Arriva bus driver scores a century behind the wheel

Arriva bus driver, Russell Blackburn, from Heckmondwike has justcompleted a full century of driving buses.

Russell was born to be a bus driver following in the footstepsof his father, grandfather and great grandfather, who accumulated80 years bus driving between them. Russell has now achieved 20years service with Arriva Yorkshire and completes thefamily’s remarkable century behind the wheel.

Russell was reminded of his proud heritage when he uncovered aplaque at home. It was presented to his great grandfather, RobertSpencer, for 33 years of safe driving for Huddersfield Corporation.He believes the plaque was presented to his great grandfather inthe 1930s and that he probably drove a steam-driven bus in hisearly days.

Russell’s grandfather George also spent his driving yearson the buses in Huddersfield and Jack, Russell’s father,drove the last trolley buses in the area.

Russell, aged 52, who drives Arriva Yorkshire’s buses fromthe Heckmondwike depot on routes covering Leeds, Bradford,Huddersfield and Wakefield said: “I’ve always beeninterested in buses, but I started my career as an apprenticeengineer. I then got the ‘calling’ to work on the busesand I can’t see myself ever changing my career.

“I love this job. There’s a degree of freedom whenyou’re on the road; I enjoy the driving and meeting all sortsof people.”

Arriva Yorkshire operates more than 350 buses throughout theregion and has many employees with long service records, “butI don’t think this record can be beaten” said ArrivaYorkshire’s MD Nigel Featham.

He added: “This is an amazing historical journey for thefour generations of Russell’s family; from steam buses to thelatest state-of-the-art buses. I hope this driving legacycontinues.”

Russell has one son and two daughters, none of whom have yetfollowed in their dad’s footsteps. But, there are fourgrandchildren – two girls and two boys – and Russell ishoping to get them interested.

“It would be nice to carry on the tradition with one ofthem,” he laughed.

Image caption: Arriva bus driver, RussellBlackburn, holding the plaque he uncovered belonging to hisgreat grandfather.