Over the past 47 years, Steve Tomlinson has seen it all on Birmingham’s roads. Having first started driving buses in 1977, the 70-year-old knows every twist and turn in the city, but he says the transformation over nearly five decades has been nothing short of ‘tremendous.’
For Steve, who retired earlier this year, some of these changes have been welcome, with modern buses offering smoother handling, better technology, and greater comfort for drivers. However, busier roads, constant roadworks, and an uptick in ‘reckless’ driving and anti-social behaviour made his final years behind the wheel far more ‘stressful.’
After nearly 50 years of ferrying commuters across Birmingham, Steve, from Chelmsley Wood, received a heartfelt send-off from his colleagues at the Acocks Green bus depot – towing a vintage 1950s bus to mark the end of an extraordinary career. After almost half a century of service, Steve spoke to BirminghamLive about the changes he’d seen on Birmingham’s road – and why he’s conviced he’s retired at the right time.
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A former mechanic, Steve first started driving buses in 1977 and describes his first ten years in the job as the ‘heyday’ of his career. “My most memorable days were at Lea Hall, which was my first garage,” he said.
“We were like a family, some of us had worked there for over 30 years. We played football together and I’ve still got a massive circle of friends from those days. Over the course of my career, I was offered different roles on the admin and revenue side of things, but I was always happy behind the wheel.
“My favourite route was the former 590 from Coleshill to the city centre. It went through a really nice area, and I got to know a lot of the passengers. When I stopped driving that route, they all chipped in to get me a card and some gifts which was really nice.”
Bus driver Steve Tomlinson is retiring after driving his passengers around Birmingham since 1977.
(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
After nearly 50 years in the job, Steve knows Birmingham like the back of his hand – but even he’s been shocked by the pace of change over the years. “The landscape has changed tremendously,” he said.
“When I first started we had the Digbeth flyover which is gone now, all the buildings which used to be there have all gone too. The city centre has got a lot busier too. Thankfully, the buses of today are a lot easier to drive – you can turn them with your fingertips and the braking is much easier too.”
Despite his love of driving, Steve firmly believes he retired at the right time, citing ‘reckless’ drivers as one of the key challenges that made his job increasingly difficult towards the end of his career. “The roads were much better in the 70s,” he said.
Steve Tomlinson first started driving buses in 1977, having previously worked as a mechanic.
(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“As bus drivers, we’re taught to drive in a certain way where we let things go, because if you don’t you’re putting others at risk. But some of the driving I see is shocking.
“As a bus driver, all you’re trying to do is get your passengers to their destination safely, but you’ve got to be so much more careful these days with drivers who want to overtake you or cut you off. You drive down all the main routes into the city and the traffic is shocking.
“People complain when their buses arrive late, or three arrive at the same time, but they don’t realise why. Coming through the centre now is a nightmare, full of roadworks and temporary lights. There’s just too much traffic on the roads today. It can be stressful, but as a bus driver you just get on with it.”
Also worse today, according to Steve, is the anti-social behaviour he sees among passengers. “The first ten years driving buses was a pleasure, he said, “but it’s much worse today. You get a lot more anti-social behaviour and drugs these days too. I’ve been spat at, had lucozade chucked over me.
“It’s horrendous at times, I’m glad I’m away from that part of it.”
Steve Tomlinson was given a touching send-off at Acocks Green bus depot after a nearly 50 year career.
(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
Despite the challenges towards the latter end of his career, Steve looks back fondly at his time on the roads. He’s kept in close contact with many of his former colleagues, who he still meets regularly.
After a nearly 50 year career, Steve says he’s looking forward to spending some quality time with his wife, family and dog. To mark his retirement, Steve was honoured with a reception at the Acocks Green bus depot, where he had the chance to tow a vintage 1950s-style bus – the same type he drove when he first began his career nearly five decades ago.
Speaking of the event, he said: “It was fantastic – our son’s organised that for us. I’d like to thank Lynne Hughes who is the social secretary at Acocks Green garage who organised my retirement for me. They all gave me a lovely send-off.”