Tips for new drivers

G'day all,

Here are some tips for those new bus drivers out there. Please note that many of these tips are derived from Australia bus driving practises.

BUS STOPS
When stopping at a bus stop with or without an embayment, you need to position the bus as close to the kerb as possible. Additionally, you need to position the bus in such a way that it does not impede the flow of traffic (i.e. parallel with the kerb). Correct positioning of your bus will also make it safer for you when you're leaving the bus stop, as your off-side mirrors can be used effectively for spotting approaching vehicles behind you. If you are unable to position your bus parallel to the kerb while stopping adjacent to the bus stop sign, you need to position your bus slightly past the sign.

When stopping at a bus stop with an embayment, you need to position your bus right at the front of the bay, even if it means stopping well past the bus stop sign. This is to allow additional buses to use the bay safely.

When leaving a bus stop, remember: mirrors, indicator, mirrors!

TIMETABLES
While there are situations where late-running is unavoidable, early running is ALWAYS avoidable and there is no excuse for it. Running early defeats the purpose of a timetable, and passengers will have a high chance of missing your bus. If you know that you're going to run early with your driving style, leave the origin terminus slightly late to avoid the need to 'drag your heels'.

OVERTAKING OTHER BUSES
You should NOT overtake any AI bus (empty-running bus excepted) unless it is traversing the same route, heading in the same direction, and stopping at the same stops. This is particularly true if the bus in front appears to be heavily loaded.

GENERAL DRIVING
Smooth acceleration, smoother braking is the key here. When cruising, avoid 'feathering' the accelerator as not only does this make for a rough ride, but it also places unnecessary stress on the engine and transmission components. Your passengers won't mind you taking advantage of the performance of your bus, but don't throw them out the windscreen when you brake!

Always use the spring brake when you're going to be stationary for extended periods of time, or if you're going to leave the driver's cab. When departing again, the spring brake should be the LAST control that you operate before accelerating again.

The bus stop brake can be used to temporarily hold your bus in a stationary position at bus stops, bus stations or traffic lights. (Be aware that in the simulation, actuation of the bus stop brake will open the rear doors if a passenger activates the next stop light.)

Use the gear selectors (1 2 3 N R) to your advantage. If you know that you'll be operating in an area with dense traffic, disable 3rd gear to increase passenger comfort (the Voith gearbox will 'bang' into the next gear if you back off the accelerator at the wrong time). Using a lower gear will also increase the effectiveness of the retarder.

Your bus has a long overhang at the front and rear (the area under the bodywork in front of the front axle and behind the rear axle). Use the overhangs to negotiate tight areas by positioning them over kerbs temporarily. The overhangs come in handy when you're pulling into bus stops or negotiating cul-de-sacs and the like.

(In the game, drive defensively. Watch out for cars in adjacent lanes, cars approaching you at intersections and stray pedestrians. When in areas with dense traffic (e.g. near Rathaus Spadau), take your time.)

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If anyone can think of any more tips, please feel free to post them here!

Really good tips there, enjoyed the read.

The only one that would be a big no no here in the UK would be "When stopping at a bus stop with an embayment, you need to position your bus right at the front of the bay, even if it means stopping well past the bus stop sign". I can understand the logic but it's not done in practice here.

Cheers,

davidrogers schrieb:

Really good tips there, enjoyed the read.

The only one that would be a big no no here in the UK would be "When stopping at a bus stop with an embayment, you need to position your bus right at the front of the bay, even if it means stopping well past the bus stop sign". I can understand the logic but it's not done in practice here.

Cheers,

Thats right because the way bus stops are positioned in London especially, cars are usually parked near the bus stop so it means stopping in the middle of the road and letting people on and off, especially if you're in traffic and the bus stop is at the lights.

Over taking, well to be honest, you overtake, simple as that, because you can help out by picking up other passengers ahead of that bus.

Overall a good read, but i've been in a bus that is driving too sensibly and its really boring, in London its fun watching drivers fight with each other (safely mind you) but if the road is clear and you're on time, use it!

The reason why you don't overtake other buses using the same bus stops as you are is so that you give the passengers a chance to spot you and hail you down if required. Overtaking is permissable only when the bus ahead of you is going in the same direction as you are AND stopping at all of the stops that you are AND has capacity for additional passengers.

If you are unable to pull into a bus stop without leaving your rear end in the middle of the road and there are parked cars stopping you from physically fitting, my advice would be to stop adjacent to the bus stop in the next lane.

Most of the advice that I provided above is from the 'old school' - new drivers often disregard all this to the detriment of the bus service.

Remember, public transport services should be working WITH each other, not against. It is a necessary public service.