Driver Appreciation Week 2024 - Meet Gina

I moved to Nelson in 2022 with a work visa and started looking for a job. I wanted to take on something different to the family business in the electrical industry. Nelson Coachlines was looking for a school bus driver and it included on-the-job training so I thought that could be me. I was working as a school bus driver when the call went out for eBus drivers, so I moved across to eBus.  

I really enjoy the social aspect of being an eBus driver. There’s so many awesome passengers and I've developed some really nice relationships with them. It’s always lovely when they’re excited to see you. I have one really sweet passenger who always brings me snacks. I’ve had some slightly tiddled passengers who fall asleep then wake up at the end of the route wondering where they are - that’s made me giggle. 

My favourite route is the Tahuna run (Route 2), I also love Route 3. Route 4 is nice, but sometimes it can be a bit stressful going over the hill. We take it slowly regardless, but drivers speed up and down the hill and they don’t always check their mirrors, so don’t see that we’re coming around a corner. We use those streets too, and just ask for people to pay more attention and to be aware. Letting the bus back into traffic would be a huge help too. Especially on Waimea Road, sometimes we can be waiting for a good five minutes because drivers just don’t stop!  

I think people who use the buses really care for them. I’ve had such great feedback from people who are just really grateful that it’s here and they love to use it.