Sydney bus driver and TikTok star Anthony Oxley hates ‘influencer’ tag

Sydney bus driver Tony Oxley is not a fan of social media and barely knows how to use Facebook. He has, however, amassed almost 30 million views on TikTok.

Don’t call Sydney bus driver Tony Oxley an influencer — the 57-year-old prefers “accidental social media star”.

“I don't think it applies to me,” Oxley said of being labelled an influencer.

“I like ‘accidental social media star’. I would never have expected this in my life, it is just crazy.”

The CDC NSW bus driver shared his first video to TikTok in December and now has more than 138,000 followers on his account @tonythebusdriver1.

One of his videos notched up more than 5.2 million views.

In total, his 44 videos showing life on the road have garnered almost 30 million views.

Sydney bus driver Anthony Oxley has become an unlikely TikTok star. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Of all the talented people on there, it throws me up and I think, ‘wow’,” Oxley said.

“It is just fun, it gives me something to do between trips on the bus. If I have got a spare 15 minutes or something I might make a video.

“I’ll often overhear a conversation from a student or a passenger which will then get me thinking about my next video. After a few hours of thinking, I just film it and post it.”

TikTok is the only social media app @tonythebusdriver1 uses. Picture: Richard Dobson

Oxley, who is not married and has no children, has been working as a bus driver for 23 years.

Recognised by some of his younger passengers due to his growing social media profile, Oxley is taking the attention in his stride.

“Anyone can just be thrown up … it could be anybody,” he said. “The kids on the bus were all talking about TikTok and I just went home that one night and I downloaded it and spent six or seven hours on Google trying to work out everything.

“It is like a whole new language as well.”

Oxley is not on any other social media apps, although he has tried Facebook.

“It was strange Facebook, I couldn’t work it out,” he said.

“This (TikTok) is the only app that I have now.

Oxley is looking at ways of monetising his social media and is also keen to encourage more people to join the transport industry as part of a broader campaign by CDC NSW.

“I really enjoy driving buses,” he said. “There’s flexible hours and great pay.

“I also love it because it gives me time to be creative and have fun at work.”

Previously, Oxley’s outlet was sport. He follows the Penrith Panthers and used to play baseball.

“I am not very good at it but it was something to do and the people I played with were just out having fun too, so that was all right.”