A Career Switch of Gears: Policing to Public Transport
Karl Attenborough knows what it feels like to have people rely on him. During his 16 years in the police force, he pulled a man back from the edge of a railway bridge, resuscitated a stranger in cardiac arrest, and dealt with the kind of unpredictable situations most people hope never to face.
But when he decided to leave policing, Karl felt something was missing.
“I wasn’t done with serving the community,” he says. “I wanted a role where I could still make a difference every day.”
That’s when he swapped the badge for the bus, with Australia’s largest bus operator, Busways.
At first, driving a bus seemed like a straightforward job: get passengers safely from A to B. But Karl quickly realised it drew on the same skills he’d relied on as a police officer – staying calm under pressure, communicating clearly, and being a reassuring presence when people are stressed or feeling vulnerable.
Within two years, Karl was promoted to Depot Manager, leading a team of drivers and keeping services running smoothly. “The sense of camaraderie is very familiar,” he says. “You’ve got each other’s backs, and you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.”
And while the work is rewarding, Karl says the lifestyle change has been just as valuable.
“In policing you can get called out at all hours, the stress is relentless. Here, I’ve got a roster I can count on, and I still get that daily interaction with the community. It’s a balance I didn’t have before.”
For other ex-service men and women, Karl’s message is direct:
“If you’ve still got more to give, bus driving is a career worth considering. The community needs people with our skills.”
Service doesn’t stop when you leave the force. Sometimes, it just takes a different route.
Busways operates Adelaide Metro Outer South bus service for Public Transport South Australia. Click here to find out more about driving with Busways.
