The dream that's come true for Greater Manchester's youngest bus driver

A teenager who has qualified as a Greater Manchester bus driver at just 19-years-old says his dream has come true.

Tobi Dekker initially started out cleaning buses at Stockport-based transport company Belle Vue Manchester after school.

His knowledge and passion for the vehicles was quickly noticed and the young bus enthusiast was seconded to the operations team to work on route planning.

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After completing his GCSEs in the summer of 2021, he was offered a full-time position as a transport consultant.

The Stockport teen then went on to qualify as a bus driver by earning his passenger carrying vehicle licence – now operating school and public service buses after passing all his tests at the first attempt.

He passed his car driving test in December 2022 when he was just 18.

In addition to his role as a transport consultant, Tobi regularly drives school buses on Greater Manchester routes and public services operated by Belle Vue, including the 391 and 392 between Stockport and Macclesfield and the 280 between Altrincham and Partington.

On the days he is driving, the young driver starts work at 5.30am – but says the early starts don't deter him.

"It hardly feels like I'm working when I'm on driving duties because I enjoy it so much,” he said. “It's a dream come true.

"It's great to be out on the road and meeting the passengers. Belle Vue prides itself on having a great rapport with passengers, and I love being part of that. People often comment how nice it is to see a young driver.

"However, I do a lot more at Belle Vue besides driving - I also have a lot of experience of working in the office on the operational side of the business