Why Your School Trip Deserves a Legendary Coach Driver

13 May 2025, 15:09
by Kate Moore

Pegasus Coaches Resized and Edited for Meet the Team Page

Let’s face it—National Coach Week might not be the most thrilling date in the calendar (we're not expecting bunting and cake), but anyone who's ever organised a school trip knows that the humble coach—and more importantly, the driver—can make or break the whole experience.

At Voyager School Travel, we take coach travel seriously. That’s why we own Pegasus Coaches, a specialist school travel coach company whose drivers have practically earned honorary teacher status. And when our groups aren’t travelling with Pegasus, we only work with carefully vetted, long-standing partners who meet our exacting standards, because when it comes to transporting children across the UK and Europe, there’s no room for compromise.

The magic is in the driver

Based on the glowing feedback we’ve received from our party leaders, it’s clear that what sets a great coach journey apart isn’t just a comfy seat (though a working toilet and a DVD player don’t hurt)—it’s the driver.

Our drivers are praised for their professionalism, calmness, friendliness, and knack for getting on with the group. Just look at what teachers had to say:

“Steve really went the extra mile. We appreciated the extra touches such as putting on a WWI documentary on our way to Étaples cemetery.”

“Mervyn’s local knowledge and experience was very helpful. All the adults and children loved his kind nature and humour.”

“Darren quickly became a legend! His kindness, benevolence and sense of humour made the travelling times of this 6-day residential great and enjoyable moments.”

It’s not just about driving

Our Pegasus drivers aren’t just getting from A to B—they know exactly where to stop for loo breaks, where to park in major European cities, and how to handle the ins and outs of ferry crossings, customs checks, and the spontaneous chorus of “Are we nearly there yet?”

“Our bus driver, Bob, was absolutely brilliant. He talked the children through border control procedures calmly and clearly, and was absolutely part of the team.”

Behind the wheel, but leading the way

In the end, we believe the coach driver is just as much a part of your school trip success as your itinerary. Whether you're heading to Disneyland Paris, the battlefields of Normandy or the Christmas markets of Aachen, a good driver brings calm, confidence and a smile—even when someone’s forgotten their passport.

So here’s to Reg, Mervyn, Darren, Pete, Chelsea, Steve, Bob, and all the other everyday legends who make school travel smoother, safer, and so much more enjoyable. In the words of one party leader...

“Not all heroes wear capes! Big thanks from all of us….”

A shout out to all the party leaders who shared their positive coach driver experiences, including Catherine Smith, Lisa Fouracre, Guy Blackman AV from Lancing Prep Worthing and KR from Littleover Community School.