Hartlepool manager gives up retirement to return to bus driving days

Trevor Best from Seaton Carew has hit the age where most people will want to say goodbye to their working life in exchange for rest and relaxation.

However, the 65-year-old has chosen to take a two-week break to celebrate reaching retirement age before returning back to the role that started his career with Stagecoach’s Hartlepool depot two days a week.

Mr Best said: “I have enjoyed absolutely everything about the job, including the early starts and the late finishes! But mostly the staff, who are amazing and the comradeship we have at work. I know them all and have trained many of them, helping them to go as far as they can and it’s a brilliant thing to be part of.

“Of course there have been many changes over the years with modern buses and electronic ticket machines, and passengers are more cheerful as the buses are more frequent and much warmer than they were years ago!

“When I am driving buses, I am still surprised when I see people and they say ‘I haven’t seen you for about 40 years, you used to take me to school’, and now you are taking their children and grandchildren. I have had a great rapport with the public over the years, which makes me feel good and makes the passengers feel good. It has been 40 years but it feels like yesterday and I can remember the first day, it has gone so quick.”

Mr Best started his career with Stagecoach in 1976 as a bus driver after embarking on a job as a bricklayer and realising it wasn’t for him.

He spent eight years behind the wheel before working his way up to inspector then duty manager, then senior duty manager.