The newsletter of Issue 105 | September 2014 ON STAGE INSIDE Clerks convicted page 3 | Victory parade page 7 Sky’s the limit for plush new coaches Tube passengers are travelling in even greater comfort and style thanks to a £10 million fleet of new coaches. Panoramic glass roofs give new vehicles every year and customers on the upper deck more shows our commitment to light and a view of the sky while delivering improvements for our they also enjoy extra legroom and customers to attract even more high-speed 4G WiFi during their people on to our greener, smarter journeys. services,” said Martin Griffiths, The £10 million Chief Executive of investment by Stagecoach Group. Stagecoach is the “This is clear Martin Sutton, largest ever made evidence of the level Managing Director in new coaches for of investment we for Oxford Tube, the Oxford Tube added: “We route. The new are making in new have listened vehicles have Euro vehicles every year.” to customer Martin Sutton, Managing Director of Oxford Tube and Stagecoach , and Martin 6 engines, which feedback and Martin Griffiths Griffiths, Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group, enjoy the panoramic views on board the new make them amongst worked to ensure Oxford Tube coaches. the cleanest vehicles that the new available, and run on B30 fuel – a coaches offer additional and that they are choosing the most of the new fleet to announce their greener mix of 30% recycled biofuel improved facilities. environmentally friendly way to involvement with Oxford charity and 70% standard diesel. “The combination of the Euro travel between Oxford and .” Helen and Douglas House, which “This is clear evidence of the level 6 engine and B30 fuel also Oxford Tube and Stagecoach in provides hospice care for children of investment we are making in means that our customers know Oxfordshire also used the launch and young adults. .com launches first mainland Europe base Rail by Royal megabus.com is to launch a new network of services in the Benelux region from next month and open a appointment dedicated base in Belgium. The The company has announced plans for new low- Queen cost coach services which will link Brussels with and Prince Philip Luxembourg, Lille and Rotterdam from October 6, alight from offering fares from €1. the East megabus.com is also creating 20 jobs with the Midlands establishment of a base near Brussels. The depot, Trains located at Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in the province of service. Flemish Brabant, will house a €2 million fleet of six vehicles. Sid, the megabus.com Europe mascot, helps to launch the new services in Brussels. The number of passengers using megabus.com’s growing coach network in Europe increased by more frequency on some of its existing Europe services than 50% between 2012-13 and 2013-14 as the between Brussels and Paris, between Brussels and company continues to transform travel options for Amsterdam and between Brussels and Cologne. A VERY important passenger was the extra- passengers. megabus.com Managing Director Elizabeth Esnouf special guest of Trains recently. megabus.com already carries more than 15 million said: “This will be our first base in mainland Europe Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by the passengers a year across Europe and North America. and gives us scope to operate these new services, as Duke of Edinburgh, travelled from Derby on a As well as serving Luxembourg for the first well as increasing the frequency on a number of our scheduled passenger service to Matlock, where time, megabus.com also plans to increase the existing routes to and from Brussels.” she was met by crowds of well-wishers. A team from the -Network Rail Alliance broke Did you know? records recently by replacing more than 1km of ballast (stone chippings) in one night. ON STAGE Hitting the high-tech highway What a MORE and more passengers are going on-line while on-board, research has revealed. Laugh! A new study by DePaul University’s Chaddick A BUS driver in Dublin was heard Institute for Metropolitan Development in Chicago to make the following announcement: revealed that the use of personal electronic devices “Please remember to take all your belongings on city-to-city trips continues to rise sharply, with you when you leave, especially children particularly on low-cost express bus services like and old age pensioners – they don’t sell so megabus.com. well at auction!” More than 59 percent of passengers on low-cost, If you have seen or heard something funny – express bus lines were ‘powered up’. That’s an online, in the papers, on social media or just increase from 46.4 percent last year – beating Passengers are staying connected on-board low-cost while out and about – send your contributions for Amtrak, conventional bus and air travel by a wide express bus services like megabus.com. the ‘What a Laugh’ section in the next edition to margin. [email protected] “Staying connected with friends, family and co- “In the past year, megabus.com has nearly doubled workers while on the bus has been a priority for the amount of customers using Wi-Fi onboard. megabus.com since we began service in 2006,” “Data shows that customers surf an average of n We are the Champions said Mike Alvich, megabus.com’s Vice President of 90 minutes per trip, using 15MB per device use – Marketing and Public Relations. despite often travelling through remote areas away THE COUNTDOWN has begun to Stagecoach’s “We understand the importance for customers of from cell towers, which reduces potential bandwidth. 2014 Champions award ceremony. staying connected while travelling and continue to “Power outlets at every seat are another convenient Judges have drawn up the invest our efforts into improving connectivity. way for customers to stay connected on the road.” shortlist of potential winners in this year’s awards, which recognise outstanding efforts and Derby day for achievement in a range of categories. Roadshow expert Arrangements are now being ANTIQUES Roadshow expert and historian Paul made for the presentation event in London later Atterbury joined to mark the this year. Representatives from the Stagecoach 175th anniversary of Derby’s railways. Group Board and senior management will Paul, who has written a number of books on the Paul Atterbury joins East Midlands Trains Engineering Director be present on the night and, once a date is history of the railway, did the honours as a Meridian Tim Sayer at the train-naming ceremony. finalised, all those shortlisted will be notified 222015 was officially named ‘Derby 175’. have added to that list at a naming ceremony is truly with the details. Watch this space! The ceremony was part of a series of events taking exciting.” place throughout the city this year to mark Derby’s Tim Sayer, Engineering Director for East Midlands proud rail heritage and the future role of the railway. Trains, added: “This is a very special year for the Paul said: “Since the 1840s, thousands of city and the naming of one of our Meridian trains locomotives and trains have been built at Derby, as Derby 175 will ensure that people across the one of the most important sites in railway history. country will have a constant reminder of this year’s Many of those carried names, and knowing that I celebrations.” Excellent customer service In the buffers EAST Midlands Trains has topped the rail league table in a DARING rail staff national customer survey. have shed their Carried out by the Institute of Customer Service, the UK uniforms for a Customer Satisfaction Index looks at satisfaction across a revealing charity range of companies spanning 13 different industries. East Midlands Trains was rated as the top train operator, n calendar. Up for the cup South West and seventh of the 25 transport companies included in the survey, which gauges satisfaction across a variety of rail, STAFF from local heroes St Johnstone paid a Trains-Network Rail guards and coach, air travel and ferry providers. special visit to staff at Group headquarters in The survey also recognised the customer service Perth recently. drivers from Fratton Station improvements made by East Midlands Trains, listing the The football team won the Scottish Cup in May rail operator as sixth most improved organisation in the and delighted Stagecoach staff by bringing the produced and starred in the cheeky calendar that UK. trophy to their office. “This is a great achievement and is testament to the hard Stagecoach provided an open-top bus for the leaves little to the imagination! All proceeds go to Macmillan Cancer Support. work and effort of our employees in delivering significantly team to parade through Perth, showing off their improved customer service,” said Neil Micklethwaite, silverware to thousands of local fans. For more information on how to buy a copy, email [email protected] Customer Service and Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains.” 2 Colleagues compete in Driver of the Year ... find out more on page 5. ON STAGE n Top teamwork planning process, which now ensures the smooth Bill bids farewell running of the buses across the region. , and has said farewell to a “My job has been very rewarding and I am most Lakefront Lines teamed up to serve an much-loved and respected bus manager who has proud of what my team has achieved,” said Bill. international religious convention at Metlife announced his retirement after almost 42 years’ “The interaction with people has been brilliant and stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. service in the transport industry. is what I will miss the most, as there has been All three bus companies worked as one solid team Bill Woodward, Service Development Manager tremendous support from the staff. Stagecoach and successfully moved more than 26,000 people from , has been with has been an excellent place to in more than 550 trips to the convention. the company for 35 years and work and has afforded me a has dedicated himself to the bus challenging and fulfilling career.” industry for over four decades, Bill now plans to spend more working at both the Sunderland time with his wife and family, and bus depots in that as well as enjoying his hobbies time. which include photography, At Sunderland, Bill led on a car restoration, genealogy and number of senior projects, railways. including the implementation of North East Commercial Director a computer software system for Robin Knight (right) with Bill the bus scheduling and service Woodward. n Jan’s story ORKNEY bus driver Jan Owen has published a book Ticket office clerks guilty of fraud charting the first 50 years SIX South West Trains ticket office clerks have been Alicia Dunn (34) of Trinity Road, Luton, was of her life. sentenced at Kingston Crown Court after being found sentenced to nine months. David Rudland (67) of Jan – who wrote her guilty of fraud. Digdens Rise, Epsom, was sentenced to 13 months. memoirs under the All six – who previously worked at Richmond ticket Grace Oyegoke (33), of Ingress Gardens, pseudonym Jan Thomas office – were found guilty of conspiracy to commit Greenhithe, was sentenced to nine months – has experienced great fraud after an investigation revealed they had been suspended for two years, 150 hours of unpaid work adversity. The book is a survivor’s defrauding the ticketing and system. to be completed within 12 months and was placed tale covering, abuse, bullying and Asperger’s They were arrested in January 2013 after South on electronically monitored curfew for three months. syndrome, and she hopes it will help other women West Trains asked the British Transport Police to Olufisayo Dada (35), of Loughborough Estate, who may have had similar experiences. investigate an anomaly in the accounting system late Brixton, was sentenced to 18 months for conspiracy A bus driver for eight years, Jan credits her job as in 2012. to commit fraud and a further six months, to run being a positive influence in her life. Fraudulent cards were being sold illicitly to consecutively, after pleading guilty to possessing “Driving buses has been my saviour in terms of unsuspecting customers while the staff kept the false identity documents with intent. being independent,” said Jan. cash. They had also been taking advantage of the till Tim Shoveller, Chief Executive, said: “I am very “It gives me that sense of freedom while on a systems in order to create and use illicit travel cards pleased that the work of the BTP and our own teams reasonable wage, meaning I can support myself.” which were found in locations including their home has led to such a successful result. This sends a ‘I’ll be fine on my own’ by Jan Thomas is addresses. clear sign that there is a severe price to pay for available, in both paperback and Kindle format, at The six were sentenced as follows: people who behave dishonestly and fraudulently. www.amazon.co.uk Linus Okrah (45) of Chester Road, Wanstead, was “We would like to thank BTP and our own sentenced to 18 months. Julia Cann (33) of Trimmer employees who have worked very hard in bringing n We will remember them Walk, Brentford, was sentenced to nine months. this complex and detailed case to justice.” paid its A marathon fundraiser respects during A COACH USA employee has completed the London August 4’s 100th Marathon to raise money for a charity very close to anniversary of the her heart. outbreak of World Supported by her employer, Terrianne Bowen ran the War One. race to support the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation. The company Terrianne’s husband was diagnosed with the rare marked the solemn form of childhood liver cancer and she has raised occasion by more than $8000 for the charity. taking part in an John Griffiths of Unite at Only 200 people worldwide are diagnosed with event organised one of the Leyton Garage memorials. the condition each year, facing surgery to keep the by Transport for disease at bay. London, laying wreaths at three memorials – one Two British people with the same form of cancer at the site of the old West Ham garage and two at went to the marathon to help cheer Terrianne along, Leyton Garage. and she would like to thank everyone who made it A collage of photos of Terrianne taking part in the possible for her to take part. London Marathon. 3 Did you know? was once again the official transport operator for this year’s T in the Park music festival. ON STAGE n Legal move n PICTURE THIS

COACH USA has appointed OUR Picture of the Season slot has now changed Jazmine Estacio as General to Picture This. Photos no longer need to include Counsel. a bus, train or tram but should be transport- Previously, Jazmine served related in some way. as Associate General Counsel This edition’s winner is taken by Jonathan Furr for Coach USA and before Jazmine Estacio, who works for . It shows that held positions with the Red Arrows flying over the Stagecoach Park Control Equity Group, League Coach USA’s new General & Ride site for the Silverstone Grand Prix. Of American Theaters and Counsel. Congratulations to Jonathan who will shortly Producers, and New York City receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers. Mayor Giuliani’s Office. “Jazmine’s promotion is a testament to her hard If you have any good photos for Picture This, please send them to: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, work and she continues to be an invaluable 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email them to [email protected] resource regarding legal matters that Coach USA faces daily,” said Dale Moser, President and COO of Coach USA. Poetry in motion Some of her responsibilities include labour and BUS travellers around Bognor Regis and employee relations, litigation management, Chichester enjoyed some poetic moments on- contract review, corporate governance, board recently. regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, Poems penned by pupils from Jessie environmental issues and counsel on all legal Younghusband School in Chichester and St matters Coach USA faces day to day. Philip Howard Catholic School in Barnham were She is a resident of New York City and received her displayed on the buses following a competition law degree from Saint John’s University Law School run by East. and her undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany. “The pupils worked really hard and it gives us great pleasure to display the poems on our n Ticket to bride buses for the wider community to enjoy,” said local Operations Manager Simon Tramalloni. A KENT bride decided to travel in style to her wedding by catching a bus on her big day. Stagecoach Operations Manager Simon Tramalloni (left) presents Paul Neaves with gifts for Jessie Younghusband School in Chichester, joined by winning poets Ameila Bromell and Max Jeffkins. Charlene Thompson caught the 16A Stagecoach bus and the local Bob to hospital in Portsmouth, and former team decorated Special donation colleagues from South West Trains-Network Rail the vehicle with GRATEFUL fundraisers have collected cash for Alliance raised £150 for the charity – a sum ribbons and an air ambulance service which helped save an matched by the Alliance’s charitable committee. banners to make ex-colleague’s life. Bob said: “I would like to thank the Ryde her journey even Bob Forrester – a retired guard who worked on ambulance team and the air ambulance crew more special the Isle of Wight’s Trains – suffered without whose help I wouldn’t have made it. I Bride-to-be a heart attack during a New Year’s Eve shopping really appreciate the donation my colleagues and Charlene Thompson trip. the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance have on the way to A Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance crew airlifted made to this very worthy cause.” her wedding, accompanied by her dad, Geoff. Classic convoy

A NOSTALGIC fleet of over 40 n Sheriff on tour heritage vehicles was one of the highlights of Exeter bus station’s THE Sheriff of Canterbury took a tour of the 50th anniversary. cathedral city recently, travelling by Stagecoach and the bus. General Omnibus Trust jointly “Public transport is a great way to get about, be it marked the occasion with a special for work, education or leisure,” said the Sheriff, Cllr anniversary event which featured Tony Austin. memorabilia stands and charity “We’re very fortunate to have a fantastic network stalls, plus a local radio presence. of routes in the Canterbury district. The aim of my Visitors had the chance to enjoy a day with Stagecoach was to show off some of our free ride on a heritage vehicle, while main attractions and demonstrate how easy it is to trips through the depot’s bus wash get to them without needing a car.” Heritage vehicles were out in force to celebrate Exeter bus station’s also proved popular. 50th anniversary. 4 New buses go over the sea to Skye ... find out more on page 6. ON STAGE

Training officer Martin LETTERS OF PRAISE Shepherd (left) with The letters below were received from grateful winner Matthew customers – one at Group HQ in Perth and the Baker other at . (centre) and Commercial If you or one of your colleagues has received a letter of praise from a customer, please email a copy to Director [email protected] or post it to Lindsay Reid, Senior Group Communications Manager, Richard Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW. We will publish as many as possible. Davies. n Dear Stagecoach, Dear Stagecoach, Best behind the wheel I use the Stagecoach X76 bus service between On behalf of the Armed Forces Day DRIVERS from went head- Kilmarnock and Glasgow each working day. In my Committee, I would like to express our sincere to-head during recent local heats for Bus Driver of view, it is a superb service. It is comfortable, clean and thanks for Stagecoach’s support of Armed the Year. punctual and the staff are, with only a few exceptions, Forces Day. Matthew Baker from Blackwood depot came out on friendly and helpful. Thank you for providing the Poppy Bus to top, qualifying for the national finals in , I would like to bring to your attention an especially transport personnel from ARRC Innsworth to while Blackwood colleague Lee Davies took second delightful character. Mr Telfer, affectionately known and from the Docks. Thanks also for displaying place and Lukasz Misiak from Cwmbran depot as’Jed’ is an inspector at Buchanan Bus Station. He is our posters on your buses. We had far more came in third. unfailingly polite and courteous, always friendly and people attend the event than last year and I am Blackwood’s Ryan Gardener won the Colin Jones fastidious about his duties. sure that was down to the better publicity that award for the best Highway Code score. One day, I was having a stressful day and suffering we had. a nasty headache. Jed spotted that I was under par It was a super day and I am sure we did n and offered to fetch me paracetamol and water. I have Gloucester and our wonderful Armed Forces Martyn’s a high-flyer to say I have never encountered such customer care proud. A HIGH-SPEED aerial challenge is set to raise a before. Thank you again, The Gloucester Armed Stagecoach London employee’s pulse rate – and Yours faithfully, Dr. John Forces Day Commitee money for a great cause. Martyn Henderson, who is having treatment for bladder cancer, is set to hit 100mph on a mile- long zipwire in North Wales to raise money for Winning ways Macmillan Cancer Care. This is the latest fundraising adventure for Martyn, at Winchester who’s already walked the Great Wall of China and A £3.7 million improvement scheme has added over the Sinai Desert, and tackled white-water rafting 100 extra car parking spaces and better access at down the Zambezi river. Winchester Station. To sponsor Martyn, please visit www.justgiving. Local MP Steve Brine and Sam McCarthy, com/Martyn-Henderson1 Commercial Director of the South West Trains- Network Rail Alliance, officially opened the new station footbridge and car park recently. n Uphill struggle Sam McCarthy welcomes big improvements at Winchester Sam explained: “Our stations are the gateway to our services and we want to make it as easy as possible A GRUELLING 100-mile cycle challenge has raised Station alongside Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. for people to access our stations and trains.” more than £1500 for Leukaemia Lymphoma Research. Stagecoach London driver David Hatch and his Bike boost for charity fellow members of LLR Team Essex took ten hours A MARATHON charity cycling challenge honouring to complete the London Bikeathon, enduring very the memory of a Cardiff schoolboy has received steep hills and punctures along the way. strong support from Stagecoach. Donations are still very welcome via After Owen Morris died tragically during rugby www.justgiving.com/llrteamessex training, a group of his family and friends cycled from Cardiff to Brecon and back over two days to raise money for the charity Cardiac Risk in the A group of riders with the Stagecoach bus. Young (CRY). transport cyclists to and from the start and end of The group, which has raised more than £50,000, each day’s cycling, and for its £250 donation to the thanked Stagecoach for the use of a bus to good cause. School trip saved LLR Team Essex at the end of their 100-mile charity Stagecoach London stepped in recently to ensure local schoolkids enjoyed a great day out. cycle challenge. Youngsters from St Augustine’s raised money for a trip to Chessington but hadn’t covered coach hire, so Stagecoach were happy to help out, making sure the Year 4 class got there and back safely. 5 Did you know? carried 70,000 in one day during the Tour de France, with 35,000 people travelling in just three hours. GREEN SCENE Over the sea to Skye SCOTTISH Citylink has introduced a fresh fleet of new vehicles to its services between Glasgow and Skye. A new contract to operate the route has been awarded to two firms – West Coast Motors and Shiel Buses – which now jointly operate the popular services. Two brand-new vehicles, plus six Staff from ’s Ecclesfield depot and coaches which are newer than the Scouts and Cubs from the 231st Sheffield (Shire Green) Group outside their plastic bottle greenhouse. existing fleet, were introduced on the Shown at the launch of the new Skye coaches are, from lef: Donnie route with a further four brand-new MacGillivary, Shiel Buses; Dave Thompson MSP and David Beaton, Citylink. n Scouts’ honour coaches to be launched early next year. A GENEROUS donation has helped cultivate local The new ones feature toilets, air conditioning and in improvements for our customers. We hope Scouts’ growing interest in gardening. are fully Disability Discrimination Act compliant. passengers will enjoy travelling on these new Stagecoach Yorkshire donated 50 basil plants to At a launch of the new coaches in Kyleakin, vehicles and we look forward to attracting even the 231st Sheffield (Shiregreen) Scout Group after Skye, Scottish Citylink Operations Director David more people on to our greener, smarter coach thieves stole gardening equipment from their hut. Beaton, who lives on the island, was joined services.” Managing Director Paul Lynch said: “We recognise by Skye MSP Dave Thompson and Donald Dave Thompson added: “This is great news for the great things that organisations such as the MacGillivray, Managing Director of Shiel Buses. local people in Skye and Fort William. Good quality Scouts do, and also what they mean for young David Beaton said: “This new contract is a coach links are so important for our communities people in our area. sign of our commitment to the future of this and it’s fantastic that there will now be newer “I hope our donation makes a great addition to their route and demonstrates that we are investing vehicles in operation on this important route.” garden and goes some way to helping replenish what was taken.” Scout Leader Danny Levick added: “We are so Boost for bikers grateful to Stagecoach Yorkshire for their generous TWO new cycling hubs have been opened at donation, and their kind act has already put a smile Sheffield and stations. back on the faces of our Scouts.” East Midlands Trains’ new facilities, which together can accommodate more than 600 bikes, represent n A turtle treat an investment of around £850,000 in Sheffield and RISING to a green challenge earned Sunderland £600,000 in Leicester. schoolkids some Stagecoach treats. Baroness Susan Kramer, the Minister of State for Stagecoach North East invited pupils from St Mary’s Transport, officially opened the new Sheffield cycle RC school to design an environmentally friendly bus hub while Leicester City Deputy Mayor, Councillor of the future. Rory Palmer, opened the new facility at Leicester Phillip Darnton (left), Chair of the Cycle Rail Working Sunderland Depot’s ‘Eco Turtle’ (Driver Rob Taylor) Station. Group; David Horne, Managing Director of East Midlands joined Post Test Trainer Steve Hamilton in a visit to As well as cycle parking, the new hubs have male Trains and Baroness Susan Kramer at the launch of the new Sheffield Station Cycle Hub. the school, handing out goodie bags with eco lunch and female changing rooms, extensive CCTV boxes and recycled plant pots. equipment, a cycle shop and hire and 24-hour Managing Director for East Midlands Trains. The pupils were also treated to a ride on the electronic access using smartcards. “Passengers using these facilities can feel confident company’s new gas buses. “Good cycle facilities are vital for people choosing leaving their cycles knowing that they will be safe, to travel to the station by bike,” said David Horne, secure and protected until they return.” n Panda Visitors enjoy the Perth pickers Family fun for open day. LITTER-PICKING new fleet pandas from A FUN family open day celebrated the Surbiton, Kingston, The Alliance’s WWF fundraising team. launch of a brand-new fleet of eco- Fulwell and Wimbledon Stations raised over £700 friendly buses. for the World Wildlife Trust (WWF). Stagecoach in Perth held the event A team of South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance recently in the grounds of local football employees donned panda T-shirts for the sponsored club St Johnstone FC to showcase the ten new Scotland. litter collection and walk between Surbiton and ADL Enviro 300 buses and lay on a range of kids’ “We planned the family event to encourage people Hampton Court via Thames Ditton. entertainment, free refreshments and giveaways. to experience the new vehicles and learn more Over 20 bags of rubbish were picked up and the “We wanted to introduce the new buses to the about the buses and the services we operate but, event generated a lot of interest from staff and the community, and celebrate the investment we’ve most importantly, to have some fun, completely public. made,” said Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director, free, on one of the last days of the school holidays.” 6 Longest-serving employee retires ... find out more on page 10. ON STAGE n Customers come first Chuck’s chilly challenge A NEW team is keeping customers in the picture MEGABUS.COM at . US mascot Chuck The new customer service department will joined in the global maintain a consistent level of customer contact ice bucket challenge across a range of communication channels, Chuck craze to help raise including social media. money for ALS It’s led by Kirstin Moll, formerly part of the (amyotrophic lateral marketing team, working with ex-Travel Shop sclerosis). Chuck took the plunge assistant Shelby Smith and new recruit Linsey If you, or one of your after being nominated Tullis. colleagues, have a claim to by megabus.com Two new Marketing Assistants have been fame – perhaps a hidden talent, US Operations Director Bryony Chamberlain. He bravely appointed, reporting to Marketing Manager Sarah a meeting with a celebrity or remained cheerful as the freezing bucket-full of ice was Elliott. Toni Gardner and Katie Craig, both recent an interesting hobby – please tipped over his head – and he nominated some of his fellow marketing graduates, have already been involved email details to lindsay.reid@ mascots from other US organisations to take up the same in coordinating information for major network stagecoachgroup.com changes and marketing campaigns over the challenge! summer. “Providing our customers with clear, accurate information in a professional and friendly manner is an ever-important requirement of our business,” Playing it safe said Operations Director Mark Whitelocks. STAGECOACH and South supplied a bus for a school safety session organised by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. n Festival fun Around 300 pupils took part in the cross-school CHILDREN’S stories and songs filled a Stagecoach Road Safety Day to learn about pedestrian and road West Routemaster bus during ’s safety. Jolt Theatre Festival. The firefighters also treated the children to a The event was enjoyed by hundreds of children demonstration of hydraulic equipment used to who boarded the bus to take part in creative rescue casualties after road traffic accidents. workshops during the last weekend of the festival. Some of those who took part in the Road Safety Day. The bus also paid a visit to the Playhouse Nursery in recently. Saints go bussing in CHAMPIONS Saints were paraded through the town on a Stagecoach open-top bus after winning the Rugby Union Premiership. Stagecoach Northampton provided the transport for the team as they celebrated taking the title for the very first time. The driver was Leroy Bain from Northampton, and Assistant Operations Manager Ian Campbell said: “It was a real privilege to be on the bus on this fantastic occasion for the club. Thousands of the Northampton Saints on their triumphant tour of town’s people lined the route to cheer the team.” the town. n Midnight marathon Down to a tee THREE Supertram employees endured a 53-mile TWENTY Stagecoach North East golfers teed walk through the night to raise money for a off in the company’s open golf day recently. colleague’s African cycling adventure. Competitors came from all six of the Abi Barker, Bob Beechill and Matthew Robinson region’s depots, with Kevin Middlemiss from took part in the Triple Monsal Walk in Sunderland depot taking the trophy, playing which took them 24 hours to complete. off a handicap of 12. They have raised more than £250 to support “Everyone said they had a great day out, with Lindsay Horsfield who is tackling a five-day everyone receiving a prize, and that they are cycling challenge in Tanzania in November to raise looking forward to next year’s Open,” said money for the Genesis Research Trust. organiser Jimmy Coyle. Stagecoach North East’s Open golfers. 7 Did you know? Stagecoach London’s West Ham garage featured on Celebrity Masterchef as contestants cooked lunch for employees. ON STAGE n Teamwork rewarded THE SOUTH West Trains-Network Rail Alliance earned an award for Operations and Performance at this year’s Railway Industry Innovation Awards. The honour recognised the work of the Alliance’s Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) initiative which has seen Network Rail’s autumn and winter track treatment trains being operated and maintained by a passenger operator to Rocky leads the convoy of Seasiders improve performance during autumn and around storm-battered Skegness. winter. This new approach has reduced delays caused by autumn leaf-fall and increased treatment Seasiders brave the storms coverage across the whole network. Tim Shoveller, Chief Executive of the South WILD weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the the road in convoy for the first time. West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: “This Skegness Seasiders. “They had a wonderful reception from fellow project has really recognised the strength of The open-top double-deckers all made their debut motorists, holiday-makers and locals – those who our Alliance – working innovatively together, despite the Skegness carnival’s cancellation were out braving the conditions!” delivering improvements and opportunities that following torrential rain and high winds. Stagecoach staff – dressed in their finest summer would not have been realised before.” Mark Mageean, Stagecoach’s Skegness Operations holiday outfits despite the wind and rain – Manager, explained: “Everyone was so disappointed travelled on the Seasiders, waving to all the holiday- n about the carnival but we decided we would take makers and playing the Seasiders music recorded Steve sets the pace the Seasiders out when there was a lull in the by a group of drivers forming the band No Direction. FUNDRAISER Steve Gibbs is travelling from weather. Visit www.skegnessseasiders.co.uk for more Land’s End to John O’ Groats and back using “So Rocky, Salty, Shelly, Sandy, Candy and Pierre hit information. only public transport for Children in Need. Steve – believed to be the first man with heart pacemaker to take on the challenge – is pictured with Stagecoach West Marketing On the road Assistant Charlotte Potter, Assistant Operations to success Manager Mark Rosaman and Commercial Analyst James Heaney following the NINE Stagecoach UK Bus employees Cheltenham to leg of his journey. successfully completed the Staff Development Programme and attended a presentation evening in Worksop, with Robert Andrew, UK Bus Regional Director South. Two of the trainees have already been promoted to their first management roles, whilst the others will be gaining more management experience and Staff Development Programme trainees with Regional skills over the coming months, preparing to Director Robert Andrew (centre). progress into permanent management roles. managers within the UK Bus division have now Three Directors and 69 managers or assistant completed the Staff Development Programme. Driving for perfection SOUTH London bus drivers came out on top n Pedal power as Stagecoach held its Bus Driver of the Year competition at West Ham Garage. FIVE Stagecoach Midlands drivers raised money More than 70 entries were received, from which for the British Heart Foundation by completing 30 were selected to take part in the final event the charity’s London to Brighton Night Cycle which involved a driving accuracy course, a theory Ride. test and a hazard perception test. Iain Callaghan, Barry Marlow, Robert Galvin, James Monk came first, followed by his fellow Jose Oliveira and Craig Fallon raised £1,400 Plumstead colleague Paul Walford in second. Third from friends, family, passengers and other and fourth places went Antioco Collu of Bromley drivers at the depot, and Stagecoach Midlands and Barking’s Iftekhar Kashmiri respectively. presented them with a cheque for a further All four now go on to compete in the national £700 to bring their total to £2,100. Driving accuracy was one of the tests in the Bus Driver of the Year competition. finals in Blackpool.

8 Did you know? Two old school friends were reunited after 50 years when they met at the launch of the new Oxford Tube fleet. ON STAGE

Cheryl Thompson, Stagecoach North East Customer Communications Assistant, provided this recipe for her TOP RECIPE delicious ‘blondie’ brownies which she brings into the office on occasion to the delight of local staff. Some of the long-serving Stagecoach North East employees rewarded The four Stockton drivers celebrating at a recent dinner. 40 years’ service. Cheryl’s ‘blondies’ Ingredients 230g butter, plus extra for greasing; 340g dark Long-service celebrations brown sugar; Pinch of salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; LONG-SERVING staff at Stagecoach North East depot after achieving a massive 40 years of service 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 280g plain flour; ½ tsp have been recognised and celebrated for their each. bicarbonate of soda; 1 tsp baking powder; 240g commitment. Ian Jameson, John Bacon, Ken Smith and white chocolate, chopped into small chunks; 4 A total of 85 members of staff were awarded for Alfie Morgan all joined the company in spring tbsp dried cranberries (optional). their long service for the company, which altogether 1974, although the depot then was under the • Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Lightly equals an impressive 2,555 years. management of Cleveland Transit. All four feel butter a 23cm square cake tin and line with Among them was bus driver Malcolm Bell (69) from tremendously proud of their achievement and still greaseproof paper. depot who was recognised for 45 years’ enjoy the job just as much as when they started, • Melt the butter in a saucepan and whisk in the service. although a lot has changed since then. sugar and salt. A good whisk now will make “My father-in-law was an inspector at the bus Addressing all of the long-serving employees, Phil the mixture slightly lighter and fluffier. Add the company and got me the job,” said Malcolm. Medlicott, Managing Director of Stagecoach North vanilla extract and whisk again. Remove from “I started out in the driving school and then became East, said: “The bus industry is all about people the heat. a bus driver. I thoroughly enjoy my job and if I had to and we are fortunate to have a team of dedicated • Add the eggs to the butter mixture and stir do it all again I would.” individuals. It’s fantastic to see so many members well. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and Meanwhile, four bus drivers from Teesside are of staff achieving awards and I thank them all for baking powder into a large bowl, then whisk celebrating a shared 40th anniversary with Stockton their hard work over the years.” in the egg and butter mixture a little at a time. It’s important to do this in stages so you don’t get any lumps. • Leave the mixture to cool slightly, then fold in A flying start the chocolate chunks and the cranberries. If the rallied behind a local Air mixture is too hot, the chocolate will melt. Training Corps, donating £200 on a ‘Uniform to Work • Spoon into the prepared cake tin and spread out Day’ which coincided with Armed Forces Weekend. evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the outer Operations Manager Richard Tandy handed over edges are firm and the middle still a little soft. the cheque to Flying Officer Maria Muggridge, • Leave to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 Commanding officer of 88 (Battle) Squadron – the minutes, then cut into squares before serving. country’s newest ATC squadron. A Stagecoach service at the new bus station in Andover. Once cooled, the blondies will keep in an airtight The ATC thanked container for up to a week. Stagecoach for Andover makeover their generous A NEW-LOOK station is set to attract more bus n All aboard for bookworms donation which will travellers in Andover. help to buy a new Andover bus station reopened recently following A BUS for bookworms is being created at a computer. the high-quality refurbishment, and Pete Robinson, Rugby school, thanks to a Stagecoach Midlands Flying Office Maria Stagecoach’s Operations Manager, described the donation. Muggridge receives project as ‘fantastic news for both our drivers and The red London bus has been donated to the cheque from passengers’. Stagecoach South Boughton Leigh Infant School and they plan to East’s Richard Tandy. “We feel they will really see the positive effect this will transform the vehicle into a school library. have on the delivery of their bus services,” added Pete. Head Teacher Andrew Moorcroft said: “We are so pleased with the new resource and all the children are really excited about using it. Due to popular demand “This would not have been possible without MEGABUS.COM has doubled the number of daily services between London and Barcelona following strong donations from Stagecoach and support from passenger demand during the first month of its new service. local businesses on the refurbishment, so we The new coach service, offering fares from just €1, began running between London and Barcelona, via Paris are very grateful.” and Toulouse, in July. It has already proved popular, with thousands of passengers having used the route. The company now operates two services a day in each direction between Barcelona-Toulouse-Paris-London. 9 THE PEOPLE PAGE ON STAGE n APPOINTMENTS n GETTING TO KNOW YOU... STAGECOACH North East has Mick Price, Operations Control Manager, Sheffield. appointed Gary Chisholm as its new Engineering Director. ■■ Who are you? Mick Price. Operations Control ■■ Favourite Gary has worked for Manager, Stagecoach Supertram in Sheffield. music? I love Stagecoach for 14 years. I’ve been at Supertram for 19 years and I’ve music of all eras, He previously served in the been in the public transport industry for almost acoustic music is North East as Engineering New Engineering 40 years. always best. Manager in Director Gary ■■ What do you like most about your job? The ■■ Person you and Stockton, before his most Chisholm. challenges – a good knotty problem. I haven’t would most like recent role as Engineering been disappointed so far. to have dinner Director for . ■■ What do you like least about your job? Being with? I’m not He said: “I am looking forward to the new on-call every six weeks. very good at challenges that this role will bring and to working ■■ Favourite food? Sugar and saturated fat – small talk so just with new vehicle technology, including the new preferably in the same dish. me and a cake would be OK. buses at Sunderland depot that are powered by ■■ Least favourite food? Shellfish. ■■ First thing you would buy if you won £1 compressed natural gas.” ■■ What are you most proud of? My kids. They million? An MG J series. Meanwhile, Stagecoach North East has also grew up OK despite having a strange Dad! welcomed new Operations Manager Laura Smith ■■ Favourite holiday destination? Anywhere quiet Getting To Know You features in every edition to the team at its Sunderland bus depot. with plenty of history. of On Stage and we want to hear from as many Leeds-born Laura (28) was previously Operations ■■ Most embarrassing moment? I can make staff as possible. To suggest the next participant, Manager for Stagecoach in Cheltenham and the myself blush so have two or three moments a email [email protected] Cotswolds. day! The worst are unprintable. “The North East is one of the most forward- thinking areas, investing in new technology and n RETIRALS improvements to the industry, along with its striving ambition to be environmentally friendly,” STAGECOACH’S longest-serving employee has finally hung up his broom after said Laura. serving 62 loyal years with the Group and its predecessors. “I am keen to develop my role and build on my A former cash office clerk, Winchester bus cleaner Neville Gosling (77) worked at experience to help achieve this ambition for the the company’s Bar End bus depot. region.” He joined what was then Hants & Bus Co. in 1952 and has worked for Stagecoach since 1987. n “Neville is well known and very highly respected amongst the Winchester team,” LONG SERVICE said Andrew Dyer, Regional Managing Director for Stagecoach. “We have a small number of exceptionally long-serving employees but we MERSEYSIDE and South discovered, six years ago, that Neville was the longest-serving member of staff at Lancashire employee Eddie Stagecoach and we believe still holds the longest service record for the entire UK Ellison is celebrating 45 bus industry! years’ service, having joining Neville Gosling. “We wish him the very best in his retirement.” the bus industry in 1969. Eddie first worked as a parcel Travel Shop clerk Merete boy before moving from the Rawbone has retired after 20 years. company’s Manchester Road Merete, who was the longest-serving employee at office to Preston, to Blackpool and then back to the shop, celebrated her retirement with a special Preston again where he is a cash clerk. lunch and received presents and flowers from Eddie’s colleagues at and colleagues. South Lancashire congratulated him on reaching “She will really be this major milestone. sorely missed,” said Jayson Smith, Operations Manager n CONTACTS at Stagecoach Leamington Spa. Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach “Merete has truly Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW made an invaluable Keith Walsh and his family celebrate his retirement. Email: [email protected] contribution to the LONDON bus driver Keith Walsh recently retired from If you have a story for On Stage, please contact successful running of Romford Garage after 34 years’ service. Lindsay Reid as above. The copy deadline for the shop over these Keith was very active with the TGWU and served as the next edition of On Stage will be Friday, 17 20 years. the local convener for a time. October 2014. Merete added: “It has been a very good and varied His family visited the depot to wave him off on his job, and I have worked with lovely colleagues over final shift, and Romford staff wished him all the best the years. I am 67, so it’s about time I retired.” for his retirement. 10