The long-serving Hunter Valley Buses employee, who has racked up 22 years and seven months service, has become a local identity to many school travellers.

At the end of this month, he will retire from his mantle behind the wheel, bidding farewell to many of his school travellers and generations of Singleton families he has taken to and from school.

Looking back over his career, the 70-year-old, known as ‘Kingy’ or ‘Dave’, says he has fond memories of people he has met along his journeys but says the time has come to hang up his keys.

Many would know David from his 12-years as bus driver for the Elderslie/Stanhope school run, his five years on the Glendonbrook school service and the Hebden school run has run for the past two years.

“Over the years, I have known a lot of kids and have always had a good relationship with the children,” he told The Singleton Argus.

Dave said he has noticed that some of the parents putting children onboard his buses nowadays were his school passengers of the past.

“I guess that’s telling me something too, it’s time to go,” he laughed.

During his career, David has seen many changes in the industry and recalls the old days when buses were not air-conditioned and bus parties were still allowed.

“The kids always looked forward to the bus party,” he said.

“They always made sure they were there for the last day to have the bus party. We use to give them a drink, packet of chips and some of the students would even decorate the bus with streamers but these days you can’t do it because of insurance reasons.”

He said the standard of vehicles had greatly improved but vividly remembered the days when air conditioning was a luxury.

“You would have days of 40, 42 degree heat with 50 or 60 kids in a bus with no air conditioning,” he recalled.

“The newer buses are much more comfortable.”