A day in the life of a DigiGo driver: Rob’s story

DigiGo driver Rob shares his journey from retirement back into a role that brought structure, purpose and connection back into his life. Rob talks about what attracted him to DigiGo, what a typical day behind the wheel looks like, and why the people – both customers and colleagues – make the job so rewarding. His story offers an honest insight into the flexibility, independence and strong team culture that make being a DigiGo driver a fulfilling career opportunity at any stage of life.

What first attracted you to the DigiGo driver role, and what makes it a good fit for you?

I had been retired for about 18 months. In that time, I had totally redecorated my house, redesigned the garden and managed to watch every conceivable box set that was on the TV.

It soon became clear to myself that retirement wasn’t what I expected it to be. I was becoming bored of being at home and having nothing to get up for. So, I decided to look for a part time role to help my mental health. What attracted me to the DigiGo driver role was the hours, as in my previous career I had always gotten up early. It made the DigiGo role a great fit for me.

Can you talk us through what a typical day looks like for you as a DigiGo driver?

As a DigiGo driver, I usually arrive at work at around 5.15am. My actual start time is 5.40am, but I like to give myself extra time to carry out my first job of the day (my choice) which is the safe and legal bus checks. At 6am I start driving for my shift. I have my pre-booked jobs sent through to me on my phone, which also acts as my Sat Nav and puts all my jobs in order until my driving finish time of 12.45pm.

I may also get what’s called an ‘on-demand’ journey which is where a customer can book for when they need an immediate ride. If I have availability, the on-demand job is then allocated to me. Knowing what jobs I have for the day allows me to manage my start and finish times as I have an approximate idea of where I am going, although this is subject to on-demand jobs coming in. Most days I am back at the depot by 1pm, after refuelling the bus for the next driver.

"Whether you’re part‑time or full‑time, 21 or semi‑retired, there are always opportunities in DigiGo."

What do you enjoy most about working as a DigiGo driver? 

The freedom of being my own boss in my own office (which is my bus for the day). As drivers, we respect each other and take pride in keeping the buses as clean as possible inside and out, as they represent both the team and the DigiGo brand. Secondly, no day is ever the same. The routes may be similar, but more often they are not.

I would then say my favourite thing about working as a DigiGo driver is the people. We support a broad and diverse community of customers, and over time you build strong connections with regular passengers. One day a new customer may book your bus and you find yourself having such fantastic conversations, it’s as if your journey has finished before it started.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about applying to become a DigiGo driver?

Absolutely go for it. While much of your shift is spent supporting customers, you’re also part of a supportive and friendly team, with plenty of opportunities to connect with other drivers throughout the day.

The majority of us drivers have all had a career before DigiGo, including ex police officers, retail managers, ex forces and even a pilot, as well as many other careers. This gives us a huge talent base with lots of life experience and expertise, which helps serve our customers.

What is it like being part of the DigiGo team?

Our managers are all approachable, show lots of empathy and want to create the safest driving environment possible for all our drivers and customers. Although our rotas are fixed, the management team will go out of their way to ensure any additional days or holiday requests are actioned. This helps ensure our work life balance remains the best it can be and helps create a very happy team environment.

Lastly, whether you are part time or full time, 21-years of age, or semi-retired, there are always opportunities in DigiGo to advance your career. Not forgetting, there are huge career opportunities within Essex County Council as an organisation.

Summary

After finding retirement wasn’t as fulfilling as expected, I joined DigiGo to bring structure, purpose, and social interaction back into my daily life. The role suits me perfectly with its early hours, independence, and variety. Every day is different, and the highlight is meeting a wide range of people and building connections with regular customers. Being part of a supportive, close-knit team makes it even more rewarding, and it’s a role that offers both flexibility and opportunities to grow.

Inspired by Robert’s experience as a DigiGo Driver?

Find out more and apply for DigiGo Driver roles with Essex County Council.