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Home , Coastliner 700, Scottish Bus Group, Stagecoach Group

Issue 79 | April 2010

onThe newsletter stage of Group

Customers get Heart health campaign the best value gets off to a fl ying start STAGECOACH o ers the best-value bus fares in Britain, ATHLETICS legend Liz according to an authoritative o McColgan has red the independent survey. starting gun for Stagecoach’s Respected independent transport marathon heart health consultants TAS found Stagecoach o ered promotion programme. signi cantly lower commuter, leisure and The former world 10,000 metres shopping fares than the UK’s other major champion o cially unveiled transport groups. Stagecoach’s state-of-the-art Healthy Meanwhile, average prices paid by Heart Bus – the  rst in the UK – Stagecoach customers were up to 30% less which is set to tour the company’s than those charged by the other major bus depots, providing free heart health UK bus operators – First Group, , check-ups for thousands of UK Bus Go Ahead and . division sta . The consultancy carried out a major And the former Sports Personality national survey of fare levels in di erent of the Year praised Stagecoach for markets up and down the country. being front-runners. On each journey type, Stagecoach “All companies should be openly was rated as o ering the lowest average involved and interested in the health fares of any of the UK’s ‘Big Five’ bus of their employees, something that companies. Stagecoach should be credited for The survey also found that Stagecoach Hearty welcome: Chief Executive Brian doing,” said Liz. Souter helps Liz McColgan launch the Healthy Heart Bus. consistently o ered lower prices than “People often don’t think about independent operators. issues such as heart problems until it’s too preventative healthcare, as early intervention can Passengers using Stagecoach services are late and, with preventive measures in place at save lives.” continuing to bene t from multi-million- Stagecoach, hopefully the sta will bene t from The Health Heart Bus is run in partnership pound investment in new vehicles despite it.” with the UK’s largest independent hospital the economic downturn, while receiving The £2 million project is being funded provider, BMI Healthcare. It provides free heart punctual and reliable services. by Stagecoach Group, with support from health check-ups for thousands of sta , as well Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Group Chief Executive , who has as promoting heart health awareness for all Brian Souter said: “Stagecoach is o cially personally pledged £1 million towards the employees. Britain’s low fares bus operator. campaign. Over the next three to four years, all Stagecoach “This new research con rms that our He said: “This kind of personal health check is UK Bus employees with more than three passengers get an unrivalled package of often only available to senior executives. years’ service will have the chance to undergo low fares and high-quality services. “We felt it was important to extend the service a voluntary assessment of their cardiovascular “We will continue to work hard to to our frontline employees who serve our health, as well as receiving advice on ways to make sure we o er value for money and a customers every day, and the Healthy Heart Bus maintain and improve their heart health. greener, smarter way to travel.” will allow us to do that. Participation is voluntary and BMI is obliged to “This ambitious employee bene t is targeted at keep all screening results strictly con dential. Cyclists on-track for better service BIKE-FRIENDLY picked up two awards at this year’s National Cycle Rail Awards. Brockenhurst station won the Customer Service Excellence award for the information system it introduced to make life easier for cyclists returning home from the New Forest National Park. The new system keeps station sta informed about cycle spaces on incoming trains. Brockenhurst has also teamed up with local companies to provide convenient bike rentals at the station. South West Trains was highly commended in the category of Most Innovative Approach to Cycle Rail Integration for its Brompton Bike Hire Initiative. The innovative scheme, introduced in early 2009, allows passengers to hire Journalist and rail historian Christian Wolmar (left) with out bikes from London’s Waterloo station. Following a successful trial amongst Brockenhurst Station Manager Dean Pettitt and Michelle season ticket holders, the scheme has now been rolled out to all South West Trains Kynaston from South West Trains. passengers.

1 uk bus on stage

(Overheard at Waterloo You what?! Station, London.) Girl 1: ‘Oh, she can’t come. She’s going to a wedding in a place called Dumb Freeze. That’s in , she says.’ Girl 2: ‘Does she speak any Scotch?’ Girl 1: ‘No. Why – should she?’ Girl 2: ‘Coz they speak di erent up there, don’t they?’ Girl 1: ‘I’m sure it’s not too bad.’ Girl 2: ‘Haven’t you ever seen Taggart? It’s all Scotch. I don’t understand a word or nothing!’ (Editor’s note: The wedding was held in Dumfries in southern Scotland!) Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments to One of the new Gold vehicles in Oxfordshire. [email protected] Going for Gold TWELVE new high-spec Gold Testing the water with new buses have been introduced to services in the Witney area by Stagecoach Oxfordshire. amphibious bus experiment The double-deckers use state-of-the- AN AMPHIBIOUS bus vehicle to  oat. art Euro 5 environmental engines, have has been put to the test in On the road, it operates low-level  oors for easy access, high-back Scotland. like a standard coach with leather seats and o er free Wi-Fi on board. Stagecoach Group carried an accelerator and brake but, Trevor Bayliss from Stagecoach Oxfordshire out the technical trial of in the water, the am bus is said: “They are great. People really love the the vehicle as it examined driven by twin water jets free Wi-Fi and, with Oxfordshire being the potential for the UK’s controlled by a console on so environmentally conscious, these buses  rst ‘am bus’ service Stagecoach the armrest of the driver’s should go down very well.” linking communities on the Group Chief chair. River Clyde following the Executive The £700,000 Dutch-built Steve Thorpe Brian Souter with New York withdrawal of the Renfrew at the trials of vehicle carries 50 passengers, competition Ferry by Strathclyde the am bus and its Euro 5 engine allows winners Julie Partnership for Transport on the River it to travel at 8 knots in the Baitup (right) (SPT). Clyde. water and at 60 mph on the and Joanne Although the bid to road. Penfold. introduce such a service Brian Souter, Stagecoach proved unsuccessful, the Group Chief Executive, company once again demonstrated its said: “We were excited by the potential of willingness to investigate innovative ideas. this technology and we are glad we got the Stateside sisters The am bus plan included making opportunity to investigate how the vehicle TWO lucky sisters are set to sample use of existing slipways at Renfrew and would perform in water conditions on the the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. Yoker and suggested following a route by Clyde. Julie Baitup from won a road from Braehead to the “We believed the am bus was an innovative, long weekend in New York in a competition slipway, crossing the Clyde to Yoker and high-quality solution that had good potential. advertised on Stagecoach’s Coastliner then travelling on by road to Clydebank. Nevertheless, we are pleased the communities 700 bus service between and Based on a Volvo bus chassis, the 12.8-metre of Yoker and Renfrew will continue to have a . Stagecoach Marketing O cer am bus has a built-in hull to allow the link.” Steve Thorpe presented the prize to Julie and her sister, Joanne Penfold. a powerful tool in combatting crime on buses CCTV deal tunes and reducing fraudulent insurance claims. Just the ticket The LOOK system includes wireless in to bus safety network applications to streamline CCTV has maintenance and provide high-capacity data invested nearly £200,000 in new ticket BUS travellers are set to bene t from logging for video and audio recording. machines for its  eet in Chester eld. a new CCTV deal. Les Warneford, Managing Director of The machines are designed to o er a Stagecoach Group has signed a new £3.7 Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “The safety and more reliable ticketing process with a greater million contract with LOOK CCTV, a security of our customers and our people number of options and much clearer print, subsidiary of AIM-listed Quadnetics, ensuring is fundamental to our business, and public helping to simplify the range of tickets all new buses ordered by the Group up to the transport is the safest way to travel. available and introduce some new ones. end of 2012 are  tted with state-of-the-art “We have worked with LOOK for a number Rupert Cox, Stagecoach Yorkshire digital CCTV systems. of years and they are a valued technology and Commercial Director, said: “The new This means hundreds of new Stagecoach service provider. machines will lead to much greater reliability, buses a year will be  tted with LOOK “Their systems have a proven track record of but there shouldn’t be any noticeable systems, which will be covered by a six-year making our passengers feel safe, cutting crime di erence to passengers in the way they warranty. and anti-social behaviour and helping track purchase their tickets.” Digital CCTV gives bus and coach operators down o enders.”

2 uk bus / uk rail on stage

A passion for Nappy journeys for mums learning NEW mums are being o ered a green AMONG the travel incentive to opt for eco-friendly rst students nappies. picking up Stagecoach Group has teamed up with Perth their awards and Kinross Real Nappy Network (PKRNN), for the rail NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council industry’s rst to o er a week's free bus travel as part of a real ever Certi cate nappy starter pack which also includes free in Operational nappies. Management The ‘Time to Change Your Nappy’ course was partnership has been created as part of the Perth Stagecoach 800 project – a year-long programme of events Metrolink’s Christina Flaherty. celebrating the 800th anniversary of granting Christina Flaherty. the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King Christina attended a special graduation William the Lion of Scotland in 1210. ceremony in Glasgow where her hard work This latest initiative also marks the expansion and application were recognised. of an existing eco-partnership between Stagecoach in Perth Operations Manager Gus Run by the Institution of Railway Stagecoach Group and PKRNN. Beveridge (back left) at the launch of the ‘Time to Change Your Nappy’ partnership. Operators in partnership with Glasgow In October 2008, the two organisations joined Caledonian University, the Certi cate of forces to o er a week's free bus travel to any Higher Education in Railway Operational new parents who signed up to use real nappies determined to play our part by encouraging Management was  rst launched in October for their babies. greater use of public transport, as well as 2008. Now, as part of the Perth 800 programme, the reducing our own carbon footprint as a Andy Morris, Managing Director, free travel o er is being expanded to include all company. Stagecoach Light Rail, said: “This is a new parents in 2010. “This project allows us to promote the marvellous achievement for Christina and Gus Beveridge, Operations Manager environmental bene ts of using real nappies as for Metrolink and hopefully she will be for Stagecoach in Perth, said: “Stagecoach well as the importance of taking the bus instead the  rst of many within the tram ‘family’ recognises the importance of tackling the of driving and we're delighted to be involved in that take the opportunity to develop their challenge of climate change and we are this scheme.” careers through the facilities o ered by the Institution and university.” Extra capacity for East Midlands has secured of East Midlands Trains’ to Norwich Top award a package of funding which will bring route. A PARTNERSHIP involving signi cant improvements to its busy So, from May 2011, an extra 10 services Stagecoach in Kent has won a Liverpool to Norwich route from next every weekday will be strengthened between prestigious national award for a year. Nottingham and Liverpool from two-car to series of major improvements at The funding, agreed with the Department for four-car trains, providing an additional 1,500 seats Ashford International Station. Transport, will enable East Midlands Trains to a day. The 'Integrated Transport Excellence' lease four extra Class 156 trains from next May. David Horne, Commercial Director for East Award at the Rail Business Awards These will be used on services between Midlands Trains, said: “This is fantastic news for recognised the excellent partnership Nottingham and Skegness, and from Lincoln to our passengers and brings a successful conclusion working at Ashford International that has Leicester. to almost two years of partnership working with resulted in signi cant bene ts to travellers. A number of refurbished Class 158 trains will stakeholder groups along the route to secure These include upgrading the forecourt and then strengthen services on the busiest section these improvements.” introducing new footpaths and cycleways, as well as substantial investment by Kent Retiring Highway Services and Stagecoach in the A fond farewell Operations Manager Richard local bus services serving the station. to Richard Davies with the Phil Medlicott, Managing Director of dedicated ‘South Stagecoach in East Kent and East Sussex, SOUTH West Trains Operations Western Spinner’ said: “Following a £1 million investment Manager Richard Davies has retired. train at Waterloo. in the local Ashford bus network, we have Richard began his 44 years on the railways seen 20% passenger growth over the last 12 in May 1966 with Southern Region and months. rose through the ranks, progressing through “The success in encouraging people to station management before ending his career as switch to the bus and train demonstrates Operations Manager for South West Trains. what can be achieved when organisations Richard’s colleagues at South West Trains work together to provide a quality public organised a few surprises, including a special transport system that's easy to understand train, ‘The South Western Spinner’, on which and use.” Richard and his colleagues enjoyed a trip to Salisbury.

3 uk bus on stage

Picture perfect! New city bus blueprint PRECIOUS family photos have A RADICAL plan to been reunited with their grateful revitalise She eld’s bus owner, thanks to services and improve West. the local environment Pensioner Leslie Austin had the prized has been put forward by pictures with him as he visited his wife Stagecoach. Dorothy, who lives in a retirement home The three-phase plan centres in Paignton, but was distraught to realise on a public-private partnership he had lost them on his way home. between bus operators, South However, they were found on board Yorkshire Passenger Transport a bus by a Stagecoach driver, and the Executive and She eld City company approached a local newspaper Council. to  nd their owner. Stagecoach wants to bring The article was seen by Leslie's children, the same dynamic approach to and the photos were soon back in his buses that it used to transform hands. the city’s Supertram network “It was a wonderful thing for and boost rail services in An optical service is part of the exciting Stagecoach to do,” said Leslie. Yorkshire at East Midlands Trains. Better Buses for She eld plan. “I've written a letter to them to say Group Chief Executive Brian Souter outlined bus service integrated with the tram network; thank you. I'm so relieved. the proposals at a meeting of key stakeholders, enhanced standards for vehicle cleanliness, bus “They're all personal photos that you including politicians, transport experts, resident stops and waiting facilities and joint carbon can't replace.” groups, business leaders and representatives from reduction initiatives. other key organisations. Brian Souter said: “Our plan will deliver The Better Buses for She eld plan includes what customers want – guarantees on fares and Skye’s the limit index-linked fares and inter-availability network levels, and improvements to make it ticketing, bus priority measures on key routes easier to access services. A SCOTS driver swapped his bus to cut journey times and the introduction of a “It will improve the speed and quality of bus for a high-performance Vauxhall comprehensive bus park and ride network. services on the road, and it will be better for the Corsa to take part in the popular There are also plans for an optical guided local environment in She eld.” Snowman Rally at . Douglas Je rey, who works for Stagecoach in Skye,  nished 60th overall for the race, but came  rst in his class Sam steps up as Scottish Director to take the trophy for fastest  rst-time entrant. STAGECOACH UK Bus Tom Wileman began his career in Douglas said: “We are really grateful to has appointed Sam Greer as the bus industry with the Scottish have Stagecoach in Skye sponsor us – our Regional Director for Scotland. Bus Group in 1972. initial aim was just to  nish!” Sam (41), the Managing Director After joining Stagecoach in 1990, of Scotland, has he went on to become Managing more than 26 years’ experience in Director of six Stagecoach the bus industry, and takes over from companies, including Stagecoach CrimeBUSting Tom Wileman, who retires on , , STAGECOACH in Kent has May 1. and renewed its support for the crime He will have overall responsibility Midlands, before prevention charity, the Kent People’s for all of Stagecoach’s Scottish bus being appointed Regional Director Trust, by redesigning and updating operations including Stagecoach Sam Greer. for Scotland in 2008. the ‘People’s Trust Bus’. Highland, Bluebird, Strathtay, Fife, Tom said: “I’m extremely proud of Regional Managing Director Phil West Scotland and the joint the success Stagecoach has achieved in attracting Medlicott attended the launch of venture. more people on to greener, smarter bus travel. the new-look bus at the Kent Police His appointment also means he will join the “We are widely recognised for our headquarters in Maidstone with Stagecoach UK Bus management team with commitment to providing good-value, reliable Customer Services Manager Tim Pomfret. responsibility for health and safety, environment, and high-quality bus services for our customers They were met by Kent Police Director engineering and purchasing. and I wish the company continued success in the of Finance Simon Redman, Director of Sam began his career in 1984 as an Apprentice future.” Kent People’s Trust Bryn Price, Chief Mechanic with the then . Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Les Inspector Lee Russell and Inspector Jerry He was appointed as Engineering Director of Warneford added: “I’m delighted that Sam will Prodger from the Crime Reduction unit. in 1997, a position be joining the UK Bus management team. His “We are pleased to be one of the bus he held until 2006 when he took on the role of detailed knowledge and experience of the bus operators supporting the Trust’s crime Managing Director of the company. industry will be invaluable. prevention initiative that works to help Sam said: “I look forward to bringing further “I would also like to take this opportunity to combat anti-social behaviour, including bene ts to passengers across Scotland through thank Tom for his signi cant contribution to on or against buses in the county,” said continued investment, improved services, state- the company over the past 20 years and for his Phil. of-the-art vehicles and successful partnership commitment to the bus industry over nearly four working.” decades.”

4 uk rail on stage

WIN A Red Dot Day Picture of £50 draws crowds VOUCHER MORE than 2,700 people had the Season the chance to enjoy a bargain trip THIS edition’s winning Picture on East Midlands Trains recently as of the Season was taken by Graeme the company hosted its seventh, and McInnes, who works for Stagecoach in most successful, Red Dot Day at the the Highlands. new East Midlands Parkway station. It shows the conditions faced by sta at East Midlands Trains’ Red Dot Days are the Aviemore Depot earlier this year. aimed at people who have never travelled by Congratulations to Graeme, who will train before. They can have a day out for just shortly receive his prize of £50 of M&S £10 for adults and £5 for kids. vouchers. The latest event attracted the largest If you think you have a picture that captures number of passengers so far, with more one of the four seasons, please send your image to Lindsay Reid, than 2,300 adults and nearly 500 children On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to travelling on a bargain ticket. [email protected] David Horne, Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how successful our Red Dot Days have become. Supertram’s “In total, over 10,000 people have now travelled on one of these days, and a large a top achiever proportion of these people are  rst-time users of the train. STAGECOACH Group’s She eld “This latest Red Dot Day at East Midlands Supertram operation has been awarded Parkway station was in celebration of the a top honour to recognise management station’s  rst birthday and it was great to see development and organisational the 850-space car park full, and the station excellence. buzzing with people excited about a day trip The tram company has been awarded the to London. Achievement Marque of Excellence by North “It really gave the station a birthday feel!” of Excellence, which recognises businesses that successfully implement The award-winning She eld Supertram service. The new sustainable improvements to their management platform processes. Stagecoach Light Rail, said: “This award canopy at To achieve the award, Supertram management recognises the commitment shown by the Ash Vale successfully demonstrated their commitment Supertram management team to ensuring we Station. to organisational excellence through the run our business as e ciently and professionally development and continued implementation of as possible. two management improvements plans. “The North of England Excellence scheme The accolade is the second that Supertram involves a rigorous assessment process and has received within the past two years from has been extremely bene cial in helping us North of England Excellence after picking up to review and improve our management the Commitment Marque of Excellence – the procedures.” precursor to the Achievement Marque – in Supertram’s success follows that of Stagecoach Delivering 2008. Metrolink in Manchester, which was awarded an improvements Andy Morris, Managing Director of Achievement Marque of Excellence last summer. SOUTH West Trains has delivered a number of station improvements across the network in recent months. Satisfi ed customers hail services The station interchange projects at Staines and Walton on Thames are PASSENGER satisfaction with East and marks a signi cant increase since the operator now complete, bringing recon gured Midlands Trains is on the up, while South took over the franchise in 2007, when overall forecourts, additional cycle facilities, West Trains’ remains at a high level, a satisfaction was just 75%. new ramps and improved access for all recent survey reveals. For South West Trains, the survey showed overall passengers. National transport watchdog Passenger passenger satisfaction at 86% – beating the national In addition, new station signs are Focus has released the results of its most recent average of 83% and the London & South East currently being introduced at many independent passenger survey. average of 82%, and marking an improvement since stations and new platform canopies The survey showed that – as a result of the last survey in spring 2009. have been installed at Ash Vale, Barnes, improvements made by East Midlands Trains – Passengers also rated South West Trains highly for Guildford, Putney, Richmond, Clapham overall passenger satisfaction rose to 84%, marking the punctuality and reliability of its trains, with 89% Junction, Earls eld and Wimbledon a 3% year-on-year increase. of passengers satis ed, again signi cantly higher stations. This also takes East Midlands Trains higher than than the 83% national average and the 82% average the 83% national average for overall satisfaction, for London & South East operators.

5 the green scene on stage

Stagecoach setting the standard STAGECOACH Group has been awarded and actually make real reductions year-on-year. Highlights and achievements to date have included: the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard Unlike other award schemes, organisations • Cutting annual heating energy consumption at after taking action on climate change by are rewarded for actions they have taken to cut the UK Bus division by around 35% in three years measuring and reducing its carbon across their own operations. through a hi-tech energy management system carbon emissions. Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group • Reducing CO2 emissions from the Group’s The Group reduced the carbon Chief Executive, said: “This is 7,000-vehicle bus  eet in the UK by more than intensity of its UK businesses by independent recognition of the 100,000 tonnes over  ve years thanks to an 5.7%* in the three years to April 30, action we have taken on climate innovative fuel additive 2009. change. • Engaging employees, customers and local Stagecoach is the  rst Scottish- “Helping people lead greener communities during a Group-wide Green Week. based transport group – and one of lifestyles and being a more Harry Morrison, General Manager of the only two listed UK public transport sustainable community partner is Carbon Trust Standard, said: “Being certi ed with operators – to have achieved the central to our business. the Carbon Trust Standard is proof an organisation benchmark, which covers all of the Group’s bus “It makes  nancial sense for our business and has taken genuine action to reduce their direct and rail operations in the UK. means we can deliver greener, smarter and better impact on climate change by cutting carbon The Carbon Trust Standard is the world’s  rst value travel to our customers. emissions. carbon award that requires an organisation to “We will continue to work hard to make “We congratulate Stagecoach Group on this measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint further improvements in the future.” achievement.” *Tonnes CO2e/£ turnover Additive cleans up bus emissions CARBON dioxide emissions from the additive in its operations, Stagecoach Group’s UK bus  eet have which cover and Ontario. been cut by more than 100,000 tonnes The  rst two depots started using Envirox™ in ve years, thanks to a hi-tech fuel in December 2009 and the product will cover additive. the remainder of the network within the next The saving equates to the average CO2 few months. emissions produced by more than 10,000 Stagecoach began the roll-out of Envirox™ households in the UK over a 12-month across its 7,000 bus  eet in December 2004. period. Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach announced the results as it signed Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “The fuel additive a new three-year supply agreement for the is helping improve the sustainability of our Cllr Mrs Terry Hall, Lord Mayor of Envirox™ fuel additive, which was developed operations and protect local air quality, and Portsmouth (left), with Stagecoach South using sophisticated nanotechnology. is part of our commitment to o er people Managing Director Andrew Dyer and The Group also announced the roll-out of greener, smarter travel options.” Mayor Cllr Jacqueline Branson. Coasting along Waste paper binned

by the seaside SOUTH West Trains’ partnership A FLEET of 21 new buses has been working with the Metro newspaper introduced to Stagecoach’s successful to encourage recycling at stations is bus route between proving a big success. Brighton and Portsmouth. The introduction of on-platform recycling The new Scania Enviro 400 vehicles are bins for passengers have helped South West powered by the latest engine system, o ering Trains increase the amount of waste it recycles low emissions without any loss in performance from 20% in 2008 to 30% in 2009. or fuel economy, whilst meeting the strict The introduction of the bins at Wimbledon Euro 5 regulations. Station has helped the station recycle more The Euro 3 compliant buses, which are to than 60% of its waste. be replaced on the route, were introduced in 2006. “Thanks to passenger numbers doubling on the Coastliner 700 service over the last  ve Recycling scheme back on track years, we are delighted to be able to upgrade EAST Midlands Trains is re-introducing newspaper and magazine recycling the service with a much higher standard of collections on mainline services between London St Pancras, Leicester, Nottingham, vehicle,” said Andrew Dyer. Derby and She eld. “We hope that we can entice more people After a trial week in 2009, and as part of the company’s 2010 Environmental Plan, the to use the service, safe in the knowledge that newspapers and magazines will be removed from trains at St Pancras, Nottingham and She eld they can help keep the fresh sea air cleaner by stations, where they will go into the station's recycling bins. keeping their emissions to a minimum.” Newspapers and magazines left on trains at the end of service will be o -loaded at the depot, sorted and then recycled using the existing recycling systems which are already in place.

6 uk bus / north america on stage

Driver’s £2.3m ticket MILLIONAIRE bus driver Kevin Halstead has pledged to get back behind the wheel, despite winning a packet on the lottery. The Stu The Bus crew. Kevin (46) from Chorley, who has been driving the Kindness by 125 bus between Bolton and Preston for the past the coachload 17 years, recently scooped £2.3 million in the COACH USA's Northern National Lottery. District (Shortline and Rockland His regular numbers Coaches) recently co-sponsored all came up as he sat and ‘Stu The Bus’, a food drive held in watched the draw with partnership with the United Church his mum Joyce (68) at her Kevin Halstead plans to stay on the buses, of Christ in Haworth, New Jersey. home in Eccleston. despite his £2.3 million windfall. At the end of the day they had collected Kevin and his partner enough food to  ll the luggage bays on Josephine, who has never pack my job in. board the bus and also gathered over $400 been abroad, are now set for a nice holiday – “I asked my boss for time o – a month, in cash. as soon as they both get a passport! maybe two – but I don't want to cut myself The bus was driven to the warehouse The lucky lotto winner said: “I don't want to o from my friends and I really enjoy my job.” of the Center for Food Action in Hackensack, which works to reduce hunger and homelessness. There, Coach & Double Decker Co. Vice President of USA employees, church members and Website comes Charter Sales & Marketing. community volunteers helped unload all “Value is an extremely important the supplies. out on top component of our marketing plan and the special o ers on the site re ect that. STAGECOACH’S sightseeing “Our goal was to build a booking engine company, the Chicago Trolley & Double that made it easy for our users to buy tickets backs Decker Co., has won the 2010 Illinois and we feel this goal has been successfully Excellence in Tourism Award for Best met.” Race For Life Website of the Year. Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. STAGECOACH in Cambridge The award was presented at the Annual launched its new website last May. repainted one of its buses in an eye- Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism Since then, the company has recorded a catching pink livery to help prompt by WGN-TV’s Julian Cruz and the Illinois 350% increase in online tour tickets sales over entries into the local Race For Life Bureau of Tourism Deputy Director, Jan the previous year, while group sales inquiries event, organised by Cancer Research Kostner. almost doubled and the sales in the Park UK. “We wanted to build a site that would act as Shop retail location increased by 77%. The bus – a single decker operating on a resource for people looking for information The site also recently won an award the busy citi network – will be promoting about the destination rather than just about from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing the event over the next few months in the tour,” said John A Curran, Chicago Trolley Association International in New York City. readiness for the Cambridge race in July 2010. Stagecoach is also advertising the Race A starring role for Life inside other buses throughout the area. A tour bus is to star in an episode of ITV murder mystery drama ‘Lewis’ after lming took place Runaway success recently in Oxford. SURREY pupils used the bus to run away from school – all in the name of charity. .com provided free travel for a group from Ewell Castle School who were trying to get as far away from their school as possible as part of a fundraising event. The ‘runaways’ raised £150 for their school charity fund.

7 people page on stage

– Mark Atkinson

The quickfi re round Most embarrassing moment? Who are you? Tripping over a mat Mark Atkinson, megabus.com driver. at The Coach Show What do you like most about your and falling onto my job? knees. Every day is di erent and I enjoy driving Dream job? the 15m coaches. Auditor or salesman David Hands MBE. What do you like least about your for Plaxton Limited. job? Favourite animal? Much-loved Motorway delays and lack of Dog. communication. Most like to be stuck in a lift with… Favourite TV show? Penny Smith or Alan Carr! driver retires Eastenders and Top Gear. Biggest achievement? AFTER nine years of driving for The Quick re Round features in every Passing my PCV in 2004 and my trailer Stagecoach in Sunderland, David edition of On Stage and we want to hear licence in 2009 with Stagecoach. Hands MBE retired on New Year’s from as many sta as possible. Worst job? Eve. To suggest the next participant, email Working in a chippy in Brixham, South [email protected] David’s local community was always his Devon. top priority and, through his work as a driver and also as Minister for the Church of Nazarene, he worked tirelessly for local charities and to help those around him. has John Conroy, Managing Director of announced new roles for four members of New horizons , said: “David has sta across its depots. been a much valued and loved member James Bell eld (22) and 21-year-old Dylan Stagecoach Manchester depot on Princess of the team at the Sunderland depot and Spragg have taken up the positions of auto Road. across the whole of Stagecoach North East. electrician and mechanical  tter after completing Lesley (50) has steadily risen through the “He has always gone that extra mile for the Stagecoach Manchester apprenticeship ranks and has held the position of Operations his passengers and his commitment to scheme in Transport Engineering and Manager at every Stagecoach Manchester delivering the highest standards of service Maintenance. depot. was acknowledged fully when he received James will be based at the company’s Stockport Jon Ambrose (36) is the new Operations his MBE for services to the transport depot, while Dylan will be working from the Manager of Ashton depot. After joining industry in 2008. Princess Road depot. Stagecoach Manchester in 2001 as a driver, “David will be sorely missed. We wish Meanwhile, Lesley Hester has been his quick progression has seen him hold key him well and hope he enjoys his well- appointed as Operations Manager of the positions within Stagecoach Manchester. deserved retirement.” Simon gets on board SIMON Tramalloni is Stagecoach Yorkshire’s new Assistant Operations Manager. CONTACTS The 33-year-old Lancastrian will be based at ’s Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Midland Street depot. Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, He joins from Stagecoach North West, where he held Perth, PH1 5TW the position of Acting Assistant Operations Manager for Stagecoach Preston. Email: [email protected] Stagecoach Yorkshire’s new Assistant Paul Lynch, Managing Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, www.stagecoach.com Operations Manager, Simon said: “Simon has a wealth of experience in the bus industry Tramalloni. and we are delighted to welcome him aboard the team.” If you have a story for On Stage, please contact Lindsay Reid as above. New face in Sunderland The copy deadline for the next STAGECOACH North East has welcomed graduate scheme edition of on stage will be trainee Claudine Molloy as Assistant Operations Manager at 14 May, 2010. its Sunderland depot. Claudine (26) served the  rst year of her graduate management scheme at Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. Originally from Sta ordshire, she gained her degree in Law and Business at Keele University. She said: “I wanted to enroll in a training scheme with a direct route to management. “I spent a long time searching for the best initiative and was attracted to the Stagecoach scheme because it o ered in-depth management training and hands-on experience.”

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