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.

Joshua grew up in the Philippines, where his Dad taught him to drive at 16. He’s one of four brothers, and he says his aunties have always preferred him behind the wheel. “Out of all of us, I’m the one my aunties would prefer to drive,” he laughs. “I like driving, especially driving passengers. I know I can drive them safely and comfortably.”

He joined Kinetic four years ago, and for the past three years, he’s been driving both school and urban routes around Tauranga. Joshua enjoys the human element and admits he dislikes an empty bus. “It’s more than just driving,” he explains. “I like it when there are people on the bus. It gives me a sense of purpose. It feels alive, like I’m part of their day.”

Life in a new country hasn’t always been easy. A long-term relationship ended, and he misses his eight-year-old son back in the Philippines. “I feel like I’m missing out on him – especially at his age,” he says. “It’s a sacrifice on my part.”

Basketball has become his therapy. “It’s helped me get through some very tough times,” he explains. “You can step on the court, shoot some hoops by yourself or with friends, have a laugh, bond, be competitive but friendly. It’s therapy for me.” Music and the gym give him a space to reset, while the Filipino community in Tauranga provides friendship, competition, and laughter.

Each shift brings him a cross-section of the city. Many passengers are quiet, focused on their routines. Some are cheerful, others distracted. Joshua believes that the energy you give is the energy you get back. “If you start the day with a good attitude, people feel that,” he says. “Sometimes they don’t respond, but most of the time they do. Just a smile or a thank you makes a difference.”

He remembers one ride that has stayed with him. A mother boarded with her child but didn’t have enough money for both fares. She explained she needed to get her child to the doctor. Joshua listened, let them ride, intending to cover costs with his bosses back at the depot. At the stop, she thanked him repeatedly, saying most drivers would have turned her away. “That moment hit me,” he says. “No matter what you’re going through, there is healing in being kind to other people.”

Joshua knows that some passengers might see him as just a driver, but he sees his role differently. “I may be viewed as someone who’s just driving the bus, but I can have a positive impact in someone’s life just by saying good morning with a warm smile,” he says. “You never know what someone else is going through.”

Even teenagers respond to his approach. “When I greet them nicely, they might be confused at first, but they tend to be more behaved after,” he observes. “They still talk with their friends loudly, but they’re not rude to the driver. Just having people smile back assures me I’m doing my part.”

Tauranga is home now – and the location itself adds to the experience. He enjoys seeing the Mount from different perspectives, appreciating the city’s beauty as he drives his routes.
What stays with him most are the smiles. The ones that come back when he offers the first one. He keeps them in what he calls his “mental gallery” – a reminder that little acts of kindness can have a much bigger impact.