STAGECOACH South West’s longest-serving bus driver has retired after 62 years on the job. 

Mike Prowse, who lives in Exeter and was born in Venny Tedburn near Crediton, started working when he was just 15 years old in August 1962. 

He finished his last shift on the number two route – the first route he ever drove – on Monday, September 9, and was greeted with a party at Exeter Bus Station. 

Staff shared stories of his career, and Mr Prowse recounted his fondest memories over the years.  

His father had started as a driver with Devon General in 1932 and got his son a job there after he left school. 

“I had originally planned to look for a job with the railway company,” Mr Prowse said. 

“However, my father had other ideas.  

“There was a vacancy in the parcel office with Devon General, and the rest is history!” 

Mr Prowse’s family has a combined service record with the company spanning as long as 116 years.  

His son has also worked with the Exeter Stagecoach team.  

One of Mr Prowse’s proudest moments was meeting King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales in July 2021 at the opening of Exeter’s new bus station. 

He recalled that due to the top-secret nature of the visit, he didn’t know who would be opening the station, just that he had to be there.  

When he found out the identity of the royal guest, he was a bit apprehensive, but he said the monarch put him at ease right away.

He remembered His Majesty the King saying, “You’re older than me!”, to which he replied, “Well, someone’s got to be!”  

Mr Prowse said it was a “truly special” experience, and he was “honoured” to be involved in the event.  

Over the 55 years he has been behind the wheel, he has driven the majority of the company’s routes.  

He also did a stint as roadside publicity officer for a while, updating bus stops across the region with the latest timetable information. 

He especially enjoyed doing rural journeys. One of his favourite bus routes to drive was through Chagford and Moretonhampstead. 

“Our buses travel through some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine,” he said. 

“One morning arriving at Longdown and seeing the sunrise of the Exeter landscape in the distance, the sight completely took my breath away.   

“As a driver used to early-morning starts, you often have the opportunity to take in the peacefulness of such a scene, before the local communities rise and the hustle and bustle begins.”  

Amongst his favourite vehicles to drive were Devon General’s AEC Reliance buses, numbered 45/46 and 47.

They were painted in a special reverse livery for the operation of the express route 46. They featured a six-speed ZF German gearbox and had the potential of reaching 82mph. 

A Stagecoach South West spokesperson praised Mr Prowse, saying: “[He] has clocked up a wealth of experience during his six decades behind the wheel and has become a recognised face throughout the region by locals and visitor alike.”