Transdev Blazefield operations in Yorkshire have gained a father and daughter combination among their driving ranks after newly qualified Emma Pool-Long, 19, joined its business in York.
Her father Chris works from Transdev’s Harrogate depot and is one of the longest serving drivers there. The operator says that Emma’s successful recent test pass at the first time of asking is a solid verdict on its The Academy training unit.
She currently drives open-top double-deckers on City Sightseeing York work. “I decided to train as a bus driver after I went along to a recruiting event on a Saturday in April at the Rawcliffe depot in York, where I am now based full time,” she says.
“From the moment I had a go at driving a training bus inside the depot, I knew this was what I wanted to do. Everyone here has supported me every step of the way, and for me, driving a bus just feels like driving a car – except it is a lot bigger, of course.”
Her father Chris is not the only family member to have driven buses. He says: “It is great to see Emma taking to bus driving so quickly, and most of all, to see her enjoying every minute of it.
“Passing her test first time is something special given that she is only 19, and she has a great career ahead of her now. I am one of the longest serving drivers at our Harrogate depot and I can see why Emma is enjoying it – and when I finally retire, we will still have a bus driver in the family!”
