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Home , Arriva North East, Brian Souter, Devon General, Double R Racing, Megabus (Europe), Megabus (North America)

AM I HOVERED? PAGES 8&9

The newspaper of Group Issue 68 Autumn 07 Sheepish celebration 3 Neville’s 55 not out 7 Girls on the move 11 Plane’s train tribute 13 DRIVES AHEAD IN STATES r#VEHFUDPBDIPQFSBUPSPQFOTIVCJO-PT"OHFMFT rNJMMJPOJOWFTUNFOUJOOFXEPVCMFEFDLFST What a Lott we got! r/FXSPVUFTBOEEFTUJOBUJPOTBEEFEUP6,OFUXPSL

MEGABUS.COM is on the road to further success – the brand in North America. Within little more than a thanks to expansion in Britain and America. year, we have built a network covering 20 key locations. The budget operator has taken a big step forward “Megabus.com is clearly attracting passengers out of with the launch of a major new hub in . their cars and we have seen a positive response from Passengers can now travel from the city to , female passengers in particular, who are responding to the Oakland, Phoenix/Tempe, , and safe and comfortable travelling environment on board. San Jose. “We believe there is further potential to attract more Low-cost fares are already available for express travel people in the US to the benefi ts of low-cost inter-city coach to 12 midwest cities through its hub, and the travel.” number of passengers has now broken through the The American expansion follows the UK success 500,000 barrier. of megabus.com, which carries around two million Stagecoach has also invested $10 million in America’s passengers a year from a network which now boasts 40 fi rst inter-city double-decker coaches for its megabus.com locations. network. Chester and Newport were recently added to the list The fi rst of the fl eet of 17 wheelchair-accessible of destinations and there are new journey options for vehicles has already gone into service, with the full fl eet passengers in , the Midlands and the South Coast. due in operation by January, 2008. The 79-passenger state- of-the-art coaches will run on megabus.com Midwest &9$&--&/5 routes operated out of Chicago, and feature seatbelts, We’re in the money! Ernie, John and Kev celebrate their windfall. toilets and air conditioning. The company’s main hub is also set to be moved , Chief Executive, said: to ’s , from the existing 5)3&&4UBHFDPBDIESJWFST &SOJF +PIO  BOE,FW   “We have been delighted with the growth of megabus. Greenline Terminal in the capital’s Bulleid Way. TIPXFEUIFZXFSFXIFFMZMVDLZ mXIPIBWFDMPDLFEVQBMNPTU com in the United States and the positive response of The fi rst megabuses will run out of the station from mBGUFSUIFZTDPPQFEBTIBSFPGB ZFBSTPGCVTESJWJOHCFUXFFO passengers to our high-quality of service and low-cost this month and customers will benefi t from much better XIPQQJOHb -PUUFSZXJO UIFNmBSFQBSUPGBTFWFO fares. facilities, including a new Mobility Assistance Lounge, re- &SOJF3VUIFSGPSE +PIO&MTZBOE TUSPOHTZOEJDBUFUIBUQVUTPOUIF “The latest expansion is part of our strategy to develop freshments, seating, toilets, retail outlets and information ,FW+PIOTPO BCPWF DPJOFEJO TBNFOVNCFSTFWFSZXFFLGPS screens. BMNPTUb FBDIXIFOUIFJS UIF4BUVSEBZESBX Passengers will also be able to buy tickets from Victoria’s TZOEJDBUFTOVNCFSTDBNFVQJO &SOJFBEEFEi*UTBMPWFMZ ticket offi ce for travel up to ten minutes before departure. +VMZ BNPVOUUPXJOBOEXFWFBMM Megabus drivers will also benefi t from the move, as #VUUIFQBMTIBWFOPQMBOTUP CFFOBCMFUPEPUIJOHTXFEJEOU control staff will be able to provide them with RVJUUIFJSKPCTmBOEQMBOUPDPO UIJOLXFSFQPTTJCMF up-to-the-minute boarding information UJOVFXPSLJOHGSPN4UBHFDPBDIT i*WFQBJEPGGNZNPSUHBHF  thanks to on-line access from offi ces at the 4PVUI4IFJMETEFQPU +PIOIBTCPVHIUB#.8BOE station. &SOJF  TBJEi*DPVMEOUCF QBJEGPSIJTEBVHIUFSTIPOFZ Mr Souter added: “The new base for our MJFWFJUXIFO*HPUBQIPOFDBMMUP NPPOBOE,FWCPVHIUBOFXDBS London services at Victoria coach station is UFMMNFPVSOVNCFSTIBEDPNF UPPu excellent news for our passengers and our VQ*UIPVHIU*XBTESFBNJOH* 4PVUI4IJFMET0QFSBUJPOT growing operation. IBEUPSJOH+PIOBOEHFUIJNUP .BOBHFS#SJBO4MFJHIUIPMNF “The new destinations and additional EPVCMFDIFDLCFGPSF*SFBMJTFEJU TBJEi8FBSFBMMWFSZQMFBTFE services will give even more areas of the XBTUSVFu GPSUIFNu country access to affordable inter-city travel.” YOUR

8FMDPNFUPZPVSOFX MPPL0O4UBHF*IPQFZPV MJLFUIFGSFTIEFTJHO 5IFOFXMBZPVUTIPVME NBLFUIFQBQFSFBTJFSUP SFBE XJUICSJHIUFSVTF PGQJDUVSFTBOETOBQQJFS TUPSJFT *UTTUJMMQBDLFEXJUIOFXT GSPNBDSPTTUIFDPNQBOZ BCPVUUIFQFPQMFUIBUBSF BUUIFIFBSUPGNBLJOH 4UBHFDPBDIUJDL begins its seven-year franchise next month. 8FXBOUUPIFBSXIBU ZPVUIJOLBCPVUUIFOFX MPPL(PPEPSCBE ESPQVT BMFUUFSPSBOFNBJMBOE MFUVTLOPX 'SPNOFYUTQSJOH XFXJMM STAR IS BORN IN BMTPCFMBVODIJOHBTMPUGPS ZPVUPIBWFZPVSTBZPO UIFJTTVFTUIBUBGGFDUUIF DPNQBOZZPVXPSLGPS *GZPVXBOUUPQBZUSJCVUF UPUIFXPSLPGBDPMMFBHVF EAST MIDLANDS PSMFUVTLOPXZPVSJEFBT UPJNQSPWFUIFXBZXF EFMJWFSPVSUSBOTQPSU *NQSPWFNFOUTQSPNJTFEBTOFXTFSWJDFHPFTPOUSBDL TFSWJDFT HFUXSJUJOH 8FXJMMPGGFSBDBTIQSJ[F AN EXCITING new train com- The firm plans to plough Network Rail to improve excited about creating this new FBDIJTTVFGPSUIFCFTU pany has unveiled its name, millions of pounds into station performance and the creation train company for the East MFUUFS logo and livery. and train improvements – of an integrated control centre Midlands and the wider region. "OE JGZPVSFBCVEEJOH East Midlands Trains – which is including refurbishments, more where colleagues from each or- “It will bring better harmony QIPUPHSBQIFS XFBSFBMTP run by Stagecoach Group’s rail between the regional and MPPLJOHGPSZPVSTFBTPOBM division – starts its seven-year mainline train services and link USBOTQPSUQJDUVSFTGPSPVS franchise at 2am on November into the revamped St Pancras OFXGFBUVSF 11. station, which will also be home 'PSUIFOFYUJTTVF JGZPV A brand-new franchise map has to Eurostar from November. IBWFBTIPUUIBUDBQUVSFT been drawn up to encompass “We have lots of plans to CVT DPBDI USBJOPSUSBN all of the existing mainline train CCTV cameras, more ticket ganisation will work together to improve the travelling experience TFSWJDFTBUXJOUFS TIBSFJU services running to London St machines and improved journey run the train service. for passengers and will bring the XJUIVTBOEZPVDPVMEXJO Pancras and the regional rail times. David Horne, Mobilisation expertise we have in running our bPG.4WPVDIFST8F services in the East Midlands and There will also be a closer Director for East Midlands other train company, South West IBWFLJDLFEUIJOHTPGGPO South area. working relationship with Trains, said: “We are really Trains, to this new business.” QBHF 1MFBTFTFOEZPVSMFUUFST BOEQJDUVSFTUPTUFWFO Bike heroes: We’re tyred out after 50-mile bridges ride TUFXBSU!TUBHFDPBDI HSPVQDPN"MUFSOBUJWFMZ  A GROUP of caring bus drivers raised ZPVDBOTFOEUIFNCZQPTU nearly £4,000 for charity by travelling from UP the Tay Bridge to the Forth Bridge – on their BIKES. 4UFWFO4UFXBSU The fourteen saddle-sore Stagecoach &EJUPS employees arrived exhausted at the famous 0O4UBHF Queensferry landmark after the gruelling 4UBHFDPBDI(SPVQ 50-mile marathon. %VOLFME3PBE Stagecoach Group then matched the 1FSUI £3988.22 raised to take the total donated to 1)58 Cancer Research Scotland and Maggie’s Centre to £7976.44. 8FBSFBMTPMPPLJOHUP The riders – who set off in two relay teams HFUZPVSTUPSJFTGPSGVUVSF – were followed by a bus carrying all their FEJUJPOT5IFDPOUBDUT food, water and puncture repair equipment. JOZPVSBSFBBOEUIF Elizabeth Adams, Fundraising Co-ordi- EFBEMJOFTGPSGVUVSFJTTVFT nator of Maggie’s , said: “A huge thank BSFPOQBHF you to everyone who took part in the event. “It was no mean feat and they all did it *MPPLGPSXBSEUPIFBSJOH with a smile! It’s wonderful when local GSPNZPV companies offer support to charities.” Marion Taylor, of Cancer Research UK, 5IF&EJUPS said: “This helped raise vital funds for us, while raising the awareness of keeping fit and reducing your risk of cancer.” Pedal power: The marathon bikers hand over their hard-earned cash. Autumn 07 2 &OWJSPONFOUBMáFFUJTOBNFEBGUFSTIFFQ Bus treat for EWE WILL LOVE Jock’s birthday OUR NEW BUSES Nathan Williams, Marketing Man- STAGECOACH bosses have ager for , with hailed a new fleet of environ- Dave Rosaman and Jock Kinnaird. mentally-friendly buses the best baaa none – by naming 3&5*3&%JOTQFDUPS+PDL them after SHEEP. ,JOOBJSEHPUCBDLPOUIF The Enviro 200 buses use a CVTFTUPDFMFCSBUFIJTUI special exhaust treatment called CJSUIEBZUIJTTVNNFS Adblue, which uses a chemical +PDLmXIPXPSLFEGPS version of urea to reduce their ZFBSTJOUIFJOEVTUSZmTQFOU carbon footprint by up to 100 UIFBGUFSOPPOUPVSJOHSPVOE tonnes compared to other buses XJUIDVSSFOU4UBHFDPBDI on the same routes. 8FTUJOTQFDUPS%BWF3PTB The urea is mixed in the NBO catalytic converter at high )FJOJUJBMMZXPSLFEBT temperature, which creates a BDPOEVDUPSXJUI#SJTUPM chemical reaction that reduces 0NOJCVTCFGPSFNPWJOHUP harmful gases, such as nitrogen 4XJOEPOBOE%JTUSJDUBTB oxide. ESJWFS Andrew Dyer, MD of *OIJTCVTDBSFFSUPPL , claimed that BEJGGFSFOUUVSO XIFOIF the decision to name the buses CFDBNFBNPCJMFJOTQFDUPS  after sheep came from jokes that CBTFEJO4XJOEPO urea is sheep’s pee. +PDLmXIPSFUJSFEBHFE He added: “As we are Flocking together: Stagecoach and Council representatives show off the new names. mOPXFOKPZTQMBZJOHCPXMT launching the cleaner and BOEJTBNFNCFSPGUIF greener vehicles to our fleet, it Woolly and Flossy. coaches are running the Spring A0VSTIFFQ 8FTUBDPUU$MVCJO4XJOEPO  seems appropriate to name them They will run on two route, linking Kings Worthy and BTXFMMBTSFQSFTFOUJOHUIF after sheep, which symbolise the re-branded switch routes Springvale with the city centre. TZNCPMJTF DPVOUZBUUIFTQPSU surrounding countryside.” between the city centre and Stagecoach Group Chief The buses – which were Harestock and Stanmore every Executive, Brian Souter UIFOFBSCZ launched in Winchester in July 15 minutes, and Winnall and joined company officials and - are named Bah Bah, Dolly, Badger Farm every 10 minutes, Winchester Council representa- DPVOUSZTJEF Shaun, Lamb Chop, Mint Sauce, Monday to Saturday. tives to show off the sheep’s "OESFX%ZFS Bo Peep, Larry, Lamby, Mary, Another three Enviro 200 names as they launched the line. people

Darlington deal is people signed and sealed Ticket to pride HAPPY staff at South West “This year’s winners are not #64HJBOU"SSJWBIBTCPVHIU Trains each got £50 voucher just about how pretty you can PWFSBMM4UBHFDPBDITPQFSB prizes when their hard work was make a station look, more about UJPOTJO%BSMJOHUPO BGUFSHFUUJOH recognised in the Station Pride how you use what you have to DMFBSBODFGSPNUIF0GàDFPG'BJS awards. offer our customers the best you 5SBEJOH Workers were asked to enter can and adding the occasional 4FWFOUZFJHIUTUBGGUSBOTGFSSFE the station they thought had personal touch.” UP"SSJWB/PSUI&BTUPO"VHVTU been the best looked after by This year’s stations were  BOEBTQPLFTXPNBOTBJEUIF colleagues. judged by a panel including DPNQBOZXBTEFMJHIUFECZUIF Earlsfield scooped the Best Chief Inspector Peter Rowe of NPWF Small Station, Salisbury won British Transport Police, Jocelyn $PNNFSDJBM%JSFDUPS-J[ Best Medium Station, Richmond Pearson of Passenger Focus, &TOPVGTBJEi8FBSFWFSZ was Best Large Station, George Bailey of the Passengers’ QMFBTFEXJUIUIF0'5TEFDJTJPO Bournmouth the Most Improved Panel, ’ UPDMFBSUIFEFBM Station and Clapham came out Customer Service Director Ian i0OCFIBMGPG"SSJWB *XPVME top in the Best Station Operating Johnston and Alan Williams of MJLFUPUBLFUIFPQQPSUVOJUZ Under Difficult Circumstances. Modern Railways magazine. UPXFMDPNF4UBHFDPBDIT Each member of staff at the %BSMJOHUPOTUBGGUPUIFDPNQBOZ winning stations received a If you have been involved in i.PWJOHGSPNPVSBOUJRVBUFE £50 Marks & Spencer voucher, EFQPUBU'FFUIBNTXJMMIFMQ a project aimed at growing while the stations got £1,000 to passenger numbers, then we’d like UIFDPVODJMSFEFWFMPQUIJTQBSU spend on something of benefit to to hear about it. PGUIFUPXOXIJMFXFIPQFUP employees and passengers. SFEVDFDPOHFTUJPOBOEQPMMVUJPO Your On Stage contact is listed Stewart Palmer, South West on p16. JOUIFDFOUSFCZSVOOJOHBMMPVS Trains’ Managing Director, said: CVTFTGSPNUIFOFXFSGBDJMJUJFT “I’m so proud of the staff from BWBJMBCMFBUUIF'BWFSEBMF all over our network who take so A tale EFQPUu to tell? Bursting with pride: Earlsfield staff with their award. much pride in their stations. Autumn 07 3 New role We’re proud of Prowse for finance 45"(&$0"$)ESJWFS.JDIBFM UJàDBUFGSPN%FWPO0QFSBUJPOT 1SPXTFIBTCFFODPOHSBUV %JSFDUPS 3JDIBSE4UFWFOT IF MBUFEGPSDPNQMFUJOHIJT/72 TBJEi*FOKPZFEUIFFYQFSJFODF man Ross DFSUJàDBUF BOEGPVOEJUWFSZXPSUIXIJMFu 45"(&$0"$)(SPVQ'JOBO 5IFZFBSPME PG%FWPO XBT .JDIBFMTUBSUFEIJTDBSFFSBT DJBM$POUSPMMFSBOE$PNQBOZ JOJUJBMMZTDFQUJDBMBCPVUVOEFS BQBSDFMCPZGPS%FWPO(FOFSBM 4FDSFUBSZ3PTT1BUFSTPOIBTCFFO UBLJOHBQFSJPEPGTUVEZ 0NOJCVTBOE5PVSJOH$PNQBOZ BQQPJOUFE%JSFDUPSPG'JOBODF #VU BGUFSBTIPSUUJNF JO5ISFFZFBSTMBUFSmBU )JTOFXSPMFJODMVEFTSFTQPO XPSLJOHPOUIFRVBMJàDBUJPO  UIFBHFPGmIFXPSLFEIJT TJCJMJUZGPSUIF(SPVQTUSFBTVSZ .JDIBFMBENJUUFEIFXBTHMBE XBZVQUPCFDPNFDPOEVDUPS  NBOBHFNFOU DPSQPSBUFàOBODF  IFETUBSUFEJU CFGPSFCFDPNJOHBGVMMUJNF àOBODJBMSFQPSUJOH CVEHFUJOH  "OE BTIFBDDFQUFEIJTDFS ESJWFSBU BOBMZTUSFMBUJPOTBOEDPNQBOZ TFDSFUBSJBMNBUUFST (SPVQ5BY%JSFDUPS+PIO )BNJMUPOIBTCFFOQSPNPUFEUP people Well done! Michael (right) receives his NVQ from Richard Stevens. (SPVQ5BYBOE&NQMPZFF#FOFàUT %JSFDUPS #PUINFOXJMMSFQPSUEJSFDUMZUP (SPVQ'JOBODF%JSFDUPS.BSUJO (SJGàUIT /JDL(VFTU (SPVQ5SFBTVSFS  EASY ACCESS FOR IBTMFGUUIFCVTJOFTTUPCFDPNF 'JOBODF%JSFDUPSBU4DPUUJTI 3FTPVSDFT(SPVQ .BSUJO(SJGàUITTBJEi*XJTIIJN XFMMJOIJTOFXQPTJUJPOu OUR PASSENGERS Staff get .PSBZXFMDPNFT4UBHFDPBDITXIFFMDIBJSGSJFOEMZáFFU

the credit DISABLED passengers can now travel freely around the 4$055*4)5SBOTQPSU$SFEJU area, after ’s 6OJPOTUBGGIBWFIBJMFEUIFJSWJT entire fleet was made wheelchair JUTUPBMM4UBHFDPBDIT'JGFEFQPUT friendly. BSFTPVOEJOHTVDDFTT Five easy-access Enviro 200 5IFUFBNPG-ZOETFZ3PCJOTPO buses were introduced in August, BOE+PIO'PUIFSJOHIBNHBWF bringing the total number of FNQMPZFFTJOGPSNBUJPOPO low-floor accessible coaches to 50. QFOTJPOTBOEIJHIMJHIUFEUIF The new vehicles – which CFOFàUTPGKPJOJOHUIF$SFEJU operate on the 336 service 6OJPOmJODMVEJOHGSFFàOBODJBM between Dufftown, Knockando, BOEMFHBMBEWJDFBTXFMMBTGSFF Aberlour, Elgin, Findhorn, and MJGFJOTVSBODFBOETBWJOHTBOE – were jointly funded by MPBOTGBDJMJUJFT.PSUHBHFTDBO Stagecoach, Moray Council and BMTPCFTFUVQXJUIPVUCSPLFS HITRANS at a cost of £450,000. DIBSHFT Charlie Mullen, Managing 1FOTJPO*OGPSNBUJPO.BOBHFS Director of Stagecoach Bluebird, The new buses are officially launched at RAF Kinloss. Pictured at the ceremony are: Charlie Mullen, Managing Director of Stagecoach -ZOETFZTBJEUIBUBOZ4UBHFDPBDI said: “We are extremely proud Bluebird; Robert Andrew, Regional Director of Stagecoach Scotland; Moray Council Convenor George McIntyre; HITRANS Director FNQMPZFFTFFLJOHNPSF to be able to say that over 80 per Dave Duthie and Peter Findlay, the council’s Public Transport Manager. JOGPSNBUJPODBOMPPLPOUIF cent of our fleet in the HITRANS 4DPUUJTI5SBOTQPSU$SFEJU6OJPO area is wheelchair accessible. More than 2.6 million bus must be accessible by law. One of Transport Manager, Peter Findlay, XFCTJUFXXXNZDVDPVL “Improvements such as these journeys were made with our main aims is to make public said: “The purchase of these new prove our commitment in Stagecoach Bluebird in the local transport more accessible and this vehicles demonstrates Stage- investing in the local network area in the 12 months to April project is a great step forward for coach’s commitment to providing Depot workers as well as demonstrating how 2007 – an increase of 8.6 per cent bus users in Moray, who we hope its customers with high-quality quality partnerships can deliver compared with the previous year. will get on board these excellent buses at a time when passenger know the score in offering a real alternative to Dave Duthie, HITRANS buses.” numbers in Moray have the car.” Director, said: “By 2015 all buses Moray Council’s Public increased.” 45"(&$0"$)44PVUI4IJFMET EFQPUIBTCFFOQSBJTFECZCPTTFT mGPSTDPSJOHOFBSMZQFSDFOU GPSTFSWJDFBOESFMJBCJMJUZ £3000 raised for sick kids 5IFEFQPUDBNFPVUBU MORE than £3000 was raised for poorly Miss Herne Bay, Rosie Gerolemou, and QFSDFOUBOENBOBHFEUP children at this year’s Herne Bay Bus princesses Emma Foster and Rebecca BDIJFWFQFSDFOUJOGPVS Rally. Webber. DBUFHPSJFTEVSJOHBSFDFOUBVEJU  The cash – which went to Sittingbourne- There was also a rare opportunity to see XIJDIMPPLFEJOUPBMMBTQFDUTPG based Demelza Hospice Care for Children an example bus from every branded route UIFPQFSBUJPJO JODMVEJOHTFSWJDF  – was raised by selling programmes to the operating in the Kent area together. IFBMUIBOETBGFUZBOESFWFOVF thousands of visitors who came to ride on Neil Instrall, Operations Director of NBOBHFNFOU new and historic buses at the Stagecoach Stagecoach, then invited the VIPs to enjoy #SJBO4MFJHIUIPMNFmXIPJT depot in the town. a vintage bus ride around the resort. JODIBSHFPGPQFSBUJPOTGPSUIF The seventh annual rally also boasted Organiser Graham Young said that he EFQPUmTBJEi5IFDSFEJUGPSUIJT a large selection of stands selling bus was delighted with the amount raised. SFTVMUHPFTUPBMMPVSTUBGGu memorabilia. He added: “We are very grateful for "TTFTTPS5POZ"ETIFBEBEEFE The Sheriff of Canterbury, Councillor all the help and support shown by i8IFOFWFSZPOFXPSLTBTB Gillian Reuby, the Mayor and Mayoress everyone involved to enable us to reach UFBNUIFSFTVMUJTBOFGàDJFOU of Ramsgate and Councillor Steve Ward such a good total to donate to Demelza BOEFGGFDUJWFEFQPUu The VIP party celebrates the charity triumph. were joined for a tour of the rally by Hospice.” Autumn 07 4 1000 British routes? That’s Geoff all over! NEW TRAMS ON-TRACK NEW trams have been ordered for ’s Metrolink system as more passengers con- tinue to get on board. Passenger Transport Executive has ordered eight new trams, which are due to be delivered in 2009. The trams will be supplied by Bombardier Transportation and will be based on the successful K5000 high floor design operating in Cologne. Bombardier is the market leader for UK trams, having supplied vehicles for Croydon and , and has a reputation for delivering a high quality product. Stagecoach Metrolink will be responsible for taking delivery of the new trams, which will be Geoff Fazackarley. designated M5000, at Queens #64ESJWFS(FPGG'B[BDLBSMFZIBT UIF6, Road Depot and for commission- ESJWFONPSFUIBOEJGGFSFOU "OE TJODFIFTUBSUFEJO  ing, operating and maintaining SPVUFTGPS4UBHFDPBDImGSPNUIF IFIBTLFQUBSFDPSEPGUIF  them. TPVUIDPBTUUPUIFUPQPG4DPU SPVUFTIFIBTESJWFO A review of the design of the These trams will become a familiar sight in Manchester. MBOE (FPGGTBJEi*UTBHSFBUXBZPG M5000 is under way to make 5IFZFBSPME PG1PSUTNPVUI  TFFJOHUIF6,XIJMTUXPSLJOHBOE sure it meets the needs of drivers JTB-FBEJOH%SJWFSXJUIUIFàSN JUTBNB[JOHIPXZPVDBOSFNFN and maintenance staff. already comes as standard. The Metrolink’s most modern trams JO$IJDIFTUFS CVUBMTPFOKPZT CFSBSPVUFZPVESPWFFWFOàWF The proposed layout of the basic dimensions of the M5000 were designed in the 1990s, XPSLJOHBTBSFMJFGXPSLFSBMMPWFS ZFBSTBHPu cab controls has already been trams will be similar to the T68, and technology has moved on reviewed with the help of at 28.4 metres long and 2650 significantly, with new industry Metrolink drivers and trainers, mm wide. They will have 78 standards evolving. and comments have been fed passenger seats, eight passenger To accommodate the extra eight back to Bombardier. doors, and will weigh just under trams, the Metrolink depot will people Air conditioning in the cab 40 tonnes when empty. be expanded. PUBLIC NAMES DAN’S 40-YEAR STATION STARS GREG’S ON-TARGET SOUTH West Trains asked pas- SAFETY DRIVE sengers to name the workers who provide exceptional customer FOR CHAMPIONSHIP COACH USA has paid tribute service. 4UBHFDPBDI4VQFSUSBNIBEB to employee Daniel Opp, who Passengers were asked to fill in TQFDJBMWJTJUPSSFDFOUMZ has clocked up an amazing nomination forms at their stations &OHMBOECPXMTTUBS(SFH record of 40 years’ safe driv- in August and September, and )BSMPXTUFQQFEPOCPBSE ing. pick out the members of staff B4VQFSUSBNWFIJDMFUP His company, Olympia who made their lives easier. TIBSQFOVQIJTTLJMMTBIFBEPG Trails, honoured him with an Managing Director Stewart BOJNQPSUBOUDPNQFUJUJPO Outstanding Service Award at Palmer said: “This was a fantastic (SFH GSPN&MZ JTTFUUP a special tribute lunch. opportunity to recognise what FYUFOEIJTSFNBSLBCMFSFDPSE Daniel said that he developed people at stations and on trains JO4IFGàFMEJO/PWFNCFS his excellent driving skills in do for us every day with a smile, )FJTTFFEFEUPXJOIJT Daniel Opp. his first job with an association despite some of the challenges GPVSUITVDDFTTJWFUJUMFJO of private bus owners aged 21. they may be facing.” UIF*OUFSOBUJPOBM0QFO UIF He said: “The owner would put a glass of water The event was part of National PQFOJOHFWFOUPGUIF8PSME on the floor of the bus filled about a quarter of Customer Service Week, which #PXMT5PVSTFBTPO an inch from the top and you had to drive all day ran from October 1 to 7. 5IFFWFOU XIJDIJTIFME without spilling a drop – that taught me to drive Last year’s winner, Ron Cox BU1POET'PSHF JTFYQFDUFE smoothly. of Thames Ditton, said: “I UPBUUSBDUUIPVTBOETPG In 1966, he joined a subsidiary of Coach USA was surprised that so many TQFDUBUPST NBOZPGXIPN company Red and Tan, working out of the Jersey passengers took the time to XJMMCFVTJOHQVCMJDUSBOTQPSU City garage. But the following year he was asked nominate me. BTBNFBOTUPHFUUIFSF to work for Red and Tan itself and since then, he “I know how busy my "OE4VQFSUSBNJTUIFJEFBM has never looked back. passengers are so I just try my XBZPGHFUUJOHUPUIFWFOVF Daniel added: “I attribute my safe driving record best to make things easier for Greg Harlow lines up a shot under the appreciative gaze of BTJUIBTJUTPXOTUPQSJHIU to really liking and caring about my profession. them when they travel with Conductor Stuart Ellis. PVUTJEF I have a lot of patience and it’s more than just a South West Trains.” job.” Autumn 07 5 Bus pair reach IT’S SCOT TO BE awards final 5804UBHFDPBDI6,#VT BQQSFOUJDFTIBWFSFBDIFEUIF àOBMPGUIF(P4LJMMT1BTTFO HFS5SBOTQPSU"QQSFOUJDFTIJQ "XBSET THE BUS FOR US 3JDIBSE5BZMPSGSPN 4UBHFDPBDI/PSUI8FTUT $IPSMFZ%FQPU BOE+BNFT 1BTTFOHFSKPVSOFZTTPBSJO"CFSEFFOBOE.PSBZ #FMàFMEGSPN1SJODFTT3PBE %FQPUJO.BODIFTUFSBSFUXP A GROWING number of peo- PGKVTUUISFFàOBMJTUT ple in the area are #PUINFOXJMMUSBWFMUP choosing to go by bus – with a -POEPOGPSUIFHMJUUFSJOH massive eight million journeys BXBSETDFSFNPOZPO made on Stagecoach in the last /PWFNCFS year. 5IFKVEHFTDPOàSNFEBMBSHF New figures show that’s an OVNCFSPGBQQMJDBUJPOTXFSF increase of seven per cent in just SFDFJWFEGPSUIFDPNQFUJUJPO 12 months. BOEUIFZXFSFJNQSFTTFE Passengers have seen XJUIUIFRVBMJUZPGUIPTFXIP improved services between FOUFSFE Aberdeen, and "4UBHFDPBDITQPLFTNBOTBJE Montrose, thanks to the new i8FXJTIUIFNCPUIXFMMu Coastrider services. Around 742,000 passengers travelled this route last year, making it the busiest in the In line for region. George Devine, Operations spruce up Manager for Stagecoach Bluebird in , said: 45"5*0/4POUIF*TMFPG “This is a great public transport 8JHIUT*TMBOE-JOFBSFTFU success story. GPSBNBLFPWFSUIBOLTUPB “It shows what can be b JOWFTUNFOU achieved when there is a 5IFTUPQTPOUIFFJHIUNJMF strong partnership approach TUSFUDIPGUSBDLXJMMCF between good bus operators and SFQBJOUFEJOUIFIFSJUBHF pro-active local authorities.” DPMPVSTPGHSFFOBOEDSFBN  There is good news from OFXTFBUTXJMMCFJOTUBMMFE  Moray too – with Stagecoach 4BOEPXOBOE3ZEF4U+PIOT passenger journeys up 8.6 per Local bus user Sharon McGlinchey, William Mainus of Stagecoach and Bob Walker, Moray Council’s deputy public transport unit XJMMHFUOFXTIFMUFSTBOE-BLF cent on last year to 2.6 million. manager, celebrate Bluebird’s success. XJMMIBWFOPOTMJQUSFBEQVUPO The Bluebird service between UIFQMBUGPSN Moray and was “Stagecoach has been at the can all share in the benefits of "OEZ/BZMPS *TMBOE-JOF enhanced in 2005 and runs forefront of new ideas on rising passenger numbers and i5IJTJTBHSFBU (FOFSBM.BOBHFS TBJEi5IJT every 20 minutes, allowing improving bus travel for local less congestion on our roads.” JTBWFSZXFMDPNFJOWFTUNFOU people fast and frequent travel people. Bob Walker, of Moray Council, QVCMJDUSBOTQPSU BOEUIFXPSLXJMMHJWFMBTUJOH to shops and attractions in Elgin “These new figures prove said: “The joint initiatives CFOFàUGPSQBTTFOHFSTBOE and Inverness. that, if bus operators and local between Moray Council and TVDDFTTTUPSZu FNQMPZFFTu William Mainus, Operations authorities work in partnership Stagecoach have proven to be Manager for Stagecoach and share responsibility for beneficial to all passengers in (FPSHF%FWJOF Bluebird in Moray, said: improving public transport, we the area.” Promos please SWT strolls passengers Team is Dover 45"(&$0"$)8FTUIBT to success SFQPSUFEHSFBUTVDDFTTFTJOJUT the moon EJSFDUNBJMBOEUFMFNBSLFUJOH 4065)8FTU5SBJOTTQPOTPSFE DBNQBJHOTUIJTZFBS BTFSJFTPGHVJEFEXBMLTUPFO *OJUTQSPNPUJPOTGPS DPVSBHFQFPQMFUPEJTDPWFSUIF to have Paul .VMUJSJEFUJDLFUT   IJTUPSZPG8JOETPSBOE&UPO WPVDIFSTXFSFJTTVFEBOE 5IFUPVSTmXIJDIBMMCFHBO SFEFFNFE XIJDIJTB BU8JOETPSBOE&UPO3JWFSTJEF THE Stagecoach bus team at Dover are delighted DPOWFSTJPOSBUFPGOJOFQFS TUBUJPOmXFSFMBVODIFEBT with their new boss. DFOU QBSUPG8JOETPS'FTUJWBMJO Paul Clark – who started his career with *O4XJOEPO  WPVDIFST 4FQUFNCFS Buses as a part-time conductor aged 16 XFSFJTTVFE XJUI 5IFZJODMVEFEHVJEFEUPVSTPG – is now Operations Manager at the south coast SFEFFNFEmBSBUFPGFJHIU 8JOETPSTSPZBMIJTUPSJDBMBSFBT B depot. QFSDFOU A$PNFEZ(IPTU8BMLJOWFTUJHBU The 25-year-old studied transport management #VU(MPVDFTUFSSBDLFE JOHMPDBMIBVOUJOHTBOEBXBML at Aston University before going on to work as VQUIFCFTUFWFSSFTVMU SPVOE&UPOUPXO Assistant Operations Manager for Stagecoach GPSUIFHSPVQCZJTTVJOH *BO+PIOTUPO 4PVUI8FTU5SBJOT .  WPVDIFST XJUI $VTUPNFS4FSWJDF%JSFDUPS TBJE Paul Southgate, Managing Director of SFEFFNFEmHJWJOHJUBSBUFPG i8FXFSFEFMJHIUFEUPCFBCMF Stagecoach in Kent, said: “We are delighted that QFSDFOU UPTQPOTPSUIFGFTUJWBMGPSUIF Paul has joined. He will help us plan for the 5IFOBUJPOBMSBUFGPSEJSFDU TJYUIZFBSSVOOJOHu move to a new depot and administration facility NBJMJTKVTUUXPQFSDFOU that is now planned for early 2008.” Autumn 07 6 COMMUTERS’ Travel the today

EXTRA SPACES has with conductors on several of its launched an improved network routes. 4065)8FTU5SBJOTIBTKVTUBEEFEBOPUIFS of newly-branded buses in the “Following extensive passenger DBSQBSLJOHTQBDFTBUGPVSPGJUTTUBUJPOT Tayway corridor. studies carried out on the network 5IFXPSLJTQBSUPGBNVMUJNJMMJPOQPVOE The services - which run and the consultation with Angus DBSQBSLFYQBOTJPOTDIFNFUPQSPWJEF between , , Council and Dundee City Council, JNQSPWFEGBDJMJUJFTBOENPSFUIBO  , and we introduced revisions. FYUSBTQBDFTBDSPTTUIFOFUXPSL Montrose - started on August 13. “These changes will allow us to 4UBUJPOTUIBUIBWFCFOFàUFEBSF8JODIàFME  Doug Fleming, MD of offer a combination of improved XJUIFYUSBTQBDFT #JUUFSOFXJUIBEEFE  Scotland, said: frequency and journey times as 8JOETPSBOE&UPO3JWFSTJEFIBEBOPUIFS “The Tayway corridor has been well as value for money ticket BOE)JOUPO"ENJSBMIBTBOPUIFS a popular network for many options along the corridor into "4PVUI8FTU5SBJOTTQPLFTNBOTBJEi5IJT years and is the only one in Dundee city centre and Ninewells JTHSFBUOFXTGPSQBTTFOHFSTu Dundee is enjoying better bus links to nearby towns. Scotland which still operates Hospital.”

Disabled jobs honour for YEAR WE GO South West $FMFCSBUJPOBT/FWJMMFJTOBNFEMPOHFTUTFSWJOHXPSLFS Trains

LOYAL Neville Gosling was thrown a surprise party by 4065)8FTU5SBJOTIBT Stagecoach after being named the longest-serving member CFFOIPOPVSFEGPSJUTDPN of staff – clocking up an amazing 55 years. NJUNFOUUPQSPWJEJOHXPSL The 70-year-old, of Winnall, has been working for Win- GPSEJTBCMFEQFPQMF chester’s bus services since 1952. 5IFDPNQBOZXBTOBNFE He started out as a junior clerk for the Hants & Bus A1BSUOFSPGUIF.POUI Company and went on to cover many administrative roles JO+VOFCZUIF&OIBN during his career. &NQMPZNFOU4FSWJDFT And he stayed on when the company was taken over in DIBSJUZ 1983 by Hampshire Bus and then Stagecoach in 1987. 0OFPG&OIBNTDMJFOUTm XIPIBTMFBSOJOHEJGGJDVMUJFT mXBTSFDFOUMZFNQMPZFEBT A8FBSFEFMJHIUFE BDMFBOFSBUTUBUJPOTPOUIF MJOFCFUXFFO/FX.JMUPOBOE 8BSFIBN UIBUIFEPFTOPU )JTCPTT #SPDLFOIVSTU 4UBUJPO.BOBHFS3BMQI)JHHT  JOUFOEUPSFUJSFZFU TBJEi4PVUI8FTU5SBJOT IBTBDPSQPSBUFSFTQPOTJCJM "OESFX%ZFS JUZUPFOTVSFUIBUEJTBCMFE QFPQMFBSFPGGFSFEFRVBM Now working as a cleaner for the engineering team, PQQPSUVOJUJFT0VSXPSLJOH proud Neville was presented with a £1000 cheque from QBSUOFSTIJQXJUI&OIBN Chief Executive Brian Souter and a book on the history of FOBCMFTVTUPQSPBDUJWFMZ Stagecoach. TVQQPSUUIFJSXPSLu In a letter read out by the MD of Stagecoach South, Andrew &OIBNXBTGPVOEFEJO Dyer, Mr Souter also thanked Neville for his dedication. BTBSFIBCJMJUBUJPODFOUSF Mr Dyer said: “Brian has checked with all the divisions GPSFYTFSWJDFNFOSFUVSOJOH of Stagecoach in the UK and can confirm that Neville is the GSPNUIF'JSTU8PSME8BS longest-serving member of staff in the group. 0WFSUIFQBTUZFBSTJU “We are delighted that he does not intend to retire yet and IBTIFMQFEEJTBCMFEQFPQMF are keen to find out if Neville holds the long-service record for GJOEOFXMJWFT IPNFTBOE FNQMPZNFOU the entire UK bus industry.” 55 not out: Neville accepts the congratulations of Stagecoagh South Managing Director Andrew Dyer. New boss Chris for Virgin West Coast MANAGING Director of Virgin of Europe’s fastest-growing rail million seats a year to meet forecast CrossCountry Chris Gibb has taken networks, increasing the number of demand. over as boss of Virgin West Coast. customers by more than 60 per cent Chris (pictured left) said: “I am He took up his new MD’s post at over 10 years to 43 million. delighted to be taking over at such the end of August when Charles – They have also shown some an exciting time, and I look forward who had been with the company of the biggest improvements to leading the company onwards four-and-a-half years – retired. in performance, each regularly and upwards in the coming years.” Chris (43) has led the highly achieving 90 per cent-plus Tony Collins, Chief Executive of successful CrossCountry franchise punctuality scores. , said: “Charles since 2003 and he will continue The appointment comes as has my personal thanks for trans- with the department until Virgin West Coast prepares for forming West Coast into the November 11, when take it exciting changes, which will almost success it is today by leading a over. double the number of Sunday highly-skilled team which, I know, Virgin West Coast and Virgin services, create 32 per cent more will give Chris all the support he New Virgin West Coast Managing Director Chris Gibb. CrossCountry have become two train services overall and add 13 needs.” Autumn 07 7 THE hovercraft trial on the Firth of Forth has been hailed a massive success – after excited passengers queued for up to two hours to sample the experi- ence. The craft – which can carry 130 people – was sold out on nearly every single run for the whole 12-day trial starting on July 13. Commuters were among those trying out service from Portobello in to WE’RE HO , with 2213 boarding for the departures at 7.10am and 8am. But the biggest queues came from day-trippers, desperate to board the sailings after 9am. Stagecoach’s customer services teams and 1BTTFOHFSTáPDLUP'P operational staff at the Kirkcaldy and Portobello departure points put in a huge effort to ensure the operation ran smoothly during the trial. A waiting area was provided at Kirkcaldy in two 83-seat Megabus double-deckers parked parallel to the shore to allow passengers to look out over the Forth. also set aside two double-deck- ers as waiting areas at its Marine depot in Portobello – just a short walk from the hovercraft landing area. But, despite the queues, the punctuality of the service was almost 100 per cent for the entire trial, with only one round-trip cancellation and one 40-minute delay at Portobello.

Passengers also took advantage of buses specially linked to the hovercraft schedule. Lothian Buses laid on two coaches – one to Ocean Terminal in Leith and another to Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh city centre. Stagecoach’s Fife services 6, 7 and 7a were re-routed to call at the beach depot and the X69 and X60 services between Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, and already stopped there. In total, 32,099 passengers were carried on the Solent Express, which was chartered by Stagecoach from Hovertravel Ltd on the Isle of Wight. Captain Barrie Jehan – who was a key member of the trial team – sailed it 512 nautical miles to the Forth from its base on July 10. He said: “The journey took just 13 hours to complete going at an average speed of 38.5 knots, with two stops. “But going back it took 16 hours, because there were swells of up to 3.5 metres. However, the performance of the craft in such seas amazed the Prize for 25,000th passenger operating crew.” The trial cost £300,000 and was underwritten 456//&%/JDPMB4OFEEPOXPOB  QBTTFOHFSTJTBTJHOJGJDBOU by Stagecoach with a contribution of a £90,000 TQFDJBMQSJ[FGPSCFJOHUIF UI NJMFTUPOFGPSUIFQSPKFDU5IF grant from the South East of Scotland Transport IPWFSDSBGUQBTTFOHFS TFSWJDFIBTQSPWFEFYUSFNFMZ Partnership. /JDPMBmXIPXBTUSBWFMMJOHXJUI QPQVMBSXJUIQFPQMFVTJOHJUGPS Now the statistics and surveys collected during the LJET"MBOBBOE$BNFSPOmXBT MFJTVSFUSJQTBOEDPNNVUJOH trial will be factored into a £750,000 cross-Forth ferry QSFTFOUFEXJUIBHBTCBSCFRVFCZ i8FIBWFMFBSOFEBIVHFBNPVOU study for SEStran and its stakeholders. 4UBHFDPBDIT3FHJPOBM.BOBHJOH EVSJOHUIFUSJBMBCPVUUIFGVUVSF Stagecoach Chief Executive Brian Souter said: “We %JSFDUPS3PCFSU"OESFXBOE QPUFOUJBMPGBDSPTT'PSUIQVCMJD are extremely encouraged by the magnifi cent public $BQUBJO#BSSZ+FIBOUPNBSLUIF USBOTQPSUMJOL5IFGFFECBDLGSPN response. NJMFTUPOFPO+VMZ QBTTFOHFSTIBTCFFOPWFSXIFMN “Now we have to carefully analyse the results and 4IFTBJEi5IJTJTHSFBUmUIBOLZPV JOHMZQPTJUJWFBOEXFBSFMPPLJOH viability with the stakeholders before committing to TPNVDIu GPSXBSEUPTUVEZJOHUIFSFTVMUTPG a permanent service.” .S"OESFXBEEFEi3FBDIJOH UIFUSJBMu

Autumn 07 8 OVER-JOYED! PSUIDSBGUTUSJBMSVO

HOV WE GOT A TREAT FOR YOU :06/(QBTTFOHFS.BJTJFXBTUBLFOPO UIFIPWFSDSBGUBTBCJSUIEBZUSFBUmCVU TIFXBTPWFSUIFNPPOXIFOTIFHPUB QSFTFOUGSPNUIFDSFX 5IFUPUmXIPXBTGPVSZFBSTPMEPO +VMZmXBTBMMTNJMFTXIFO$BQUBJO #BSSZ+FIBOBOE4FOJPS$BCJO0GGJDFS "MBO1IJMMJQTIBOEFEPWFSIFSHJGUBU 1PSUPCFMMP $BQU+FIBOTBJEi8FXFSFIPOPVSFE UPIBWF.BJTJFBCPBSEu

Autumn 07 9 Ron praised at ceremony

Ron Cox. 5)".&4%JUUPOTUBUJPO Seat of learning: ’s bus services can offer lessons on customer service and popularity. TVQFSWJTPS3PO$PYIBTCFFO IJHIMZDPNNFOEFEBUUIF/B UJPOBM5SBOTQPSU"XBSETJOUIF 'SPOUMJOF&NQMPZFFPGUIF:FBS DPNQFUJUJPO 3POmXIPIBTXPSLFEXJUI 4PVUI8FTU5SBJOTGPSPWFSTJY PARTNER DEALS ZFBSTmTBJEi5PFWFOHFUUPUIF TUBHFPGCFJOHTIPSUMJTUFEXBTB SFBMIPOPVSJOJUTFMGu 1BTTFOHFSTBMXBZTDPNNFOUPO 3POTGBOUBTUJDDVTUPNFSTFSWJDF  DELIVER BETTER BOEPOFTBJEi3POBMXBZTHPFT PVUPGIJTXBZUPCFIFMQGVMBOE DPVSUFPVTu"OPUIFSBEEFE 4UBHFDPBDIJOJUJBUJWFJO$BNCSJEHFCFBUT-POEPOTFUVQ i3POBMXBZTPGGFSTBDDVSBUF BEWJDFBOEJOGPSNBUJPOu COMMERCIAL bus partnerships can deliver Executive, said: “These figures prove defini- per passenger in Cambridge compared to 485"SFB.BOBHFS.BUUIFX higher passenger growth and better value for tively that partnerships between high-quality 28.4p for London 8JOOJFBDDPNQBOJFE3POUP money to taxpayers than London-style regula- bus operators and pro-active local authorities r The total public subsidy in London was UIFBXBSETDFSFNPOZBUUIF tion, according to new analysis by Stagecoach. can deliver better results than bureaucratic £2,336.6 million compared to £2.4 million in (SPTWFOPS1BSL-BOF)PUFMJO A new five-year study comparing the regulated systems. Cambridge -POEPOPO+VMZUPTFFIJNCF performance of the company’s deregulated “The success in Cambridge has been achieved r The subsidy in London equates to more than QSFTFOUFEXJUIBDFSUJàDBUFBOE bus services in Cambridge and the Mayor’s at a fraction of the cost in London, delivering £320 for every resident in the capital. This BCPUUMFPGDIBNQBHOF regulated bus network shows: better value for money to taxpayers.” compares with a subsidy of only £22 for )FTBJEi*BNFYUSFNFMZQSPVE r Passenger growth in Cambridge has been The Stagecoach analysis compared the every resident in Cambridge. UIBU3POIBTCFFOSFXBSEFEGPS more than double the level in London passenger growth and public subsidy between UIFPVUTUBOEJOHBUUJUVEFIFIBT r Public subsidy per passenger in London is 2001 and 2006 in London with the equivalent Passengers have flooded on to the buses in UPXBSETIJTKPC more than three times that in Cambridge. figures for Stagecoach’s citi network in Cambridge after Stagecoach invested more than i3POJTDMFBSMZMPWFECZ The new figures were revealed in August, as Cambridge. It shows that: £4 million in 2001 in a fleet of 40 new low-floor QBTTFOHFSTUSBWFMMJOHGSPN the Transport Committee prepared to publish r Passenger volumes grew by a massive 77 vehicles, and introduced a string of initiatives. 5IBNFT%JUUPOBOESFBMMZEPFT a report on the Government’s Draft Local per cent in Cambridge compared to 34.4 per Numbers have also been boosted by a strong EFMJWFSBàSTUDMBTTTFSWJDFFWFSZ Transport Bill. cent in London partnership with County EBZu Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief r Public subsidy per passenger was only 8.7p Council and other local organisations. Bikers We’re only here for the years 40 years on backed by the buses #64JOTQFDUPS%BWF3PTBNBO XBTDPOHSBUVMBUFECZGBNJMZBOE Stagecoach GSJFOETPO4FQUFNCFSmBGUFS IFSBDLFEVQZFBSTJOUIF 5)&/BUJPOBM.PUPSDZDMF JOEVTUSZ 3PBE3BDFTJO8BMFT %BWFTUBSUFEBTBDPOEVDUPS BUUSBDUFEBMNPTU  GPS$IFMUFOIBN%JTUSJDU5SBD TQFDUBUPSTUP"CFSEBSF1BSL UJPO$PNQBOZBOEQSPHSFTTFE JO8BMFT UPUIFQPTJUJPOPGESJWFSBGUFS 4UBHFDPBDImXIJDI KVTUTJYNPOUIT TQPOTPSFEUIFFWFOUmIBE *O BGUFS8FTUFSO5SBWFM BIVHFQSFTFODF XJUIB CPVHIUUIFDPNQBOZ IFTUBSUFE EPVCMFEFDLFSCVTQBSLFE EPJOH/BUJPOBM)PMJEBZUPVST  BUUIFGJOJTIMJOF USBDLTJEF FYDVSTJPOT QSJWBUFIJSFBOE BOEXFMDPNFCBOOFST  /BUJPOBM&YQSFTTXPSL BMMGSPN QSPHSBNNFBEWFSUT BTXFMM UIF$IFMUFOIBNEFQPU BTUIFOBNJOHSJHIUTUPB %BWFmXIPXBTBMTPB5SBEF OVNCFSPGSBDFT 6OJPOTIPQTUFXBSEBOE4FOJPS 5IFSBDFTXFSFSVOPWFS AN incredible 670 years of serv- Chesterfield contributed 295 years Andrew Calladine, Barry Lowe, $POWFOPSGPSUIFESJWFSTGPS UXPEBZTPOBCFBVUJGVM ice to were to the total, with Michael Needham Michael Brooke, Stephen Read, ZFBSTmUPPLVQIJTDVSSFOU XPPEMBOEDJSDVJUBOE honoured at the annual long-service putting in an amazing 45 years of Paul Wainwright, Kevin Reel, QPTJUJPOPGNPCJMFJOTQFDUPSGPS WJTJUPSTXFSFLFFOUPTOBQ dinner held in Barnsley. service alone. David Wheatcroft, Darrell Grocutt, 4UBHFDPBDI8FTUJO VQUIFGSFFLFZSJOHT QFOT  Employees and their partners Others who were honoured Michael Walker, Ryszard Rydel, CPPLNBSLTBOEMJUFSBUVSF were greeted by MD Paul Lynch, were: David Adshed, Brian Robert Cawkewell, Stuart Brentnall, UIBUXFSFIBOEFEPVUCZ Engineering Director Joe Gilchrist Ellis, Thomas Nutt, Barry Cant, Robert Bilham, Alan Arblaster, 4UBHFDPBDI and Sue Hayes, Operations Michael Chapman, John Airey, Philip Winninton, Kenneth Randle Director. Colin Barraclough, Roy Bissell, and Michael Churm. people Autumn 07 10 £15m gets fleet green GRAHAM DOES and clean 45"(&$0"$)IBTBOOPVODFEB NBTTJWFbNJMMJPOJOWFTUNFOUJO BáFFUPGOFXHSFFOCVTFT .PSFUIBOWFIJDMFTmXIJDI THE DOUBLE IBWFFOWJSPONFOUBMMZBEWBODFE &VSPFOHJOFTmXJMMHPJOUP TFSWJDFPOBOVNCFSPGLFZSPVUFT "QQSFOUJDFTDPPQTUPQQSJ[FGPSTFDPOEUJNF UPBOEGSPN.BODIFTUFSPWFSUIF OFYUTJYNPOUIT .BOBHJOH%JSFDUPSPG PROUD Graham Evans won the 4UBHFDPBDI.BODIFTUFS .BSL top prize at the National Appren- 5ISFBQMFUPO TBJEi5IFTFOFX tice of the Year Awards – for the CVTFTXJMMCSJOHJOWFTUNFOUJOPVS second year in a row. CVTáFFUJOUIFDJUZUPOFBSMZb Graham scooped the award for NJMMJPOJOKVTUUXPZFBSTBTQBSUPG second-year apprentices in 2006 PVSESJWFUPHFU.BODIFTUFSCBDL and has now been named best POCPBSEUIFCVTu third-year as well. )FBEEFEi8FBSFGVMMZCFIJOE Swindon-based Graham joined (SFBUFS.BODIFTUFSTWJTJPOGPS Stagecoach West in 2004 and BIJHIRVBMJUZJOUFHSBUFEQVCMJD has been mentored by depot USBOTQPSUOFUXPSLu supervisor Geoff Sturgess. In Graham’s category, Jamie Stockton of Stagecoach Rescue team Manchester came second and David Phillips of Stagecoach joy at £3.5k Wales came third. The awards luncheon was held at the National Motorcycle donation Museum in on %034&57PMVOUBSZ4FBSDIBOE August 30. Proud day: The prizewinning apprentices. Graham 3FTDVFUFBNIBTUIBOLFE4PVUI First-year awards were Evans. 8FTU5SBJOTGPSJUTAJODSFEJCMZHFO presented by Colin North of Teng Engineering Director of North West. FSPVTbEPOBUJPOUPXBSET Tools to Ruairidh Blacklaws of , on behalf The third-year awards were UIFJSXPSL Stagecoach Bluebird in first place, of Ltd, which presented by Chris Wise, of 5IFDBTIXJMMHPUPXBSETUIF Jamie Sinclair of Stagecoach West donated the trophies. Group Ltd, which QVSDIBTFPGOFXSBEJPFRVJQNFOU Scotland in second and Nathan First place went to Lloyd donated the trophies. BOENBJOUFOBODFPGJUTTFBSDI Hindley of Thomas of Stagecoach Wales, A Stagecoach spokesman said: DPOUSPMWFIJDMF in third. second place to Ben Trotter of “We’re very proud of all our 5IF%PS4"3UFBNmXIJDIJT Second-year awards were Stagecoach South and third to apprentices and we would like to PODBMMIPVSTBEBZmIBTCFFO presented by Paul Lee, Anthony Seed of Stagecoach congratulate them all.” JOWPMWFEJOTFBSDIPQFSBUJPOT TJODFJUMBVODIFEJO "TQPLFTNBOTBJEi8FEPOU DIBSHFUIFFNFSHFODZTFSWJDFT Our 20 girls are just the ticket GPSPVSXPSL UIFSFGPSFTVQQPSU GSPNUIFDPNNVOJUZBOE DPSQPSBUFTQPOTPSTJTWJUBM A TWENTY-strong group of fe- i4VDIBSFTPVSDFDBOPGUFO male drivers are helping to keep NFBOUIFEJGGFSFODFCFUXFFOMJGF Thanet on the move. BOEEFBUIu The women make up 15 per cent of the team which operates the depot’s fleet of 63 double New routes for and single-deck buses. Operations Manager Michael .com Denne said that, since he took over at the depot in 2003, the 45"(&$0"$)HSPVQJTFYQBOE expansion of services in the area JOHJUTCVEHFUSBJMTFSWJDFNFHBU had seen an additional 33 drivers SBJODPNUPNPSFTUBUJPOTPOUIF recruited to meet demand. 4PVUI8FTU5SBJOTOFUXPSL He said: “We have been very 'BSFTGSPNKVTUbBSFOPX fortunate to be able to recruit so BWBJMBCMFGPSUSBWFMUPBOEGSPN many good people over recent "YNJOTUFS )POJUPOBOE)BWBOU  years to join our experienced PGGFSJOHBOBEEJUJPOBMCBSHBJO team. TFBUTBXFFL “I’m delighted that we have a 5IFFYUFOTJPOPGUIFNFHBUSBJO good balance.” DPNOFUXPSLJTQBSUPG4UBHF DPBDITNVMUJNJMMJPOQPVOE If you have been involved in a project JOWFTUNFOUJO485VOEFSBOFX aimed at growing passenger numbers, ZFBSGSBODIJTF then we’d like to hear about it. "TQPLFTNBOGPS4UBHFDPBDI Your On Stage contact is listed TBJEi.FHBUSBJODPNJTMFBEJOH on p16. UIFXBZJOPGGFSJOHIJHIRVBMJUZ  FYDFMMFOUWBMVFSBJMUSBWFMBOEXF CFMJFWFUIJTáFYJCMFBQQSPBDIUP A tale QSJDJOHJTUIFGVUVSFGPSSBJMUSBWFM to tell? JOUIF6,u Autumn 07 11 Couple find road to love A FOND FAREWELL TO GEOFF GEOFF Gardner, UK Bus’s oldest fit- ter, has retired after 18 years with the company. The 71-year-old said a fond farewell to his Swindon depot and was presented with a cheque by Pete Shelton for his chosen charity, the Brain Injury Unit. Geoff started with the company as a temporary fitter in 1989, and prior to that he spent 26 years with Bedford Coaches and nine years with a dairy company. He says he has seen many changes to his job, in particular gear boxes and mitre boxes. He added: “You can’t strip an engine now either.” A company spokesman said: “We hope Geoff enjoys a well-earned rest.” Pete Shelton presents Geoff with his charity cheque. LOCALS JAZZING UP BUS SERVICE

Dai Atkinson made sure Stuart and Eve made it to the church on time.

#&4055&%4UVBSUBOE&WF %SJWFS%BJ"ULJOTPOQJDLFE IJSFEB4UBHFDPBDICVTBTUIFJS UIFNVQBGUFSUIFDFSFNPOZ XFEEJOHDBSmBGUFSUIFZNFUPO BOEUPPLUIFNUPUIFJS BO9TFSWJDF SFDFQUJPOBUUIFOFX)PVTF 5IFIBQQZDPVQMFmXIPGFMMJO $PVOUSZ)PUFM MPWFPOBKPVSOFZGSPN$BSEJGG "TQPLFTNBOGPS4UBHFDPBDI UP.FSUIZSmUJFEUIFLOPUPO 4PVUI8BMFTTBJEi8FXPVME "VHVTUBU4U%BWJET$IVSDI MJLFUPXJTIUIFNFWFSZ JO.FSUIZS IBQQJOFTTGPSUIFGVUVSFu HONOURS FOR

LONG SERVICE Model passengers: The volunteers take part in a photo shoot. FIVE ordinary people are set pampered by a hairdresser and a She added: “In the past we have -0:"-NFNCFSTPGTUBGGGSPN 3JDLZ8BLFGPSE .BSL to become the ‘faces’ of Stage- make-up artist so that photogra- used professional agency models 4UBHFDPBDIT1PSUIEFQPUJO 1PXFMMBOE3JDIBSE.BOUMF coach’s new Jazz 6 bus service. phers Maree Lock and Kay Fluen for similar branding liveries, but 4PVUI8BMFTIBWFCFFOHJWFO IBWFFBDITFSWFEZFBST Simon and Alison Downham, could get excellent close-ups for this time we felt that it would be UIFJSMPOHTFSWJDFBXBSET 4UFQIFO&WBOT UIF0QFSBUJPOT Ben Finch, Georgia Lennard and the buses’ new livery. interesting to use ‘real’ people 5IPTFIPOPVSFEXFSF .BOBHFSGPS1PSUI BMTP Steve Clark, all of Basingstoke, Helen Martin, Stagecoach from the area. 4UFQIFO8SFOBOE3VTTFMM BUUFOEFEUIFFWFOU were chosen from over 100 Marketing Manager, said the “We are very happy with the 8FCCFS XIPIBWFCPUITFSWFE "4UBHFDPBDITQPLFTNBO hopefuls eager to be picked as models would do a fantastic job great photos and will consider ZFBST BOE.FSWZO+POFTBOE TBJEi8FXPVMEMJLFUPUIBOL models. representing the people of the repeating the exercise in other #SJBO%JYPO XIPIBWFCFFO BMMUIFNFOGPSUIFJSIBSE The five lucky winners were then town. towns and cities.” XJUIUIFDPNQBOZZFBST XPSLPWFSUIFZFBSTu WE’VE GOT PLENTY OF TEAM SPIRIT SOUTH West Trains won Maintenance Team of the of engineering maintenance. Year at the prestigious National Rail Awards. “Good management is part of this and SWT is a The team – made up of six depot units – has overseen worthy winner.” a 22 per cent increase in the reliability of trains over the Sharon Killick, station cleaner at Basingstoke, was last year and delays caused by maintenance problems highly commended in the Outstanding Personal Con- are now the second lowest in the UK. tribution category. The judges at the ceremony in London, said: “It is Stewart Palmer, Managing Director for South West rewarding to know that the total replacement of the Trains, said: “Our maintenance team should feel proud train fleet has taken place without any hiccups – a that they have been recognised as leaders in their tribute to the design and outstandingly high standard field.” Autumn 07 12 3"''-:1"45'031&/%0-*/0 RBS staff banking on cheap travel TRAIN’S NAME 4UBHFDPBDIBOE3PZBM#BOLPG 4DPUMBOE(SPVQIBWFMJOLFEVQUP PGGFSFNQMPZFFTBUBYJODFOUJWFUP NBLFNPSFVTFPGQVCMJDUSBOTQPSU BOETBWFNPOFZPOCVTUSBWFM "OOVBMCVTUSBWFMXJUI4UBHF DPBDIJTOPXBWBJMBCMFUP3#4 IS JUST FLIGHT TUBGGUISPVHIUIFCBOLTFNQMPZFF CFOFàUTTDIFNF3#4FMFDU 5IFTDIFNFBMMPXT3#4FN A VIRGIN Pendolino train was hon- QMPZFFTUPSFDFJWFUIFCVTUSBWFM oured with a flypast by the RAF’s 101 CFOFàUGSFFGSPNJODPNFUBYBOE Squadron – after it was named after /BUJPOBM*OTVSBODF them. #VTUSBWFMDBOCFCPPLFEPOMJOF The VC-10 aircraft, based at Brize PSWJBBEFEJDBUFE4UBHFDPBDI3#4 Norton, ‘dipped’ its wings as it flew over DBMMDFOUSF XJUIFNQMPZFFTJTTVFE the tilting train in Northamptonshire. XJUINPOUIMZNFHBSJEFSUJDLFUT Earlier that day, 101 Squadron Wing PWFSUIFDPVSTFPGBZFBS Commander Tim O’Brien officially named 5IPVTBOETPG3#4FNQMPZFFTJO the loco at Birmingham International UIF/PSUI &BTUBOE8FTUPG4DPU railway station. MBOE BTXFMMBTTUBGGJO.BODIFTUFS  XJMMCFBCMFUPCFOFàUGSPNUIF UJFVQ 5SFWPS#MBDLNBO )FBEPG3F i0VSMJOLT NVOFSBUJPOBOE#FOFàUTBU3#4  TBJEi"TXFMMBTCFJOHBNPSFFO XJUI7JSHJOBSF WJSPONFOUBMMZGSJFOEMZXBZUPHFU WFSZTUSPOHu UPXPSL UIFUBYGSFFCVTTDIFNF BMMPXTPVSFNQMPZFFTUPNBLF DPOTJEFSBCMFTBWJOHTPOUIFJSBO 8JOH$PNNBOEFS OVBMUSBWFMDPTUTu 5JN0#SJFO -FT8BSOFGPSE .BOBHJOH %JSFDUPSPG4UBHFDPBDI6,#VT  The naming of the state-of-the-art TBJEi8FBSFEFMJHIUFEUPIBWF Pendolino carries on a tradition going MJOLFEVQXJUIPOFPGUIFDPVOUSZT back to 1997, which Virgin first took over CJHHFTUFNQMPZFSTUPFODPVSBHF the West Coast and CrossCountry services. NPSFQFPQMFUPHFUPOCPBSEUIF One of the original West Coast trains CVT was named 101 Squadron and, in Virgin i5SBWFMMJOHCZQVCMJDUSBOTQPSU Train’s 10th birthday year, the opportunity IBTDMFBSFOWJSPONFOUBMCFOFàUT was taken to transfer the name to a 5IJTJOJUJBUJWFIBTUIFQPUFOUJBMUP Pendolino. IFMQDVUUIFOVNCFSPGDBSTPOUIF Mr O’Brien said: “Our links with Virgin SPBEBOEJNQSPWFUIFRVBMJUZPG Trains are very strong indeed and this MJGFJOBOEBSPVOEPVSUPXOTBOE serves to make them still stronger. DJUJFTu “On behalf of all of 101 Squadron, I would like to express how proud we are of our association with .” Flying visit: The RAF VC-10 pays tribute to the Pendolino train, named 101 Squadron in honour of the Air Force unit. SWT figures are simply the best 4PVUI8FTU5SBJOTIBTSFDPSEFEJUT Service is CFTUFWFSQFSGPSNBODF 5IFMBUFTUàHVSFT XIJDIDPWFS Prix and UIFQFSJPECFUXFFO"VHVTUBOE 4FQUFNCFS TIPXQVODUVBMJUZ BUQFSDFOUmFWFOCFUUFSUIBO easy UIFQSFWJPVTCFTUTFUJO+VOFUIJT SPECTATORS at this year’s ZFBS British Grand Prix were given a 5IFMBUFTUJNQSPWFNFOUIBT helping hand by Stagecoach at UBLFOUIF.PWJOH"OOVBM"WFSBHF the event. UPQFSDFOU JUTCFTUFWFSTJODF More than 9,200 people were 4UBHFDPBDITUBSUFESVOOJOHUIF ferried to and from park-and-ride GSBODIJTFJO BOEGPMMPXTB sites in a special operation run by HSFBUEFBMPGIBSEXPSLCFUXFFO Stagecoach East and Stagecoach UIFUFBNBU485BOEJOGSBTUSVD Cambridgeshire. UVSFPQFSBUPS/FUXPSL3BJM driver Kimi +BNFT#VSU 4PVUI8FTU5SBJOT Raikkonen won the competition, 0QFSBUJPOT%JSFDUPS TBJEi0VS which was attended by a host QFSGPSNBODFJTDPOUJOVPVTMZ of celebrities, including David JNQSPWJOH and Victoria Beckham, Dannii i4PVUI8FTU5SBJOTBOE/FUXPSL Minogue, Jonathan Ross and 3BJMXJMMLFFQVQUIFIBSEXPSL Girls Aloud. BOE IPQFGVMMZ QBTTFOHFSTXJMMTFF British driver Lewis Hamilton BGVSUIFSJNQSPWFNFOUPWFSUIF DPNJOHNPOUITu Pit stop: Double-deckers take pole position in the race to bring spectators to Silverstone. took third place. Autumn 07 13 Howzat for a SCAN COIN WINS £1.75M CONTRACT fun day out? SCAN COIN has won a £1.75 the company’s share of the driver we handle significant volumes of with Scan Coin.” million contract to supply and deposit market by almost 20 per cash fares every day. Steve Fitton, Scan Coin’s Sales 5&%%*/(50/$SJDLFU$MVCIPQFEUPàOE service cash handling systems cent. “We are delighted to be working Director. “Our commitment to UIF.JDIBFM7BVHIBOTBOE"OESFX'MJOUPGGT throughout Stagecoach’s net- Stagecoach has about 140 driver the bus industry was a decisive PGUIFGVUVSFBUUIFJSTVNNFSDSJDLFUTDIPPM work. deposit systems together with factor.” 5IFTDIPPMmTQPOTPSFEUPUIFUVOFPG The three-year contract back office coin counting and bCZ4PVUI8FTU5SBJOTmSBOGPSàWF represents a significant break- sorting equipment. XFFLTUISPVHIPVUUIFTVNNFSIPMJEBZT through for Scan Coin as it will be Les Warneford, Managing *UQSPWJEFEDPBDIJOH EFWFMPQNFOUBOEBO the first time the two companies Director of Stagecoach UK VOEFSTUBOEJOHPGUIFHBNFGPSVQUPLJET have worked together. Bus, said: “We have seen a BXFFL Scan Coin pioneered the huge growth in the number "TQPLFTXPNBOGPS5FEEJOHUPO$SJDLFU introduction of automated driver of people getting on board $MVCTBJEi8FXPVMEMJLFUPUIBOL485GPS depositing in the 1980s and our buses over the past five UIFJSHFOFSPVTTQPOTPSTIJQXIJDIIBTFO has since developed a range of years and, while we continue BCMFEVTUPPGGFSDPBDIJOHUPNPSFDIJMESFOu systems. to invest in new ticketing This latest contract will increase options for our customers,

TOURISTS and locals are being encouraged to ‘Discover Royal Dee- side’, thanks to a link-up between Stagecoach Bluebird and Aberdeen- shire Council. Improved services between GOOD DEE-L Aberdeen and Banchory started on July 9 and run every 20 minutes. The modern, branded coaches proudly display the Royal seal of approval – as Bluebird Buses holds The Queen’s Royal Warrant for bus and coach services. FOR TOURISTS i8FIPQFQPUFOUJBM 1BTTFOHFSTFOKPZJNQSPWFETFSWJDFTUP#BODIPSZ QBTTFOHFSTXJMMTFFUIJT BTBOBUUSBDUJWFUSBWFM BMUFSOBUJWFUPVTJOHUIF DBSu

$IBSMJF.VMMFO

The £1 million initiative – which will allocate £200,000 for infrastructure – is supported by the Scottish Govern- ment’s Bus Route Development Grant. Charlie Mullen, Managing Director, of Stagecoach Bluebird, said: “By offering comfortable coach travel every 20 minutes between Aberdeen and Banchory we hope potential passengers will see this enhancement as an attractive travel alternative to using the car. “Our partnership with the and Aberdeenshire Council has allowed us to introduce these service improvements much quicker than we would have been able to do independently.” Bluebird buses have brought a big boost to the Banchory to Aberdeen route. Chernobyl kids mega-delighted at megabus outing to Wales

$"3*/(CPTTFTBUNFHBCVTHBWFDIJMESFO i8JUIPVUUIFHFOFSPVTTVQQPSUPG GSPN$IFSOPCZMBCVTUPVSSPVOE8BMFT JOEJWJEVBMTBOEDPNQBOJFT JUXPVMECF XIJMFUIFZXFSFJOUIF6,GPSBIPMJEBZ JNQPTTJCMFUPQSPWJEFUIFWBSJFUZPG "NPOUIMPOHDIBSJUZUSJQJTPSHBOJTFE BDUJWJUJFTBOEWJTJUTXIJDINBLFUIFUSJQ GPSLJETFWFSZZFBSTPUIFZDBO TVDIBKPZ CSFBUIFGSFTIBJSBOEFBUVODPOUBNJOBUFE i*UJTBQMFBTVSFKVTUUPTFFUIF GPPEUPCPPTUUIFJSJNNVOFTZTUFNT BNB[FNFOUBOEEFMJHIUPOUIFGBDFTPG 5IFWJMMBHFTDMPTFUP$IFSOPCZMmXIJDI UIFTFDIJMESFO NPTUPGXIPNIBWFIBSEMZ XBTUIFTDFOFPGUIFXPSMETXPSTUOVDMFBS FWFSZUSBWFMMFEPVUPGUIFJSPXO(PNFM BDDJEFOUJOmVTFEUPEFSJWFNPTUPG SFHJPOPG#FMBSVT MFUBMPOFTFFOUIFTFB UIFJSJODPNFGSPNGBSNJOH CVUUIFMBOE PSNPVOUBJOT XJMMCFDPOUBNJOBUFEGPSNBOZZFBST i5IFEBZPVUUP8BMFTCZNFHBCVTXBT The Chernobyl children enjoy their day out. Visit www.chernobyl-children.org.uk to learn more about this +PIO$SBNQJO (SPVQ$PPSEJOBUPS POFPGUIFIJHIMJHIUTPGUIFDIJMESFOT wonderful charity. PG$IFSOPCZM$IJMESFOT1SPKFDU TBJE TUBZu

Autumn 07 14 Boost for DRIVEN TO WIN disabled 45"(&$0"$)8FTUESJWFS1BVM)FS CFSUXPOUIFSFHJPOBMàOBMPG#VT%SJWFS travellers PGUIF:FBS 1BVM PG$IFMUFOIBN XBTHJWFOIJT 8)&&-$)"*3VTFSTJO/FX BXBSEBU#BSOXPPEPO+VOF BMPOH DBTUMFTIPVMETPPOàOEJUFBTJFS XJUI4XJOEPOT4UFQIFO#FMMJOTFDPOE UPDBUDIBCVT UIBOLTUPUBMLTCF BOE,SZT[UPG6T[PL XIPBMTPXPSLTJO UXFFO4UBHFDPBDIBOEEJTBCMFE $IFMUFOIBN QBTTFOHFST 1BVMBOE4UFQIFOXFOUUPUIFOBUJPOBM $FSFCSBMQBMTZTVGGFSFS"OUIPOZ àOBMTJO#MBDLQPPMJO4FQUFNCFSBOE .PSSPXmXIPVTFTQVCMJD àOJTIFEOEBOEUISFTQFDUJWFMZ USBOTQPSUJOIJTXIFFMDIBJSEBJMZ mIBTCFFOXPSLJOHXJUIUIF DPNQBOZUPFOTVSFIFDBOCPBSE WFIJDMFTFBTJMZBOEIBTUFTUFE WBSJPVTEJGGFSFOUCVTFTJOTFSWJDF people Top trio: Krysztof Uszok (left), Paul Herbert and Stephen Bell (right). 5IFZFBSPMETBJEi*UIBT SFBMMZIFMQFE4UBHFDPBDIEFWFMPQ BOVOEFSTUBOEJOHPGXIBU EJTBCMFECVTVTFSTOFFETBSF i&MFDUSJDXIFFMDIBJSTBSFWFSZ FYQFOTJWFUPSFQBJSPSSFQMBDF  STAGECOACH BID TPVTFSTIBWFUPCFDBSFGVMXIFO CPBSEJOHCVTFTu 4UBHFDPBDIJTJOUSPEVDJOHOFX SBNQTXIJDIDBOCFáJQQFEJOUP QPTJUJPO JOTUFBEPGVOMPBEFE SIMPLY THE BUS-T GSPNUIFMVHHBHFSBDL BTXFMMBT QSPWJEJOHEJTBCJMJUZBXBSFOFTT USBJOJOHGPSTUBGGBOEJOWFTUJOHJO $PNQBOZTIPSUMJTUFEGPSUPQBXBSE OFXMPXáPPSWFIJDMFT STAGECOACH is in the running complete a hat-trick of wins. to be named for Britain’s best bus The judges have shortlisted operator for the third year run- Stagecoach’s “Where You Want to Virgin Trains’ ning. Be” campaign for the Department The Group has 13 shortlisted for Transport’s Winning New numbers soar entries across 18 Customers Award. categories at the Tube, 1"44&/(&3OVNCFSTCF 2007 UK Bus Awards i8FBSFEFMJHIUFE Europe’s most UXFFOUIF/PSUI8FTUBOE – more than any frequent express -POEPOIBWFHSPXOCZUXP other operator in the UIBUPVSDPNQBOJFT coach service, has UIJSETTJODF7JSHJO8FTU$PBTU country. BOEPVSQFPQMF been nominated TFSWJDFTXFSFJODSFBTFEUISFF Three Stagecoach for the Innovation ZFBSTBHP companies – IBWFCFFO Award and Express 5IFPOFFYDFQUJPOJTUIF Stagecoach West SFDPHOJTFEGPSUIFJS Coach Operator of .BODIFTUFS4UPDLQPSUUP Scotland, Stagecoach the Year. -POEPOSPVUF XIFSFB DPNNJUNFOUUP Stagecoach has also EPVCMJOHPGUSBJOTFSWJDFTIBT and Stagecoach been shortlisted for CFFONBUDIFEXJUIBQFS Cambridge – have SVOOJOHBàSTUDMBTT categories covering DFOUJODSFBTFJOQBTTFOHFS been nominated for CVTTFSWJDFu marketing, rural OVNCFST the City and Shire transport, accessibil- 7JSHJO5SBJOT.BOBHJOH Operator of the Year ity and integration. %JSFDUPS$ISJT(JCCTBJEi5IF awards. -FT8BSOFGPSE Les Warneford, HSPXUITJODFJTPOMZUIF Stagecoach West Managing Director TUBSU8FIBWFBOJNQSFTTJWF Scotland, which of Stagecoach UK QBDLBHFPGGVSUIFSUSBJOTFSWJDF runs around 400 buses stretching Bus, said: “We are delighted that JNQSPWFNFOUTGPSUIF/PSUI from to , has our companies and our people 8FTU TUBSUJOHJOu won the top Belmont International have been recognised for their Bus Operator of the Year Award for commitment to running a first-class Stagecoach’s ‘Where Do You Want to Be’ campaign is in the running for the the past two years and is aiming to bus service.” DoT’s Winning New Customers Award. Past present Chris Remnant. for families PROMOTION FOR CHRIS .03&UIBOTUBGGBOE UIFJSGBNJMJFTBUUFOEFE4UBHF CHRIS Remnant has been made Engineering DPBDI/PSUI&BTUT'BNJMZ'VO Manager at Stagecoach in Basingstoke. %BZJO+VOF He is now part of a team of 25 engineering 5IFFWFOUmMBJEPOCZUIF and administrative personnel at the depot àSNBTBUIBOLZPVUPIBSE who work hard to maintain and improve the XPSLJOHTUBGGmXBTIFMEBU reliability, cleanliness and appearance of a fleet #FBNJTI.VTFVN XIJDI of 73 single and double-deckers. SFDSFBUFTMJGFJOUIF/PSUI The 33-year-old started his career as an &BTUBTJUXBTJOUIFTBOE apprentice fitter at Chepstow with Red and T White Buses. 0SHBOJTFS$PMJO#SJUPOTBJE He then worked as Engineering Manager at i5IFSFXBTBHSFBUUVSOPVU Chepstow – then owned by Stagecoach – for 18 GPSUIFFWFOUBOEXFIBWFIBE months. Chris spent the last year at Blackwood TPNFGBOUBTUJDGFFECBDL5IF and the previous three years at Brynmawr as GBNJMJFTIBEBHSFBUUJNFu Depot Foreman. Autumn 07 15 MEET EMT’S NEW TEAM FORMER Virgin business development direc- David Horne, Commercial Development within Stagecoach, includ- tor Tim Shoveller has been appointed the Director: David led Stagecoach’s ing working on the East Midlands Trains’ new boss of East Midlands Trains. successful bid for the East franchise bid. Tim – who has 15 years’ experience in the Midlands franchise and is cur- industry – took up his role as Managing rently the East Midlands Trains Tony Wrighton, Engineering Director on August 24. Mobilisation Director. Director: Tony was - He said: “I am hugely excited at being cial Director and then Produc- asked to lead East Midlands Trains. Our new Margaret Kay, Human tion Director at Maintrain company will inherit some of the most highly Resources Director: Margaret is before becoming Fleet Director professional employees in the industry – joining from South West Trains for MML in October 2003 and people who have shown they can consist- where she was in the same role later its Production Director and deputy ently out-perform other rail companies. for two and a half years. MD. “Together we will deliver significant Tim Shoveller. improvements for business and leisure Mark Steward, Operations Di- Roger Walton, Safety and Environment passengers in the East Midlands. “He has a wealth of experience on the rector: Mark joins East Midlands Director: Roger, who was Main- “We have a tremendous opportunity in railway which will be of enormous benefit Trains as Operations Director line’s Safety Director, will be Interim Safety November when Eurostar services start to us.” from where he and Environment Director. He will ensure a sharing our London terminus at St Pancras. Colleagues supporting Tim in his new role was Route Director for Silver- smooth handover of critical safety activities “We will be actively looking to partner with are as follows: link County. to Sharon Vye-Parminter the towns and cities we serve to promote easy (left) when she joins East access to, and from, South Yorkshire, East Jake Kelly, Customer Service Richard Bodicoat, Finance Midlands Trains. Sharon has Midlands and Europe.” Director: Jake joined Stagecoach Director: Richard held various worked in the railway indus- Ian Dobbs, Chief Executive of Stagecoach in 2001, was Bid Director for roles in industry over the last try for 13 years in safety and Group’s rail division, said: “We are really the successful South Western 10 years including at WAGN, performance roles, and will pleased that Tim has joined us from our sister franchise bid and was most SET and as Transaction Fi- join EMT from Londonlines where she is company Virgin Trains. recently its Transition Director. nance Director of Rail Business Head of Safety. A tale to tell? PICTURE OF THE SEASON 8FXPVMEMJLFUPIFBSGSPNZPVJGZPV IBWFBOJOUFSFTUJOHTUPSZGPS0O4UBHF )BWFZPVCFFOJOWPMWFEJOBOPWFM QSPKFDUBJNFEBUCPPTUJOHQBTTFOHFS 8IBUFWFSUBMFZPVIBWF XFEMJLFUP OVNCFSTPSIBWFOFXTBCPVUBWJOUBHF IFBSGSPNZPV CVTJOWPMWFEJOUIFDPNNVOJUZ 8SJUFUP4UFWFO4UFXBSU &EJUPS 0O 1FSIBQTZPVSFEFQPUIBTCFFO 4UBHF 4UBHFDPBDI(SPVQ %VOLFME GVOESBJTJOHGPSBGBWPVSJUFDIBSJUZ 3PBE 1FSUI 1)58

*GZPVEMJLFUPDPOUSJCVUFUP0O4UBHF QMFBTFUBLFOPUFPGUIFTFJNQPSUBOUEFBEMJOFT  &%*5*0/ $01:50#&46#.*55&%#: 0/45"(&16#-*4)&%  Winter 07/08 First week, December 07 First week, January 08 Spring 08 First week, March 08 First week, April 08 5IJTNPOUITQJDUVSFJTPGBGBNJMJBSWFIJDMFJOBOBVUVNOBMTFUUJOH'PSBDIBODFUPXJO Summer 08 First week, June 08 First week, July 08 Bb.BSLT4QFODFSWPVDIFS TFOEBQIPUPHSBQISFáFDUJOHPOFPGUIFGPVSTFBTPOTUP Autumn 08 First week, September 08 First week, October 08 UIF&EJUPSBUUIFBEESFTTBCPWF

CONTACTS Editor: Steven Stewart, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, STAGECOACH SOUTH Helen Martin 01243 536161 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW. Mark Whittle 01392 889747 Tel: +44 (0)1738 442111, Fax: +44 (0)1738 443076 STAGECOACH YORKSHIRE Hannah Thompson 01226 202555 WWW.STAGECOACHGROUP.COM NATIONAL TRANSPORT TOKENS Sajda Khan 01254 680180 If you have a story for On Stage, please get in touch with your local contact below: UK RAIL SOUTH WEST TRAINS Lisa Davies 0207 620 5892 Stagecoach Group Steven Stewart 01738 642040 Stephen Wade 01983 812591 STAGECOACH SUPERTRAM Julia Shaw 0114 2759888 UK BUS Lisa Henry 01383 516454 NORTH AMERICA Allan Henry 01292 613515 COACH USA Dale Moser 001 201 225 7575 Jodine Milne 0191 566 0236 Jim Devlin 001 705 748 1170 STAGECOACH NORTH WEST Colin Nicholson 01772 255752 STAGECOACH MANCHESTER Karen 0161 276 2727 On Stage is published four times a year. Advertising connected Clare Tresnan 07711 950 019 directly or indirectly with Stagecoach is accepted. Charitable ad- Louise Wright 01522 522255 verts will be included without charge, otherwise rates on request. STAGECOACH OXFORDSHIRE Chris Child 01865 405511 On Stage is distributed free to Stagecoach staff. Public subscrip- STAGECOACH IN WARWICKSHIRE Adam Rideout 01604 662283 tions are available at £12 for one year or £20 for two years. STAGECOACH EAST Adam Rideout 01604 662283 Cheque payable to Stagecoach Group plc at the editorial address. STAGECOACH CAMBRIDGESHIRE Ed Cameron 01223 423578 The Editor is unable to enter into individual correspondence STAGECOACH WEST Nathan Williams 07753 775 193 concerning the affairs of The Stagecoach Group. STAGECOACH WALES Nathan Williams 07753 775 193 Helen Martin 01243 536161 DESIGNED BY THE BIG PARTNERSHIP GROUP LIMITED, SCOTLAND.

Autumn 07 16