Profiles of local people

Ever wondered what it is really like to have the job of driving one of Birmingham's buses?

It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it, and one driver has been documenting his life behind the wheel on an Internet weblog. Puking passengers, irate motorists and suicidal psychiatric patients - The anonymous driver's online blog provides a no holds barred account of his job as a driver on the Birmingham bus network.

Since beginning the blog in November of last year, his keen insights, wry tales and observational musings have enthralled his ever-growing readership. Leaving out none of the gory details, his warts and all blog pulls no punches in describing the day to day life of a Brummie bus driver.

Known online simply as TWM Driver - we managed to track down the elusive bus driving blogger for a chat about his weblog and life behind the wheel of a Birmingham bus.

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Firstly let me ask you the obvious question. Why did you become a bus driver - Is it the money or the power?

TWM Driver: The free travel across the West Midlands... The pay is ok, but it could be better!

Life as a bus driver

Why did you decide to first start writing your weblog?

TWM Driver: It was my wife that got me started. I told her some of my stories and she suggested that I start keeping a blog and it grew from that.

Did you expect to get so many readers and such good feedback on it when you started it?

TWM Driver: I never expected it to get as much attention as it has gotten lately. It's amazing that so many people want to read it and even more amazing that they actually like it.

Does anyone know about your blog at all - friends, family, fellow drivers? Or are you completely anonymous?

TWM Driver: Obviously my wife knows, as do my parents. Other drivers don’t know who I am. I have met up with fellow Birmingham bloggers and they just know me as 'The TWM Driver' or by my first name.

Do you have a favourite and a least favourite route?

TWM Driver: That's tricky. I rode the X20 Birmingham to Stratford a while ago and the scenery was wonderful. TWM routes are a little harder. I used to travel on the 37 a lot when I worked in an office in the city and it always amazed me how many different cultures you could get in such a small space.

I worry for my safety a lot especially on the late night shifts. It can be very frightening when you are the only person being threatened by a gang of 20 youths. You have to remember we are out there on our own with help a fair distance and a radio call away. Sometimes that screen on the door seems pretty thin.

I read your story of someone having to pay a single fare with a £20 note - is this a common occurrence and do you think you should give change?

TWM Driver: No this isn’t a common thing. The man concerned was having a very bad day and I guess he was a little frustrated at the situation. If someone does go to pay with a large note then I will point out to them before they put it in that we don’t give any change and where they could get some if they wanted.

Behind the wheel of a bus

On the whole I would say that the vast majority of passengers have the correct, or near to it, fare for their trip. There are days and situations when I wish that we did give change but I can understand why we don’t and I think it is for the better this way.

Sometimes in your blog you are a little critical of TWM but sometimes you praise them - On the whole, do you enjoy your job?

TWM Driver: My job has its good and bad days like any other. I enjoy the driving and the fact that it gets me out in the fresh air and sunshine.

And finally, something I've debated with my friends endlessly - Is the 50 really the most frequent bus service in Europe?

TWM Driver: It is supposed to be and it is timetabled that way, but you know how things go... No bus for ages and then three at once!

Click the link below to visit the bus driver's blog or hit next to read a couple of choice excerpts from his archives.

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