November,2019
Bus drivers’ trip to Valaste and Toila
First day
Just as I arrive at the lowest point of the Valaste waterfall hiking trail – on the shore of Gulf of Finland – I hear the demanding toot of the bus signal calling the passengers to board the bus. I am more than fifty meters below the level of the bus. I am slightly panicking thinking if the EBÜ travel group will wait for me, but there are people from the same group on the shore, thus having to walk to the Toila spa on foot does not seem like an actual threat.
When I was descending the viewing platform stairs it never occurred to me that in order to get back to the bus, I would have to climb up those very same stairs. I was too busy enjoying the exceptional views of the cliffed coast regardless of the grey late autumn weather and kept on going lower.
And then the bus horn trumpeted. Looking up, the harsh reality hit – I will have to “hop” up the stairs quick because the other passengers will probably not want to wait for their tardy mate for long.
Modern day bus driver does not need to have strong legs, the important body parts are above the wheel, so the fast ascent was definitely going to be a challenge. The beginning was okay, because the steps were mostly on horizontal plane, but then the ascent got steeper and the steps seemed neverending.
My legs got softer, my heart threatened to jump out of my chest and lungs were working in full steam. I reached the bus on my mushy legs and scolded myself in my mind for not thinking about the way back before.
All passengers reached the bus and the journey continued towards Toila Spa where a lavish lunch was waiting for us. After the generous feast, Hugo Osula and Evald Lass handed member tickets to the new association members and Mr Osula summed up the current situation and perspectives of the bus industry.
The bus drivers were busy at the Toila spa water centre already by afternoon. It was great exchanging work stories with colleagues in the hot tub or in sauna. Three hours of various refreshing water procedures flew by and then it was time to dress up for the formal dinner.
Invigorating dinner with relaxing drinks waited for the bus drivers at the spa restaurant. It was setting out to be a long night, but I had work in the morning, thus I had to leave the great company. Next time I’ll stay longer, friends!
Author: Kaia Laur
Toila SPA
Second day
Three presentations directly linked with the daily work of bus drivers were planned for the second day of the EBÜ outing.
Field operations manager of Rapla police station, Alar Smirnov introduced his diploma thesis titled “A study of the technical condition of school buses based on the examples of Rapla and Kohila parish”. The thesis describes the technical condition of the school buses in Rapla and Kohila rural municipalities and the students’ habits of wearing seatbelts. Observations were also carried out to see the actual situation.
You can read the diploma thesis here
Alar also mentioned another diploma thesis written on a similar topic by Rando Luhaorg. The topic of this thesis is “Use of safety equipment in school buses in Rapla parish”.
You can read the diploma thesis here
After the captivating and eye-opening presentation there was a Q&A session, where the bus drivers actively participated, asking about punishments for not using seatbelts and options to supervise it.
The second speaker was Kirke Williamson, manager of the public transportation department at the Road Administration. Kirke also talked about the importance of seatbelt and answered any questions the bus drivers had.
Lux Express quality manager Liina ended the day by presenting the bus drivers with three different issues the clients have raised and inviting everyone to find solutions.
Author: Liina Kungla
