Depot Dilemma

On the application for the Bus Operator job I was asked to specify which bus depots I would like to work at. In fact, it is the 1st question, even before asking for my name. The question asked me to specify the depots in my order of preference, 1 to 11. See map here: http://www.sta.nsw.gov.au/commonpdfs/etc/BusOperatorInfoBrochure.pdf.

In my application, I specified as my 1st 4 preferences the following depots: Leichhardt, Kingsgrove, Port Botany and Burwood. I chose these as they are the closest to where I live. Buses (and trains) do not run 24 hours a day. This annoys me as it will mean there will be times when I cannot take public transport to work (as there won’t be any buses until I get there).

My 1st choice was Leichhardt as it is close enough to walk to (well, in an hour or so). But I have been told Leichhardt is ‘full’. This means I will have to accept a position at another depot and apply for a transfer. Transfers are done on a seniority (length of service) basis.

I have since realised there is another consideration. I have been told I am likely to work split shifts (i.e., 4 hours on, 4 hours off, 4 hours on). I need to consider how (and where) I’m going to spend the middle 4 hours. Going home is an option, but the practicality of this depends on my mode of transport and the time this will take. The other option is to stay near the depot and having things to do.

So after further investigation, I have decided this is the order of my preferred depots:
1) Leichhardt which is full;
2) Burwood because it is near a train station (well, about a kilometre away) and near a shopping centre;
3) Kingsgrove because the buses which run on the nearby main road go there and it is near a train station (though I would have to change trains to get there);
4) Port Botany which 12 kilometres away, not near any train station, not serviced by any bus route close to me and in the middle of an industrial area.

I phoned the Recruitment Coordinator at Sydney Buses to see if I could change my preferences and was told this would not be problem. I was told I was 20th on the list for Burwood so it might not be until August or September before a position there becomes available. If a position comes available sooner at either of the other two (Kingsgrove or Port Botany) I will be offered the position and I will have a choice of taking it or waiting for Burwood.