Interviewing Roy (a bus driver)

Interviewing Roy (a bus driver)

Today I interviewed a bus driver called Roy. My classmates and I asked Roy some questions and I noted down his answers - I asked some the questions too! One of the questions he said he couldn't answer was, "What was your most embarrassing moment?".  He said he never gets embarrassed about anything! Then Aya (my friend) asked if he could do a magic trick because his full time job is now a magician. So he did do about 4 tricks. I was amazed by the tricks he could do! The last one was for luck! My classmates and I found it fun.

About Cecil

Cecil: How I Became a Bus Driver
                     
I was walking down the street of Barbados when a young man came and asked me if I would like a job in England, since they were having a problem hiring enough workers in Britain. They said it was something to do with London transport and that interested me even more. But I already had a job in Barbados - I thought about it and then I decided to go to England because I decided that I needed to make money and wanted to see another part of the world.

So I made it to England three weeks later, after saying goodbye to all of my family and friends. It was really hard as some people were racist and it was hard to get used to a new culture. I was looking forward to my new job of being a conductor on an RM (although I honestly I don't know what it stands for). After a while I found my place in the London transport community. And I found out RM stands for Route Master!

By Abbie,  Aya & Ali

Interview Questions

Questions for interview

Thursday

Tell us about how you became a bus driver.

What was the skid test like?

What things do you hate most about your job?

What things do you enjoy most about your job?

What kind of buses have you driven?

What would you do if your bus broke down?

What is the most dangerous situation you have ever dealt with?

Why do you love buses?

What is the most stressful thing about bus driving ?

Today we met three bus drivers Roy, Terry and Mike .

Terry came in and talked about his time as bus driver

and his experiences .We interviewed him and he answered

all of our questions some of them were funny and some of them were

very interesting.Mike came in with lots of old bus items like a

gibbon machine, Mike showed us how it worked and a ticket came

out. The pictures were very exciting , because in the pictures Mike

was driving through a big bridge in Paris . Roy came as well and he

also answered our questions with a unique set of answers.

However,the thing Roy did different was that he preformed some

magic tricks. We learnt a lot about buses from the visitors today and

We will learn more later on .

By Sirah and Fatima

Old Tickets

On Tuesday 7th May, we went to the London Transport Museum (LMT). We visited the museum yesterday but we're only the second school ever allowed into the library where there were many rare books about the history of London Transport. While they were talking to us and showing us a film about buses we took notes. After we  were allowed to browse the library looking for useful books.

At the end of the session a man called Laurie (who is an old bus driver) gave us some very old bus tickets which were actually used in World War 2. We loved the trip and are looking forward to tomorrow's interviews.

By Walid and Ali

 

Routemaster

The Routemaster was first found in the year 1956 and ever since it has had phenomenal service.The Routemaster is a double-decker bus designed by London Transport and built by the AEC Company and Park Royal Vehicles.

Most Routemasters were built for London Transport, although some buses were built for British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company. A total of 2,876 Routemasters were built, of which 1,280 are still on this earth.

The RM has 1 passenger door and has 57-72 seats.It is 27 ft long 14 ft tall and painted bright red the Routemaster also runs on oil and has a roof on the top.

By Emad Taroute

World War I Battle Buses

World War I Battle Buses.

In 1910 the newest bus was the B-Type which could hold 34 passengers and only moved at 12mph. When WWI started the army didn't have a way to move soldiers around so they took London buses to Europe; they also took the drivers with them. Nearly 1,200 B-Types were taken.

The buses were repainted for camouflage and each bus window was bolted up for protection. Also, the buses had weapons inside. Some buses even had pigeon coups attached to the roof to house homing pigeons which were used for sending messages. The buses often broke down and some bus drivers were killed. After the war, the buses which were not destroyed were used to bring the troops home.

By Walid and Abdulrahim

The Diary Of Mary Morgan

Dear Diary,

Yesterday I was contacted by the artist Eric Kensigton which made me surprised. He told me to come to the studio so he could paint my picture. He said that I saved little children from a bomb blast and protected them with my body. I was shaking with fear and my knees were wobbling. As I put makeup on, I looked in the mirror and gulped.

When I went into the studio, I was nervous that I had applied too much makeup. Slowly I walked in and I saw Albert Coe and Eric Kensigton waiting for me at the back of the studio. As they were looking at me, Eric Kensigton told me to come over so he could paint my picture - but told me that first I needed to wash off all my make up! I'd put too much on!

I rushed to the toilet and washed my face.

I returned back and was painted. It am nervous to see how it turns out!

Mary



by Tabassum and Samira

A Postcard From George Shillibeer To Mum

Dear Mum,

I am now in France, Paris and I'm lost for words. I have just seen one of the most spectacular things l have ever seen. I saw a huge cart being pulled by 2 horses and it was transporting a crowd. This was no ordinary kind of cart - the French people call it an "omnibus". It goes on the same consistent route back and forth all day and people pay to get on and travel where they need to go. I was mesmerised by this creation and I really think that this idea could spread across the world. 

I am thinking about bringing this idea to life at London. This could change the citizens lives forever and might make me some money too!

I am thinking about taking this idea to the next level by making it bigger to carry more people and add another horse to make it easier to transport to certain destinations.

See you soon,

George

By Aman & Ahmad

Our Journey To The London Transport Museum Depot

On the 27th May 2016, we were invited to go on a spectacular trip to the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton (LTMD).  An old Route Master was waiting for us outside the school gates. It was a massive surprise for all of us. Unfortunately, when we were boarding the old bus, we noticed that another school was sitting on the top deck. We were so disappointed but didn’t let it show on our faces.

When we were going to the depot, we were all really excited because we had never been there before. It took a long time to get there because we went on the A40. It was quite unusual because a bus never goes on a motorway!

Sav and Matthew, the people working with us on the project, introduced us to 2 time travelling people from the past. There was a conductor, Cecil, and a clippy, Violet, who explained how the bus worked. They were really funny and were telling each other to get off the bus.

When we arrived, we got out and turned around to stare at the enormous building. Before our eyes was the LTMD. Inside the massive Depot, there were ancient artifacts and olden vehicles. We were lucky enough to get inside some of them. The museum curator and the staff were very kind and we thanked them for giving their time to us. Our knowledge of buses has increased hugely because of them.

As we left the building, the other school agreed to let us sit at the top - We really appreciated that. When we were close to the entrance, all of us dashed toward the front seat to get the best view but we noticed that the 2 time travelling people were occupying the seats. They were trying the deny that it was them but we knew that they were lying. Some of us sang songs on the way home to pass the time.  When we reached the school it was a great ending to the day. All credit to our wonderful teachers and all the staff at London Transport Museum Depot.

By Aman & Ahmad

Wednesday in school

After 2 days of trips, we are finally back at school where we are starting our project. When we got in this morning, the film group continued training how to use the cameras and our writing group was with Sav and Mr Goodsir learning how the blog works.

After break, all the project people gathered together with Matthew, Sav and Mr Goodsir (my teacher). We were split into our drama groups from Monday and thought of lots of questions we could ask the people we were going to interview on Thursday. While we were thinking of questions, Sav and Matthew came around to every group to see how they were going on with the questions.

Next, we shared our questions with everyone and typed them onto the whiteboard ready for tomorrow. Then it was lunch.

This afternoon, the writing group are starting typing up their blog on iPads and the filming group are still training for tomorrow. We're looking forward to the interviews!

From Tabassum and Samira.

ROUTE MASTER RML

Revs of engine on the London streets.

Ominibus was the first bus,

Until machines replaced horses.

The old buses were uncomfortable, they changed them to be more comfortable.

Eternal symble of London.

Mighty red towering gaint.

At the time of WW1 they sent lots of buses.

Sounds of horses replaced by horns.

They can smoke only on the top deck.

Effortlessly gliding around the streets.

Regal,  patriotic, pride of London.

A Modern Bus Driver Working Day

A drivers working day starts by "Signing On" for his duty in the Garage office(This office is known as THE OUTPUT).

This could be as early as 04:30am or as late as 17:00pm if you are driving the last bus of the day.You will be told which particular bus has been allocated for your duty.Having found his bus,he needs to do a number of checks like:

MAKING SURE ALL THE LIGHTS OUTSIDE THE BUS ARE WORKING (BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE HEAD ONES TOO)MAKING SURE ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE BUS ARE WORKING.(SALOON LIGHTS AND CAB LIGHTS).THE HORN IS WORKING.THE DOORS ARE OPENING AND CLOSING CORRECTLY. EMERGENCY DOOR ALARMS ARE WORKING,THE BELL PUSHES ARE WORKING. THE BUS RADIO IS WORKING THERE IS NO EXTERNAL BODYWORK DAMAGE.THE RADIATOR IN THE ENGINE IS FULL OF WATER.THE WINDSCREEN WIPERS ARE WORKING CORRECTLY.THE DRIVING MIRRORS ARE FIRMLY ATTACHED AND NOT BROKEN. 

The driver can now leave the garage and drive to his starting point.He will drive for a number of hours before having a break of at least 40 minutes, then take take over his second bus which is ether on the road or in the garage and drive for anther number of hours.When his duty is finished returns to the garage and pays in any money he has collected from passengers also hand in any lost - property which may have been left on the bus that day and then finally he "SIGNS OFF" and goes home.If he was involed in accident he will need to fill in an accident form for insurance reasons before he goes home.

BY SAMUEL FRANCO-HALILI

Routemaster Acrostic Poem

Rushing down effortlessly, as slick and fast as a jet.

Omnibuses didn’t stand a chance against this scarlet treasure of London.

Ushering passengers in as quick as possible: to continue the long journey.  

Tranquil atmospheres linger around the bus; ensuring comfort’s presence.

Elegantly swerving from, as it turns among London’s cobble ways.

Mourning over the buses of the past: its great ancestors.

Auburn paint enveloping the well-made structure.

Ssanitized from the distant world of yesterday’s buses, an what is coming.

The Routmaster has come and went, but will be the city’s lasting icon.

Evening lights com on at night, caring for passengers’ sight.

Roars from the vibrant engine travel through the raging fire within.

By Stefanos Year 6: WCPS

Routemaster Mason

Revs of engine on the London streets,

Omnibus was the first bus 

Until machines replaced horses.

The buses were all uncomfortable.

Most buses were red...

All buses were red!

Sounds of horses replaced by horns.              

They smoked upstairs.

Effortlessly across the city streets 

the Routemaster travelled.    

THE DIARY OF MARY MORGAN

DEAR DIARY                                                                           November 1940

Hello my name is Mary Morgan.I come from Poplar just down the streets,I am a clipper not a big deal.In November  1940 a ..... bomb dropped NEXT TO MY BUS ! I did not know what to do. I saw these to darling children so I had to save them with my coat. But the only thing that matters is that we are okay.When I came out of my bus, everybody said that I was a hero I don`t  even know why. I just saved them. The next day everybody wanted to take a painting of me I had to put lots of makeup on because I did not feel good about myself. But the Artist Catherine Kennington said I had to take it off. BUT MAYBE I DID ACTUALLY LOOK GOOD WITHOUT MAKEUP!

BY INES

Mary Morgan Saved My Life

Dear Diary,

Oh my I can't believe what has just happened I am so shaken up but feeling so grateful to be alive...
I was walking down the street minding my own buisness I watch the buses go by, I see people smiling, laughing just enjoying life.

Well I just started to walk home when a hear a yell " Get Down, Get Down!! " At first I pass it off as a mother telling her child to get down of a wall or something but no....just a few seconds later I hear and explosion I curl up in to a ball thinking ' this is it? really...? ' but I dont feel anything I look up to see a middleaged women sheilding me and another child with her jacket she appeared to work on a bus maybe a 'clippie' I look up at her tears escaping my eyes she gave me a warm smile that calmed me down somehow I smiled gratefully up at her giving her a hug she hugged me back and the other child " Thank you " I said happiness filling my voice " You saved my life " I finished she smiled lightly and put a hand on my shoulder " I'm Mary Morgan and anyone would've helped " And with that she left as did the other child I raced home to tell my parents how a women by the name of Mary Morgan just saved my life and I couldn't be more gratefull that she was there otherwise I wouldn't be here....Mary Morgan Saved My Life.

Fares Please questions

Fares Please Questions

1.       What is your full name?

2.       What year were you born?

3.       Where were you born?

4.       What did you parents do for a living?

5.       Describe what London and the buses were like during World War Two (If appropriate)

6.       When did you start working on the buses?

7.       Tell us how you came to be working on the buses?

8.       What did your family and friends think of your decision to work on the buses?

9.       Tell us about any family members who worked on the buses.

10.    Tell us about how you were recruited?

11.    Describe what your training was like.

12.    Take us briefly through the jobs you did connected with the buses.

13.    Tell us about your favourite job to do with the buses.

14.    Describe your favourite bus type.

15.    Describe your favourite bus route.

16.    Tell us about your favourite garage.

17.    Tell us about some slang words connected to working on the buses.

18.    What have been the things you have enjoyed most about your work?

19.    Describe what you did on your break times at work.

20.    How did immigration from the 1950s onwards affect the London bus.

21.    Historically, how have pay and conditions for men and women been different?

22.    Tell us about any discrimination you might have experienced at work.

23.    What are your relationships like with fellow workers?

24.    Tell us about any social or sporting clubs or events you have been involved with through work.

25.    What has been the role of the union in your work life?

26.    How did privatisation affect your working life?

27.    What things at work have been the most challenging?

28.    Describe what happened on your best day at work.

29.    Describe some funny incidents at work.

30.    What was your worst day at work?

31.    Tell us about any accidents you have been involved in at work.

32.    Compare modern buses with old buses.

33.    Tell us about the main changes in technology over your working life.

34.    Why do you think the London bus is so famous?

35.    Looking back, tell us what you think about your time working on the buses.

36.    Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your time on the buses?

THANK YOU

London transport acrostic poem

     Lot's of buses, Lot's of trains,
   
   Omnibuses were the first ones,
   
   None of the vehicles are not incredible,
 
     Don't try to hide from the tcket inspector and not pay!
 
   Omnibuses are still much loved today,
   
   Never be rude to the bus drivers (they'll kick you off the bus!)

   
   Trains are also a big part of London transport.
 
     Rain was an issue with the first omnibuses, as there was no roof!
 
     A lot of B-Tybe buses went out to war.
 
     Not everyone could afford a ride on an omnibus-It was a whole sixpence and a shilling.
 
     Some people tried to make a runner when the ticket inspector came around on those old buses...
 
     People were amazed by these incredible ideas, but not everyone liked the idea of a bus that's not           powered by horses... it was called a motorbus, considered way ahead of it's time by most.
   
   Omnibuses were top-notch tech back when they were brought to London-Like hoverboards today!
 
the Routmaster is the most popular bus-It also started the well-known red-bus tradition!
   
   They are now called Transport for London (or tfl)...

by Erik Kunz 

A London bus conductor

My name is Sulil and I am a bus conductor.I am originally from Barbados
and I came here beacause I was given a job as a conductor.

It is really fun driving all day and visiting new places. I love meeting new people and making tthem smile.Very rarely, I have to send someone of the bus for bad behaviour.The worst thing about my job is that I have to help the driver clean the mess that passengers make such as mud on the seats. To prevent this from happening we have new rules to make our job easier.

Once, as I was doing my job, People came to me and said I shouldn't be doing this job because I did not come from london. I thought that was mean because everyone is equal and we all deserve the same amount of resspect.

Even after this incident I still love my job!

By Glenda Oloke

Letter Mayor of London

Sadiq Khan                                                     25/05/16

Mayor of London (2016-20)

Dear Mr Khan,

I am writing a formal letter of persuasion to invite you to the servicing of a London bus project. To begin with, this project, which is led by schools, associates with an oral history of the city’s buses; from the early Omnibus to the new Wrightmaster. In addition to this, an opening day of what will soon be a worldwide film on the history of buses will be held.

Before I explain about the CD that is in process, our class has come up with new ideas that could contribute to London’s future transport. So many ideas (mainly on road transportation) have come to perception that you can receive some of these ideas: the Luxor bus is a streamlined double- decker bus; commonly ‘a train on wheels’, as well as free Wi-Fi, an observation deck out of glass, more folded- up seats for buggy or wheelchair space; and, if possible, a wheelchair lift at the back: to enable buggy/wheelchair space on the top deck.

As well as this, we would like to invite you to join us at the debut of the new film on Thursday 14^th July this year (2016); starting at 10:30am in the theatre of the London Transport Museum.  In relation to the schools, every accessible detail were conducted or produced by the pupils. Not only the film, but a booklet written by the children of Gateway and Westminster Cathedral Catholic Primary school includes the formal history and quotes of ex and current bus drivers.  I would also like to draw your attention to the website; with access to the film, blogs and an oral history: Fares Please! An Oral history on London Buses.

Westminster Cathedral Catholic Primary School would also like to invite you to our premises. This could give you an in-depth understanding of the standard of education across London, which I’m sure is a priority.

In conclusion, I hope that you may well be able to see the project’s finished product.

With Kind Regards,

Stefanos Mulugeta- Year 6 Pupil of Westminster Cathedral School

The Omnibus

Once There was a man called George Shillibeer.

Money was life to him.

Now he saw buses he wanted to buy one.

Ideas popped into his head.

But thought they weren't good enough .

Up to his head he couldn't wait to show the beauty.

So now the omnibus is born.

The diary of a 'Clippie'

Dear Diary,


I can't believe what happened to me today. A boy tried to get away with not having his ticket! But not on my watch! I'd seen that technique too many times. I asked him for his ticket but he just pretended that he couldn't hear me so I said a little louder " Can I have your ticket please?" and THEN he started crying!

me on the bus today

 Later on , when I'd finished my lunch, a bunch of girls tried telling me they had already given me their ticket! But I am not stupid . I had never seen them on the bus before,because they had just got on, but then the story changed completely to the fact that they were relatives of the conductor so he let them on for free.

The worst thing that happened today was that when I was on the bus some little boy ran past me and stole my ticket machine ! Not only did he leave a mark on my neck, because the string was around my neck, but he ran away with it when the bus started moving so I could not go after him. So I had to go back to the depot without my ticket machine. When the manager saw me he asked me what happened so I told him everything, exactly the way it happened. But he didn't believe me! He said that I probably just lost it or broke it and was making excuses! And when I told him that I was not lieing he said I was answering him back and then I got fired.This day was rubbish.

Till next time, Amber.

By Dian Pereira yr6

I'm just a bus driver.....

Dear Diary,....

It's been 3 weeks. 3 whole weeks in this hell just a few weeks ago I was driving from Paddington to the bank and now I'm in the middle of a war. I'm just a bus driver I don't know anything about guns or....or ammunition I'm just a young chap from London.

It was only 3 weeks ago that I was driving my B-type bus and now my bus is being used as all sorts of things ambulances, messenger pigeon carriers and all sorts I just want to go back home. I NEVER imagined myself on the western front in....God knows where I just want to go back to the days where I'd wake up and get dressed in my uniform and drive all around London in my bus and pick up people and drive them from place to place not be woken up by yelling and screaming and having to put on filthy boots and step out into these hell holes that they call trenches what did I get myself into? I just don't know anymore. Why?....why me what have I EVER done to get myself in to this position. Not ever have I wanted to be a soldier I mean sure all boys say when they where younger they wanted to be soldier but me.....that has never been my dream no matter how boring or silly it sounds all I've ever wanted to be is a bus driver.

I know I cant turn back time but if I could...I would do something, anything to stop this war this prison of life. I can never un-see the things I've seen I can never un-hear the dreadful yells, screams, cries I've heard all I can do is fight. But I dont want to fight!!. Never in my life had I imagined that I'd go from driving around London to dodging bullets.

All the people I've talked to down hear say that this, this fighting, screaming, pain gives them adrenaline and tell me to cry them a river and get over it but I can't......I'm just a boy from London....
I'm just a bus driver.....

ACROSTIC POEM

On the bumpy cobbled roads, it bounced up and down.

Mothers and childern had priority.

No seats were comfortable.

In the carriage people jumped .

Bus driver was on top.

Using the whip to strike the horses.

Slowly, the omnibus travels.