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The newsletter of Issue 108 | March 2015 ON STAGE INSIDE Buy as you earn scheme page 2 | Young Scot Award drive page 4 East Coast signals start of new franchise

VIRGIN Trains East Coast began its new franchise Launching the new with an announcement that customers and service were new communities along the network will be able to Virgin Trains East bid for a share of a £3m innovation fund. Coast Managing Director David The fund will be used for projects suggested Horne (back directly by customers and left), Stagecoach their communities. The money is in addition to the Chairman Sir £140m already committed to the franchise by the (front left), Virgin Stagecoach / Virgin partnership. Group founder Sir The scheme will see £500,000 available each year of the new franchise from 2017. Virgin Trains (back right) and East Coast will use the time before then to set up Stagecoach Group the customer feedback mechanisms and begin Chief Executive Martin Griffiths gathering ideas for the first set of awards. (front right). Claire Perry, Transport Minister, said: “Today is the start of a new chapter for the East Coast franchise. Passengers will benefit from thousands of extra chefs and customers will be asked personally for decision-making power firmly in the hands of the seats, new connections and improved services their feedback and suggestions. Employees and customers and communities we serve.” between and . The deal also customers are at the heart of the new approach. The announcement came as Virgin Trains East means more than £3bn will be returned David Horne, Managing Director of Virgin Trains Coast began full operations on the line between to taxpayers.” East Coast, added: “Passengers using the East London King’s Cross and . The franchise Virgin Trains East Coast is also planning to bring Coast mainline are already set to benefit from was awarded in November last year and runs until back freshly cooked breakfasts for all its First hundreds of millions of pounds of infrastructure the end of March 2023, with the option for a one Class customers as part of a series of catering investment and service improvements over the year extension at the DfT’s discretion. improvements planned over the next two years. next decade. Our new ‘Customer and Communities Turn to page 4 to find out more about the new There will also be new menus designed by regional Improvement Fund’ builds on that but puts the Virgin Trains East Coast senior management team. Putting people first A new way to nominate your Stagecoach Champions STAGECOACH’S UK Bus division has been named Large Employer of the Year at the People 1st THERE is still time for employees to put forward Apprenticeship Awards. their Stagecoach Champions of 2015 and we The Group scooped the award after impressing have introduced a new, easier way to nominate. judges with its comprehensive bus engineering Nominations can now be submitted online by apprenticeship programme which has successfully visiting the follow link: delivered more than 350 apprenticeships over the www.stagecoach.com/media/champions past seven years. Those who would prefer to complete the original Stagecoach UK Bus Training and Development form can also use the above link and the form can Manager Matt Darroch said: “It’s fantastic to be emailed to champions@ win this award and have the hard work of stagecoachgroup.com our apprentices, and those who deliver our Stagecoach’s Matt Darroch with People 1st Managing Employees from across apprenticeship programme, recognised in this way. Director Simon Tarr. the Group’s businesses “We place great value on our apprenticeship in the UK and North programme as it is critical to the future success of are the people who will help us continue to deliver America are invited to our business. As a company, we believe in investing greener, smarter bus and coach services for our nominate colleagues in the engineers and managers of the future as they customers in the years to come.” who they believe are Story continued on page 3 1 Did you know? .com Europe transported 21% more passengers over Christmas and New Year than during the same period last year. ON STAGE

Successful Buy As You Earn scheme update What a OUR award-winning Buy As You Earn Share Plan ƒƒ Shares are held in trust for the employee for (“BAYE”) provides a savings and investment potential tax savings. Laugh! opportunity for employees. The BAYE plan has ƒƒ Shares can be removed from the Trust, free of Posted online by a regular Supertram customer: been operating successfully for over three years tax, five years after the monthly purchase date. and we currently have around 8,880 employees ƒƒ Employees can withdraw shares that they have “Two teenagers on the tram are discussing contributing an average of £56 per month into purchased at any time but tax will be payable music genres I’ve never heard of. I’m out of the scheme. UK employees can join the BAYE on the sale proceeds of all shares removed from touch. They might as well be conversing in plan when they have three months service with the trust within five years of date of purchase. whale song.” Stagecoach Group or every six months in June or ƒƒ The free Matching Shares awarded by the If you have seen or heard something funny – December each year after that. The BAYE is seen company can be withdrawn by employees after online, in the papers, on social media or just as a long term savings and investment vehicle to three years from the date of purchase but tax while out and about – send your contributions support employee participation on tax advantaged will be payable on the sale proceeds of all for the ‘What a Laugh’ section in the next edition terms in the shares of the Company. The value of shares removed from the trust within five years to [email protected] investments are subject to movements in the share of date of award. price and investments can increases or decrease in Annual benefit statements were issued to all value over time. members in January 2015. If you are a member n The sky’s the limit The key aspects of the scheme are shown below: of the BAYE and have not received your annual FOLKESTONE bus ƒƒ It provides employees with the opportunity to statement please send an email to: driver John Sabine purchase shares in Stagecoach on a rolling [email protected] and a new has completed a sky monthly basis. statement will be sent out to you. dive to raise £1,675 ƒƒ Invest from £2 up to £150 per month (or, if lower, Employees who increased their savings amount in for Pilgrims Hospices 10% of your gross regular salary) to purchase 2014 to take advantage of the increase in the limits in memory of a friend’s shares out of pre-tax income. on the market value of shares that can be purchased granddaughter. ƒƒ Employees receive 2 for 1 free Matching Shares by employees, will have their BAYE deductions reset John undertook the to a maximum value of £20 per month. So, to £34.61 per week or £150 per month (within the challenge on behalf investing £10 per month could give you up to £30 new maximum annual limit of £1,800). Your payroll John Sabine (front) of shares under BAYE for a cash cost to you of no department will do this in April 2015 – you don’t takes to the skies of his close friend Dave Pollock, whose more than £6.80 (for a basic rate tax-payer). have to contact them. granddaughter Hannah Ward (aged 23) was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices throughout her illness. John said: “I had always wanted to do a sky dive Smart travel for school pupils and the idea of raising funds for Pilgrims gave me Customers vote the perfect excuse to it.” Andrew Jarvis, Managing Anita Ward, Hannah’s mother, said: “I want to say Director, Stagecoach as how grateful I am to John and everyone at the Folkestone Rowing Club who supported him. Scotland with best value I was so touched that he wanted to do this in St John’s RC BUS passengers have voted Stagecoach as Academy pupils, memory of Hannah.” Ewan Morrison the best value major bus operator in Britain, and Lorraine according to new independent research. Mackenzie Consumer watchdog Passenger Focus found n In memory of Bob Jaynes SECONDARY school pupils in Perth are benefitting that customers across the UK rated Stagecoach higher than any other national bus operator on ROBERT (Bob) Jaynes from a new and more efficient smart ticketing scheme which makes it easier for them to travel between the value for money in its latest UK Bus Passenger who became a bus Satisfaction Survey. driver with Coach city’s high schools and college by bus. The initiative means that around 110 senior secondary Stagecoach was also found to have the most Canada in 2000 after satisfied customers of any bus operator surveyed retiring from the school pupils studying Advanced Highers at different high schools and the college can now store their travel in Scotland (Tayside and Central region scored Ontaria Provincial 95%) and the company continues to have one Police, and was the electronically on their Young Scot National Entitlement The late Bob Jaynes Cards. The cards will be loaded with the smart of the highest overall levels of satisfaction (88%) full-time driver for the of any major bus operator in England. Peterborough Liftlock Stars hockey team for years, tickets required for each pupil’s travel needs. These has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. smartcards can then be used on Stagecoach bus Bob received the Ontario Motorcoach Association’s services for travel during the school day. 2009 Award of Heroism after drawing on his police Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “This innovative Youth Employment training to save a hockey player on his bus who project is a welcome development in smart ticketing had a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. which will benefit secondary pupils travelling to school Award of the Year When not on duty, Bob regularly donated his time by bus across Perth.” has been named Employer without pay as the main driver for the company’s Managing Director Andrew of the Year in the Young London Working United Way fundraising trips, without which they Jarvis added: “This project is the first step towards Awards. The award was given to the South would not have been possible. He always made the introduction of smart ticketing on our network and West Trains’ Recruitment Team at the Mayor’s them fun and informative. we’re pleased to be involved in this partnership.” Fund for London Awards at London’s City Hall. 2 Trains’ outstanding service ... find out more on page 4. ON STAGE

Continued from page 1 London’s Rainbow Bus making a real difference in the areas of LONDON residents and visitors to the capital can Safety, Health, Innovation, Customer Service, now board the world’s first rainbow bus in passenger Community and Environment. service after Transport for London (TfL) and bus This year, the Innovation category will recognise operator, , teamed up to celebrate employees who have ideas that could make a and support diversity in the city. difference to the business and our customers in The organisations have created a special rainbow the future. For the Customer Service category design based on the symbolic rainbow flag to we are calling on the help of the millions of celebrate the people who live, visit and work in passengers who use our bus and rail services the city. The rainbow is wrapped on a red New each year, inviting them to put forward their Routemaster which will remain in operation for a year. recommendations for their Stagecoach The rainbow bus also marks the 10th anniversary of Champion. Their views and those of our own TfL’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) team of employees will be considered in staff network group, OUTbound. deciding the award. Mark Threapleton, Managing Director for , Silver and Bronze awards are presented for London, said: “This will be a travelling advertisement, each category and shortlisted entrants receive a spreading the message of diversity to the hearts trophy and a cash prize. of our communities and to visitors from across the Nominations for the 2015 Stagecoach world. We look forward to the bus raising a smile and Garry Nicholass from Stagecoach London with Champions awards close at midnight on awareness wherever it goes.” Martyn Loukes, Chair of OUTbound Thursday 30 April 2015. Top award for Sunshine and smiles n RESIDENTS and seasonal visitors took advantage Top safety accolade staff of the rare winter sunshine to enjoy a family bus megabus.com has been named Safety Champion COACH Canada has awarded its Driver of the event in Hayling Island recently. by the Transportation Safety Exchange (TSX) in Year and Employee of the Year accolades to held a’ Big Bus Day’ event on the US. Bill Alkerton and Tracey Brooks. The two were the island to launch its new fleet of new buses The company has become the first bus honoured at the company’s annual awards for a popular bus service. During the day children operator to receive the safety rating from TSX, after being voted for by their peers. Bill, a driver were able to have their faces painted and take a an independent safety rating organisation that with Coach Canada since 1975, receives many seat in one of the miniature Southdown buses that were displayed alongside one of the brand new provides safety ratings of more than 300,000 comments and compliments on his service and Stagecoach vehicles as well as a vintage bus. passenger and freight carriers. was also a recipient of this award in 2010. Steve Thorpe, Stagecoach’s Marketing Officer, Don Carmichael, Executive Vice President and Tracey Brooks was this year’s recipient of the said: “We had a nice flow of visitors throughout the Senior Vice President, Safety of Coach USA Employee of the Year Award. Tracey has been day and it was great megabus.com, said: “We take our commitment with Coach Canada since 1997 and is Customer to see just how many to safety very seriously and maintain the most Service Supervisor for megabus.com Canada. people were keen to stringent safety standards in the industry. It is very Tracey is always the first to step up to any find out more about rewarding to be recognised for that commitment.” challenge and champion internal or external the new buses.” events and never looks for thanks or praise. Congratulations to both Bill and Tracey. Visitor Ethan Nokes in one n Reaching the summit of the miniature buses SENIOR Information and Customer Experience Manager with the South West Trains- Alliance, Allison Blindfold challenge Dunn recently trekked to the top of RUGBY guide dog owner Chris McLatchie-Wade Mount Kilimanjaor via the Limosho route. recently invited Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and Allison Bulkington, and Ian Campbell, Stagecoach’s Rugby described the Operations Manager, to take a blindfold challenge. trek as ‘the The challenge for both was to undertake a hardest thing blindfolded return bus journey from their home to ever’ but also Rugby town centre to help understand the challenges thoroughly that people with a visual impairment faced each day. enjoyed it. Ian explained: “I found the experience very enlightening and I am glad that I was, in return, able to explain the disability awareness training that Allison Dunn at Stagecoach provides to all its drivers.” summit of Mount Local MP Mark Pawsey and Stagecoach’s Ian Campbell Kilimanjaro with guide dog owner Chris McLatchie-Wade

3 We’re getting even greener! ... find out more on page 6. ON STAGE n Local support in Perth n PICTURE THIS STAGECOACH Group has become the first corporate patron of Perth’s popular Black Watch This edition’s Picture This winner was taken by Castle and Museum. driver Edward Reid from Stagecoach North The transport company has pledged to support Scotland. It shows a vehicle in Macduff Depot on the popular tourist attraction for a year after a winter’s evening. agreeing to become a Gold level sponsor through Congratulations to Edward who will shortly receive the museum’s new Corporate Patrons Scheme. his prize of £50 in M&S vouchers. Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin If you have any good photos for Picture This please Griffiths said: “As a Perth company through send them to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach and through we are delighted to be supporting Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW, or email the museum, which is one of the city’s most it to [email protected] popular tourist attractions, and we look forward to working with them over the next year to help even more people find out about the proud military history of the area.” New Virgin Trains senior

Stagecoach Chief Executive management team confirmed Martin Griffiths with Chief VIRGIN and Stagecoach have announced ƒƒ Customer Experience Director – Alison Watson Executive of the a number of new senior management ƒƒ Marketing and Sales Director – Danny Gonzalez Black Watch appointments for Virgin Trains East Coast. David Horne, Managing Director for Virgin Trains Castle and The Virgin Trains East Coast team will be headed East Coast, said: “Our new team has been Museum Anne by David Horne who has more than 25 years’ Kinnes carefully hand-picked to ensure we are in the very experience in the rail industry. best position to take the new company forward.” The new team also includes: Meanwhile, Phil Whittingham has been appointed ƒƒ Finance Director – Richard Bodicoat as Managing Director for the Virgin Trains West n megabus.com in ƒƒ Commercial Director – Andy Sparkes Coast franchise. Phil has been Lead Executive at Young Scot Awards drive ƒƒ People Director – Clare Burles Virgin Trains for the last year, during which time ƒƒ Engineering Director – Jack Commandeur he has led the company through negotiations for megabus.com is on board for the third year in a ƒƒ Major Projects Director – Tim Hedley-Jones a new franchise which concluded successfully row as transport partner for the Sunday Mail Young ƒƒ Safety & Operations Director – Warrick Dent with the in June. Scot Awards and has joined forces with the event organisers for a promotional tour of Scotland. A specially-branded Young Scot megabus.com vehicle spent a week travelling around the country, stopping at various locations for roadshow events Best of the best which were attended by celebrities and previous staff have once again been award winners. recognised for their outstanding contributions at the megabus.com Managing Director Edward company’s third annual Great Service Awards. Hodgson said: “We’re delighted to be involved The main award of the night was the ‘Outstanding with the Young Scot Awards for the third Individual’ Award and received more than 600 consecutive year. We have many inspiring young passenger nominations. The winner was Kass people in Scotland and it’s only right that they Pinjara, a Customer Service staff member based at should be recognised.” London St Pancras International, who was praised for being “always helpful and always approachable”. The East Midlands Trains Great Service Award winners Other notable award winners include, Dale Bagshaw from Chesterfield Station who scooped the award for Ticket Office Staff of the Year, Andy Fretwell from who was named Dispatch Staff of the Year and Paul Green from Norwich who was Good samaritan hailed as Driver of the Year. MIDLANDS driver Iain Callaghan was hailed Neil Micklethwaite, Customer Service and as a good samaritan recently after he helped Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains, said: reunite a passenger with his wallet that “We have absolutely fantastic staff right across the contained £160. network who are focused on delivering great service After leaving his wallet on the last bus of the that we can all be proud of. evening, customer Jeff Lambert went to the The Great Service Awards recognise all groups of depot in Northampton to ask for help in finding staff and their efforts to help our passengers as well it. Despite being at the end of his shift, Iain as paying tribute to those who have gone that extra searched around 50 vehicles to find the wallet megabus.com mascot Sid with the branded bus mile, those that are the best of the best.” which he promptly returned to Mr Lambert. at the launch of the Young Scot Awards bus tour 4 Did you know? You can save an average of £100 per month by taking the bus instead of commuting by car. ON STAGE n Back of the net LETTERS OF PRAISE STAGECOACH recently agreed to sponsor a new set of strips for Stranraer boys football club The letter and Facebook message below Millenium FC. demonstrate excellent service at Stagecoach The team is pictured wearing the new strips Manchester and Stagecoach South. along with Hugh Fowler, Operations Manager for Stranraer/Cumnock. If you or one of your colleagues has received a letter of praise from a customer, please email a copy to [email protected] or post it to Lindsay Reid, Senior Group Communications Manager, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW. We will publish as many as possible. Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Stagecoach, On a cold, dark and wet day a week before I would like to say how fantastic Stagecoach buses Christmas we did not expect to witness what we are in the south coast (Chichester), I get so fed just have. I would just like to say thank you to the up with people complaining! I just wanted to say, driver of the 330 bus from Stockport to Ashton. Chichester Bus station has been amazing and the I’m not sure if this driver is aware of how happy buses run so well. My son, who is five, is Autistic he has made a lot of children today. So I’d just and has a major love of buses. We spend so much like to say well done to him for dressing as Santa time at Chichester bus station when he is off school. and handing out sweets to every passenger. The Thanks to Stagecoach buses, he learned to read all n Scaling new heights decorations on the bus and the effort he has gone the bus routes and memorised all the bus numbers to are really appreciated. If it was either his idea and different models – before our visits he was FRANCIS HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE, has seen or something that Stagecoach has put together... non-verbal and had little understanding and now he sponsorship climb thanks to a Cheshire Three bravo...We were really impressed. is amazing!!! Thanks to the buses inspiring him and Peaks walk completed by staff and drivers from Many thanks, giving him reason to learn... The drivers are lovely . Name supplied and polite, so from us – THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! Two staff teams from five depots raised over £1,000 for the company’s charity of the year. Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester The late Steve Christopher Bowles said: “I’m really proud of all Moody (right) On the ball pictured of the staff who dedicated their own time and receiving his A GROUP of Northampton Town football players put in a great deal of effort to raise funds for an champions undertook a series of special driving challenges in excellent local cause.” award from a Stagecoach bus at Sixfields to celebrate a brand Stagecoach new partnership between and Group Chief Some of the Northampton Town Football Club. Executive Stagecoach Martin Griffiths The event was recorded and uploaded to the Manchester in 2011 Northampton Town Football YouTube channel for the employees who took winning driver to be chosen. part in the Steve Moody – a tribute The driving challenge was to mark the beginning of a challenge new route which will make it easier for supporters to Depot has lost one of its most get to the Northampton Town ground on a matchday. colourful characters, Stephen Moody, who passed Steve Burd, Managing Director, said: “We are away late last year. Steve joined the company in delighted to work with Northampton Football Club 2002 as a driver. He loved his job, was always talking on this project. I am sure this new service will be of n and chatting to the passengers, young and old. Kevin’s excellent record benefit to many fans.” NEWCASTLE driver Kevin In 2011 he received a Group Champions gold The Arrowsmith has been award for his outstanding customer service during extremely difficult driving conditions in the winter Northampton named Slatyford bus Town footballers driver of the year for his of 2010. One day Steve was taking school children with Stagecoach excellent record in areas when he reached Messingham Hill Top where the Managing road was impassable. Steve parked up his bus Director Steve such as attendance, Burd timekeeping, safe driving in a nearby lay-by and walked his remaining five and customer service. passengers to their pick up point, over a mile away, to ensure that they all got home safely. Kevin, joining the Driver Kevin Arrowsmith Steve’s efforts that evening were commended by company as a bus driver with his certificate On your bike both of his managers and grateful parents of the in 1986, who was chosen EAST MIDLANDS Trains recently joined forces with students. Steve could not believe he won the gold for the award – a day’s leave, a food hamper, and to offer free D-Locks to award and was so proud of it. He and his wife a gift set of glasses – said: “I enjoy my job very anyone signing up to Cycle Hub life membership. Sue asked that the award stay at the depot as a much and there is always something different The one day special offer took place at reminder to all. happening every day, meeting new people and station Cycle Hub which opened in June 2014 Steve sadly passed away on 10 December 2014 new experiences. It is never boring!” and provides secure, underground cycle storage after a courageous fight against cancer. and facilities for more than 300 bicycles. 5 Did you know? Oxford Tube offered 5 lucky couples a free Valentine’s trip to London with dinner and an overnight stay. GREEN SCENE n megabus.com success Getting even greener A NEW sustainability strategy has been launched ƒƒ lower water consumption by 9% by Stagecoach to cut carbon emissions, reduce ƒƒ achieve a waste recycling rate of 83% water consumption and improve recycling at its Stagecoach Group has already been awarded the transport operations in the UK, mainland Europe prestigious Carbon Trust Standard for measuring, and North America. managing and reducing its global carbon footprint, The transport group’s new five-year strategy, Shared becoming the first public transport operator to responsibility, shared future, produced in partnership have its boundaries certified outside of Europe. with the Carbon Trust, sets out a package of Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, investments at the Group’s bus and rail businesses. said: “We are proud of our track-record and It follows a 30% reduction in Stagecoach Group’s reputation of being a sustainable business and carbon intensity since 2007–08 and the achievement a force for good. But we need to do more and THE SUCCESS of inter-city coach company of previous targets 12 months ahead of schedule. our plans for the next five years set even more megabus.com has been highlighted in a major In 2013-2014, Stagecoach had a total carbon demanding targets for improvement. I believe US transport study. footprint of 1,563,000 tCO2e, a water footprint of that by working together we can turn our shared The annual review of America’s transportation 835,000 m3, a waste footprint of 10,200 tonnes and responsibility into a positive shared future.” industry, released by Chaddick Institute for a waste recycling rate of 77%. A copy of the Group’s Sustainability Strategy can Metropolitan Development of DePaul University, By April 2019, the Group is aiming to: be found here – http://www.stagecoach.com/~/ notes that 2014 was ‘a really good year for ƒƒ reduce buildings carbon emissions by 7% media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/ megabus.com’. ƒƒ cut like-for-like fleet transport carbon pdf/stagecoach-group-sustainability- “megabus.com is the increasingly popular emissions by 2% strategy-2015-2019.pdf choice of more than 40 million travellers seeking affordable, safe and reliable travel options, and today we’re pleased to be recognised again in Chaddick Institute’s annual study,” said Dale Global leaders New coaches for Moser, Chief Executive Officer of megabus.com.” in eco-driving prestigious X5 route n Pedal power at stations STAGECOACH bus employees have topped a 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the global eco-driver performance scheme which X5 Service which travels between Oxford PASSENGERS in Teddington and Ewell West stations measures fuel-efficient driving. and Cambridge so it was only fitting that are set to benefit from a share of £60million to More than 4,100 Stagecoach drivers have been Stagecoach East should re-launch the service improve accessibility at railway stations. awarded Fleet Elite status under the programme with 18 new Elite coaches. The South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance managed by GreenRoad, whose telematics The team held pre-launch events at Bedford, secured the funding from the Government as part system serves professional drivers in the UK, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Cambridge, where of the Access for All Scheme and is an addition Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, America, bespoke X5 promotional bags were handed out to the funding award announced previously to Australia and New Zealand. alongside a number of other goodies. improve accessibility at Barnes, Godalming, Virginia Over 1,000 of Stagecoach’s Fleet Elite drivers The new X5 coaches have Euro 6 engines Water, Walton on Thames and Whitton stations. have achieved the Gold badge for consistently making them among the cleanest and greenest The Alliance will now work with local authorities maintaining the Fleet Elite driving standard for coaches in Europe. They can each seat and other partners to develop and deliver the final three consecutive years. 55 passengers along with one space for a schemes, which will all be completed by 2019. Some 21% of Stagecoach’s 19,000-strong wheelchair when required. driving team have achieved the prestigious Managing Director of Stagecoach East Andy benchmark – more than any other bus company Campbell said: “This is great news for our n Stagecoach Manchester using the GreenRoad system. customers. The X5 service is used by around unveils new buses In addition, this year Stagecoach is introducing 1.3 million passengers a year and provides a special awards, in honour of former Stagecoach vital public transport link between Oxford and STAGECOACH Manchester has unveiled 29 new Ecodriver Project Manager Christopher Ball who Cambridge. We are delighted to be launching double-decker buses, which will serve Chorlton sadly passed away last year. The Christopher these new vehicles.” and the South Manchester area. Ball Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the best The investment, worth more than £5 million, performing company in Stagecoach UK Bus, with in efficient, modern vehicles, with free wi-fi, plaques presented to the best depot and best will improve the services for local people by driver. These will be presented in early summer providing increased capacity and upgraded with the winners based on performance over the safety and comfort levels. 2014/15 financial year to 30 April 2015. Stagecoach Manchester managing director, Robert Montgomery, Stagecoach UK Bus Christopher Bowles, said: “The new buses will Managing Director, said: “For so many of our give our fleet an even more modern profile drivers to have reached Fleet Elite status is a and enable customers on our busiest services great achievement and reflects the hard work to benefit from the latest standards which the and professionalism that our drivers display on industry has to offer.” a daily basis.” One of the new X5 vehicles at Stagecoach East 6 £80m investment in new buses ... find out more on page 9. ON STAGE n New roles at Supertram Claim to fame KATE WRIGHT, Supertram Head of HR, has taken on a nine-month secondment to the new role of Stagecoach Talent Manager. Kate will focus on developing the Group’s employee and management appraisal systems and build Stagecoach’s talent programme across the Group to identify and nurture our highly-skilled future business leaders. Abdus Shahid As a result, Helen Tunnicliffe, previously PA to Supertram Managing Director Margaret Kay, has been appointed as HR Manager for Supertram. PA duties for Margaret Kay will be split between James Chapman and Abi Barker, both of whom have been tram conductors in the past. If you, or one of your colleagues, have a claim to fame – perhaps a hidden talent, ABDUS SHAHID, Service Controller at Stagecoach London’s n Praise for Pauline a meeting with a celebrity or West Ham Garage, mingled with the stars recently at an interesting hobby – please a fundraising event for Great Ormond Street Children’s email details to lindsay.reid@ Hospital. Among the celebrities Abdus hung out with was stagecoachgroup.com Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly... keep dancing!

Britain’s future, Restoration project STAGECOACH Cumbria and North Lancashire Britain’s railway Commercial Trainee Lee Wardle is working on an STAGECOACH has been involved in the production important project to restore a vehicle. Pauline is pictured with Kevin Sharp, Operations of an ambitious blueprint for better services, better With the support of friends and colleagues, Lee Manager in Cheltenham, Chris Evans, founder of purchased a Leyland Olympian Alexander F805 FAO the Butterfly Gardens and some of the students journeys and better value on Britain’s railway which has been published by the Rail Delivery Group. vehicle, brand new in 1988 and is working as part of PAULINE HARPER, a driver, The plans are set out in a short booklet called a team to restore it to its former glory. Unfortunately was chosen as the top bus driver by the Butterfly ‘Britain’s Future, Britain’s Railway’, available on the Lee, at the moment, Garden – a project for people of all ages with organisation’s website – www.raildeliverygroup.com is unqualified to disabilities – after going above and beyond the The document details many improvements that drive it. The work call of duty. are in the pipeline for the next few years and other is ongoing and is Pauline was chosen for her cheerful and helpful potential long-term changes. These cover areas scheduled to finish nature which has included stopping at the right from how trains are run to how passengers buy within the next 18 place even when the group forgets to press the their tickets and how they get information about months. button and helping them cross the road. their journey. The project’s It also highlights the vital role that our industry plays progress is being in keeping the country moving – from getting 2.5 charted via the n Making a difference million people into major towns and cities every day ‘Carlisle Bus Group’ on Facebook. MORE THAN $2,500 to shifting 115 million tonnes of freight each year. Lee with the Leyland Olympian has been donated by megabus.com toward the University of New Hampshire which will be used Lindsay’s big trip for the Sustainability SUPERTRAM employee Lindsay Horsfield Institutes Climate (pictured), recently travelled to Africa for a Fellows Program. fundraising cycling trip. The Program is Lindsay cycled 350 kilometres in total, along led by Dr. Tom Kelly, one of the country’s most a varied distance and difficulty of route each respected leaders in the field of sustainability. day. The route took her through Tanzania and The Sustainability Institute encourages full across to the island of Zanzibar. In total, she participation in the creation of a sustainable raised £3,318 through Just Giving for the world and the donation is another example of Genesis Research Trust. megabus.com’s commitment to protecting the environment for generations to come. Lindsay Horsfield (right) during her travels 7 1,035 years of service in Manchester ... find out more on page 10. ON STAGE n A special visit Top fundraising paid a special visit CHRISTMAS activities run by Stagecoach Midlands to a local Beavers group recently where they raised £2,000 for Save the Children. Over 20 answered questions on public transport and staff at the Northampton head office participated provided information on local bus services. in the national Christmas Jumper Day and staff After the visit, the group wrote to thank Thanet contributed to a collection in the offices. Operations Manager Ian Waterfield and driver Drivers from the four depots – Northampton, Lou Bowden for their attendance on the night. Leamington Spa, Stratford Upon Avon and Kettering – also dressed up in Santa costumes during the ten days leading up to Christmas. One driver each day from the four depots drove in their costumes and money was raised from passengers in special collecting boxes. Chris Child, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach Midlands, said: “It was a fantastic effort from everyone involved and thanks needs to go to our Stagecoach representatives Ian and Lou drivers for being great sports and our passengers onboard with the Beavers group for being so generous.” Santa driving his bus in Leamington Spa n Charity clear-out A new logo Top prize for Laura STAFF at Oxfordshire’s depot had a STAGECOACH North Scotland has announced the LONG EATON resident Laura Watts was named clear out of their spare rooms and wardrobes winner of its re-brand competition which challenged as the winner of East Midlands Trains’ ‘Win Back to find unwanted goods to donate to Stagecoach designers and artists across the North-east to submit Your Season Ticket’ competition. Oxford’s chosen charity Helen & Douglas House. their ideas for the new logo. The competition was open to all passengers The depot recieved enough unwanted goods to Over 100 entries were received and the winner was either buying or renewing a season ticket at fill eight bags which equate to a total of £320 Ondrej Culko, a student from RGU Gray’s School of Art. stations in December and January and received for the charity. Steve Walker, Managing Director, Stagecoach thousands of entries. A fantastic effort from everyone involved. North Scotland, said: “We were overwhelmed by Laura was presented with her prize at Leicester the number of high quality entries submitted in the train station this week and said: “I was absolutely n competition. Ondrej’s logo stood out to us and really delighted when I was told I’d won back the cost Memorial cup match compliments the Stagecoach brand.” of my season ticket it was a lovely surprise!” raises £700 for charity STAFF at have commemorated a fellow employee who sadly passed away last year by holding a fundraising football match for Cancer Research UK. Andy Searby, a Senior Driving Instructor at East Midlands with over 39 years of service with the company, sadly passed away after a short illness in early October. Lincoln and Skegness depots took part in the charity match for the newly created ‘Andy Searby Memorial Cup’ and a total Winner Laura Watts receives her prize from Leicester of £700 was raised. A Stagecoach Bluebird vehicle displaying the new logo Station Area Manager David Oldershaw Vintage bus raises cash for kids THE RECENT operation of a vintage and staff. A total of £282.43 was collected for Routemaster bus in raised money for the charity. Radio Tay’s ‘Cash for Kids’. Stagecoach East Scotland Marketing Manager operated the vintage Sarah Elliott said: “Our thanks go to our vehicle during December and the company passengers who contributed, either by directly donated all fares taken on the vintage service donating money on the bus or indirectly just on Christmas Eve as well as any additional by paying their normal bus fare on the vintage donations kindly offered by bus passengers bus on Christmas Eve.”

The vintage vehicle in operation in Dundee (photo taken by Gordon Low at Taybus) 8 Did you know? Stagecoach East Midlands’ Scunthorpe staff raised £2000 for a prostate cancer charity through a 60-mile cycle. ON STAGE Major investment National award for MORE THAN £80million will be invested by This recipe was Stagecoach in new buses and coaches for services East Midlands Trains suggested by in the UK and mainland Europe. Steph Phillips EAST Midlands Trains was a winner at the A new fleet of nearly 470 vehicles, many equipped from Stagecoach National Institute of Customer Service Awards. with free wifi, will be introduced in the coming London – it’s The rail operator was awarded in the ‘Leadership financial year. More than £75million of new buses healthy and very Factor Best Return on Customer Investment’ and coaches will be introduced in Stagecoach’s economical. category for its 24/7 customer contact centre regional networks in England, Scotland and Wales. which was launched as a rail industry first in There is also a £2.7million order for new buses for March 2014. The company was also a finalist in London, as well as £6.9million of new coaches for the ‘Best Customer Satisfaction Strategy’ category. Unwrapped Cabbage Rolls the company’s expanding megabus.com low-cost Jayne Moyses, Head of Sales & Customer Service service in the UK and mainland Europe. Ingredients Centre for East Midlands Trains, said: “This is a 1 white cabbage (diced), 250g extra lean beef fantastic tribute and recognition to all the team mince, 4 large carrots (sliced), pack of button Ninfa’s ‘ugly’ sweater who work so hard, day in day out, to deliver a mushrooms, chopped onion, 2 tins chopped great service to our customers, no matter what THE TEAM at Coach tomatoes, carton of passata, vegetable stock time of the day or night!” USA held a fun “ugly” cube, 1 or 2 dessertspoons Worcester Sauce Christmas Sweater (according to taste), 1/2 tin of cold water Contest over the Method festive season. A lot ƒƒ Place ingredients in a large saucepan of creativity and deep or stock pot thinking went into ƒƒ Bring to the boil their submissions. ƒƒ Simmer for at least one hour The contest was (until the carrots are soft) judged by Alistar ƒƒ Season to taste Bryan-Jones and the Serve winner was Accounting Makes 5/6 servings and can be frozen. Department’s Ninfa Option to serve with crusty bread. Dicristina who was Ninfa and her winning presented with a $25 ‘ugly’ Christmas sweater visa gift card. n From buses to bikes BUS drivers from Manchester and Merseyside went head-to-head in a bike race to raise Back in the capital Allan clocks up money for their respective charities of the year. Staff and drivers from the two Stagecoach 30 years of service companies battled it out in a sponsored bike ride, travelling from their own head office, along STAGECOACH London’s Head Office receptionist a 30-mile route to reach the other team’s city. Allan Sedge reached the 30 years of service milestone recently. Allan began work as a driver at Upton Park garage and was there for 18 years before a shoulder problem put the brakes on his n Fundraising Santa career. After a period of working around the garage driver Andrew Allan joined the new Travelshop at Ilford where his Mcgarva dressed up as Santa over the festive past shop management experience proved useful. period on local bus services to raise money for Since the shop closed and head office moved to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in . West Ham, Allan has been the welcoming face of Local people in and around Stranraer gave Stagecoach London. generously and Andrew raised a total of £560 through passengers and his colleagues. One of the Manchester vehicles beside the more familiar London buses at West Ham garage FOUR vehicles made a return to London from Manchester recently to help with increased demand for bus services during on-going rail works at London Bridge Station. As a result the four Dennis Tridents currently working in Manchester temporarily returned to West Ham garage to operate on services between London Andrew dressed as Santa on his bus in Stranraer Bridge and Lewisham. Allan cuts his cake to mark 30 years’ service 9 THE PEOPLE PAGE ON STAGE n Peter bids farewell GETTING TO KNOW YOU... STAGECOACH East employee Peter Gemma Toolan, Social Media Manager, UK Bus Constable has retired after a career ■■ Who are you? flattened my yoghurt spanning 56 years. Gemma Toolan, Social Media Manager in the car park. I also In 1958 Peter (extraordinaire) for UK Bus recently got stuck on a started work at the ■■ What do you like most about your job? Tube in London while Eastern Counties The people. I enjoy working with different my colleague got off! garage in his home teams across the business. ■■ Favourite music? town of March in ■■ What do you like least about your job? Anything I can dance Cambridgeshire. The travelling. As much as I love my job, if I and sing (badly) to! Peter Constable Now aged 80, after could do it all and still get to my own bed at ■■ Person you would most a career driving and fuelling buses for 56 years, night I’d be happy! like to have dinner he is ready to take a break. ■■ Favourite food? with? Regarded by many as synonymous with Breakfast, I love breakfast! Harry Potter at Stagecoach East’s March garage, he will be ■■ Least favourite food? Hogwarts! fondly remembered by those he has worked I hate mushrooms. ■■ First thing you would buy if you won £1 alongside over the years who wish him all the ■■ What are you most proud of? million? best in his retirement. To be honest I feel quite proud if I can get to Jump on a plane and think about it while the end of the day and I’ve managed to stay I sip a cocktail on a beach somewhere! I upright! (see below!) would also really like to open a comfy, laid n ■■ Favourite holiday destination? back breakfast cafe serving loads of different Long service awards Anywhere in the Caribbean. options for breakfast! STAGECOACH ■■ Most embarrassing moment? Manchester thanked I’m generally a bit clumsy and awkward and 36 members of staff, gravity tends to work against me. I’ve got far ‘Getting To Know You’ features in every edition for a collective 1,035 too many embarrassing moments as a result, of On Stage and we want to hear from as many years of service, like getting run over by a push bike or slipping staff as possible. To suggest the next participant, at the Company’s in the snow, landing on my handbag and email [email protected] annual Long Service Awards ceremony. The awards recognise employees North East New management teams who have worked appointments NEW management teams are in place across many with the local bus and South Lancashire depots NATHAN STANISLAWSKI The long-serving company for 20 years as the company develops and expands its team. has been welcomed Stagecoach Manchester or more. Particular The following Operations Managers are now in place: as the new Operations employees with Traffic commendation went ƒƒ Preston: Colin Nicholson (previously Chorley) Commissioner Beverley Manager to the team at to Systems Specialist, ƒƒ Chorley: Nat Ward (previously Liverpool Gillmoss) Bell (front centre) and John Pollock, who ’s Stagecoach Managing ƒƒ Liverpool Gillmoss: Louise Simpson (previously Teesside bus depot in Director Christopher has worked with the Preston) Stockton on Tees. Bowles (front second left) firm for 46 years, ƒƒ Birkenhead: Jamie Reid (previously Dunfermline) Lincoln-born Nathan and Drivers Frank ƒƒ Chester: Alan French (promoted from Assistant was previously Llewellyn and Roberts Usher who have each New Teeside Operations Manager, Preston) clocked up 44 years of service. Operations Manager for operations manager Stagecoach Manchester staff were presented Stagecoach in Ardrossan Nathan Stanislawski with their awards by Traffic Commissioner for the in West Scotland and is Last call for Bob North West of England, Beverley Bell, at The Lowry responsible for a team of 170 drivers and office staff CHORLEY bus Hotel, Manchester. at Stockton on Tees which operates 76 buses around driver Bob Knowles the Teesside area. has bid his Nathan said: “I am looking forward to my new passengers a fond challenge and working with my new team. I farewell after more n endeavour to make Stockton a great place to work than 40 years on Contacts Bob Knowles, who has retired the buses. for all employees and provide a fantastic service for after 40 years Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Bob covered the our customers.” Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW Chorley to Preston route for Stagecoach Merseyside Nathan’s appointment follows the promotion of Email: [email protected] and South Lancashire since 1974. former Operations Manager Abbey Pettigrew who He said: “I’ve loved my job, I’ve met a lot of interesting If you have a story for On Stage, please contact has taken up the role of manager for local bus at people because of it. My dad was also a driver so Lindsay Reid as above. The copy deadline for Stagecoach Oxford. I’ve been surrounded by buses for as long as I can the next edition of On Stage will be Friday 17 Meanwhile, Stagecoach North East has appointed remember – I think retirement will a bit surreal for me!” April 2015. apprentice fitter Kenny Kelly at Slatyford depot Bob’s retirement plans include a trip to Europe and all following the retirement of fitter Gordon Scott. at Chorley wish him the best. 10