At just 18, Victoria Delaine-Smith has wasted no time getting into the driver’s seat and joining the family business at Delaine Buses, which has over 125 years of history. She speaks to Beth Hutson about her time in the industry so far
Q: What is your job role at Delaine Buses?
A: I’m currently an Office Clerk and a PCV Driver. I drive a local bus service on weekday mornings and afternoons, which currently actually serves Bourne Grammar School where I was a student until June 2016. During the day I work in the office, and my duties include bookkeeping, record collating and dealing with general inquiries.
Q: What made you decide to join the family business after completing your A Levels?
A: Growing up I’ve always been proud of there being over 125 years of family history in the industry, and so joining the business was something I’ve always been quite passionate about doing. My sister Jennifer joined in 2010, and we’re the sixth generation of the Delaine family to work in the family business. I felt that it was really important for the next generation of the family to carry it on.
Q: Did you ever consider a career outside of the industry?
A: When I was doing my A Levels law became my favourite subject, so I did consider becoming a lawyer at one point. I achieved an A grade in law, but I thought joining Delaine Buses and working with my family would be more rewarding for me, and I knew I’d enjoy driving as my dad used to take me to the junior driving schools at Brands Hatch when I was younger, and I passed my driving test on my first attempt 17 days after my 17th birthday. I knew that driving would be a big part of my life, so learning to drive a bus seemed quite natural. It definitely did as soon as I got into the driving seat of one of our buses, and I passed on my first attempt.
Q: What is it like to work with your family and do you enjoy it?
A: I find it really fun. My sister Jennifer, who’s Company Secretary, and I get on really well and work really closely together. Working with my dad and three uncles is also great, as they all have lots of knowledge and experience to share with me. They’re all very good at explaining some of the more senior tasks and letting me sit in on meetings, which is helping me learn the business as I’m still quite new to the industry. Now I’ve been working here nine months, I’m really happy here and I wouldn’t work with anyone other than my family now.
Q: What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
A: I’m enjoying all aspects of my role really. I’m learning the business from my dad and uncles, and the other drivers have been very good and offered tips and advice about certain stretches of road and awkward bus stops, and it’s nice to interact with the public – especially as some of them can be my old school friends.
Q: What challenges have you faced so far in your role?
A: Definitely getting up at 0500hrs to be at work for 0640hrs – I found that very challenging at the start but I’m getting used to it now. Being an 18-year-old girl, a lot of people couldn’t believe I could drive buses, and I’d frequently get asked if I could really drive ‘those big double decker buses’. It was quite amusing as well to see the stunned look on some of my former teachers’ faces when I pulled into my old school yard.
Q: Do you think more should be done to recruit women into the industry?
A: I do think so, as I think there can be quite a negative social stigma surrounding female drivers. Having more women in the industry would show that they’re just as capable at driving buses as men. Here at Delaine Buses, there are two female drivers including myself, but since I joined all the applications for employment have been made by men – so I think it’s up to the ladies as well to have the confidence to become PCV drivers.
