Driver Highlight – Dominic

At just 25, Dominic has already clocked up years behind the wheel – and his enthusiasm for transport hasn’t slowed down since he first started driving buses at 18.

Based in Stockbridge, he’s one of the casual drivers for our North Test Valley On Demand bus service, a flexible, shared transport scheme that helps people get around Andover and the surrounding rural areas. The service runs Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm, and allows passengers to book a trip via an app, then get picked up from one of 350+ bus stops.

Dominic has always had a keen interest in buses and transport. “When I left school, I knew I wanted to drive big vehicles. I started at a small, independent bus company close to Gatwick Airport in Sussex, doing a bit of everything – answering phones, cleaning buses, marketing and learning how they ran from an operations and control point of view. That’s where I got the bug for it.”

After Covid, he moved from full-time bus driving in Sussex, to casual driving and work as a Train Guard for South Western Railway. When we need extra cover for the Test Valley On Demand bus service, for example, if a driver is on holiday or unwell, Dominic steps in.

“It’s a nice mix of work. I’m passionate about transport, so this lets me keep one foot in the bus world and one in the community.”

The Test Valley On Demand bus service is designed to connect people who might otherwise struggle to travel, following a review and removal of some town and rural bus services from Andover. It gives passengers the freedom to go where they want, when they want, whether that’s hospital appointments, shopping trips, meeting friends or going out to lunch. The service also takes passengers to and from Andover railway station, which is ideal for London commuters.

“What’s great about this service is that all the drivers live locally. We know the roads and we get to know the passengers. You get to recognise the regulars by name. People are always so grateful, especially in the villages where buses were cut completely. For some, this is the only way they can get into town.”

Although around half the passengers are older adults, Dominic stresses that the service is open to everyone. “People often think it’s only for those with mobility issues, but that’s not the case. We’ve got all people of all ages using it, commuters heading to the station for trains to London, those travelling to work, people going shopping, to appointments or even trips to pubs! It’s genuinely for anyone! This is a local bus service, with the flexibility similar to a taxi, except the bus will pick you up from and drop you off at your closest bus stop.”

“The app’s really easy to use. With just a few clicks, you can have a bus picking you up in about 15 to 20 minutes. It’s flexible, reliable, and much cheaper than a taxi. Fares range between £2 and £5.50, depending on the distance, for a single journey.

“I would strongly recommend using our app, there are discounts available for groups, and you’ll get a text message when we’re on the way to pick you up, and you can also track the bus on the app.

“Bookings can be made on the app up to three days in advance, and are taken on a first come/first served basis.”

Because the service operates on demand, the number of passengers Dominic sees per journey varies.

“Sometimes it’s one person coming in from one of the rural villages, other times it’s five or six heading into Andover. It depends on the time of day. The busiest times are usually between 9am and 2pm.”

Passengers can expect to share the bus with others, and the vehicle may deviate along the way to drop off and collect more passengers.

What stands out to Dominic is how vital the service has become for rural communities. “The public bus routes have been cut significantly. Some villages haven’t had a proper service in years. This fills that gap – it gives people freedom again. And the fact that our service runs on Saturdays makes a huge difference too.

“You get to know everyone and it’s rewarding because you can see how much it means to them.”

Find out more about Connect Transport on Demand Northern Test Valley