#buschaplaincy

I was delighted to be allowed to resume Bus Chaplaincy on 4th September after nearly 6 months. The plan is to cycle to the garages rather than travelling to them by bus to minimise any risk of cross-contamination. On my bicycle just after 7.45 am I noticed many school pupils catching school buses for their first week in school since Lockdown. Most were wearing face coverings though of course this is not obligatory.

 Yardley Wood Garage was quite quiet due to most drivers being out on the School  Run but I found myself warmly received. It was quite emotional, actually. The fairly new Union Rep, Steve proudly showed me the food collection staff have been contributing towards for the food bank at Yardley Wood Baptist Church since Lockdown began. I knew about this foodbank from a Whats App group some Christian bus drivers had added me to a few months’ ago.

In the early days of Lockdown when bus services were greatly reduced and staff furloughed, days were extremely long and dull for those working in the garages without the usual banter. Instead Steve faced long nights with phone calls from stressed drivers about their circumstances.

 Gone were the friendly belly pats from colleagues (not on my own tummy I hasten to add!), the rubbing of bald pates and all the affectionate physicality that very much drew me into the bus chaplaincy in the early days. It was reassuring but at the same time heart-breaking to see the one-way walking systems, the removed seats in the Booking-On area, the 2-metre social distancing spots, hand sanitizers and all the posters displaying cancelled social events.

 The day’s visit coincided with a surprise physically distanced celebration of the retirement of Frank, one of the managers at Acocks Green Garage which included the traditional “bus pull”. This is when the person leaving sits in the driver’s seat of the old vintage bus. The bus is not really pulled along any more for health and safety reasons, colleagues pose for photos. I was not only invited but expected to join in.