Experience: I drive a bus for dogs

I’ve been a bus driver for 25 years. Before that, I worked in engineering sales and was on the road a lot, but it became impractical once I had young children. I took my kids to soft play centres and I thought: “I could run a place like this.” I opened my own centre in a Victorian shopping arcade in Otley, West Yorkshire, in 1995. It was great as my daughters could come with me. Then, a customer told me about play buses – vehicles converted into soft play centres with slides, ball pits and climbing frames. I liked the idea.I went to an exhibition to look at some and bought a doubledecker that had already been converted. My uncle drove it home, because I couldn’t. I had to learn quickly as it was parked outside my house. It had no power steering and a ratchet handbrake. I threw up during my first lesson because I was so scared, but driving it soon became second nature. I passed my test within six months.I loved working on the bus. I drove it to different places for play sessions and met different people every day. Eventually, I gave the play centre up and focused on taking the bus to weddings, christenings and birthdays.In April 2025, after 25 years, I sold my bus. I was looking for something else to do and spotted a job advert seeking drivers for a new bus service. It said applicants must like animals, because the passengers would be dogs. I was intrigued.I called Laura Mohan, who was launching Billy’s Bus, to find out more. She explained that the bus – named after her cavapoo, Billy – would collect dogs and take them to her private dog park for exercise when their owners couldn’t walk them themselves.I love animals. I’ve always had dogs – I have a rescue whippet – and have cats and horses, too. My first thought was that the bus was a mad idea, but it sounded fun. Laura reminded me of myself when I started my play bus.After an interview and a trial shift, I began driving in October 2025. It’s been great – people smile and wave when they see a yellow bus full of dogs.The bus has been adapted for its canine passengers who sit in raised pods with harnesses and water bowls. Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The GuardianAt first, I just drove the bus. Now I supervise dogs in the field, too. My day starts with vehicle checks at 10am, then I collect our passengers. We cover a 10-mile radius of Leeds.We can have up to 15 dogs on board. The bus has been adapted – the seats have been removed, and each dog sits in its own raised pod with safety restraints, harnesses and water bowls, with views out the window. All the dogs have a trial to make sure they’re suited to the service and get along with each other. We have people in the back talking to them and reassuring them. There’s a ratio of one person to six dogs.The dogs all love the bus, and they know the routine. As soon as we turn on to a particular road and cross over the cattle grid, they start barking. They can’t wait to get to the field. I worked with children for years, so the noise doesn’t bother me.We clip a tunnel on to the side of the bus to get the dogs off and into the field. They run free or play on the seesaw, swing and trampoline, which they go bonkers for. We stay for a couple of hours before going home.Back on the bus, the dogs get treats and puppuccinos. They’re usually quiet on the return – you know you’ve done a good job if they’re worn out.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionSome have a favourite seat on the bus. One poodle has a meltdown if another dog is in her pod on the front row. She stands there, barking at them, so we tend to let her sit there.I adore my job – it’s so joyful and it doesn’t feel like work. Some of the dogs can be a bit aloof at first, but when they relax and take a treat off you, it gives you a real buzz.My role has involved some more unusual work, too – I drove the bus in the Ilkley Carnival parade in Bradford, with 10 dogs on board and another 30 following behind. We also filmed an advert in a cinema to mark the release of the Disney film Hoppers. We had 10 dogs sitting in the seats and watching the beginning of the movie. I was behind them, holding the leads and trying to make sure they all sat still.The business has evolved since I started – there are plans for the service to go national. I’m 56 now, and I never thought I’d end up driving a bus for dogs, but it’s such good fun – I can’t see myself doing anything else. As told to Kate ChapmanDo you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.com