Nothing upsets good bus drivers, not even a bomb. Last Thursday, Landshut Central Station was swarming with police officers, side streets were closed, and they were reporting on the bus radio about the 250-kilogram bomb from the Second World War. The residents were brought to safety before the fire was defused, says the radio voice. At the same time, warning signs pass by the bus window: “Bomb disposal danger to life.” But our driver fearlessly steers the full coach into the danger zone. Next stop, bomb or not: Landshut Central Station.
His calmness radiates to the passengers, who initially seem irritated. A short stop, then the journey continues towards Munich. Not even a difficult turning maneuver under the skeptical eye of the police impresses the captain. An everyday hero in a checked shirt.
Far too rarely is the contribution of the men and women who maneuver a monster weighing around ten tons day and night, reliably and without much fanfare, acknowledged. They keep the country moving even when train traffic is stopped by an ancient explosive device. In railway language this is called rail replacement transport (SEV), which sounds unnecessarily contemptuous. How about: Rescue by Bus (RdB) instead?
The importance of bus staff is often only appreciated when they are not driving. According to the Association of German Transport Companies, thousands of drivers are already missing. And the need is growing: In no other industry will so many employees be retiring soon, and too few young people are coming. No wonder that the SEV is notorious in Bavaria: buses sometimes don’t come at all, too late or with far too little space to pick up all the stranded train drivers.
The bus driver who is supposed to take us from Regensburg to Munich because of the train cancellation also has gray hair. Before departure, a long queue forms in front of his bus; there are too many people for one vehicle. At some point he calls out from his driver’s cab: “The bus is full.” There is a lack of understanding outside, the driver reacts calmly: He has already called the train operator, but no second bus has been ordered. “I can’t do anything, it’s not my fault.” Then he drives off. Even rescuers sometimes reach their limits.