Hubup, demand-responsive transport and the Proxi’bus

It’s been running for several years, but I personally started driving the Proxi’bus on October 2, 2006.

At first, I worked in a printing company, then I changed careers and moved into public transportation. I enjoy driving, and I got the opportunity to start as a bus driver on regular and school routes in the Brie-Comte-Robert area. After eleven months on those lines, the company offered me the Proxi’bus position. I’ve been here for 16 years now, and I know the area like the back of my hand. With the Proxi’bus, I work Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and I really enjoy it.

Both!

Oh yes! We’re seeing more and more customers, and the service has expanded in terms of coverage.

People of all ages: some are going to work, others are out for a walk, shopping, or heading to medical appointments. I also transport children to school, as well as passengers with reduced mobility and wheelchair users. The clientele is quite diverse.

Yes and no, everyone can use the Proxi’bus.

Pretty much! I often pick up students and drop them off at home, or take them to the high school or other schools. Just to be clear, I don’t do school transport routes.

Because in many cases, there aren’t any school bus lines available or they only run in the morning and late afternoon. In contrast, the Proxi’bus can provide service during off-peak hours.

Initially, we did offer service on Saturday afternoons, but it didn’t work out. We had very few bookings on that day.

Fixed routes can feel impersonal, whereas with demand-responsive transport, you build connections and offer a more personalized mobility service. As a Proxi’bus driver, there’s no daily routine: bookings come in, get canceled, routes change, and no two days are the same.

It’s a bit special right now, I don’t have my usual orange Proxi’bus vehicle because it’s in maintenance, so I’m driving the Brie Bus instead. Unlike the Proxi’bus, the Brie Bus is free and runs on fixed schedules, including Sunday mornings and public holidays. The Proxi’bus is a paid, demand-responsive service available Monday to Friday in four towns. Passengers book their trips by phone or online.

You have to be very patient. Every passenger has their own personality, so you need to be friendly but also genuine.

Absolutely. It’s a job built on relationships. I really enjoy that closeness and the help we provide to passengers. They really appreciate it, so patience is key. Of course, you also need to be kind and try to make things work smoothly.

You also have to be careful and mindful of your surroundings, the passengers, and the vehicle, which can vary in size depending on the service.

Yes, it runs in the family. I’ve always loved driving, and I turned it into my career.

Yes and no. I always have passengers, which keeps me connected, but I also appreciate the solitude when I’m behind the wheel. It’s about finding the right balance.

The relationship with my clients.

You have to be adaptable and flexible with last-minute bookings. Normally, same-day reservations require at least two hours between the customer’s call and the actual ride.

The working hours: it’s Monday to Friday.

The activity is fairly steady, although there’s a slight drop during school holidays. That said, passengers still need to travel to doctor’s appointments or go shopping.

Thanks to Fabienne and the teams at Keolis Portes and Val de Brie for their trust! We wish them all the best on the road.