Disabled bus driver Robert just the ticket for customers

A DISABLED man who feared he would never work again is Edinburgh's favourite bus driver.

Robert Skeldon, 45, of Danderhall in Midlothian, drives the number 22 between Ocean Terminal and the Gyle every day.

He was recognised alongside over 100 Lothian Buses employees at the company's annual award ceremony on Saturday night.

Alongside awards for trainee, engineer and the apprentice of the year, the highlight of the night is the Favourite Bus Driver, chosen by colleagues and bosses.

Mr Skeldon was born with a condition called Perthes, which attacks the joints, and had to have an operation to correct it when he was five.

He later trained as a painter and decorator, but injured himself when he tried to jump over a railing in a ground floor flat.

"When I landed I twisted my hip and that totally wrecked my joints, so I couldn't work as a painter and decorator anymore," he said.

"The doctors told me that I needed a new hip, but because hip replacements are only guaranteed for about 10 to 15 years I was told I was too young to have one.

"I spent the next few years thinking I'd never work again, until one day I walked into the job centre and said that I'd like to be a bus driver."

After being referred from the Capability Scotland Workstart programme, Mr Skeldon has now been a driver at Lothian Buses' Central depot since July 2006.

He added: "I've really enjoyed working for them these past two years, and I was gobsmacked when they told me I'd been voted Edinburgh's favourite bus driver.

"I think I'm just like any other bus driver. You just have to be courteous to the passengers, and be willing to have a laugh with them every now and then.

"I figured that if the doctors would grant me a hip replacement, I could take a job where I could be sitting down all day and it would take some of the strain off my hip.

"My doctor thought it was a great idea, so he referred me on to the hospital, and lo-and-behold as soon as I'd decided to become a bus driver the hospital agreed to give me a hip replacement."

Lothian Buses operations manager George McKendrick praised the driver's determination to get back to work.

"He is a very keen and determined employee who doesn't let his mobility problems get in the way of carrying out his job as a bus driver," he said.

Alistair Craig, of Capability Scotland, added: "Robert has shown determination can overcome disability barriers providing employers are open minded about hiring people with a disability."

Meanwhile, 48-year-old Ray McVeigh was named the bus driver who was happiest to help passengers. Members of the public were asked to nominate the driver who had gone out of his way to help passengers for this year's inaugural Happy to Help Award, run with city charity Ecas.

• www.ecas-edinburgh.org
• www.lothianbuses.co.uk