Meet Niall, one of EMED Community Care’s demand responsive transport (DRT) drivers. DRT offers accessibility, efficiency, and inclusivity for communities like Bristol, where Niall works: “like a cross between a bus and a taxi” as one of our Community Care drivers. DRT adapts to the unique needs and schedules of passengers, offering personalised mobility solutions that bridge gaps in the transport network. In our chat with Niall, we explore the transformative impact of demand responsive transport in communities, highlighting its benefits and challenges and offering greater mobility, sociability and independence for its users.
What did you do before you came to EMED Niall?
I have been a bus driver for three years; before that I worked in factories.
What made you want to switch from being a bus driver to joining EMED Community Care?
Before EMED, I was an agency driver and did ad hoc work for EMED through them. I was really comfortable with it; the company was nice to work for, and I enjoyed it. Working as a bus driver on serviced routes can get quite repetitive. There’s not much variety day in, day out. Moving to EMED, I had so much more freedom… Obviously, you are tied to destinations, but how you get there and overcome the challenges of the route makes the job interesting and challenging. Also you get to have conversations with people – friendly people! I transport all kinds of people from all walks of life.
What have you gained since making the move to EMED?
My geographical knowledge has really increased. I thought I knew the area before, but it turns out I didn’t – I have discovered all sorts of things I didn’t know existed! My previous work could be quite lonely and depressing, but with this job it feels like all of my social skills have returned and I look forward to going to work every day.
What does the role entail – what are you doing day to day?
OK, so I arrive in the morning and am given some keys, my ticket machine, and my PDA. Then I will go out, locate my bus, do all my checks – make sure everything is fine and the vehicle is safe to drive. Then I will follow the PDA, which will take me on various pick-ups and drop-offs throughout the day. It’s sort of like a cross between a bus and a taxi.
What training did you have for this role? Obviously, you were already driving buses…
I was trained to use the PDA, the ticket machine, and the disabled ramp. I also had to familiarise myself with the various vehicles before going out with a shadow driver.
What skills do you need to have to be a DRT driver?
You need to have endless patience; you need to be really alert to what’s going on on the road and around you on the bus and outside. You have to be prepared and flexible.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
I like meeting new people, talking to them, and learning new things from them. Plus, driving around gives me my own freedom. I love working with the team – they are awesome. Passengers can sometimes be a little bit challenging, especially if you are running later for whatever reason. But I take it in my stride – it’s part of the job.
What would you tell someone considering applying for a job with EMED Community Care?
I would tell them that the hours are quite long, but that as a result, you get more time off. I would definitely encourage them to apply – it’s a great place to work and a brilliant job. Obviously, it’s a new service, and we need to get the word out there—give it a chance and take the step to work here.
Niall is a driver working on EMED Community Care’s WESTlink service, serving the community with demand responsive transport throughout Bristol. A single fare for any journey length within the operating zone is £2 for an adult and £1 per child and journeys can be booked by phone, through the website or through a free app. The service is available on demand or can be booked the day before travel.
