Pippa Salisbury, a third year Sociology student, has become the first student bus driver for First Bus York.
Salisbury will combine studying third year at the University with working as a First Bus driver which she will do two days per week with a £15 per hour pay.
Salisbury, who has had a driving license for three years, said: “I was surprised I was even eligible to drive a bus.
“I saw an ad for bus drivers and decided to apply. I was unsure about the interview but at the end I was offered a job and began training – I was amazed!”
Salisbury drives on the university routes and other city services so often sees fellow students.
She said: “It’s fun and every time I’m out with friends and meet other people, they always say: She’s a bus driver.”
Bus driver training takes six to eight weeks and involves classroom-based training alongside driving lessons. Successful recruits are paid during training.
Applicants have to have had a full driving license for six months and a maximum of six penalty points.
Once qualified, drivers receive a support driver for the first two weeks on the job.
Salisbury previously worked in a fast food chain, she said: “I’ve done all kinds of jobs in hospitality and bars.
“In many jobs it’s zero hours contracts, so you can’t be certain. Typically, it might be three or four hour shifts but with driving I know it will be a lot longer so I can earn more.”