Barrow bus driver Janine Merchant retires after 35 years

Janine Merchant, 54, was one of the longest-serving bus drivers for Stagecoach.

The company commended her for the decades of driving Barrow's streets at a special ceremony on Friday at Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa in Windermere.

Bus driving was in her blood as her father also spent more than 35 years behind the wheel, and her mother was his clippy (conductor) which was how her parents met. 

Janine's retirement cake (Image: Submitted)

She reached her milestone in October last year and officially retired from her role as a bus driver on March 18 as one of the fewer than 10 female drivers working from Barrow depot. Janine said she had only ever seen herself as 'one of the lads.' 

On her last day as a driver, Janine's husband, children and grandchild came on board to travel the route with her, one final time. This was the 5.20am X6 from Barrow to Kendal, and then back to Barrow at 7am. 

“I am now taking people’s grandkids, and people in the depot often say to me that I used to take them to school. It certainly makes me feel old," she said.

Janine Merchant receiving her certificate of long service at the awards ceremony in Windermere (Image: Submitted)

“I’m a proper people person though and I love meeting people. I can have a real laugh with my passengers.

“A lot of them have passed away and I’ve gotten to know their wives or husbands and supported them. It’s an entire little community.”

Unfortunately a bad back has prompted Janine’s early retirement but she does not regret a second.

“I’ve seen so many changes,” she said. “I was one of 19 drivers to work through Covid and all that came with it.

Janine with her family on her last day as a bus driver (Image: Submitted)

“I’ve seen more and more vehicles take to the road and seen things become more digital.

“I have also met so many brilliant people.

“I have loved working for Stagecoach: they look after their staff, and that’s only got better as the years have passed.”

Janine with Bill Whelan (left), Kath McLeavy (centre) and Charles McNulty (right) when they were awarded for 20 years of service at Stagecoach in 2009 (Image: Archive)

She attended the ceremony with 35 other Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire employees who were acknowledged for their years of dedication. 

The current and retired employees at the ceremony represented 985 years of combined service with the company.