To expect the bus driver to know where to go?

[PassingStranger]

New bus driver today didn't understand the names of the roads on the route today.
Knew the route but not the names. I found it quite unsettling as it was hard to converse where I was going.
A couple of times I said it and it was like where is that?

Then when I explained the driver wasn't sure..
Is this common for new bus drivers?

Yes of course it is, do you think they are human beings or walking maps

So he is new to the route but doesn't know all the names. That wouldn't bother me at all as long as he knows the actual route he is taking he will learn the place names. Half the people that get on the bus ask for stops by the name they were known as 20 years ago anyway

Ime it’s common for bus drivers.
I don’t think they know route from passengers point of view. Of course they know which way to drive but not which stop is good for Lady Mary’s primary school or which one is GP surgery. They might know from their own life experience but they are not supposed to.

Surely he would have a list of the stops he would be making? Is the issue that you didn't know the name of your stop?

Yes it's very common. I was a bus driver, and had to learn dozens of routes in a short space of time. Having just passed my test, I was quickly thrown in the deep end. The first year or so is challenging as you get used to the routes, the machine, the time tables, driving the bus, the fares, the passes. People are only human

It’s not like a taxi though where you say, 32 Billings Road, please! You just push the button to get off at your stop on the route. I can’t see the issue as long as he knows the route.

it was hard to converse where I was going.

This doesn't make sense OP.

@OakAshRowan he may have a list of stops but that doesn't mean the public call them by that name. Classic example bus stops outside block of flats that was once a pub. Most of the passengers will say single to name of pub. Unless the driver is local he is unlikely to know where it is

Didn't you look up beforehand which stop you needed to get off at? Bus stops are generally named for a landmark or road junction etc.

Yes this is exactly what I meant. It sounds as though OP didn't know the name of her stop so tried to describe where it was but the driver wasn't familiar enough with the area to figure out where she wanted to go.

They should have a moderate understanding of the area ... taxi drivers have to take all sorts of tests before they get there badge and they have sat nav .

of course it is, ime, not unusual for drivers to ask the way