Comments such as “best bus driver ever”, “he’s amazing”, “friendly, very kind, polite”, “always says hi and goodbye” and “top bloke” give you a taste of why his regulars on the Mosgiel service voted for him. 

“For me it’s about making the journey pleasant so everyone enjoys it. The buses are for people to use, so let’s let them use it. If people are having a bad day, I just smile at them and that often diffuses the situation.”

Bob always says thanks to people when they get off the bus, even if they don’t thank him.

“When a new person starts catching the bus who doesn’t say more than one word, I just stay friendly until eventually they’ll start to smile back and say thanks. What really tickles me pink is when I then see them on the road as I drive by and they wave at me!”

His philosophy is sound. “I treat people as I like to be treated. We all have a bad day but you try not to let the passenger see that. They don’t need to know that.”

It goes both ways – Bob likes his passengers too, saying they are nice and friendly.

“I especially like being able to help elderly and disabled and provide them with a comfortable journey. I have a 98-year-old passenger and I’d like to get her to her hundredth birthday still on the bus.”

Bob is a local, married with two kids, plus two grandkids. He was in business for himself previously but wanted to keep working.

“I like the customer service part of the role, and I don’t like being in an office so it suits me well.”

Bob was really pleased and humbled to receive praise from passengers. He said he was looking forward to taking his wife out to a meal with the Bransons voucher he received.

Well done Bob, and thanks to everyone who showed their appreciation.