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Home , Brian Souter, Stagecoach Bluebird

Issue 93 | September 2012

onThe newsletter stage of

Stagecoach Group is to make a number of changes to its Board after it was announced that Chairman Sir George Mathewson and Chief Executive Board transition Sir are to step down from their current roles. With effect from 1 May 2013, Sir George plans announced Mathewson is to retire as a director. Sir Brian Souter will be appointed as Chairman and current Group Finance Director Martin Changes lead to new appointments Griffiths will take on the role of Chief Executive from Sir Brian. Current Director of Finance and Company Secretary, Ross Paterson is to be appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director Garry Watts will be appointed as Deputy Chairman. In addition, the Board intends to appoint a further Independent Non-Executive Director, who will chair the Audit Committee. Commenting on the changes, Sir George Mathewson, Chairman, said: "I have been delighted to be associated with a company as Sir Brian Souter will take on Sir George Mathewson Martin Griffiths who will strong and as successful as Stagecoach and I the role of Chairman next announced he is to retire as become Chief Executive next am confident that the changes to the Board May. Chairman. year. announced today will mean the Company remains in good hands when I retire in April. occurred over recent years. With a combined working closely with Sir Brian. I look forward Sir Brian Souter, Chief Executive said: shareholding of over 25%, my family and I to continuing to work with Sir Brian and "I remain committed to the success of remain committed shareholders in Stagecoach the team of talented people across the Group Stagecoach and consider now to be an and I will devote whatever time is necessary that underpin Stagecoach's success. I would appropriate time to plan to take a step back to effectively discharge my responsibilities as like to congratulate Ross Paterson on his from the day-to-day management of the Chairman when that time comes." planned appointment as Finance Director – he business. I fully support the Board's decisions Martin Griffiths, Finance Director, added: "I has made a great contribution to the Group to appoint Martin and Ross to their new am honoured and delighted to be taking on over the last 13 years and I look forward to roles, which reflects a further continuation the position of Chief Executive. I am proud continuing to work closely with Ross and the of the transition in responsibilities that has to be part of the Stagecoach success story, rest of our strong senior management team."

Surprise extra passenger! driver Vently Hewitt was at the centre of a surprise delivery recently when a woman gave birth to a baby on board Medal-winning his bus. Vently Hewitt (47) pulled over and alerted the emergency services when another performance passenger advised him of the situation. He London bus driver Vently Hewitt. As the eyes of the world focused then escorted around 20 passengers off the on London for the 2012 Olympic and bus and assisted the paramedic by gathering I did whatever the paramedic asked me, but Paralympic Games, Stagecoach’s bus and equipment together to help deliver the baby apart from that I didn't want to intervene rail employees were at the heart of the boy in record time. too much in such a private moment. action. All went well and mother and baby were “I saw him after he was born and he was The Group’s employees did themselves and both in good health. a nice little boy. I was just surprised that the company proud by delivering an excellent Vently said: "I was quite concerned it had all happened so quickly, within half transport operation for spectators, athletes and because the woman seemed very upset. I an hour. It was unbelievable. I didn't really media. And the staff who stayed at home to told her the ambulance was coming and think about it until later but it was a special ensure local services ran as normal deserve a asked the other passengers to leave the bus. moment and it was a day I'll never forget." big thank-you too. See page 3 for more Olympic Fever…

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You what?! Overheard on a London Underground train Neville’s big 6-0 Driver: “This is Paddington Station. A celebration Please leave your valuables on lunch was held recently the train and I will collect at Winchester bus depot them at the end of my for 75-year-old Neville shift.” Gosling to mark his 60 Can you beat that? years with the city’s bus Send your weird and services. wonderful overheard Neville, from Winnall, comments to joined what was then lindsay.reid@ Hants & Dorset Bus Co. in stagecoachgroup. 1952 and has worked for com Stagecoach since 1987. “We discovered five years ago that Neville is the longest-serving member of staff at Stagecoach and we believe he now holds (From left) Richard Alexander, Neville Gosling and Andrew Dyer. the long service record for the entire UK bus industry!” said South expected at the depot.” Managing Director Andrew Dyer. Stagecoach founder and chief executive, Sir “I’m sure that everyone is delighted that Brian Souter added his own congratulations Neville does not intend to retire and will and thanked Neville for his loyal service over continue to maintain the high standards the decades. The Berry Bus. Berry bus on display Beside the sea A restored vintage bus formerly used to transport berry pickers in the Midlands Big County – Perthshire – featured as introduced a faster bus service part of the Flower and Food from Lincoln to Skegness for the festival. school holidays to help people be Stagecoach supplied the restored Leyland beside the seaside more quickly. Tiger bus which was used as a venue for To celebrate they brought a bit people from across the region to share their of the seaside to Lincoln with ‘berry memories’ during the event. deckchairs and the famous Skegness The 30ft former McLennan’s bus was Jolly Fisherman, who spent the day hired by Stagecoach boss Sir Brian Souter’s hopping on and off buses, greeting late mother, Catherine, to transport berry young and old alike. pickers from Perth to the berry fields north Jolly helps promote the new service. of Spittalfield. It is now one of Stagecoach’s heritage vehicles on display at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum in Lathalmond, Fife, but is still fully licensed as a public service vehicle. Pedal Tickets on the go power passengers can now buy their train tickets via their Staff at Preston mobile phones, using the enhanced Depot recently cycled mobile version of the company’s from Manchester to website. Blackpool to raise money The updated version of the mobile for Christie's Hospital in website allows passengers to purchase tickets Manchester. Well done to and receive tailored information on their all involved. journeys while on the move. Tickets can be bought quickly and easily through the Pictured are Gary Campion, South West Trains mobile website and then Liz Patfield, Wayne Price, collected from one of a thousand stations Slawomir Krzyskow, Mark across the south of England. Charnock, Dean Collier, James Brown and Dave Myerscough.

2 olympics on stage Olympic fever From buses to trains, Stagecoach’s involvement in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games helped make the event a huge success. Thousands of the Group’s staff did a fantastic job in helping media, athletes and spectators travel around London during the Games. Group Finance Director Martin Griffiths LOCOG Chairman Lord Coe stopped for said: “All of our employees involved in the a photo with South West Trains employees Olympics and Paralympics should be very Frank Roberts and Matt Winnie at Windsor proud of themselves. We have played an & Eton Riverside Station. important role in a hugely successful global event and I would like to thank everyone for their efforts, both those who were in On board in London and our employees who kept our local bus operations running across the Manchester country.” South West Trains employee Daniel Opoku On this page are some of our stories from (right), who was an official torch bearer, with a With nine Olympic football the Games. passenger at Waterloo Station. matches taking place in Manchester, Stagecoach was at the heart of the action in running the spectators between Old Trafford stadium, Manchester city centre and various park-and-ride sites. Over the 13-day period of the games, Manchester’s four depots turned out 368 extra buses, carrying over 152,000 people. Managing Director Chris Bowles said: “I’m sure we surprised and impressed a few people, and certainly did ourselves proud.”

Olympic station Stagecoach Chief Executive Sir investment Brian Souter carried out Olympic duty along with thousands of Millions of passengers Stagecoach staff. Sir Brian worked benefited from a £16million a shift to transport dozens of sports investment in a raft of station stars from the athletes’ village to their upgrades and improved accessibility competition and training venues at for disabled passengers ahead of the the main Olympic Park Games site. London 2012 Games. He is also pictured having a meal with other Olympic drivers at the Vauxhall, Weymouth, Wimbledon, athlete transport depot in West Ham. Windsor & Eton Riverside, Southampton Central and Clapham Junction were given a multi-million-pound makeover ahead of Members of the USA Olympic this summer’s sporting events. diving team used East Midlands The improvements to Trains to travel to London. facilities were made possible by investment from the South West Trains South West Trains-Network Marketing Manager Rail alliance and other Maggie Banasiak hands out ice creams stakeholders. at Waterloo Station.

Happy passengers at St Pancras Station with their free ice lollies.

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A dog’s life Gainsborough Depot recently assisted the local police force by allowing their specialist dog training to take place on board buses at One of the local officers the depot. with his police dog.

(Left to right) Marcin Aleksandrowicz, Traffic Manager Mark Whitelocks, and Lily’s thrilling ride Paul Herbert. ELEVEN-year-old Lily Perkins Top drivers has been rewarded for her charity fundraising efforts with an exciting held its helicopter ride donated by Stagecoach in regional Bus Driver of the Year trials East Sussex. at Cheltenham Racecourse, with 11 Brave Lily lost her mother, who was a patient drivers taking part. at St. Michael’s Hospice, when she was just The eventual winner was Paul Herbert eight years old. She has since raised over £550 from Cheltenham Depot, with Marcin for the hospice in memory of her mum. Aleksandrowicz, also from Cheltenham Paul Southgate, Managing Director of Depot, in second place and Sheila Maynard Stagecoach in East Sussex, said: “We were from Ross-on-Wye Depot in third. extremely moved when we heard about Lily Well done to all. and don’t think the trip could have gone to a Lily in the cockpit. more deserving little girl.” Devon expansion West has Info on-screen launched an expanded bus network has in Devon, providing new services launched a customer information system and creating a small number of on board its Jet bus services, which serve additional jobs. Airport. The new network provides vital The information screens mark the second bus links in North Devon and will be anniversary of the JET 727 route, which was operated out of the company's depot in launched in August 2010 and has since carried Barnstaple. over 480,000 passengers. Michelle Hargreaves, Managing (Left to right) Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of , said: Director Stagecoach Bluebird; Derek Provan "We look forward to providing local Managing Director Aberdeen Airport; Councillor people on our new routes with a high Peter Argyle and Derick Murray, Director quality bus service and value-for-money NESTRANS. fares." The Force is strong on this bus! Hospice cash Stagecoach’s Paignton open-topper An event held in May to found some rather celebrate two anniversaries in the unusual customers history of bus services in Aldershot waiting at the bus has raised £1036 for Phyllis Tuckwell stop the other week! Hospice. As part of the area’s The successful event commemorated Children's Week, which is the 100th anniversary of the founding of sponsored by Stagecoach local bus company Aldershot & District South West, some of the Traction Co. Ltd on 24 July 1912, and 20 world’s best known sci-fi years of bus operations throughout the characters joined in and Aldershot, Farnham and Blackwater Valley took a tour on the open area by its successor Stagecoach. top bus.

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WIN A £50 Picture of the Season VOUCHER This edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by Stagecoach West driver Obert Sandor. It shows a summer’s day at Swindon depot. Congratulations to Obert who will shortly receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers. If you think you have a picture that captures one of the four seasons, please send your image to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to: lindsay.reid@ stagecoachgroup.com

Minister visits alliance team Top recognition for Rail Minister Theresa Villiers recently visited Basingstoke signalling staff development centre to meet staff from the South West Trains/Network Rail alliance. Employees at East Midlands Trains, The alliance was formed in April to create are celebrating after being awarded one management team responsible for both Investors in People (IiP) status. The IiP trains and track in the south and south-west scheme recognises organisations that of England with the objective of delivering have improved their performance and better rail services for passengers. delivery through the investment in and Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of the development of employees. South West Trains/Network Rail alliance, In recognition of its achievement, East Midlands said: “I am pleased the Minister of State for Trains has received a certificate and plaque which Transport has been able to get a personal will be displayed at its Derby headquarters. insight into how our staff are working David Horne, Managing Director of East together to deliver a better service to our Midlands Trains, commented: “Our staff are customers on a daily basis.” passionate about delivering the best service Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said: possible for our passengers and are committed to Clare McCartney, Human Resources Director “Basingstoke is a really impressive example going the extra mile wherever they can. This is and Jo Everill, Head of Human Resources for how on a practical level the creation of one great news and we are determined to keep up the East Midlands Trains with the Investors in People management team can work to deliver a good work." plaque and certificate. more efficient and a better railway.” Loud and clear Ryan in the A new state-of-the-art public address system has been unveiled at Waterloo Station. driving seat With 350,000 passengers using the station every day, the new PA system will help to Seven-year-old train ensure passengers have even better access to enthusiast Ryan Ansley was information. given the train ride of his Richard Anderson, Station Manager for dreams as he was invited to Waterloo, said: “Passengers need to be able to ride in the cabs of three East hear any information which may affect their Midlands Trains services. journey, particularly at busy times.” He was also provided with insider information about the operation of the railway by East Midlands Trains staff. Tunes on the tram The visit was arranged after Ryan Supertram users were treated to wrote a letter to East Midlands a ‘secret gig’ on board a tram as part of Trains Managing Director David the Tramlines music festival in Sheffield. Horne. Band ‘Johnny Foreigner’ performed a short acoustic set on board a tram, which was Ryan in the cab of a Meridian train. announced via social media at the last minute.

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Hydrogen bus fleet launched Stagecoach is to play a key role in a new multi-million-pound project to deliver Europe’s largest hydrogen bus fleet as part of a new clean energy hub. and Scottish Enterprise funding of £3.3million will enable Aberdeen City Council, supported by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, to start the project with an order for 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses – which produce water vapour instead of carbon monoxide and other harmful emissions. Mike Prowse celebrates half a They will be operated on Stagecoach and First century on the buses. bus routes in Aberdeen by early 2014 and refuelled at ’s first large hydrogen refuelling station, which will also be able to refuel hydrogen- Driving dynasty powered passenger cars, as they become available. Stagecoach driver Mike Prowse Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director, Stagecoach this week celebrates 50 years on the Bluebird, said: “Powering vehicles from renewable Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown (left) buses. sources can make the bus an even greener and and Stagecoach Bluebird Managing Director Mike began with back in smarter option.” Andrew Jarvis launch the hydrogen bus project. 1962, following in the footsteps of his father Alan, who himself worked as a driver for 44 years. The big switch off Carrying on the tradition, Mike's son, Stagecoach London took part in a Michael junior, has just completed his first Big Switch-off power-saving initiative to three months as a driver, meaning that in the test how much energy could be saved by next few years the Prowse family will, between turning off electrical items which aren’t in them, have put in 100 years of service on use. Devon's roads! Garage Green Team leaders encouraged all staff Mike said: "I love my job and I've got no to switch off non-essential equipment such as plans to retire just yet – although I'm not sure PCs, printers, copiers, battery chargers, lights in I'll manage another 50 years!" empty offices and fans. Catford Garage was the winner, reducing its energy consumption for that day by 25% compared to Christmas Day 2011. The garage was given £1000 to donate to its chosen charity. London Managing Director Mark Threapleton said: “This has been a great exercise to raise staff London Managing Director Mark Threapleton awareness. Our challenge is for everyone to do presents a certificate to staff from Catford this all the time, which will improve our carbon Garage. footprint and control our costs.”

Brian with the Wee Gee Bus. Hear ye, Wee Gee hear ye retirement Stagecoach West recently provided a specially Brian Robertson, driver of liveried bus to promote the ’s Wee Gee local town crier competition Bus, is retiring after six years in charge in Calne. Pictured are the of the award-winning project bus which wannabe town criers. has helped combat youth disorder and vandalism within the area. Brian has done a fantastic job – not only driving the bus but also delivering informative Wi-Fi for Chesterfield talks to thousands of young people about Six new buses fitted with free Wi-Fi internet access have been launched by the dangers of vandalism and the cost to the Stagecoach in Chesterfield as part of a £1.1m investment. community of such actions – and everyone The 80-seat low-floor, easy access vehicles feature the special Peel Monument livery, celebrating who worked with him wishes him the best in the services’ connection with Dronfield. Each vehicle is also fitted with a Euro 5 engine which his retirement. will produce lower levels of emissions than the Euro 4 engines currently used on the route.

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Merseyside driver David Smith joins some of the carnival revellers. All the fun of Rio

– in Liverpool The Mayor of Dover, Charlie Elphicke MP, and Stagecoach Managing Director Paul Southgate was present the ‘Local Diamonds’ with framed pictures of their personalised buses. involved in this year’s Liverpool Brazilian Carnival which swept through Community heroes ‘on the buses’ the streets of Liverpool City Centre. Included in the parade were local, national The search by Stagecoach to displayed on local Diamond Route buses to and international samba schools and hundreds recognise ‘Community Diamonds’ celebrate their achievements. of performers took part in this Rio-style resulted in four very worthy winners. Divene Anderson, Marketing Manager for carnival weaving its way through the city During June, buses on the Stagecoach Stagecoach in East Kent, said: “There has been centre with glittering costumes, floats and Diamond network, which operates a great sense of community spirit this year with irresistible samba music. between Dover, Deal, Sandwich and people coming together for Diamond Jubilee Canterbury, were used to announce the and Olympic events, so it seemed fitting that competition and invite nominations. we should do something to celebrate this using .com’s The four winners have had their pictures our Diamond network of buses.” new terminal megabus.com has a new terminal On the circuit and bus stop in downtown Montreal after acquiring a large space for its once again growing Megabus operations. played a vital role in the success of the The terminal is located in the same building 2012 Formula One British Grand Prix as many shops, cafes, restaurants, and even a by providing hundreds of vehicles to skating rink. transport spectators to and from the event held at Silverstone. The transport operation was a great success, thanks to the hard work of all involved. Some of the vehicles used at Silverstone (photo credit – Steven Knight).

James Hudson. James arrives in Yorkshire James Hudson has taken on a new role as assistant engineering manager with at Barnsley Depot. James originally served as a mechanical apprentice with Arriva Yorkshire before Loyal service recently held a becoming a skilled mechanic based at Belle dinner to celebrate combined long service of Isle depot in Wakefield. celebration staff of 564 years.

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Clive hands – Brian Robertson over his keys The quickfire round Stagecoach West Scotland Gainsborough driver Clive Primary School Griffiths has summer camp. I was recently retired Who are you? reduced to tears. and will be Brian Robertson from StagecoachWest Dream Job? The missed by many Scotland – “Wee Gee” bus driver. job I’ve been doing staff at the depot What do you like most about your with ‘The Wee Gee’ who wish him job? The job satisfaction. Teaching children, these last six years! all the best in his especially those with learning difficulties. Job satisfaction from retirement. What do you like least about your the kids makes it all Clive Griffiths. job? A cold bus in winter time. There’s no worthwhile. heating in the Wee Gee bus. I once spent 6 Favourite animal? hours digging myself out of a snow drift at Rough Collies. Tommy’s off St Marks primary in Barrhead. Most like to be stuck in a lift with? Driver Tommy Monaghan retired Favourite TV show? The Six O’Clock Elkie Brooks! from Cumnock depot after 43 years’ News and Question Time. driving service. Biggest achievement? Getting the The Quickfire Round features in every Tommy started with Western Buses as a Stagecoach Champion award in St edition of On Stage and we want to hear conductor and has covered a variety of long Petersburgh and the “Person of the Year from as many staff as possible. distance and local service work during his Award” from the Rotary Club in East To suggest the next participant, email time on the buses. Renfrew [email protected] Worst job? None – never had a bad job! Most embarrassing moment? 60 kids Long service threw me a surprise dinner party at Caliba has celebrated the long service of 97 members of staff employed at its Neil gets on board depots across Newcastle, Sunderland, Stockton, Hartlepool and South East Midlands Trains has appointed Neil Shields. Micklethwaite as its new Customer Service & Collectively, they’ve put in a staggering Commercial Director. 2,685 years. Neil (39), a qualified accountant, has worked 58-year-old driver Geoffrey Taylor was extensively in the rail industry. He joined British Rail recognised for an impressive 35 years service as a graduate trainee 20 years ago and has held senior with Stagecoach. He said: “I’ve thoroughly commercial roles at both First Great Western and enjoyed my time at Stagecoach and it has Chiltern Railways. He joins East Midlands Trains from been a privilege to be able to work for the advertising company CBS Outdoor Ltd, where he was company for so long. They’ve looked after UK Bus & Rail Director. me through thick and thin.” He said: “I am passionate about driving improvements Neil Micklethwaite. for passengers and join at a key time in East Midlands Trains development. East Midlands Trains has a great future and I am really looking forward to being a part of it.” David Horne, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, added: “I am delighted to CONTACTS welcome Neil to the team, and he joins at an exciting and busy time.” Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW Phillip’s on board Email: [email protected] with training www.stagecoach.com Phillip Morgan has been appointed the new Assistant If you have a story for On Stage, Operations Manager in Cwmbran please contact Lindsay Reid as above. after completing his SDP 14 The copy deadline for the qualification. next edition of On Phillip joined Stagecoach in 2002 as a Stage will be driver in Cwmbran. Wednesday He moved to Merthyr Depot as a 17th Depot Inspector in 2007, before returning October. to Cwmbran as Depot Inspector/ Megabus Controller in 2010. Phillip Morgan.

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