Issue 81 | September 2010

onThe newsletter stage of Stagecoach Group

Buses of the future launched in Oxford

Cleaner and greener: One of the 26 new hybrid Brian Souter celebrates receiving his low-carbon buses now in service in Oxford. European Transport Award in Paris. Success earns double honour BRIAN Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, has been honoured with two prestigious awards recognising his transport career and business achievements. The Stagecoach co-founder was honoured with a European Transport award in Paris for transforming the perception of public STAGECOACH has launched Executive, said: “The new buses have better fuel transport and attracting people from all social o Britain’s biggest single investment in consumption, as well as signi cantly lower carbon backgrounds to get on board buses and trains. green hybrid bus technology. emissions. Judges at the inaugural Talent in Mobility The rst 26 vehicles of a £16 million “Greener, smarter bus travel is a low-cost, awards praised his commitment to innovation investment in 56 state-of-the-art buses for the low-carbon solution to the challenge of climate and his leading role in encouraging car users UK – all with 30% less carbon emissions than change. to switch to greener, smarter bus and rail standard vehicles – have gone into service in “New technology and pro-bus policies are travel. Oxford. crucial if we are to get people to switch from the Shortly after collecting his award in Paris, Market-leading British bus manufacturer car to public transport.” Brian Souter was also named Ernst & Young Alexander Dennis and BAE Systems provided the Transport Minister Norman Baker added: Scotland Overall Entrepreneur of the Year technology behind the new low-carbon buses, “Today’s announcement sends a very positive 2010. which also boast a novel regenerative braking message to the industry that newer and greener The judges described him as “a true system. technology will be at the forefront of our global entrepreneur who demonstrates The vehicles will run on some of the busiest transport system of the future. great leadership along with a keen eye for city-centre routes in Oxford. The historic “Stagecoach is setting a very positive example long-term vision and business growth”. university city has one of the highest levels of when it comes to delivering low-carbon transport Brian Souter said: “It is a great honour to bus use in the UK, with around 50% of all local technology and it is investment on this level that receive such prestigious awards. journeys made by bus. will help us to deliver a more sustainable and “I’m lucky enough to do a job in a sector Stagecoach’s major bus network in Manchester environmentally friendly transport system.” I’m passionate about and this award is also will also bene t from 30 new electric-hybrid Oxford’s new buses are part of a package of a tribute to the many people at Stagecoach vehicles from September, part-funded by a £5 improvements in the city coming later in the who have worked with me and contributed million support package from the Department for year under a partnership between Stagecoach, to our success over the past 30 years.” Transport’s Green Bus Fund. Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Bus Company.

MD is Chieftain at We are the champions! Corby’s Gathering STAGECOACH Group has held its rst EAST Midlands Trains Managing Director Champion Awards Tim Shoveller donned a kilt in his latest role with nine employees as the 42nd Chieftain of Corby’s Highland being recognised for Gathering. their e orts across three categories. As Chieftain, Tim presided over events throughout Awards for the Stagecoach Green Champion, the day, which was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors. Safety Champion and Community Champion were presented at the company’s recent • Tim Shoveller addresses the crowd at the Management Conference. Corby Highland Gathering. Turn to page 5 for more details.

1 UK BUS on stage

(Overheard at Waterloo Station, You what?! London.) Girl 1: Did you know we won’t be able to retire until we’re 68? Girl 2: No darling, that’s just for poor people.

Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments to [email protected] Fit fundraisers from the Race for Life team. Manchester wins big Race for Life STAGECOACH Manchester was named ENERGETIC colleagues have raced Public Transport Operator of the Year at the to the nish line for an extra-special 2010 National Transport Awards. cause. The company scooped the prestigious award Drivers and support sta from Stagecoach’s after impressing judges with its passenger growth, bus depots at Dover, Ashford and Canterbury health and safety record and customer service. raised £2000 in the Cancer Research UK’s The award marks a double achievement for Race For Life event at Folkestone. Stagecoach Group after its Bluebird bus company also scooped the Public Transport Operator (Bus) The Stagecoach Manchester team collect their The team ran in memory of Cheryl Walsh, well-earned award. daughter of Dover driver Paul Walsh, who honour at the 2009 National Transport Awards. Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director lost her battle with breast cancer in March. Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Les Warneford said: “This is a great achievement on its Mark Threapleton added: “This award is for own and to be named Britain’s best bus operator every one of our drivers, engineers, cleaners and two years in a row is a fantastic result.” the rest of our team behind the scenes who work Papal honour Stagecoach Manchester now carries more than tirelessly every day to provide the best service 96 million passengers a year on a  eet of more possible for our customers. STAGECOACH is set to transport than 650 vehicles. “Partnership working is also crucial to our around 85,000 people to Glasgow’s The company has achieved passenger growth success and I would like to thank all our partner Bellahouston Park where Pope in both adult and concessionary markets of 23% organisations for their continued support in Benedict XVI will celebrate an in the past ve years and continues to attract new our drive to provide rst-class bus services for open-air Mass during his historic visit users through route and ticket promotions. passengers in Greater Manchester.” to the UK. The company has put in place plans to transfer around 55,000 pilgrims to the venue Bob heads for Afghanistan with TA by bus, with the remainder travelling by rail BOB Reid will soon across the UK as well as in Germany or on the Glasgow Subway. be swapping Arbroath for and Hong Kong. The extensive transport operation will Afghanistan as he prepares to He said: “Throughout my time in cover more than 160 towns and cities across serve in the Territorial Army. the Army, the opportunity to serve in every region in Scotland. The Stagecoach Strathtay a war zone didn’t arise so when I saw Stagecoach Scotland Regional Director Supervisor is a member of the A the TA was looking for soldiers to Sam Greer said: “It’s an honour for us to Company 7 Scots unit of the TA and deploy to Afghanistan, I talked it over have been asked to undertake this prestigious leaves in September for a six-month with my wife and decided to note contract and we look forward to playing our stay in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battaliion, The my interest. part in making this historic event a success. Parachute Regiment. “I know there are some people who will “We are very grateful for the assistance Before joining Stagecoach as a bus driver in think I am mad to want to do this but this is we have received from other bus and rail 2007, Bob (45) served in the Army for 22 years what I have trained for 22 years to do.” operators across the country, as well as our with the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Bob’s job at Arbroath Depot will be held open local authority and transport partners.” Highland Regiment) and was based at locations for him during his time away. Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Stagecoach on involvement in the innovative contactless payments what will be a major logistic event. CILT awards for scheme. “The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to This project allowed customers in Liverpool to Scotland provides a once-in-a-lifetime Merseyside become the rst in the UK to pay for their bus opportunity to see the Pope in our travel using a contactless bankcard transaction. country and, thanks to the dedication STAGECOACH Merseyside walked away Les Burton said: “It’s a great honour to be and commitment of many individuals with two honours at the 2010 Chartered recognised in this way, both on a personal level and and organisations, it looks like tens of Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) for the company.” thousands of people will make their way North West awards ceremony. Les, who has 44 years’ experience in the bus to Bellahouston Park on September Operations Director Les Burton was industry and has worked for Stagecoach since 16 to be part of what promises to be a commended for his service to the logistics and 1995, added: “Transport is a hugely important part wonderful day.” transport industry, while the company also of everyday life and it’s an industry I have very won the Industry Best Practice award for its much enjoyed being part of.”

2 uk bus / uk rail on stage

Spotlight on… UK Bus Training and Development Team

FOUR of the 10 members of the Training and Development Team are based in Perth, with the remaining six based across the UK, where they are best placed to support the businesses with S/NVQs and delivering training. The team’s responsibilities cover a wide range of areas including graduate recruitment and development, management training, apprentice recruitment and Pictured, from left, are charity cyclists John training, engineering training and vocational quali cations for both driving and engineering sta . Friel, Shaw Lindsey, Chris Barton, Cath An increasingly large part of the workload is the development of courses and the management Barton and Mark Jordan. of the new Drivers’ Certi cate of Professional Competence, which involves Stagecoach UK Bus being licensed as a training provider. The Perth-based team also supports the businesses by Drivers take to two recommending training solutions for sta and developing in-house trainers. For more information email [email protected] wheels for charity PEDAL power helped Stagecoach/ Citylink drivers raise more than £2000 for Cancer Research UK. Smartcard is going places The cyclists completed the Citylink SMARTCARD technology is set an entire operating area with the launch of Uig to Glasgow 915 route during their to become a much bigger feature of StagecoachSmart throughout its Cambridgeshire fundraising ride. Stagecoach Group’s UK bus and rail bus operation. services. The planned expansion of smartcard provision The expansion will build on the company’s by Stagecoach will include: sector-leading position as the country’s rst • Completing the installation of smartcard Staff development transport group to pioneer the Government’s enabled technology on its entire UK bus  eet wins IIP status preferred technology. by November 2010 More than 53 million smartcard transactions • Extending the use of smartcard ticketing on METROLINK is celebrating after are already made on Stagecoach buses and the South West Trains network to cover more achieving Investors in People status. trains each year, including the UK’s rst use of than 80 stations Assessors said the company had made the Government’s ITSO technology on the • The continued roll-out of StagecoachSmart tremendous steps in communicating future national UK rail network and the country’s travel cards across its UK bus division, starting plans to sta and developing managers and rst contactless bankcard payment scheme in throughout Cambridgeshire. leaders at all levels. Merseyside. Martin Gri ths, Stagecoach Group Finance Metrolink developed a set of competency Stagecoach Group has also developed its own Director, said: “Value for money and convenience clusters covering team leadership, managing StagecoachSmart travel card, using a system are crucial to getting more people to switch from relations, team development, customer focus provided by Vix ERG, to o er multi-modal the car to greener, smarter public transport. and problem solving, all of which helped in ticketing on its bus and rail services using the “Our investment in smartcard technology achieving the Investors in People standard. ITSO technology. means we are also leading the way in the UK in The company recently became the rst UK making it easier for people to travel and make bus operator to roll out a smartcard system across integrated journeys using public transport.” Fare Finder value A NEW online service is giving Double-knit double-deckers train passengers the best possible A CRAFTY Stagecoach travel shop worker has value for money. brought some very unusual vehicles to Dunfermline Bus East Midlands Trains’ new and improved Station – buses made of wool! online Best Fare Finder pinpoints the Annette Young is a keen knitter and created her own pattern for cheapest available fare for over 300 UK the double decker. train journeys. The buses have received many compliments and her next Commercial Director David Horne project is a single decker, but she plans to stop before she has an explains: “We launched our online Best entire  eet! Fare Finder last summer following feedback from our passengers as part of the launch of our new website, and it has proved a great success. Mass movement “We now want to make sure that STAGECOACH West successfully passengers have access to the cheapest moved 70,000 people to and from this ticket, not just for their East Midlands Trains year’s Cheltenham Festival – up 13% on last journey, but on any journey throughout year’s passenger gures. the UK.“ The massive operation called 67 buses and around 80 members of sta into action.

3 uk bus on stage

Bus memories

Jaspal Singh, CEO of ComfortDelGro UK and Ireland, and Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter launch the new service.

Bob Jackson with his rst book based on his own photographs from the 1970s.

A DRIVE down Memory Lane Go Gold for luxury travel has led to Stagecoach Portsmouth SCOTTISH Citylink has launched a Europe with low-carbon emissions. Operations Manager Bob Jackson new luxury express coach service, o ering Coach attendants will provide passengers with publishing his rst book. passengers the chance to enjoy a rst-class, rst-class, at-seat, rail-style service, providing free Using the large collection of slide rail-style journey at economy prices. hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and fresh photographs he took during the 1970s, Fast, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned coaches fruit. Bob spent over six months compiling and will match journey times by train, o ering Scottish Citylink is a joint venture between writing in-depth captions to accompany the bargain fares from just £4, as well as free Wi-Fi Stagecoach and international transport group 64 images in ‘South East Bus Memories In and at-seat refreshments. ComfortDelGro. Colour’. The brand new Citylink Gold services Launching the new services, Stagecoach Group He said: “I have enjoyed a lot of will link Glasgow-Aberdeen and Glasgow- Chief Executive Brian Souter said: “We are encouragement from my wife Linda and Aviemore-Inverness with six services a day on o ering a fast, rst-class express coach service at also from the Stagecoach management each route. economy prices. With this great package we are team who, whilst forging the future of bus The 15-metre luxury coaches, which can carry taking coach travel to a new level of luxury.” services in the region, have tremendous 54 passengers, are equipped with leather seats, The new Citylink Gold brand also has its own interest and respect for the history of public mahogany table trays, a servery and toilet. They tartan, which was designed and manufactured by transport from earlier decades which will also feature some of the greenest engines in The House of Edgar, based in Perth. soon be out of reach of living memory.” Carlisle fun day Healthy success is just the ticket MANCHESTER sta are A RECENT Carlisle depot fun day masterminds in health and safety. proved to be a great success, with local Employees at the city’s Hyde Road Depot people turning out to be photographed took part in the company’s rst Health and with buses and view the many stalls on Safety Market which included a health and display. safety quiz. An Engineering Charity stall at the event Organised by Operations Manager Stuart raised nearly £600 for Eden House, which is Roughley and Trade Union Health and part of Eden Valley Hospice. Safety Representative Mike Woods, the day was such a success that it will now be rolled • A young visitor enjoys her day out with out to other locations in Manchester. mascot Just the Ticket.

Porth score for air ambulance THE PORTH Depot football team has raised £1078 for Wales Air Ambulance thanks to a number of fundraising activities held throughout their football season. The team is always on the lookout for xtures against other depots. Anyone who is interested can contact organiser Russell Davies at Porth Depot. • Members of the Porth Depot football team present a cheque to Rhodri Davies from Wales Air Ambulance.

4 Awards on stage

The Green Champion Award is presented to Steve Dawson. Community Champion Tim Pomfret, Safety Champion Darren Sims centre, with Brian Souter and Helen Mahy. receives his award. Winners are just champion! STAGECOACH held its rst Group-wide Champions’ Awards this year with the Community Champion winners announced at the Group’s Management Conference. Gold Award There were three categories – Green Champion, Green Champion Tim Pomfret, Customer Services Manager, Safety Champion and Community Champion Canterbury, Stagecoach East Kent & East – and the shortlisted nalists and winners, Gold Award Sussex. Throughout more than 40 years with the who were nominated by their managers, were Steve Dawson, Depot Cleaner, Princess company, Tim has been committed to improving chosen by Non-Executive Director and Chair Road Depot, Stagecoach Manchester. relationships with the local community, particularly of the Group’s Health, Safety and Environment Steve is part of the “Green Team” at the Princess young people. He has established close links with Committee, Helen Mahy. Next year there will be Road depot, which is focused on reducing local schools, the police, parents and pupils – and three additional categories – Health Champion, energy consumption. He took a very simple frequently volunteers to drive buses free of charge Innovation Champion and Customer Service approach – he worked his way round the depot for school trips and charity events. Champion – and employees will also be able to switching o lights and electrical equipment. His Silver Award nominate colleagues. The 2010 winners were: dedication has set an example to colleagues and Brian Robertson, Bus Driver, Glasgow, has slashed electrical consumption at the depot, Stagecoach West Scotland. Brian has been Safety Champion saving over £50,000 a year. central to the success of a major community Silver Award initiative in West Scotland. The ‘Wee G’ bus initiative Gold Award Phil Dominey, Stakeholder Manager, South is a partnership between Stagecoach, Strathclyde Darren Sims, Driver, Nottingham, East West Trains. Phil has helped o er passengers a Police and East Renfrewshire Council. The bus Midlands Trains. Darren is a great example real, greener alternative to the car by improving is a mobile youth club and the base for Brian’s of how frontline employees can make a real rail-cycle integration at South West Trains. He informative talks about the dangers of vandalism di erence to safety management. He provides has worked in partnership with local authorities, and the cost of youth disorder to the community. crucial input from the driver’s perspective into the Department for Transport, Transport for Bronze Award how safety issues are managed and has the London and cycling groups to transform Stewart Legg, Area Manager Support Clerk credibility to engage colleagues. provision through a combination of cycle hire – Portsmouth, Portsmouth & Southsea Silver Award schemes and more bike spaces at stations. Rail Station, South West Trains. Stewart was Jane Stainsby, Senior Customer Host, East Bronze Award nominated for his role as a mentor to students Midlands Trains. Jane foiled a potential terrorist Adrian Allen, Catering Manager, at his local school. He is recognised both within plot when she was working on train and noticed Nottingham, East Midlands Trains. Adrian Spring eld School and in the wider business somebody behaving suspiciously. She contacted has been instrumental in helping reduce community as one of the area’s leading mentors and British Transport Police via a colleague and a on-board services waste, working with catering last year he received an award from the Education man was arrested on arrival at St Pancras Station, company RailGourmet to achieve a reduction Business Partnership for his contribution. London. of more than 20% in the amount of packaging Bronze Award used as well as taking other measures to Look out for full details on how to nominate Ian Bradley, Safety and Standards Manager, reduce land ll. a colleague for the 2011 awards in the next Stagecoach Supertram. Ian has pioneered edition of On Stage. several initiatives that have bene ted employees and customers, including respiratory occupational health screening for maintenance workers and safety advice for tram passengers to reduce the risk of accidents.

• The award winners with Brian Souter and Helen Mahy. Not pictured: Stewart Legg. 5 Changing faces on stage

Robert New year will bring Speirs. new board leadership Chairman praised for “knowledge, experience and wise counsel”

STAGECOACH Group has announced in 2006. He therefore has prior experience of the appointment of Sir George Mathewson chairing a major listed company and the Board is as Chairman from the beginning of next pleased that he has agreed to take up the position January. of Chairman.” Sir George Mathewson, who is currently the Robert Speirs said: “I have enjoyed the last 15 company’s Senior Independent Non-Executive years immensely and have been privileged to have Director, will succeed Robert Speirs, who will step worked with and received the support of a talented down after eight years as Chairman. group of fellow Directors and an excellent senior Garry Watts will become the Senior Independent management team. Sir George Mathewson. Non-Executive Director, also from 1 January 2011. “I am proud of the leading role Stagecoach has Commenting on the changes, Brian Souter, taken over that period in transforming public Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: “Bob transport and attracting more people to greener Speirs has been a director of the company for over smarter travel. As Chairman of the Board, I am also 15 years and has been Chairman for the last eight pleased at the returns the Group has delivered to its years. His knowledge, experience and wise counsel investors.” have been invaluable to the company during his Welcoming his appointment, Sir George time as a Director. Bob will leave the company Matthewson said: “I am delighted to have been with the sincere gratitude of the Board and with given this opportunity. Stagecoach Group is a our best wishes. leader in its sector and we have a strong Board and “Sir George Mathewson has already made a high calibre senior management team. I am excited signi cant contribution to the success of the by the prospects for the Group and look forward company since his appointment as a non-executive to ensuring we deliver on our growth strategy director in 2006. He was Chairman of The Royal for the business and provide good returns to Bank of Scotland Group plc until his retirement our shareholders.”

New management

A NEW management structure has been put in place for Stagecoach’s bus operations in the Midlands and East of England. The move follows the retirement of Tony Cox as Managing Director of Stagecoach East, and a ects management of services in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Warwickshire. Stagecoach East will be responsible for bus services operated out of the Cambridge, Peterborough, Fenstanton and Bedford depots and associated outstations. The management team will be: Regional Director – Robert Andrew, Managing Director – Andy Campbell, Commercial Director – Philip Norwell, Engineering Director – Bob Dennison. Bus services delivered from the Northampton, Brian Souter makes a presentation to his long- Tom Wileman with Brian Souter. Kettering, Corby, Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington, serving PA Glenys MacKreth who has now retired. and Stratford depots and associated outstations will come under Stagecoach Midlands. Its management team will consist of: Tributes and fond farewells Regional Director – Bob Montgomery, Managing Director – Steve Burd, Operations AT THE recent Management Brian Souter paid tribute to Chairman Director – Liz Esnouf, Engineering Director – Conference, Chief Executive Brian Robert Speirs, who will step down in January. Keith Dyball. Souter took the opportunity to make He also expressed his thanks to former Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach a presentation to three people who are Regional Director Scotland Tom Wileman UK Bus said: “I would like to thank Tony moving on after serving Stagecoach for and Executive PA Glenys MacKreth who have for his past service and wish him a long and many years. now retired. happy retirement.”

6 uk rail on stage

East Midlands upgrade NEW-LOOK trains are bringing real more than seven million people. The Class 158 bene ts to East Midlands Trains passengers. trains carry over ve million passengers a year. The company is completing a £10 million The new-look trains feature an improved investment programme to refurbish all 25 of its seating layout with over ten per cent more seats Class 158 trains. now available, plus a brand new toilet area. The programme, carried out by DeltaRail in There’s also new air conditioning and CCTV Supertram colleagues Treana Hudson, Miriam Storey and Julia Shaw turn out in Derby, has taken just 20 months to complete, and on every train, boosting both comfort and safety. their themed costumes. will bring signi cant improvements for passengers Meanwhile, all the refurbished trains have been using the popular route between Liverpool and repainted in the East Midlands Trains livery, while Norwich. This route covers some 250 miles, further modi cations have improved reliability in Fundraisers serving cities with a combined population of various systems. GENEROUS Supertram sta have been busy raising funds for local causes. In May, Bob Beechill, Stuart Waller and Certifi cate for Andy Stuart Ellis braved the slopes of Ben Nevis IT WAS a proud day for South West Trains to raise £310 for the She eld Area Kidney apprentice Andy May recently when he was Association. awarded his apprenticeship certi cate. The following month, Supertram ladies Andy, now a skilled tter at Salisbury Depot, served were in the pink as they ran the Race For his apprenticeship at all South West Trains engineering Life to raise funds for cancer research. depots, gaining skills in routine maintenance and Then, in July, Supertram joined forces fault diagnosis and repairs, as well as completing his with the Handsworth and Hallam Theatre academic work with Bournemouth College. Company to stage a charity night for sta , with a ra e and auction raising £618 • Andy May receives his certi cate from South for Barnardo’s. West Trains Engineering Director Christian Roth.

Rail changes Car park boost for airport hub A NEW multi-storey car park is set to This new area located on the south side of the STAGECOACH Group is changing add 375 parking spaces at Southampton station has been integrated with the local cycling management structure at its UK light Airport Parkway. network, making it safer and easier for cyclists rail division. The new facility, developed by South West to use. On the airport side, passengers arriving Andy Morris, Managing Director, Trains and Network Rail, is due to be completed at Southampton Airport now have a new train Stagecoach Light Rail, has left the business by summer 2011. departure information screen in the baggage hall. after eight years. And, as well as increasing the number of car South West Trains Managing Director Andy During that time, Andy oversaw parking spaces for passengers, it also boasts a new Pitt said: “Southampton Airport Parkway is a signi cant growth in patronage on the road layout and station forecourt. fantastic hub for our passengers, and this car park She eld Supertram system and delivered The project is the latest in a series of enhancement complements other programmes of for Stagecoach the 10-year operations and improvements for the station, with passengers work to the station.” maintenance contract for the Manchester already bene ting from a new footbridge Metrolink network. with lifts and a bicycle rack with space for 110 Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East extra bikes. Midlands Trains, will oversee management of the Group’s light rail operations in Manchester and She eld in addition to his WIN A current role. Picture of £50 Tim said: “We are committed to delivering VOUCHER a high-quality service that meets the needs of local people. the Season “I will look to build on the work by THIS edition’s Picture of the Season Andy and his team, working with local was taken by Ed Cameron who works for stakeholders to improve further our service Stagecoach Cambridgeshire. It shows a to our customers.” Stagecoach bus out on a summer’s day in Andy Morris added: “I have enjoyed my Cambridge city centre. time with Stagecoach. I’m proud to have Congratulations to Ed who will shortly receive been part of the growth of our light rail his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers. operations as Stagecoach has become the If you think you have a picture that captures biggest and one of the best tram operators one of the four seasons, please send your image in the UK. to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, “I have worked with fantastic people in 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email Manchester and She eld.” it to [email protected]

7 the green scene on stage

Eco achievements Louise is AN ECO awards ceremony has recognised impressive green work by Stagecoach North East sta . art champ The special event acknowledged the e orts of employees since the launch of the LITTLE Louise Chalmers proved she company’s Ready Steady Green programme was a true star during Stagecoach Green one year ago. Week. And it highlighted the progress made in The three-year-old artist won Metrolink’s reducing energy consumption and carbon green painting competition, and is shown being emissions over the last twelve months. presented with her framed painting by former The winners were: Metrolink Managing Director Andy Morris. • Eco Employee of the Year – Michael Meli, South Shields Michael was nominated for his individual e orts to drive forward green initiatives Fuel trials show good savings within his depot at South Shields, particularly with regard to recycling. A SUCCESSFUL East Midlands Trains local routes. • Eco Manager of the Year – trial is paving the way for reduced fuel The DiesoLIFT™ 10 additive is being Neil Mcleary, Slatyford consumption, slashed carbon emissions and automatically mixed in with the diesel used to A champion of environmentally-friendly even greener trains. refuel trains at Nottingham maintenance depot, operations, Neil has led on a numbers of Carried out in partnership with International where almost three quarters of the trains used to initiatives and installations to improve energy Fuel Technology, Inc. (IFT), the trial of the operate East Midlands Trains local services are e ciency within the workplace, even before innovative DiesoLIFT™ 10 fuel additive has fuelled overnight. the advent of Ready Steady Green. shown a 4.4% improvement in fuel economy, The liquid additive, which is completely bio- • Eco Team of the Year – estimated to save nearly 350,000 litres of fuel per degradable, is splash blended with the fuel using Walkergate Tra c and Engineering Team year. technology provided by IFT. Regular communication between The reduction in carbon emissions this will Matt Browne, Head of Environment for East engineering, tra c and eco-representatives produce is the same as taking 350 cars o the road. Midlands Trains, said: “Trains are already one has helped Walkergate get all employees The trial, the rst of its kind within the UK rail of the most environmentally friendly forms of behind the scheme and drive down their industry, involves a total of 89 vehicles which are transport, and use of DiesoLiFTTM 10 is helping energy consumption. used to operate services on East Midlands Trains us to make our trains even greener.” • Eco Initiative of the Year – Recycling at South Shields This recognised the e orts of South Shields depot, where everyone got behind a New green buses successful recycling scheme. STAGECOACH Warwickshire has • Most Improved Depot of the Year – invested £850,000 on ve new low- Stockton emission buses for its popular Route 28. Stockton was rewarded for its e orts in The buses are amongst the newest and most encouraging green thinking throughout the environmentally friendly in the county, making whole depot. a major contribution to reducing carbon in the • Eco Depot of the Year – area as well as encouraging even more people to Walkergate make the greener choice to travel by bus. Walkergate has helped change thinking and adapt behaviour of sta to drive forward the • Stagecoach Warwickshire Managing Director ethically responsible depot. Steven Burd (left) joins Cllr Sir William Lawrence to launch the green buses. Cycle hire for greener journeys SOUTH West Trains is pioneering a Cycling England, the Department for Transport bike and ride scheme allowing travellers to (DfT) and Evans cycles. make greener integrated journeys. It follows the success of a similar South West The new trial at Richmond Station gives trains scheme at London Waterloo Station. commuters and leisure travellers the chance to If the initiative is successful, it may be extended hire a traditional or folding bike from just £10 to other stations within the network. a day. The new scheme is part of a £14 million DfT Customers can use the bikes to explore the initiative to improve facilities for cyclists at rail local Richmond upon Thames area or take them stations and encourage healthier, greener travel. on trains to complete their trip. Phil Dominey, South West Trains’ Stakeholder Some 50 traditional bikes and 20 folding bikes Manager, said: “We’re certain that passengers are available for hire as part of the project, which will welcome the launch of this quick and easy is a partnership between South West Trains, hire scheme.”

8 uk bus / north america on stage

Havana cycle PR fi rm’s media awards PUBLIC relations rm Hanser & 2010 Communicator Awards. for charity Associates recently won ve top awards At the Public Relations Society of America for their work with megabus.com in the Central Iowa PRIME Awards, it picked up the TWO Stagecoach East Kent US. honour for Best of Show in the social media colleagues are getting on their bikes The company won the award for Excellence campaigns category as well as the PRIME award for charity to cycle around Cuba in in Newspaper Placement as well as the award for for social media. a bid to raise money for Kent Air Distinction in the Low Budget Video category And, at the Telly Awards, the company won the Ambulance. for their work on the ‘Mega Hot Sale’ at the bronze award for video production. Mark Sills and Rob Carroll, who are both based in Canterbury, are tackling the 350km challenge in November and would be grateful for any donations at Marathon bus trip their donations page www.justgiving.com/ BUS enthusiast Kris Baillie is facing his robandmarkcyclecuba biggest challenge yet as he bids to travel across the UK on Stagecoach services. Kris, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, is raising awareness and funds for the Scottish Society for Autism. Starting on October 1, he plans to travel around 30,000 miles using every local Stagecoach bus service, and the company has given him a UK-wide bus pass to allow him to complete his challenge. Kris expects his trip to last around six weeks, so make sure you look out for him on a bus Kris Baillie during a recent visit to Stagecoach near you. Group headquarters in Perth.

Pete McIver, SNVQ Scheme Coordinator, with runners and members of the charity MEGABUS.com made it to a major at the cheque presentation. megabus.com has milestone recently as the Stagecoach Group budget coach operator carried mega passengers its six millionth customer in North Beating the bus America. The achievement came just four months CHARITY runners beat the after it reached the ve million passenger bus to the nish line in a charity landmark. challenge. Dale Moser, President and COO of Stagecoach South West’s Service 157 megabus.com in the United States, said: went head to head with almost 100 “megabus.com has redesigned what bus travel runners during the ve-mile showdown. should be and we are continuing to grow. And, while the bus took 59 minutes to “The number one reason our customers complete the course, the fastest runner travel with us is for our low fares. nished in an impressive 39 minutes. “And our customers also appreciate the The event raised over £1000 to go convenience and added value of our service, towards a new minibus for Sidmouth- with features such as free Wi-Fi and power based charity Living with Cancer. outlets, and our  eet of green state-of-the art double-decker buses.”

Donation helps Gurkhas fl y the fl ag STAGECOACH Warwickshire has donated £500 to help raise funds for local Gurkha veterans. Employee Dharma Rai – a member of the British Gurkha Veterans Association – approached Stagecoach about a possible donation. He was delighted to receive the cash which will help fund a new standard, pole and carrying harness to be used when the Association takes part in parades such as Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day. Steve Burd, Managing Director for Stagecoach Warwickshire, said: “We give thousands of pounds to local charities, events and good causes every year and Stagecoach is delighted to donate money to the Nuneaton Gurkha Veterans Association.”

• Stagecoach Warwickshire Managing Director Steven Burd hands over the cheque to Dharma Rai and members of the Nuneaton Gurkha Veterans Association.

9 people page on stage

– Donny Carmichael

The quickfi re round funeral. My uncle’s was the following day Who are you? and, no, I didn’t go to Donny Carmichael, Driver, Stagecoach the tea!

West Scotland. Dream job? What do you like most about Working with your job? people with learning Meeting passengers and making new di culties, managing friends. Celtic Football Club What do you like least about and taking them to the Junior League. your job? Favourite animal? Being short with my money! Dogs – I have three Jack Russells. Favourite TV show? Most like to be stuck in a lift with... Sky Sports, Still Game and Only Fools and Sayed tucks in to his farewell cake. Someone who could x it fast or anybody Horses. with a great sense of humour. Bowing out at 80 Biggest achievement? Running the New York, London and The Quick re Round features in every many other marathons, raising money for edition of On Stage and we want to hear – after 20 years charities and being Santa at the bus station. from as many sta as possible. Worst job? EIGHTY-year-old Aldershot bus To suggest the next participant, email Must be hanging out the washing. It takes [email protected] driver Sayed Khatib has retired after me ages and I just get it out and then the 20 years on the road. rain comes on! Sayed joined the team at Stagecoach’s Most embarrassing moment? Aldershot depot as a trainee driver in Quite a few. Once I went to the wrong 1990 after a 33-year career as a General Manager for a Jaguar and Rolls Royce dealership in Croydon. Long service Despite passing the strict annual medical in his 80th year, he decided it was time to OVER 900 years of service spend more time at home and travelling to were celebrated when Stagecoach see friends across the country. South West held a special long Aldershot Operations Manager Jim service awards dinner. Mortimore was joined by Andrew Jarvis, The event honoured sta who Operations Director for Stagecoach have given 20 years or more of in the South, plus the driver’s friends service to the company. Sta pictured at the dinner. and colleagues, to present Sayed with a combined birthday and retirement cake. Following in their father’s footsteps SAMUEL Kay and Jake Wells were both CONTACTS determined to show their dads how it should Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, really be done by spending time at Stagecoach Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, as part of their work experience. Perth, PH1 5TW Samuel – son of Richard Kay, Operations Director, Stagecoach East Midlands – spent time working in Email: [email protected] the tra c department whilst Jake, whose dad is Nick www.stagecoach.com Samuel and Jake take a break from Wells, Running Shift Fitter at Worksop Depot, helped their work experience. out in Engineering. Look out, Richard and Nick! If you have a story for On Stage, please contact Lindsay Reid as above. Remembering Robin The copy deadline for the next edition STAGECOACH East Midlands has paid tribute of on stage will be 24 to former driver Robin Gibbs, who died last year, September, 2010. by naming a newly converted vehicle in his honour. The bus will operate on the number 3 service – also known as Robin’s Route – which was Robin’s favourite service. For two years running, he won the local depot award for carrying the most passengers. Robin's family made the long journey from Essex to East Midlands Managing Director Gary Nolan MD with Robin’s wife launch the bus and to meet up with the team at Skegness. Gillian and family.

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