Tan’s bus driving journey in full throttle

A casual scroll of social media saw Tan Wheeler embark on a new career in the bus industry – and she hasn’t looked back since.

Tan had been an unpaid carer for 10 years when she saw a Facebook advert for a bus driving apprenticeship with Stagecoach, in conjunction with leading training provider Realise. 

Believing she had all the core skills required, she completed the application and swiftly started out a journey that has seen her climb to Duty Manager with the company within three years.

“I like driving, people and customer service, so I thought why not,” said Tan, aged 41, who began her Stagecoach employment in 2022. 

“The training was excellent and the Realise tutors had so much knowledge and experience. If we had a problem we could just speak to them as, invariably, they had faced the same issues at some stage during their own bus driver careers. 

“The programme covered everything from on-the-road driving skills to bus evacuation, coping with difficult passengers and ticketing processes. 

“I completed the programme and my new career was on the road.”

Tan was soon promoted to Relief Lead Driver, spending time in the office to learn the behind-the-scenes processes at one of the country’s top providers. 

She was later elevated to Controller and relocated from Basingstoke to Andover, becoming Duty Manager in July this year.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said Tan. “I can have a lot more input into how things are working and love bringing it all together. 

“I thrive on the logistical challenges involved, such as liaising with the garages and the drivers. It’s multi-tasking off the wall. 

“I enjoy looking after the drivers and making sure their duties are fair and they are taking the required breaks. I’m determined to keep my perspective as a driver. 

“I’m happy where I am currently but would be keen to progress further moving forward. It’s been a fantastic three years and the training from Realise was the foundation for my success.”

The Stagecoach apprenticeship delivered in partnership with Realise is a 12-14 month programme, which gives people the training required to obtain a PCV licence and become a professional bus driver.  

More information on the Apprenticeship with Stagecoach.