Greater Manchester's Youngest Bus Driver

ALL ABOARD WITH GREATER MANCHESTER’S YOUNGEST BUS DRIVER

18-year-old, Jamie Jackson, has become the region’s youngest bus driver after joining Stagecoach Manchester’s Wigan depot, following in the footsteps of three family members in doing so.  

Despite only leaving school less than 18 months ago, Jamie has been able to pass both his regular driving test and bus examinations to become a full-time member of the team and now operates buses around Wigan and Manchester.

Jamie, born and bred in Wigan, is the latest member of his family to get behind the wheel of the bus. His dad, Stuart Jackson, has been driving buses with Stagecoach for the last [20] years, while his Grandad, Rolan Silcox, recently retired from his role as an inspector after being with the leading local operator for [45] years. The family connections don’t stop there, as his uncle, Andrew Silcox, currently works with Stagecoach as a forward allocator.

Having always wanted to become a bus driver, it’s been a great first few weeks in the job for Jamie, he said: “I’ve wanted to be a bus driver since primary school and unlike a lot of my friends I’ve always been quite consistent in what I wanted to do. After finishing school, I got a job in McDonald’s to plug the gap and then started taking my bus tests in December 2019, and passed just a few weeks ago.

“I’m just happy to be here, I love driving buses and all things engines. I want to use the money I get from working to buy a motorhome and go travelling around the UK. Torquay has been like a second home to me so it’d be great to get back down there again. If you see me on the buses – say hello!”

Stagecoach Manchester managing director, Elisabeth Tasker, said: “Jamie is the youngest driver in Greater Manchester and its testament to his skill that he’s flown through his exams, we’re delighted to have him.  He’s got plenty of knowledge of the Wigan area and he’ll be a real credit to the strong team we have in Wigan.”