Front page · Cosyford Buses
Fares please! The little electric bus that brought you to Cosyford is looking for a driver
Round the town, into the kerb, doors on the line. Clem Tuckett drove the number 7 for forty years, and he still says “fares please” in his sleep.
Every round starts at the Bus Station, where a queue is already waiting. Hold on the screen (or the up arrow) to drive, and let go to coast: she is electric, so she slows gently all by herself. She stops for red lights on her own, too, so you can keep your eyes on the next stop. The trick is to let go early and coast in, so that the doors stop right on the yellow line painted in the road. Bang on it is a Perfect stop, and there is a bonus for being on time.
People get off first, then on they come, and the fares ding into the cash box. Somebody with a pushchair or a tartan trolley needs the bus to kneel: hold the button and she sinks down to the kerb with a hiss and puts out her ramp. On the Ring Road Rider there are request stops, so keep an eye out for somebody waving. The School Run fills up with children in green jumpers who get noisier by the minute until you tell them to settle down. Mrs Pennywhistle, who has caught the 7 every day since 1961, would like a chat.
Back at the Bus Station you drag the charging plug into the socket, and she fills up with electricity from the wind farm on the ridge. Everyone still on board gives you a round of applause. Clem says that bit never gets old. Save up for a brass bell, shiny new shelters, the heritage red livery and, one day, a double-decker.
