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Intro
There are many reasons people travel by bus – whether it’s the quickest way to reach a destination, or an essential link between home, school, work, healthcare and community. We can all contribute to a more comfortable and connected journey on board.
A bus is a unique shared space where passengers and drivers come together creating a community of sorts – even if just until the next stop.
Drivers get us from A to B, but their stories go much further. Thanks Driver explores the diverse lives, experiences, and connections of those who drive our buses – and those who ride them. He waka eke noa, we are all in this together.
Our story begins in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga – where more than two million bus journeys are taken every year.
To all the drivers who have taken part in this project so far, we would like to say “Thanks Driver!”
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The journey goes from A to B, our stories take us further.
Small Words, Big Impact
Hikitia admits that, when she first stepped into the driver’s seat, her family worried. Stories about driver safety are common, and it’s easy to imagine the worst. But today, Hikitia’s perspective is different…
Smiles in the Mental Gallery
For Joshua, his role as a bus driver has become more than a job – it is a way of connecting with people, feeling a sense of purpose and addressing some feelings of loneliness in a new country…
The Bus is my Office
For Jenni-Lee, the rhythm of the job fits neatly with the rhythm of her life. She has been driving buses for around five years, most of them on school runs in Tauranga…
We can all contribute to a positive shared experience on board.
Would you like to share your story and thoughts? We would love to hear it.
Latest Posts
Cody – My Mum is a Bus Driver
When Mum first told me she was going to be a bus driver, I thought it would be a bit weird. I hoped she wouldn’t be my school bus driver. Because I catch the bus a lot - to school and to sports and things. .
Colin – Banter on the Bus
It’s not just children. Elderly passengers often get on simply for company. “Sometimes you’re the only person they see that day. They’ll hand you a banana or just have a chat. Otherwise, they’d be stuck at home. It’s good to get them out and moving about.”.
Joshua – Finding Connection behind the Wheel
For Joshua, being a bus driver has become more than just a job – it’s a way to connect with people, find purpose, and navigate the challenges of life in a new country.
Preston – Finding Your Place, One Route at a Time
“Driving a bus is different to any other job I’ve done,” says Preston. “You’re serving people. Every day, you meet different people, go to different places. It’s interesting - you never know what’s next.”.
Hikitia – “Seeing Passengers as Whānau”
When she first stepped into the driver’s seat, her family worried. Stories about driver safety are common, and it’s easy to imagine the worst. But after months on the road, Hikitia’s perspective is different.
Jenni-Lee – The Bus is my Office
Jenni-Lee has been driving buses for around five years, most of them on school runs in Tauranga. The days start early with a pre-check at the depot and the first pick-ups before the school bell. For Jenni-Lee, the rhythm of the job fits well with the rhythm of her life.
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A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way
Most will agree that bus drivers in New Zealand do a fantastic job keeping our communities moving. We can all contribute to a culture of safety and comfort on board – simply by showing respect and appreciation. It can make a real difference.
It might feel like the smallest gesture in the world, but saying “Thanks, driver!” when you hop off the bus can have a surprisingly big impact – on both the person saying thanks and the person receiving it.
Gratitude isn’t just about being polite — it has real benefits. People who regularly express thanks report higher levels of wellbeing, and it’s not just the person being thanked who benefits. Gratitude works both ways: it feels good to give it, and it feels good to receive it.
The Ripple Effect
Kindness spreads. Research shows that when someone is thanked, they’re more likely to help again – not just that person, but others too.
Hikitia always tries to greet passengers with warmth and consistency:
“I’m not offended if they don’t say anything back – everyone’s busy – but I do love it when they do. It gives me a little boost for the day!”
Another driver, Joshua agrees: “You get back what you put in. If you don’t acknowledge them, they don’t acknowledge you. So I do my part — I acknowledge them first, give them a warm smile. Some people respond, some don’t. It’s interesting seeing how people react differently!
Empathy and Connection
Jenni-Lee recalls one bus ride with a group of kids who were misbehaving: “I talked to them for a bit and said, ‘Hey look, I’m a mum too.’ They started telling me about their brothers and sisters – we just found that connection. For me, that’s the biggest thing as a driver – connection.”
Colin agrees that empathy matters: “You can’t judge people. When you get a difficult passenger, you don’t know what’s happened in their life. Most people are good — you just get the odd one who’s not. That’s the same anywhere in the world.”
There’s a lot of talk about anti-social behaviour on the rise. The good news is that pro-social behaviour – positive, community-minded actions – can counteract this. Things like saying thank you, greeting others, or offering a smile are all forms of pro-social behaviour. They’re small, but powerful.
Say thanks! Feel good! Easy right?
Participate in “Thanks Driver” by simply sending “thanks” below!
