AFTER 16 years at Stagecoach, long-serving driver Mark Curtis has hung up his keys, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, professionalism, and a personal touch that passengers and colleagues alike will remember.
Mark’s journey with Stagecoach began in May 2010, but his connection to buses stretches back much further. Originally from Richmond upon Thames, he started his career in 1982 as a conductor with Transport for London, joining a small group of friends who all secured jobs together. “I was young, single, social, and loved being a bus conductor,” he recalls. “It was good money, and I loved the people side of it.”
After exploring a few different roles, including a stint as a driving instructor, Mark found himself moving to Eastbourne in 2009. A chance drive past the depot with a friend led him to apply, and within weeks, he was back behind the wheel, this time as a bus driver.
In 2014, Mark joined the company’s training school, where he honed his skills and shared his knowledge with new drivers. “Things stick with you,” he says, recalling lessons in patience and careful driving.
Mark’s careful, friendly style did not go unnoticed by passengers. He remembers one particularly memorable moment when he navigated a narrow gap between two vans, and the entire bus applauded as he successfully guided the vehicle through. “It’s nice to be appreciated,” he says.
Mark credits the people he meets every day as one of the best parts of the job. “I’m a people person. I like my own time, but I like interaction with people, a ‘good morning’ here, a bit of banter there, helping someone who’s struggling or giving them a joke,” he explains. He recalls one passenger telling him he was the first person she had spoken with since her husband passed away two weeks prior, highlighting the small but meaningful role a bus driver can play in the community.
Outside of work, Mark looks forward to spending more time on his hobbies. He enjoys playing darts, walking his dog, and gardening, a pastime he says he’s finally getting back to after years of bus schedules and Covid interruptions.
Though he hasn’t yet felt the pangs of retirement, Mark is keen to stay connected with colleagues and passengers alike. “I’ll definitely miss the people and what’s going on, I’m quite nosy!”
The team at Stagecoach South East wishes Mark a happy retirement and thanks him for his many years of service. His calm, friendly presence and dedication to his passengers will be sorely missed.
