“What’s the point in being miserable?”: Meet 'Leeds’ Happiest Bus Driver’

Online, he regularly shares tales of his workdays, advice for passengers, and uplifting messages to brighten people’s day. As hundreds of people respond, Nick has formed a community united by a love of buses and appreciation of bus drivers.

But how did he become Leeds’ happiest bus driver?

Nick, from Bramley, first became a bus driver three years ago and pursuing this career was a childhood dream.

Nick said: “I’ve been mad on buses since I was little.

“I liked big vehicles, I liked talking to people, so I thought bus driving might suit me.”

Before bus driving, Nick, now 36, worked in the fast food industry for 16 years. After “years of patience” while building his driving experience, he finally became a trainee bus driver at First Bus in 2023.

For Nick, driving a bus for the first time was a scary yet exciting experience.

Nick said: “The first time was a bit nerve-racking.

“You’ve got to bear in mind that it’s a huge vehicle - it feels like you’re driving your own car but just five times as large.”

Over time, Nick became familiar with the feeling and is now a qualified bus driver. Across the week, he regularly drives the number 4, 16, and 49 buses across Pudsey, Seacroft, Whinmoor, and Bramley.

On board, Nick enjoys banter with his passengers and is known for telling cheesy jokes to brighten people’s day.

It was in August 2024, Nick decided to post about life as a bus driver on community Facebook group Leeds Place. His first post offered straightforward advice for passengers who were accidentally paying for the bus with both a ticket and their bank card.

Nick said: “It started out as a simple post on Facebook as I’d been reading that some people had been charged with their bank card when they scanned their ticket on their phone.

“From there it became hints and tips for how to use the buses and it went viral instantly.”

Now Nick regularly shares bus advice on Facebook with each post accompanied by a smiling selfie in front of a bus.

It’s a habit that’s led to Nick becoming recognised across Leeds and further afield too.

Nick said: “Every time I go places, I’ve had people come up to me and ask for a quick selfie.

“It’s not just in Leeds. Once I was coming back to Leeds from London and there were some people I didn’t realise were my passengers that said ‘you’re that bus driver’. That was quite fun and cheerful.”

Nick’s favourite part of his job is helping people safely travel from A to B and sharing a laugh and a joke along the way.

Known across Leeds for his optimism, Nick sees a positive outlook as the best way to get through life.

Nick said: “I was once in a bad situation when I was young and I said to myself ‘what’s the point in being miserable when you can stay positive?’ That got me to where I am today.

“I’m happy with my job, I’m happy going out to places and I’ve got my lovely wife and four month old daughter who I wouldn’t be here for if it wasn’t for them.”

Nick has no plans to stop being Leeds’ happiest bus driver but his motivation to keep smiling is simple: to make others smile too.

Nick said: “I’m known as Leeds’ happiest bus driver because I’m always a happy person and cheerful.

“I just like making people happy.”