Driver clocks off after 52-year career on the buses

A bus driver from York has retired after a record-breaking 52 years.

Ian McDonald, 70, has been driving for First Bus and its predecessors since 1974 when it was West Yorkshire Road Car Company.

"I will miss the job a lot but I promised my wife and the family I will not carry on past 70," said McDonald, who lives in New Earswick.

McDonald is First's longest serving driver and has worked on routes across Yorkshire including in Scarborough, Bridlington, Hull and Harrogate since fares were as low as 2p.

Early in his career, McDonald was based at the former Barbican Road depot in York, which at the time was the biggest single-span bus depot in the country.

McDonald has seen the company change hands several times over the last half a century, but has remained with the team through a number of sales, rebrands and mergers.

"I've seen a lot of changes," he said. "Back then 99% of customers paid cash plus we did busy works buses - Rowntree's, Terry's, Armstrong, REME..."

McDonald has also had to get used to driving a number of different bus models over his long career - including switching to a fully electric vehicle.

"I love the cameras on the new electric buses, much easier than using wing mirrors and they're a lot lighter to drive with barely any noise," he said.

Joel Bradley, general manager of First Bus in York, said: "Ian has been an inspiration to everyone in the depot.

"His love of the job as a bus driver speaks for itself but this time had to come and we wish him all the best for a relaxing retirement."

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