Press releases

Arriva bus driver, Russell Blackburn, from Heckmondwike has just completed a full century of driving buses.

Russell was born to be a bus driver following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather, who accumulated 80 years bus driving between them. Russell has now achieved 20 years service with Arriva Yorkshire and completes the family’s remarkable century behind the wheel.

Russell was reminded of his proud heritage when he uncovered a plaque at home. It was presented to his great grandfather, Robert Spencer, for 33 years of safe driving for Huddersfield Corporation. He believes the plaque was presented to his great grandfather in the 1930s and that he probably drove a steam-driven bus in his early days.

Russell’s grandfather George also spent his driving years on the buses in Huddersfield and Jack, Russell’s father, drove the last trolley buses in the area.

Russell, aged 52, who drives Arriva Yorkshire’s buses from the Heckmondwike depot on routes covering Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield said: “I’ve always been interested in buses, but I started my career as an apprentice engineer. I then got the ‘calling’ to work on the buses and I can’t see myself ever changing my career.

“I love this job. There’s a degree of freedom when you’re on the road; I enjoy the driving and meeting all sorts of people.”

Arriva Yorkshire operates more than 350 buses throughout the region and has many employees with long service records, “but I don’t think this record can be beaten” said Arriva Yorkshire’s MD Nigel Featham.

He added: “This is an amazing historical journey for the four generations of Russell’s family; from steam buses to the latest state-of-the-art buses. I hope this driving legacy continues.”

Russell has one son and two daughters, none of whom have yet followed in their dad’s footsteps. But, there are four grandchildren – two girls and two boys – and Russell is hoping to get them interested.

“It would be nice to carry on the tradition with one of them,” he laughed.

Image caption: Arriva bus driver, Russell Blackburn, holding the plaque he uncovered belonging to his great grandfather.