Issue 82 | November 2010

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Our drivers are Stagecoach shines at among the best STAGECOACH prestigious events drivers have come out on top ONCE again proving its credentials at the 2010 Bus o as one of the country’s top Driver of the Year transport operators, Stagecoach has been competition. at the heart of two recent major global At the national events.  nals in , Top Stagecoach driver During the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Sheila King is pictured the UK, Stagecoach undertook Scotland’s Scotland driver Brian with her trophy. largest ever private hire contract to transport Hurcombe was Best around 65,000 people to ’s Competitor in Scotland while Simon Furley Bellahouston Park for an open-air Mass. from was Best And, less than a month later, Stagecoach Competitor in Wales. transported 120,000 golf spectators to the And Sheila King, , was Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor near Newport in top amongst 22 Stagecoach UK Bus . representatives,  nishing seventh overall. The extensive transport operation for the Sheila said: “My jaw hit the  oor when I Papal visit involved bus, rail and subway heard the results. I’m absolutely thrilled.” services and covered more than 160 towns and Andrew Stewart, , cities across every region in Scotland. More The transport operation for Pope Benedict was the second highest placed Stagecoach than 400 parishes in Scotland were each given XVI’s visit to Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. driver, in 11th place overall. their own detailed travel arrangements. Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Historic and rail operators across the country.” Les Warneford said: “We are extremely During the Ryder Cup, Stagecoach South proud of all of our  nalists.” The detailed advance planning, which involved Wales operated around 140 vehicles a day from a number of partner organisations, ensured the two park and ride sites to transport more than transport operation ran smoothly throughout the 30,000 people each day to the event. Bad weather Outstanding deals day and the event was a great success. meant that the event had to be extended to a TRAVELZOO has shortlisted Stagecoach Scotland Regional Director Sam fourth day and Stagecoach reacted by drafting in .com in North America Greer said: “It was an honour for us to have been 100 buses to ensure spectators could enjoy all of for an honour at the 2010 Travelzoo asked to undertake this prestigious contract and the action. awards. we are very proud to have played our part in Managing Director The awards celebrate the companies making this historic event a success. John Gould said: “Buses and drivers came from all behind the best travel deals and megabus. “The logistics of transporting so many people over the UK, quite literally from the south coast com has been shortlisted in the Leading to one location were very challenging. However, of to the Highlands of Scotland. Provider of Outstanding Car Rental and our team did a fantastic job to ensure that “Each day of the event presented di erent Bus Deals category. It was also winner of the everyone got to and from the event safely and in challenges but our sta were excellent and we same category in the 2009 Travelzoo awards. an organised manner. We are also very grateful for have received extremely positive feedback from the assistance we have received from other bus many people.”

Collecting the award on behalf of East Rail franchises Midlands Trains, Safety and Environment honoured at Director David Maxwell said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is recognition of the hard national awards work and support of all our sta , who are STAGECOACH Group’s rail enthusiastically delivering this strategy day in, franchises were honoured at the 2010 day out.” National Rail Awards. impressed judges with scooped the award for The East Midlands Trains team with its consistent record of excellent punctuality. Environmental Excellence at the London Rail Minister Theresa Villiers. Commenting on the award, South West Trains awards ceremony and South West Trains Managing Director Andy Pitt said: “This award received a Highly Commended Award in the East Midlands Trains also picked up the Highly is testament to the hard work of the whole team prestigious category of Passenger Operator Commended Award for Innovation of the Year for at South West Trains, particularly our front-line of the Year for its outstanding operational its ‘interactive virtual train’ programme which is sta , who work tirelessly every day to provide performance in what is the largest and most used to train drivers and other sta more easily and the best service possible for our passengers, complex of all UK rail franchises. e ciently. sometimes under very di cult circumstances.”

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Supertram launches special tram livery Supertram has launched a new livery on one of its trams to celebrate the important role of trams in the city. October marked 50 years since the last She eld Corporation tram made its  nal journey through the City streets. To mark this occasion, and to celebrate the enormous contribution that trams have made over the years to the city’s pro le, Stagecoach has brought together the old and the new by introducing a period livery on one of its vehicles. Tim Shoveller said: “Throughout the years, trams have played a hugely Pictured admiring the new tram livery are, from left: Stagecoach important role in She eld and they continue to do so. Light Rail Managing Director Tim Shoveller; David Young, Director “We’re pleased to be able to combine old and new with this new livery and of Customer Experience, SYPTE and Supertram General Manager hope people will enjoy using this tram as it serves the city.” Glenn Stocks. The new design will remain in service until the end of the year. Entrepreneurial Tickets, quick-smart! spirit recognised WHEN it comes to smartcards, THE Chief Stagecoach is ahead of the pack. Executive of The Group has become the  rst major UK Stagecoach bus operator to complete the installation of Group has Government-standard smartcard ticket machines received a major on its entire UK bus  eet outside London. UK entrepreneur All 7,000 vehicles in Stagecoach’s regional bus award. operations are now ready to move forward with the acceptance of smartcard transactions using the – co-founder of Government’s preferred ITSO technology, with Stagecoach, which is over half already accepting ITSO smartcards in celebrating its 30th Brian Souter, UK live schemes. anniversary – was Master Entrepreneur In London, all of the company’s 1,400 buses of the Year. accept Transport for London’s Oyster card. named UK Master Swiping reforms: The StagecoachSmart card is Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2010 Ernst & The milestone was reached just weeks after already making public transport journeys easier. Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Local Transport Minister Norman Baker In June, Brian Souter was named Ernst & announced his aspiration for all public transport 50 stations on the South West Trains network Young Scotland Overall Entrepreneur of the to be covered by smartcard technology. and the East Midlands Trains ITSO smartcard Year 2010, and collected a major European He said: “The bene ts of smart ticketing are implementation project also well under way. award in Paris for a career of service to obvious: quicker, easier and potentially better Stagecoach also accepts English National public transport. value journeys on trains, buses and trams. Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) “That is why I am pleased Stagecoach is smartcards in and also showing a commitment to rolling out schemes launched its ENCTS smartcard scheme across Greener and smarter across the country and I congratulate them on Northamptonshire earlier this month. their progress.” Martin Gri ths, Stagecoach Group Finance STAGECOACH has been rated as Stagecoach is the only UK bus operator to Director, said: “StagecoachSmart is another step one of the UK businesses most likely have launched its own smartcard scheme – forward in making it easier for people to travel to gain from the increasing challenge StagecoachSmart – across two entire operating and make integrated journeys using public of sustainability and its impact on companies, with the scheme now live across both transport. company performance, according to Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire. “Stagecoach delivers the best-value bus travel a new study. The company is also the  rst to pioneer the use of any major operator in the country and our The survey, carried out by the Observer of ITSO smartcard technology on both bus and investment in new technology means we can newspaper in conjunction with Co- rail with StagecoachSmart also live at more than provide greener, smarter travel for our passengers.” operative Asset Management, assessed the impact of sustainability on the prospects of more than 300 of Britain’s biggest plcs. Back on the buses in London Stagecoach’s ecological performance put it among the leading 5% of UK companies STAGECOACH Group has returned to the new business, which employs around 4,800 surveyed. the London bus market after acquiring East and operates 1,400 buses. Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate London Bus Group. Chris Bowles, currently Managing Director Communications, said: “We o er greener, Stagecoach – which sold the East London Bus Stagecoach North West, has now been smarter travel solutions and we are pleased business in 2006 – reached a £53 million deal appointed Managing Director, Stagecoach this latest survey recognises that we are well for the company which is the third largest bus , with e ect from November 8. placed to bene t from the increasing global operator in London with an estimated 15% share Stagecoach has also con rmed that Paul drive to make lifestyles and business more of the market. Following the acquisition, Mark Southgate has been appointed Managing sustainable.” Threapleton, formerly Managing Director at Director Stagecoach North West, e ective from , was appointed to head up the same date.

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( Overheard on a South West You what?! Trains service into Waterloo) Woman: On approaching a seat that had someone’s bag on it: “I’m sorry, can I sit down?” Owner of the bag: “Yes, I would have thought so. It’s a skill most of us are born with. You usually push your knees out and gently lower yourself.” Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments to [email protected] The charity cyclists in action. On your bike A TEAM of Stagecoach employees Nominations rolling in from Witney have raised more than £2700 through a charity cycle without FOR the fourth consecutive year, CBS Outdoor Bus Marketing Campaign moving an inch! Stagecoach has achieved the highest of the Year Award), Stagecoach UK Bus, The group of depot drivers, managers number of shortlisted nominations at the Merseyside Contactless Payment Pilot and admin sta cycled 160 miles on four UK Bus Awards. (The Alexander Dennis Innovation Award), exercise bikes to raise the cash for the After winning more awards than any other bus Stagecoach Manchester, Unirider (Winning Against Breast Cancer charity. operator at the previous three ceremonies, the New Customers), Darren Roe, Stagecoach group has 15 shortlisted entries this year. Manchester (Engineer of the Year, sponsored by Stagecoach East is shortlisted for the Shire IRTE), Mike Butt, Stagecoach West (Young Operator of the Year award while Stagecoach Manager of the Year), Mark Whitelocks, Terra trots in Manchester and are  nalists and formerly in the City Operator of the Year. All three are Stagecoach West (Young Manager of the Year). to Perth HQ in the running for the UK Bus Operator of the Stagecoach has also been shortlisted for a host STAGECOACH-SPONSORED Year. of top honours at the 2010 Scottish Transport guide dog puppy Terra recently The full list of shortlisted Stagecoach entries is: Awards. visited Group headquarters in Perth. Stagecoach Yorkshire (The BAE The group has been shortlisted as Public The six- Systems City Operator Award), Stagecoach Transport Operator of the Year for its Fife bus month-old Manchester (The BAE Systems City Operator operations. Two companies have been shortlisted pup – who was Award), Stagecoach East (The Shire in the Transport Partnership of the Year category: named through Operator Award), Hyde Road, Manchester, Stagecoach in Perth for its partnership with a Stagecoach Stagecoach Manchester (Top National Bus Perth and Kinross Council and Aviva, which competition – Depot), Stagecoach East – X5 led to the introduction of a new network of bus is progressing to (Volvo Express Coach Operation services operating to the Aviva o ces in Perth; well with his of the Year Award), Stagecoach East and for its partnership with training and is Scotland – Express City Connect (Volvo Aberdeenshire Council on the popular Buchan described by Terra. Express Coach Operation of the Year Award), Link service. his trainer as Stagecoach Oxfordshire – Oxford Tube In the Best Bus Service category, Highlands “an absolutely lovely dog with a fantastic (Volvo Express Coach Operation of the Year and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) is temperament”. Award), Stagecoach North West, nominated for the Stagecoach-operated and Lakes Promotion (The Bus in the Airport Jet Network, while Fife Council is Countryside Award), Stagecoach South West, nominated for the X42 service between Victoria New and improved Go2 (The Bus in the Countryside Award), Hospital, Kirkcaldy, and Ninewells Hospital, Stagecoach East Kent, It’s a Breeze (The Dundee, which is operated by Stagecoach in Fife. STAGECOACH Group is making improvements to its budget coach-rail service megabusplus.com More relaxing The integrated coach and rail service, o ering fares from just £1, operates to go by bus from York, Hull, Scunthorpe, Bradford, Harrogate, Halifax, Hudders eld and RESEARCH conducted by Stagecoach Castleford. North East has shown that most people in Passengers travel on a comfortable coach Middlesbrough believe that commuting by to East Midlands Parkway Station where bus is more relaxing than travelling by car, they board an East Midlands Trains service and that they can make more of their time to take them to London St Pancras. by catching up with everyday activities. New measures improving services for A survey carried out among 100 respondents passengers will see a daily service once in Middlesbrough found that 64% already again operating to and from Doncaster, travelled by bus and noted that they found while an extra service will operate each leaving the car at home resulted in a less stressful day from Harrogate. York will also receive travel experience, especially in relation to an additional pick-up point. commuting to and from work in the rush hour tra c.

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Spotlight on… East Midlands Trains Catering Team THE East Midlands Trains Catering Team is based in Waterfront House, Nottingham, and is made up of Adrian Allen, Catering Manager; Lew Greaves, Catering Analyst; Faye Meredith, Compliance Auditor; and Mel Smith and Margaret Game, Catering Data Assistants. The Supertram fundraisers during their sponsored walk. The team aims to ensure that passengers receive a consistently desirable catering o er. To do this they constantly evaluate the service provided as well as managing the logistical side of the operation, managing the delivery of service from suppliers and monitoring the environmental Supertram stars impact of their operations. FUNDRAISERS from She eld To make suggestions to the catering team or  nd out more email Supertram have completed a 42-mile [email protected] sponsored walk to raise £1,950 for charity. The group of Supertram sta completed Bus and rail the famous Lyke Wake Walk across the Yorkshire Moors in 18 hours to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity. interchange at Top tram awards Farnborough Stagecoach Group’s tram SOUTH West Trains and Stagecoach operations in She eld and South joined forces to open a newly Manchester earned top honours at redesigned bus and coach interchange at the Light Rail Awards. Farnborough station. Stagecoach Supertram in She eld won The refurbished station forecourt area is Innovation of the Year for its novel switch equipped with real-time information screens and wear gauge. shelters and the newly opened dedicated bus and The Supertram team was highly coach area will allow Stagecoach South to start Andy Pitt (left) and Andrew Dyer o cially commended for Project of the Year for its operating its popular VIP bus service, Goldline, at open the new interchange. ‘Under oor Project’. the station. And Stagecoach Metrolink was highly The station forecourt also has new dedicated railway more accessible for everyone. commended for the introduction of its new taxi lanes as well as a 20-minute waiting and At the o cial opening, Andy Pitt, South portable ticket machines. pick-up area. West Trains’ Managing Director, said: “We are In addition, the scheme has created safe walking extremely pleased to be working with our routes and improved the overall safety at the colleagues in Stagecoach South to deliver Awareness is key station as well as reducing congestion. this new interchange facility. Passengers using DURING Breast Cancer Awareness The start of the second phase of works has also Farnborough station can now bene t from Month in October, Stagecoach UK been announced by Network Rail. This will direct access to Goldline buses, providing fast and Bus played its part in raising awareness include the construction of a new footbridge and frequent, high-quality links to our train services.” by supplying a ‘Breast Sense’ education two new lifts, funded through the Department Andrew Dyer, Stagecoach South Managing pack to all female employees for Transport’s Access for All scheme, providing Director, added: “Stagecoach South is proud to be throughout the UK. passengers with step-free access between the involved in the project, which we hope will be a station entrance and the platforms, making the great success.”

Station pride at Hamworthy was highly commended for the way the station sta transformed the station into South West Trains a safe, clean and welcoming environment from being a station that was considered unattractive STAFF at South West Trains stations and su ering from anti-social behaviour and are celebrating after the winners of the litter. company’s annual Station Pride Awards Ian Johnston, Customer Service Director for were announced. South West Trains, said: “These awards recognise Parkstone was named Best Small Station this the hard work and dedication of our sta in year. The judges were particularly impressed very di erent circumstances from small to large with the sta ’s positive attitude and creative South West Trains’ Station Pride Awards winners. stations and sometimes operating in an extremely initiatives to welcome passengers and deliver sometimes in very di cult circumstances. challenging environment. For many passengers the best possible customer service. Bournemouth won Best Large Station. Judges praised travelling with us, the station is their  rst contact In the medium stations category, Feltham sta for their environmentally friendly pioneering with South West Trains so it’s absolutely crucial was winner due to the outstanding care attitude, with measures to encourage recycling and a that they start their journey with a positive and attention given to passengers by sta , pilot scheme to install chemical-free toilets. impression.”

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Happy third birthday to Gold

THIS month, Stagecoach celebrates the third anniversary of the introduction of its successful luxury Gold service at a number of its UK Bus companies. Launched in Perth and Warwickshire in late 2007, the brand was originally called Goldline, o ering passengers superior comfort, service guarantees and state-of-the art green travel. Passengers travelling on the services can enjoy leather high-backed coach seats, specially- designed  ooring, track lighting and a softer fabric The launch of the original Goldline brand in Warwickshire. interior, cleaner and greener engines, CCTV and a customer promise and sta charter with service they are getting. With Gold we have recent satisfaction results produced by Passenger guaranteed service standards. shown that it is possible to attract new bus Focus which showed that 84% to 92% of Since then the product, which has been users by o ering something slightly di erent to passengers were very or fairly satis ed with their re-branded as , has been rolled complement our existing services across the UK bus service overall. out to , Oxford and Blackwater and we will continue to build on the success we The results show that 97% of respondents are Valley and results show it has achieved modal shift have achieved so far.” satis ed or very satis ed with the frequency of and attracted a new demographic of customer. Research to date has highlighted that customer the service, 95% are satis ed or very satis ed with Stagecoach UK Bus Service Performance perception of Stagecoach Gold so far outweighs driver attitude and 94% of those surveyed are Director Robert Montgomery said: “Stagecoach any previous satisfaction levels recorded in satis ed or very satis ed with the punctuality of Gold has proved to be a very successful product. UK Bus. The results show that 96% to 98% of their Stagecoach Gold service. It has generated more passengers and the results Stagecoach Gold customers are satis ed or very Below are just some of the Stagecoach Gold show that these passengers are happy with the satis ed with the service overall, far exceeding success stories: 1 Perth 2 Cheltenham 3 Aldershot Launched in Perth in November 2007, the The Cheltenham Gold service was Since its launch in 2009, Stagecoach Gold in new initiative increased passenger numbers by launched in September 2009. At the time, Blackwater Valley has achieved year-one growth 2.2% and the service has continued to improve, Stagecoach West’s  agship 94 Cheltenham to of 10% in bus revenue and a 10% increase in now carrying over 21,500 passengers per week – route was approaching the end of patronage. To date, in year two, the growth an overall increase of 6%. Performance statistics, its current life cycle. Growth on the route had is a further 8% in on bus revenue and 7% in measured soon after the launch, indicated that reached a plateau and it was concluded that passengers. In August 2010 the service was 96% of passengers were satis ed or very satis ed organic growth was no longer possible. In the diverted into a new interchange at Farnborough with the Stagecoach Gold service 7, an increase  rst year Stagecoach Gold increased passenger and, working together with South West Trains, of 4% since the service improvements and one of numbers by 4.2% and on-bus revenue by the management team at Stagecoach South has the highest satisfaction rates in the UK. 10.5%. The service continues to grow. encouraged further passenger growth.

Stagecoach Gold vehicles at the new Setting the Gold standard in Perth. Stagecoach Gold in Cheltenham. Farnborough Station interchange

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WIN A Picture of £50 VOUCHER the Season THIS edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by David Maher who works for . It shows a vehicle out and about in Toronto. Congratulations to David who will shortly receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers. Liam with South West Trains driver If you think you have a picture that captures Ben Johnson. one of the four seasons, please send your image to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Liam’s big day Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to [email protected] TRAIN enthusiast Liam Derbyshire was recently treated to an unforgettable birthday with the South West Trains team. Liam, who has a life-threatening condition, Wi-Fi service travelled with his family from Fareham to London Waterloo for a birthday party organised by South West Trains’ Head of for Midlands Guards, Stella Morris. EAST Midlands Trains has begun the Besides getting a birthday cake and his roll-out of a brand new on-board Wi-Fi own Fareham Station sign, he was treated service. to a very rare ride in the driver’s cab. And, The new service, which is being installed on on his way home, Liam shadowed the all train services to and from London, will o er guard and was shown how to make train passengers easy access to the internet, email and announcements. other online applications, whether for work or Liam’s mum Karen said: “Liam has a leisure purposes. First Class passengers will bene t passion for trains and we could not think of from complimentary access to the service, whilst anything more  tting to celebrate his 11th other passengers will need to pay a small charge birthday.” using a debit or credit card through the online Stagecoach Group has also o ered £200 secure payment page. to Naomi House, which provides support to Jayne Moyses, Sales Manager for East Midlands Jayne Moyses, Sales Manager for East Midlands Liam and other children with life-limiting Trains, said: “We’re constantly looking at how we Trains demonstrates the new on board Wi-Fi. conditions from across the Wessex Region. can further improve our service and we know the “We already provide complimentary access to launch of on-board internet access will make a the internet at  eld and She eld stations real di erence for our passengers. and through our First Class lounges at Derby, Light rail new “We’ll be installing the latest technology, , Nottingham and London St Pancras. utilising multiple mobile connections, providing The roll-out to our train services will help appointments our passengers with the best possible service and passengers to work even more e ciently whilst speed. on the move.” STAGECOACH Group has made some new management appoint- ments at its UK light rail division. Improvements at Southampton Tim Shoveller was appointed in July this year to directly oversee management SOUTH West Trains, in partnership The next phase will see the renovation of of the Group’s light rail operations in with Network Rail and Southampton the station building to include a new platform Manchester and She eld. City Council, has announced the start of entrance, an enlarged booking hall and a bright Following a review, the following a £3 million scheme to bring passenger waiting room with natural light and new appointments have been made: improvements to Southampton Central passenger toilets. • Glenn Stocks has been appointed station. This will also include General Manager for Stagecoach The scheme new and replacement Supertram will provide waiting shelters and • Carl Williams is con rmed as General a completely canopies. Manager for Stagecoach Metrolink refurbished station South West Trains • Chris Coleman has been appointed to with improved Managing Director the new position of General Manager facilities for Andy Pitt said: “The new (Customer Services and Commercial) passengers. entrance will provide a for the Group’s light rail interests The  rst phase new gateway to the city • Andrew Timms has taken on the new of the work, now and we hope to see more role of General Manager (Finance) for completed, brought people choosing our The new-look facilities at trains as their favourite the light rail division. a new ticket o ce Southampton Central. and retail unit. mode of transport.”

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Engine cut-offs save on fuel and emissions AUTOMATIC engine cut-o technology is being introduced to Stagecoach’s  eet of 54 buses at its Eastbourne depot. To date the company has converted 22 of its Eastbourne bus  eet with the technology and hopes to have all vehicles equipped within six months. “Provided the driver does not have the bus in gear, the sensor will automatically switch o an engine that has been idling longer than  ve minutes,” said Phil Medlicott, Stagecoach MD in East Kent and East Sussex. “We estimate that this will save up to a litre of fuel a day per bus. “This will help us reduce fuel costs and limit the level of emissions when the bus is at a standstill.” (From left) : Phil Medlicott and Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd meet to discuss the project.

On standby New clothes are all bottle green! DRIVERS’ clothes are turning green! bottles are disposed of each year, and the plastic EAST Midlands Trains has launched Stagecoach is set to issue its UK bus drivers can take up to 400 years to break down in land ll an initiative to cut fuel consumption with new workwear made from a material sites. and reduce carbon by the equivalent of created from recycled plastic bottles. Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, Les taking 705 cars a year o the road. The Group, which employs more than 14,000 Warneford, said: “This project is a great example The Energy Saving Mode initiative, being bus drivers across the UK, has adopted the of the bene ts of recycling and we look forward introduced on the company’s 27 Meridian unusual garment as part of its commitment to to rolling this out to all of our UK Bus drivers.” trains, allows engines to be turned o while becoming a more sustainable business. the trains are sitting in stations, resulting in The move could save around 350,000 plastic reduced noise emissions. bottles being disposed of in land ll sites. The new technology means that when a Designed and supplied by Incorporatewear, the train has stood still in a station for more than new  eece is based on a core fabric of recycled seven minutes, it will automatically go into PET polyester, a type of plastic that is used as a standby mode, shutting down virtually all raw material for making packaging materials such Stockport driver the engines and reducing carbon emissions. as bottles and containers, and is one of the most Michael Dawson models one of the new Passengers will still be able to board the common consumer plastics used. recycled  eece jackets. train in Energy Saving Mode, and the doors, In the UK alone, an estimated 13 billion plastic electronic seat reservations/display screens, Wi-Fi and toilets will all work as normal. Full power will be restored to the train a Streetpods for Alsager Station few minutes before departure allowing all GREENER cycle storage facilities have been introduced by East Midlands Trains at on-board services to operate at departure Alsager Station. time. Two new Streetpods – made of 100% recycled material and 100% recyclable – are now installed Matt Browne, Head of Environment for on platform two, providing space to securely store four bikes. East Midlands Trains, said: “We’re always East Midlands Trains’ Customer Service Director, David Horne said: “This is a fantastic product, looking for ways to make train travel even providing maximum bike protection for our cyclists.” greener.” Going green in Manchester STAGECOACH Manchester has become the second of the Group’s bus companies to launch electric hybrid buses. Following the introduction of 26 of the cleaner, greener vehicles in Oxfordshire, Manchester has introduced a  eet of 30 vehicles to its operations. The vehicles are manufactured by Alexander Dennis and BAE Systems and produce 30% less carbon emissions than standard buses. The new vehicles in Oxford and Manchester represent a £16 million investment, £5 million of which is being provided through a support package from the Department for Transport’s Green Bus Fund. Mark Threapleton, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “The new buses are part of Stagecoach Manchester’s continuing investment into a greener, more environmentally friendly way of travelling, and the drive to get Manchester on-board with climate change.” One of Manchester’s new electric hybrid buses.

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Getting into the habit COACH Canada teamed up with Habitat for Humanity this year by sponsoring a team-building day. Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and District is a community- based, non-pro t, faith-based organisation working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Its mission is to build a ordable housing and to promote home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty through the help of volunteers throughout the community. Meanwhile, the ice hockey team sponsored by the company – the Coach Canada Rebels – have for the third year in a row completed their season without losing a single match. Habitat for Humanity workers, from left: Jason Bulman, Susan Adlam, Pat Marcinkowski, Bob Wells, James Doucette, Jenny Jenkins. Yorkshire gets Megabus.com jobs boost on-bus Wi-Fi MEGABUS.COM has bucked the drivers, dispatchers and maintenance sta since INTERNET access is now economic downturn by creating more 2008, and supports further employment at available for bus passengers in than 200 jobs in North America over the companies providing support services. Yorkshire. past two years as passenger demand for Dale Moser, President and Chief Operating Stagecoach Yorkshire has launched low-cost travel continues to grow. O cer of megabus.com in North America, on-bus Wi-Fi for the  rst time in the The service’s success since its launch in 2006 said: “While many businesses have found the region, with the introduction of 10 new has seen it expand to cover more than 40 past two years tough, we are winning new double-decker buses with complimentary locations in the USA and Canada. customers from the car and seeing people Wi-Fi internet access. More than seven million passengers have switch from air travel. Stagecoach has invested in award- now travelled with the service in North “This growth has been great news as we winning Moovbox technology to deliver America since the concept was exported from have been able to o er new employment the passenger internet access. the UK. opportunities as megabus.com continues to Stagecoach Yorkshire Managing Director megabus.com, which o ers low fares from expand throughout the United States and Paul Lynch said: “Customer comfort and just $1, has also created round 218 jobs for Canada.” services are a high priority for Stagecoach and we continue to invest in leading technology to realise this.” Superhero On the open road driver for STAGECOACH employee Stephen Pirie has helped raise hen night £7,880 after undertaking a ORKNEY driver James mammoth motorcycle challenge. Stephen, along with his friend Fraser Henderson played his Band, began his travels in Holland part in a recent hen night and rode through Belgium, France, private hire by dressing up Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, as Superman to entertain Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. The pair the hens. He is pictured ended up at in Sicily at the foot of Mount with bride-to-be Kayleigh Etna, after riding for 1600 miles. Stanger. Fun day for all

OVER 270 employees and their families enjoyed a successful, activity-packed fun day. Among the events were a rounders tournament and tug of war, as well as a treasure trail and ‘old-school’ sports day games such as egg and spoon, sack race and three-legged race. Employee Andrew Pike soaks up the punishment in the stocks during the fun day.

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A close shave

A GROUP of 24 drivers from have raised £1000 for charity by shaving their heads. Driver Angela Reid, who has ovarian cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, wanted to raise money for Maggie’s Care Centre in Kirkcaldy, which provides support for people with cancer. Angela and 23 other drivers from Aberhill depot took part in a sponsored head shave to raise the cash. Angela (front row, 3rd from left) and some of the drivers with their new haircuts.

East Midlands get there on time We’re looking for the EAST Midlands Trains, part of Stagecoach Group, is Britain’s most champions of 2011 punctual long-distance rail operator, according to the latest o cial performance data. THE search is on for the Stagecoach Last year’s awards sparked a big response from Figures released by Network Rail for the Champions of 2011 – and next year’s bus and rail companies in the UK and this period September 19 to October 16 show awards are set to be even bigger and year we are looking to encourage even more East Midlands Trains’ punctuality was 94.3%. better. entries, particularly from North America. The company has been top of the long- Stagecoach hosted its  rst Champions Awards distance operator league table for punctuality this year – focusing on safety, environment and since January 2009. community – and the winners were presented How to nominate... Mark Steward, Operations Director for with their trophies at a special ceremony in St To nominate your Champion, all you need to East Midlands Trains, said: “We have made Petersburg in Russia. do is email your suggestion to champions@ huge advances right across the network since Management teams across the Group’s stagecoachgroup.com. You can nominate taking over responsibility for the franchise operations in the UK and North America yourself or one of your colleagues. in November 2007, and these  gures were invited to nominate employees who Please include your own name, position re ect the investment we have made in our were making a real di erence in driving and company, as well as the same details operation and our  eet, the joint working improvement in the business. for the person you are nominating. Please with Network Rail and the hard work of The awards are judged by Helen Mahy, provide a description of what the individual our own employees.” Chair of the Health, Safety and Environment has done to deserve the award, including any Committee. Gold, silver and bronze awards information on the impact of their e orts on are presented for each category and shortlisted the business. Kids go free entrants receive a trophy. Nominations for the 2011 Stagecoach For the 2011 awards, the number of Champions awards close on 31 March 2011. STAGECOACH has celebrated its categories is being extended to include health, Look out for updates on the awards and the 30th anniversary by giving free travel customer service and innovation, and front-line shortlisted nominees in future editions of On to children on its local bus services employees are being asked to submit their Stage. in Scotland for a day. nominations. Children under 16 accompanied by an adult received complimentary travel all Categories for 2011 day on Stagecoach's local bus networks Safety Champion: Awarded to an employee who has championed good safety or excelled in in Scotland on Saturday, October 9 – the dealing with a speci c situation or incident. date on which Stagecoach reached the Environment Champion: Presented to an individual who has championed greener working milestone of three decades of delivering practices and sustainability, such as improving energy e ciency, reducing the company’s transport to local communities. carbon emissions or developing innovative ways to get people to switch from the car to public Stagecoach Group Chief Executive transport. Brian Souter, who founded the company with his sister , said: “Thirty Community Champion: Recognises employees who have made a signi cant contribution years ago, we started our  rst bus service to the local community through charitable fund-raising or volunteering. from Dundee to London. It has been an Health Champion: For the employee who has done most to promote employee health interesting and exciting journey for our within the Group. company over the years, but none of our achievements would have been possible Customer Service Champion: Presented to the individual who has gone the extra mile to without the support of our passengers.” deliver exceptional customer service. Innovation Champion: For the employee with best new business idea across the Group.

9 people page on stage

Louise on board – Cheryl Bradbury The quickfi re roundmad with the parking at Yorkshire attendant regarding Who are you? LOUISE the lack of security Cheryl Bradbury – Tram Driver at only to be told to Turner has Stagecoach Supertram. taken on check the  oor What do you like most about your above…and there it the role of job? Marketing was, same space just The  exibility of the shifts. the wrong  oor! Manager at What do you like least about your Stagecoach Dream job? job? To own my own kennels. Yorkshire. Pedestrians stepping out and cars pulling Louise will Favourite animal? out in front of the trams. Dogs be responsible Favourite TV show? for developing Louise Turner. Most like to be stuck in a lift with? Top Gear – I don’t know anything about Lee Evans because he is funny. marketing strategies to encourage more cars but the hosts are funny. people out of cars and onto public Biggest achievement? The Quick re Round features in every transport. Completing the Edinburgh Marathon. She said: “I am looking forward to edition of On Stage and we want to hear Worst job? from as many sta as possible. exciting times ahead at Stagecoach and I must be really sad because I can’t think To suggest the next participant, email being able to promote services at a of one. [email protected] time when more and more people are Most embarrassing moment? considering public transport as a reliable, My friend and I returning to the car cost-e ective and  exible travel option.” park to  nd her car missing and going CPT re-elect Bridge spans depots STAGECOACH South has appointed new Robin Knight Operations Director Tom Bridge to oversee the day-to-day operational management of its seven THE Confederation of Passenger depots in Chichester, Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke, Transport (CPT) has elected Robin Portsmouth, Winchester and Worthing Knight, Commercial Director of Tom started his career with Stagecoach as a graduate trainee Stagecoach North East, to continue at Sunderland in 1999. Within a year he was made Assistant as regional Chairman for a third Operations Manager at Stagecoach’s Slatyford depot until successive year. he joined Oxford Tube as Manager in 2001. He became Robin was  rst appointed Chairman of Operations Manager in Hastings in 2003 and from 2006 he the organisation in 2008 for a two-year term took over as Operations Manager for Canterbury and Herne after previously acting as the Vice Chairman. Bay. Andrew Dyer, Managing Director of Stagecoach South, said: “Tom has the necessary experience and determination to ensure that we can e ciently deliver the services that we o er across CONTACTS Tom Bridge. the south.” Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW Wedding bells PERTH depot celebrated a Email: [email protected] wedding recently as admin assistant www.stagecoach.com Kelly Mitchell married partner Paul Campbell. If you have a story for On Stage, Kelly’s dad, Paul, has been a driver with please contact Lindsay Reid as above. Stagecoach in Perth for 16 years. All the depot sta send their best wishes to Kelly and Paul. The copy deadline for the next edition of on stage will be Friday, Windy Miller visits Mansfi eld November 26, 2010. PASSENGERS travelling on the Mans eld Miller service recently were in for a surprise as they found Camberwick Green’s Windy Miller (pictured) travelling on the service to promote an increase in additional evening and Sunday journeys by giving away promotional goodies such as pens, notepads and puzzle trays.

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