UK's Youngest Bus Driver Says It's The Job He's 'Always Wanted'

A teenager has become the UK's youngest bus driver after landing the job he's 'always wanted to do'.

Kraish Symes, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, secured a role with regional operator Transdev after passing his bus licence exam on the first attempt last month.

The 18-year-old previously worked in a discount store for nearly two years, but when the opportunity to land his dream role came up, he went for it - and hasn't looked back since.

He said: "The people I meet are all happy and friendly and I'm just glad to be here for them.

"This is the job I always wanted to do."

Alamy

Of course, bus drivers play a very important role in our society, but it isn't a dream job for most people. So why then was Kraish so drawn to it? Well, if you like driving and chit chat, there isn't really a better gig out there.

Kraish explained: "Every day is different, and the best part of it is making someone's day with a smile or a quick chat when they get on my bus.

"I'm enjoying every single minute."

He continued: "I'd worked in a discount store for almost two years when I decided to make this change into bus driving, and I've never looked back since.

"I enjoy driving, plus the customer service skills I learned behind the till are helping me now to look after people on my bus.

"I'm usually on the Otley Dash route – we're the local bus in and around Otley and already I'm getting to know my regular customers every day."

SWNS

As for becoming a record-breaker, Kraish said he owes a lot to his driving instructor Barry Dean - and he actually could have become the country's youngest bus driver even sooner.

He said: "Barry is a brilliant instructor and has helped me make it to where I am today.

"I'd have qualified even sooner, but we had to wait three times longer than usual to get my licenses and test date set up through the DVSA."

Kraish is now part of The Keighley Bus Company - part of the Transdev group - and general manager Alan Isherwood is hoping more youngsters will follow in his footsteps.

Alan said: "There’s no better time than now to join us. Kraish did it - and so can you.

"Our drivers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they all have one thing in common - they all care passionately about giving amazing customer service."

Topics: Daily Ladness

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey