Busways driver Simon Craven never expected a part-time school bus role in Macksville to become a defining chapter of his working life. But today, he is one of the most familiar and trusted faces for students travelling to and from school across the area.
Beyond driving, Craven now works as a Busways School and Community Educator, visiting local schools to talk with students about safe and respectful travel. This Christmas, he has taken that message a step further, writing a safety-themed carol titled Jingle Bells (Staying in Your Seat) to remind children to remain seated while the bus is moving.
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The song has quickly caught on, with students singing along during festive rides and reinforcing safety messages in a way that feels fun rather than instructional.
“I believe we can teach good habits to kids if we just make it a little entertaining,” Craven says.
That philosophy runs through much of his approach on the bus. Craven makes a point of learning students’ names, chatting with them during the journey and creating a welcoming environment. To encourage tidiness, he introduced a rubbish bin decorated with googly eyes, later naming it “Jim the Bin” and adding a playful poem to prompt students to clean up after themselves.
Jim soon gained companions, with several other bins receiving names from the children. The idea proved effective, turning responsibility into something students actively embraced.
Craven says the role gives him a sense of purpose and connection he had not anticipated.
“Every day I get to meet people, talk to kids, and support new drivers starting out. I genuinely enjoy it,” he says.
Before joining Busways two years ago, Craven ran several businesses, including Sydney’s largest ice sculpting operation, creating large-scale installations for major corporate and public events. After relocating to the NSW North Coast, he spent more than a decade operating retail businesses in Macksville.
A serious medical event later prompted him to reassess his priorities.
“It made me stop and think about what really matters,” he says.
Taking up casual driving work offered a slower pace, stronger community ties and the opportunity to make a daily difference. That creativity continues to find new outlets, with Craven now working on a children’s book titled Gus the Bus, inspired by his experiences behind the wheel.
His story reflects a broader truth about public transport in regional communities. For many passengers, especially school students, the bus journey is shaped as much by the driver as the destination.
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