus.

"I wanted a job that wouldn't follow me home. When I finish the day and go home, the work stays at the office. This job was just right for that, and as a career changer, I got to a comfortable job after a short training," Mika says.

Rezhyan became a bus driver as she likes to drive and wants to work in customer service. This job combines both sides perfectly. 

"First I thought that driving a bus would be too difficult. I watched buses navigate the downtown during peak hours among other cars and wondered if I could do that myself. In my home country, Iraq, women can't drive big cars. I wanted to be the first Iraqi woman to do it here in Turku and that's what I did," she says with a smile.

For Ermal, the work stays interesting as the shifts vary from day to day. 

"I find the work easy and comfortable. This was my first job in Finland, so I didn't know the Finnish work culture and how things are done, but my colleagues helped me in everything. I was able to start the work placement quickly, and the shifts can be fitted around your day-to-day life. It's easy to balance work and personal life," Ermal praises.