As Bus Éireann seeks new recruits for their professional bus driver training programme, two of its past participants share how it has helped their own careers.
Here, Bus Éireann's People Operations Manager, David O'Sullivan, and Professional Bus Driver, Martin Hayes, recount their career journey within the company to date, and lessons learned along the way.
How did you get started in your role in Bus Éireann?
David: I joined Bus Éireann in July of 2021 as a Professional Bus Driver. From there I drove for a year in a mixed capacity of operating city services. Once I found my feet, I moved into longer distance driving to West Cork, Waterford, Dublin, Galway etc. In the summer of 2022 positions within the Acting Supervisor became available, so I applied for a position on this panel. I was successful and began working in the AVL control centre, based in Capwell, Cork. It is a challenging role, whereby supervisors on duty are monitoring all services, a bit like air traffic control for buses. A permanent position in this department was advertised late in the year and in December 2022 I was appointed as a full-time supervisor within the AVL control centre.
In the summer of 2024, the position of People Operations Manager was advertised for Capwell, Cork. Given my extensive background as a manager in the hospitality industry, I applied for the position and thankfully was the successful candidate.
Martin: The job was recommended to me by a colleague and I attended an open day held by the company in 2021. From there I applied and entered the driver trainee programme in May 2022.
Why did you choose to work with Bus Éireann?
David: At the outset of the Covid pandemic in 2020, I decided that my time in the hospitality industry was ending. I was looking to enter a new industry, but was looking for something that would allow me to transfer or adapt my skillset that I had acquired over the years to put me in a position to succeed.
I always enjoyed driving, ever since I was a young boy growing up on a farm, large machinery always intrigued me. The interpersonal skills I acquired from years of working with the public in the hospitality sector gravitated me towards bus driving. Throughout 2020 and the early part of 2021, I acquired my C & D licence with the help of the Cork ETB who offer fantastic opportunities. Bus Éireann is a company that carries a stellar reputation. It offers great benefits for employees and is a stable job. This stability was very important to me as the hospitality industry can be a very nomadic career, constantly moving from opportunity to opportunity.
Martin: I saw it as an opportunity to work in a friendly and rewarding environment. I also enjoyed the prospect of working with the public. Bus Éireann also offers employees opportunities to progress within the company.
What are you working on at present?
David: I am currently working on some very exciting projects surrounding wellbeing at work and also providing a healthy mental environment for all employees.
Martin: I am currently a road passenger driver.
What is the best part of your job?
David: Experiencing the diversity of our current workforce. There are currently 56 nationalities employed within the company, coming from all walks of life from all four corners of the globe. Being able to immerse oneself in these cultures is incredibly rewarding.
The fact that no two days are the same is also very exciting. To experience different challenges on a continuous basis is not for the faint of heart but certainly keeps you on your toes!
Martin: The best part of my job is dealing with the public on a daily basis. Bus Éireann has also become such a diverse company so I enjoy meeting colleagues from all nationalities and backgrounds. I love the job security that the company offers and day-to-day dealings with management are always friendly and easy going.
Is there a career moment you are most proud of? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
David: My appointment to the position of People Operations Manager Cork with Bus Éireann is an accomplishment I am extremely proud of. To me, it is the culmination of years of hard work across multiple industries and capped a period of personal development in my own life. I am very proud to be part of such a diverse team that provides a crucial service to the public. I am also very proud to be in a position to support our front-line employees in whatever way I can.
It is a very exciting time to be part of the transport industry, especially with Bus Éireann. Here in Cork we are awaiting the imminent implementation of Bus Connects which will see a drastic increase in services provided to the people of Cork. It is an exciting and ambitious project that I am very excited to be part of. Of course, Bus Éireann’s workforce in Cork will have to increase dramatically to coincide with the increase in services, a challenge I look forward to addressing with the rest of the team.
Martin: When I passed my full driving test, that was a big achievement for me. Within the next few years I’d like to further progress my career within the company.
What's the best piece of professional advice you've received?
David: Learn to find a good work/life balance. In the beginning of my career, I definitely took on too much. I found it very hard to say no if a shift needed to be covered or was always willing to work on, many times to the detriment of my own health, both physical and mental, and personal relationships also took a toll. Finding a job that offers you the right work/life balance is essential. It took me a long time to realise that “tomorrow is another day” and that not every issue has to be resolved on the day of occurrence. Take some time for yourself.
Martin: Best advice I was given was to always try enjoy the job and always start each day with a positive attitude.
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice at the start of your career, what would that be?
David: I would love to tell my 18-year-old self to take some time and experience the world. Evaluate everything. In my own personal opinion, too much pressure is exerted on young adolescents and young adults to make incredibly important decisions about their future. There is such an emphasis on secondary school students picking a college course that the pressure can be overwhelming. It is a huge decision to make at 16-18 years old that will determine your future.
Martin: Not to worry myself as much, because Bus Éireann is like a family and someone is always on hand to help.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about interviewing for this position?
David: I would advise anyone taking up a management role to familiarise themselves to the best of their ability with the daily challenges experienced by the front-line employees. Having worked my way up from a driver to management level I am aware of the difficulties experienced by drivers daily; be it traffic congestion, abusive passengers, adverse weather or other issues that impact on service delivery.
I would also encourage any applicant to carefully listen to the questions asked and relate all relevant experience back to the question. Demonstrate confidence in your ability, communicate effectively and present yourself in a competent manner.
Martin: I would strongly recommend anyone that was interested in working with the public in a safe and rewarding environment to seriously consider a career with Bus Eireann.
What would you say are the key skills and capabilities necessary to be good at what you do?
David: People management skills are paramount. An ability to empathise with people and see things from multiple points of view. The ability to anticipate obstacles and formulate constructive solutions and ways of working to alleviate operational pressure. One must also be able to nurture and develop the skills of colleagues and to establish and build relationships to the benefit of the business. The ability to work independently and delegate effectively is also critical, with communication skills being of the utmost importance.
Martin: Listen to supervisors advice and trust your own ability
What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?
David: That it is okay to fail. Early in my career, I put so much pressure on myself to make everything work, to be the best at everything. I was lucky in the fact I experienced a lot of success at a young age early in my career. Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. There is a lot to be learned from failure, and failures should be embraced. Don’t be afraid to be ambitious. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.
Which industry professionals should people be following on Twitter/ LinkedIn?
David: Stephen Kent, CEO of Bus Éireann.
Martin: Michael O'Leary and Elon Musk.
Is there a particular book or resource you’d recommend to someone early in their career?
David: Atomic Habits by James Cleary. It provides an excellent framework to build good habits and eradicate bad habits.
The Machine that Changed the World by James Womack, a study of Toyota’s production methods and the flaws and wastage found within the systems. It led to the development of Lean Production.
What’s your favourite place to holiday?
David: Hopefully Norway! I am travelling there next year to go hiking and kayaking in the Fjords. Can’t wait.
What are you watching at the moment?
David: Given that it's Autumn, Autumn International Series Rugby is taking precedent. If I’m not in the Aviva I’m watching it at home. For the season that it is, Great British Bake Off is a close second.
What’s your favourite meal?
David: Can’t beat a toastie and soup from the Long Valley.
To learn more about a career in Bus Éireann, visit https://careers.buseireann.ie/jobs
