Road Redesign Makes Cambridge Traffic Unbearable

Stagecoach Cambridgeshire managing director Andy Campbell has the unenviable task of making sure all of his company’s buses run on time. However, thanks to a road redesign implemented in Cambridge last year, that task is nearly impossible for buses running in the city. According to Campbell, Cambridge traffic is so congested that he would not want to be a local bus driver.

The £900,000 redesign included removing a yellow box at one of the city’s busiest junctions. The resulting gridlock now means it can take as long as 45 minutes to get from the company’s station to Emmanuel Street. Things are even worse when motorway accidents divert traffic through the city centre.

Mr Campbell asked the city council to reinstate the yellow box to no avail. At that same meeting, he and his company were under fire by some unhappy customers who thought bus service in Cambridge was too slow in some spots. Campbell said his company is working on the problem, including adjusting current routes and possibly adding new ones. Nevertheless, nothing Stagecoach Cambridgeshire does will change the amount of congestion in the heart of the city.

Unique Challenges of Driving a Bus

It is rather interesting to note that Mr Campbell said he could never be a Cambridge bus driver due to his lack of patience. That’s no slight against him, just a stark reminder of the unique challenges drivers face. They have passengers that need to get where they are going in a timely fashion, but they also have the responsibility of getting them there safely and with respect to other drivers on the road.

Despite its challenges however, driving a bus for a living is a very rewarding career that offers good pay and long-term job stability. As long as there are cities like Cambridge in need of public transport, there will be companies like Stagecoach Cambridgeshire in need of commercial drivers. In fact, there are open driver positions all across the UK.

In order to apply for one of these jobs, an individual must first earn a PCV licence through a company like ours. The HGV Training Centre provides comprehensive training classes in Cambridge and throughout the UK at more than 45 facilities. All you would need to do to get started is contact us.

After passing a routine medical exam and applying for provisional entitlement, the next task would be to prepare for and take the PCV theory test. This test is a 100-question multiple-choice exam designed to gauge your knowledge of highway safety and hazard avoidance. Assuming you pass the test, you can then begin your practical skills training with us.

If you are concerned that driver training is difficult, we want set your mind at ease. Our students enjoy a 92% first-time pass rate for the PCV theory test, and we send one of our professional trainers with you when it is time to take your practical skills test. We have you covered throughout every step of the process.

Sources:

Cambridge News – http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/I-wouldnt-be-a-bus-driver-in-Cambridge-its-too-congested-says-Andy-Campbell-managing-director-of-Stagecoach-Cambridgeshire-20140224060300.htm