Bus drivers, do you like it when people thank you when getting off?

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BeanzBruv@reddit

Tbf people don't realise what bus drivers do for us, it ain't just sitting in a cab all day..I've been stranded on the opposite side of London at the early hours of the morning without a penny left and they've always let me on, helped me with directions if needed. Not just that they're humans too so they often do whatever they can do help those in need..and if that's not enough to make you see it..when was the last time they went on strike and done us all up like a kipper eh? 😂

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Lonely-Permission901@reddit

And they don't get paid a fortune the way that tube drivers do. Not that I'm saying tube drivers aren't worth what they're paid but driving a bus and having to contend with other vehicles as well as the miserable and ungrateful at close range seems the harder job.

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Ok-Rhubarb7473@reddit

I remember many years ago as a teen, I was travelling home late and it was dark, the bus that went into the village had stopped running and the one I was on went straight down the by-pass. It was a mile walk through the village to my house. When I went to the front the driver asked if I was heading into the village, I said yes and he veered off and did the village loop for me so I didn't have to walk alone in the dark.

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ADamnGoodShot@reddit

All fair but mate what’s going on in your life that you’re frequently trapped on the wrong side of London in the wee hours of the morning without a pence in your pockets?!?

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BeanzBruv@reddit

Not nowadays lol this was a good few years ago, but that's for my therapist bruvvaaa 🤠😅

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onetwowinter@reddit

🤣🤣

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pusopdiro@reddit

The trains round here frequently break down and I'm always really grateful to the rail replacement bus drivers for how quickly they get everyone on, basically playing human Jenga to get everyone and their bags and buggies on. And all that while stressed out people are complaining like they're the ones that control the trains.

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basicyesh@reddit

Once I was late for a job interview and the bus driver was supposed to sit at the last stop for 20 min. He took me directly to the interview instead of having a break. I couldn’t thank him enough

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WideLengthiness3963@reddit

Not to mention dealing with aggression all the time. People are awful to bus drivers

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DLNN_DanGamer@reddit

Over here in the Midlands, like 2 years ago. Luckily Stagecoach came in clutch otherwise it would've been a disaster of a week.

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BeanzBruv@reddit

Exactly, big up busman!

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Delicious-Pop-7019@reddit

It's the decent thing to do, although I think you should appreciate any partner whether they are a bus driver or not.

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Superb. Absolutely superb. My wife and I have a stupid game whereby we’ll try to be the first to say “thanks!” in a cheery tone after sex. Imma up my game to “thanks driver!” next time. Absolutely, awfully brilliant. Thank you!

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willatpenru@reddit

Cheers drive!

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Lonely-Permission901@reddit

What if your phone's battery has died and there's no way to call your wife after you've had sex?

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Because I am ***always*** watching.

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loveswimmingpools@reddit

We do this too. Have you ever left a tip?!

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Leprosy jokes incoming!

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SnooMacarons9618@reddit

Try an upbeat 'Cheers dude, and thanks for letting me know when to get off, 'preciate it."

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thethornwithin@reddit

Thanks driver. Bahbye driver. BYEEE BYEEEE BYEEEEEE

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Pin1888@reddit

This is me whether it's a bus/taxi driver or even the wee assistant in the shop minus the driver bit obviously. Also the obligatory wave at the pelican or zebra crossing when people actually stop. Nice tae be nice!

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Flapparachi@reddit

Sent me over the edge. Thanks 🤣

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paleblooddaviey@reddit

Well, make sure to thank your driver then.

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Academic_Taste663@reddit

The way I do it 😂

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cheatingwithsumo@reddit

How about 'cheers, drive'!

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Leeroywildman@reddit

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Commercial_Clock_259@reddit

I say it to the pilots every time I get off a plane. Usually gets a chuckle

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Excellent suggestion. I can’t stop thinking about this. I’m giggling to myself thinking about things like “That’s not bad for £2.50. Cheers driver!”

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RaidersGuy85@reddit

Cheers drive

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Reasonable-Soft375@reddit

You can thank me for her being so good. Took a lot of practice, but we kept at it.

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yearsofpractice@reddit

I was meaning to talk to you about that… she’s only just stared biting. Is that your doing?

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Technical-Public1795@reddit

I tell my husband ‘Pleasure doing business with you’ afterwards

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Why are we like this? It’s objectively awful but hilarious (and quite gentle and tender) in practice. Glad we’re not the only ones.

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safefart@reddit

It's a business doing pleasure with you ...

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Zan-I-am@reddit

Thanks... I just spat out my coffee!

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zipitdirtbag@reddit

Almost choked on my sandwich

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CJBill@reddit

Is that a euphemism?

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Inoffensive_Comments@reddit

It was a 6-inch Sub.

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YchYFi@reddit

Perfect lol

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DogDrools@reddit

Oh well done! Perfect comment. I applaud you 👏

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Open_Ad7457@reddit

This has got to be at least the third time I've seen this set up and response on Reddit.

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Kronen_@reddit

Brilliant 😆😂

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OddReference913@reddit

😂😂😂

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Dumuzzid@reddit

yeah, I needed a second to get that...

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Lost-Engineering-211@reddit

I -

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Xenozip3371Alpha@reddit

My mum (61) is a bus driver and she always wishes people a good day when they leave, and she loves it when they thank her.

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Grand-Impact-4069@reddit

If you don’t say “cheers drive” when getting off a bus then I’d question if you’re at all British.

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SarahL1990@reddit

Mine is "tar mate".

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tiorzol@reddit

Mine is "chanks" when I can't decide between cheers and thanks.

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BarApprehensive5837@reddit

Well,im going for a twonk

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BusAdditional6518@reddit

I often get stuck between “Ta” and “Thanks” so I end up saying “Tanks!”

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mmnotts@reddit

Ffs I’m glad I’m not the only one. I was saying goodbye to a sparky at my house once, trying to be all pally and that and not only fluffed cheers with thanks but also couldn’t decide between fella or mate, so he got a “chanks fellamate” and now I can’t ever see him again

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tiorzol@reddit

Haha fellamate is incredible work

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anjunakerry1982@reddit

I asked the driver for a big mac meal, instead of an "all day bus and tram ticket". I dont even eat beef! Cheered him up no end, he asked me for a large coke!

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Comfortable_Age_5595@reddit

Gotta give it a thAnkyouuuu

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imaKWT@reddit

Having been born and grown up in London, literally nobody says it.

Only once you get close to the M25 do you ever hear a thank you.

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deathschemist@reddit

i usually say "cheers mate, have a good one" as i get off.

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Non-wholesomechungus@reddit

Is this an actual thing ? Never heard anyone say this ever

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YchYFi@reddit

Yeah I'm the west country.

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msmoth@reddit

'Cheers, drive' is regional. Normal where I grew up (south Wales), not normal where I live now (Yorkshire).

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YchYFi@reddit

Welsh say cheers drive or diolch.

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h00dman@reddit

There was a campaign in Cardiff to get the short stretch of road that led into the new bus station, to be banned "Cheers Drive".

It didn't happen sadly.

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Appropriate-Roof1422@reddit

I am not British. I used to live in Yorkshire and never heard it. Then moved into Bristol and it was very common. So it may depend on where you live.

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Lochshot1996@reddit

English*

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Red9zero@reddit

Bristol by any chance ?

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Icy_Distribution3467@reddit

If the driver is called Bert,then yeah!

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intergalacticscooter@reddit

West Midlands say it.

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jamjars222@reddit

Cheers m8 off to get me fish n chips

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HatOfFlavour@reddit

The few times I don't thank them I hope I have ruined their day as they were likely driving in a manner that was making me fall out of my seat.

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Albert_Herring@reddit

"Cheers miduck". I'm not some Bristolian (just a southerner cosplaying East Midlands).

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WarmJewel@reddit

I don't use the buses much but when I do I always thank the bus driver when I get off. It's just normal politeness and courtesy.

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SM_83@reddit

Bye bye drivaaaa

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Smackmybitchup007@reddit

I hear he was sacked for filming that

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Equal-Application731@reddit

Byeeeeeiiii

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StGuthlac2025@reddit

BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIII

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FrogfFrogger@reddit

SAYONARA

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SM_83@reddit

https://youtu.be/ilsiCOYexuk?si=o1wM_g7SPqYsuPoL

Thought I'd let you in on the joke

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Cool_Professional@reddit

Any idea if she's still going? Not seen her for ages. She was an absolute pain in the arse but I wouldn't wish any specific harm on her

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SM_83@reddit

No idea. Hopefully she's out there somewhere

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AcesAgainstKings@reddit

Ever since moving to London where they met you off in the middle of the bus I feel awkward shouting it since no-one else seems to.

Is it just accepted that in London you don't need to? Feels alien to me.

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MmmThisISaTastyBurgr@reddit

Bus drivers literally cannot hear you through the screens when you're standing right next to them. Try asking them anything next time you get on: they will have to open the door in order to hear you.

I say thanks when I get on, so they can at least see me saying thanks even if they cannot hear me.

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Real-Apricot-7889@reddit

I say thank you when I get on and lots of other people do that too. Or you can shout down the bus if it’s quiet but when it’s busy and lots of people are getting on and off at the same time then shouting to thank the bus driver feels a bit OTT as they are presumably more focused on the people getting on at that point.

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PigSnoz@reddit

I say thank you when I tap my card as I get on (occasionally shout it again when I leave via the middle doors, but not often)

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walkwalkwalkwalk@reddit

I've seen it in London where one person shouts thank you and then most people do it for the rest of the ride lol

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cizza16@reddit

Shout it. My 4 year old does

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Rude_Yoghurt3034@reddit

Also when some pax say “love you” by mistake makes my day.

Some say “thanks mate” then realise I’m a woman and say oh sorry.

I get sweets, got a pasty once and a whole chocolate cake!

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Equal-Application731@reddit

Absolutely, I love a chat. To be fair just thankful for human interaction, so many people getting on and off glued to screens and not a moment in the day to talk to people. It’s saddening.

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bolasaurus@reddit

That's nice to know. I always say a cheery 'hi' or 'morning/afternoon' when I'm scanning my phone and 'thank you' when I hop off at my stop. It's just polite really!

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Rude_Yoghurt3034@reddit

I love it, makes me sad when pax say nothing at all!

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Leeroywildman@reddit

CHEERS DRIVE!

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RequirementEasy4273@reddit

Always thank the driver, my dad drilled it into me as a kid and it just stuck.

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Acceptable-Creme-184@reddit

I expect they prefer that no one notices they are getting off in their little driving booth.

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Massive_Sky4589@reddit

I made a point to shout thank you driver looking at other passengers because only the a few stops before he waited at a stop until a rude aggressive man got off who proceeded to spit at the drivers window before leaving. I was not the only one thanking him for keeping everyone safe. That was not their first encounter. They’re not just driving people from A to B, their job is to do it safely.

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ImpressiveBell3424@reddit

Absolutely despise it. It's even worse when they try to look me in the eyes. Utter vermin.

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accepts_compliments@reddit

They thank you as they leave, soft little “cheers” from soulless eyes, like civility is a currency they don’t understand but keep trying to spend.

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Toastinho@reddit

I bet you love it when someone tries to pay cash and doesn't have the correct change 😝

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Voltalox@reddit

I always felt like such an arsehole when I had to take the bus and all I had on me was a £10 note. I knew I was the worst.

Thank god for contactless payment now. 🙏

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scotteh74@reddit

Great I’ll continue to do it then.

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Alundra828@reddit

Makes you proud to be British seeing this.

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frenchois1@reddit

Thanks big man, nice driving there, got me here on time, well done 😃👍.

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BeanzBruv@reddit

Thanks driver!

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Namiweso@reddit

B-Bye Driver

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BeanzBruv@reddit

Bye

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dan-72@reddit

byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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Grand-Impact-4069@reddit

Cheers Drive 👍

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badger906@reddit

I’m quite chummy with the drivers on my route. So always have a quick chat when tickets printing. Always say thanks and have a good day when I get off

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LondonBusInsider@reddit

Yes I do, and if I hear it (as in London there are middle doors and the driver is sealed off with a massive plastic shield) then I say thanks back.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LondonBusInsider/

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Original_Bad_3416@reddit

I’m always overly nice to bus drivers, so when they see waddling to the bus in a rush they hold the bus for me

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LushHappyPie@reddit

I thought Brits were overly nice only to the people they despise?

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cizza16@reddit

Same however most choose to still drive off (often to immediately stop at a red light and still Not open their doors for the 45 seconds they’re stuck at the lights)

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Thin_Sheepherder_584@reddit

I once worked for a research company and they surveyed a load of bus drivers when the buses changed from one entrance at the front to an entrance at the front and an exit in the middle. The overwhelming response was they felt more depressed about their job because hardly anyone thanked them any more or gave them a cheery wave getting off the bus due to the exit location. I always shout thank you up the bus now when I get off.

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ravioli241@reddit

I have shouted thhaaankyoooou to the driver with a big smile ever since they changed it because why not - it feels rude not to say thanks just because it’s further away now.. even if it’s packed lol (typing this up whilst currently on the bus teheh)

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PigSnoz@reddit

I always say thank you when I get on the bus and tap my card. Sometimes I’ll say it again when I exit from the middle doors, but it’s often too busy to be yelling through the crowd (or I feel too self conscious doing it)

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Automatic_Union8147@reddit

TfL launched a campaign a couple of years ago to get passengers to thank the driver. In my experience, in my part of west London, this has made more of us do it. It’s not as easy to be heard because we have a middle ‘exit’ door, so we don’t exit by the front. Nevertheless, I have noticed a great response to the #thankyoudriver initiative

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happyhippohats@reddit

I don't know but you probably shouldn't be getting off on the bus

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Irish_Laura67@reddit

I can’t imagine why it would annoy them. It’s just the mannerly thing to do saying thanks.

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RoyofBungay@reddit

Has with anyone who has performed a service for you whether it's a haircut or taking you by bus it's just common decency and courtesy.

However, I draw the line thanking a driver when using a zebra crossing. That's a legal requirement not a service.

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SpectreSingh89@reddit

Am no bus driver but it is a thought provoking q. Imagine hearing one word 60-70 times in a day😂

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nm63uk@reddit

I was a bus driver for 7 years, thanks or similar was the norm for the vast majority of departing passengers, yes, it's appreciated and the driver normally reciprocates. On my last day, a lady, who I didn't know, came up to me at the destination and not only thanked me but told me, sincerely, that it was the best bus journey she'd ever had. I don't know how many bus journeys she'd ever had but it's something I'll never forget. The reason I was leaving the busses is because I'd just passed my Class 1 test and was moving on to the lorries. I guess, I learned a lot from my HGV lessons.

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sugar_kane1984@reddit

Bus Thankers!!

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ModernStylist@reddit

Perfect! Take an upvote.

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Ill-Appointment6494@reddit

I always thank the driver when I’m having a wank.

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FlaviousTiberius@reddit

Really bringing a whole new meaning to 'bus wanker'

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spriz2@reddit

This absolutely isn't a thing in London

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TheMingeMechanic@reddit

It is. They sometimes even have posters on the exit doors inviting you to thank them.

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flightbomb@reddit

We’ve got a local bus driver who always says, ‘You’re welcome,’ when you say thanks as you get off. So lovely.

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Dry-Letterhead-2902@reddit

Why would basic manners make someones day. Im not a bus driver but it annoys be a bit when people dont say thank you. We are meant to have manners in the uk.

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cardncomol@reddit

People like you who act confused at the most obvious things are so funny

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Dry-Letterhead-2902@reddit

Im not acting confused im making a point about how low standards have fallen in this country, you sound a bit genuinely confused

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FrogOwlSeagull@reddit

Or they could be thinking - here's someone driving a central london bus route, and having everyone who gets off thank you might be okay to start with and after a while might also really be doing your head in.

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Dry-Letterhead-2902@reddit

Im not from london but i imagine everything would do my head in if i was

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Heck_@reddit

I would purposefully not say "thank you" if I got off your bus. Not even a lowly "ta".

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Dry-Letterhead-2902@reddit

I dont have a bus mate

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Heck_@reddit

Exactly. Bad attitude. Glad they took it off you.

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Dry-Letterhead-2902@reddit

Hahaha 😭

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FrogOwlSeagull@reddit

Oh I bet you'd adapt. But habits that work well with tens of people don't work well with hundreds to thousands.

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

I think you answered your own question.

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DoubleXFemale@reddit

It’s polite to thank someone like a bus driver dropping you at your stop, a shop worker showing you where a product is, a waiter bringing you your food, a barman handing you your drink etc.

It shouldn’t be so unusual and significant for the workers to be thanked that it “makes their day”, it should happen in the majority of their interactions.

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