Ben Barlow
Charter Operations Manager, Go Bus, Hamilton
Qualification: Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies, Waikato University
Job Basics: Managing charter buses and drivers, dealing with groups and clients
Driving a bus part time has been the unlikely start of a great career which is blossoming for Hamilton man Ben Barlow.
The keen kayaker, 24, had ideas of working as a teacher at one stage.
However, that's been put aside for now as his part time role has lead to a dream job as Charter Operations Manager for Go Bus in Hamilton.
"I thought I would go teaching afterwards but things have just fallen into place."
"It's an interesting industry. It gets you up in the morning because it's challenging - you never know what's going to happen next. No day is the same and every day you are learning."
After completing his secondary school education he worked in Taupo as a kayak guide for the Tihoi Venture School.
As part of his job he needed to be able to drive school students to nearby waterways so he achieved his Class 2 heavy vehicle licence and Passenger Endorsement allowing him to do so legally.
After two years as a guide Ben decided it was time to get a formal qualification and headed up to Waikato University to begin a Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies.
Like many university students, Ben decided it would be useful to get some part time work and he answered an advert regarding part time bus driving. This was the beginning of his association with Go Bus.
"I just thought I would apply and see what happens," he says.
Ben started driving night buses on Friday and Saturday nights around Hamilton city. It was a great introduction to commercial bus driving, he says.
"The night buses were a great experience. Everyone was out there to have a good time, there was no traffic and everyone got home safe."
"The money was way better than my mates who were working at take away outlets - and I had the responsibility as well - I was the envy of my mates."
Two years of night driving brought him to the attention of Go Bus management and upon completing his degree they offered him a job in the company's Morrinsville Depot in charge of 20 school buses and drivers.
From there he progressed to the Urban Operation section and when a work mate decided it was time to retire Ben applied and was offered his current role of Charter Operations Manager.
Ben is in charge of six full time staff and 20 buses from a 14-seat Hiace right through to a 57-seat bus and coach. His company services the entire North Island and clients include school groups, Air New Zealand, and the Waikato Chiefs Super 14 team.
"We cover absolutely anything from a $200 shuttle to a week in Wellington," he says.
Ben keeps his hand in by driving from time to time.
A favourite perk of the job is when Ben gets to take a group skiing and he also gets to have a blast on the snow.
Recently he has organised buses for the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar race and his next challenge will be the National Agricultural Field Days.
"The most challenging thing is just being organised - you have to have the right bus in the right place - you need good communication."
Ben is happy to have found his niche in the bus industry and there is room for more young people to get involved, he says.
"There is not a great deal of young people in the industry. You see some coming through but they don't seem to stick at it - there needs to be more."
"I will stay in the industry for a while as I am getting good support from the directors; they give me lots of time and plenty of information."