Nottinghamshire brothers clock up 100 years of bus driving experience

Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, Kulvir Singh and Raghbir Singh joined the then Barton Transport more than 30 years ago and are still driving for trentbarton today.

The youngest brother Kulvir, 58, was first to get on board in 1986, followed by Lakhbir, 62, and then Raghbir, 60, in 1987.

Lakhbir, known as Sandhu, left a job at the Raleigh bicycle factory and began as a floating driver, including on the fives which were soon to be rebranded as rainbow 5. All three brothers were first based at Chilwell and become experts on all the routes

Sandhu, who lives in Nuthall, now drives on the indigo and i4 services alongside Kulvir, who lives in Bestwood Village with Raghbir, who drives the keyworth.

Sandhu said: “If I didn’t enjoy my job I wouldn’t still be here doing it. I love my driving. I’ve been offered office jobs, but I like driving.

“I’ve loved it from day one. I’ve seen customers who were boys and girls now with their own kids. We share a laugh and a joke with customers when they get on.”

Although they have reached their driving century, the trio have many more miles left ahead. Sandhu said he was not thinking about giving up bus driving: “I’ll probably stay on if I can, I love the job.”

Jeff Counsell, managing director of trentbarton, said: “The brothers have been reporting for duty for Barton Buses and trentbarton tirelessly for a century.

“Respected members of the Barton family, they have each shown unparalleled levels of dedication to the business throughout their careers to date, with Lakhbir and Kulvir rising earlier than most to ensure the routes are clear and to bring colleagues into work for the start of their shift in all weathers and conditions.

“I’m sure everyone will join me in congratulating these three closely knit family members and in thanking their families at home for their love and support for them.

"I personally would like to wish them good health for the future and look forward to them being part of the trentbarton family for many more years to come.”

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