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Issue 90 | March 2012

onThe newsletter stage of Group

.com goes Continental All aboard the Budget operator megabus. com is now offering fares from £1 for Panda Express travel from the UK to key locations in Continental Europe. As part of the expansion, the market- Special service to visit zoo’s new superstars leading company will serve locations in Stagecoach has launched a ‘Panda France, Belgium and the Netherlands and has Express’ to help the thousands of visitors invested £2.5m in a fleet of 10 new coaches, flocking toE dinburgh Zoo to see its equipped with free wi-fi and toilets, to offer latest stars, giant pandas Sweetie and new routes linking Paris, Boulogne, Brussels Sunshine. and Amsterdam. There will be one return service a day from megabus.com will offer three routes on its locations across West and North East , new European network: allowing passengers to arrive at the zoo in the Birmingham---Boulogne- morning and enjoy a day out before returning Paris, -Milton Keynes-London- home in the afternoon. Brussels-Amsterdam and Paris-Brussels- Passengers travelling with the Panda Express Amsterdam. during the week have the added bonus of a Sir , Chief Executive of pre-arranged panda slot and discounted zoo Sir Brian Souter launches the Panda Express. , said: “Whether you are a entry included with their bus ticket, saving student heading off back-packing, a family £4.50 on the standard adult entry price. Visitors the Panda Express will help families from across looking for a low-cost holiday, or a tourist travelling at weekends or on school holidays Scotland have a great, stress-free day out and looking to see some of Europe’s great cities, must pre-book their panda viewing slot and are save money at the same time.” fares from just £1 mean megabus.com offers charged the standard zoo admission price. Sharon Simpson, head of marketing for unbeatable value.” Launching the service, Stagecoach Group Zoo, said: “The pandas have proved Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter said: phenomenally popular so far and we are “Thousands of Scots are beating a path to see delighted to partner with Stagecoach to provide Last chance to the giant pandas. They have certainly become this service, making it even easier for people nominate your superstars of the animal world and the country from across Scotland to visit these amazing champion has really taken them to their heart. We hope animals in real life.” Time is running out The winning ticket to nominate your 2012 Twelve lucky Stagecoach bus Stagecoach Champion. drivers have driven off with a £38 million We are on the look-out for champions in cheque after scooping the Euromillions the following categories: safety, environment, jackpot. The drivers, from Corby depot, community, health, customer service and each received just over £3.1 million after innovation. matching all seven numbers in the draw. Employees from across the Group’s businesses Stagecoach is delighted for all 12 drivers in the UK and North America are invited and wishes them all the best. to nominate colleagues who they believe are making a real difference in any of these areas. Eleven of the winning drivers celebrate The awards are judged by a panel which receiving their Euromillions cheque. includes Helen Mahy, Chair of the Group’s Health, Safety and Environment Committee. Stagecoach named company of the year Gold, silver and bronze awards are presented for each category and shortlisted entrants Stagecoach has been named shortlisted in the Green Business of the Year receive a trophy and a cash prize. Company of the Year at the 2012 Scottish category, which was won by Argent Energy. To nominate your champion, simply Business Awards. Sir Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group download a nomination form from the Some 90 companies were shortlisted across 12 Chief Executive, said: “This is a tremendous FAQ section, under ‘Media’, at www. categories in Scotland’s biggest cross-industry achievement and a tribute to the commitment of stagecoach.com. Email the completed form to awards programme. our employees right across the business. [email protected] or post it Awards recognised entrepreneurship, innovation, “We have always believed in growing our to Lindsay Reid, Corporate Communications business growth, new product development, business sustainably, developing new ideas and Manager, Stagecoach Group, 10 marketing, social business, corporate social sharing our success with local communities. More Road, Perth, PH1 5TW. Nominations for responsibility, green business and customer focus. than 2.5 million customers rely on our greener, the 2012 Stagecoach Champions awards The judges said Stagecoach Group had shown smarter, and better value transport services close on Friday 30 March 2012. “outstanding overall strength” across all the every day and we have a strong track-record of awards criteria. The Perth-based group was also delivering good returns for our investors.”

1 uk bus on stage

You what?! Better value bus fares (Overheard on a bus in Sydney, Australia.) Stagecoach has again been value major bus operator. One school girl to another: confirmed as Britain’s best value bus Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir “No it has to be a year 8 operator, according to new independent Brian Souter said: “We are leading the way in girl - Miss Coughlin research by transport specialists TAS who providing good-value, high-quality travel and was very pacific about found weekly bus travel with Stagecoach making sure the bus is an affordable transport that.” is on average 17.5% cheaper than other option, particularly for people who are less well bus operators. off .” Can you beat that? Stagecoach’s average weekly ticket price of The TAS 2011 survey also found that Send your weird and £13.27 – the lowest in the survey – was nearly Stagecoach has: wonderful overheard £3 cheaper than the £16.09 average for other • Six out of seven of the lowest single fares in comments to operators. TAS also found Stagecoach was up to the sample lindsay.reid@ 20% cheaper than other operators for weekly • Half of the 12 lowest day ticket prices stagecoachgroup. travel. • Seven out of 11 of the lowest weekly ticket com TAS analysed nearly 1,100 fares across prices different regions, area types and operators for • The lowest average urban and non-urban its National Fares Survey 2011. The research single fares of the other major UK bus covered Stagecoach, First, Go Ahead, Veolia groups – , First, Go Ahead and Transdev, , Arriva, independent National Express – and also lower than Veolia James is a operators, and municipal bus companies. Transdev record breaker The last TAS National Fares Survey, published • Lower than inflation fare increases over the in 2009, also found Stagecoach was the best last two years. At just 25 years old, bus driver James Heaney now holds the UK record of being the youngest Fergus gets his person to travel solo around the world birthday wish on a motorcycle, after completing an epic 25,000 mile trip. Stagecoach and Winchester His four-month City Council joined forces to arrange journey took him a birthday surprise for Fergus from Europe to Thomson. Fergus and his friends Japan, to America began his 5th birthday celebrations to Kazakhstan and on board one of his favourite “big raised more than green” buses, which took him and £1700 for the his 14 friends into the city centre to Fergus takes to the wheel charity War Child. enjoy a birthday lunch. of his birthday bus. James said “I bought my first bike when I was New buses for local communities 23. I was knocked off after only five James Heaney. Stagecoach recently announced it which will run on Stagecoach Group’s growing weeks and I was is to invest around £60 million in 390 new megabus.com budget coach operations in the absolutely terrified to get back on two greener vehicles for local communities UK. wheels so I started planning this trip as a across the UK. Les Warneford, Managing Director of way to face my fear. If you’re going to do The first of the new vehicles will be delivered Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “This latest multi- something, do it in style!” from May 2012. All of the new vehicles meet the million-pound investment is part of our He is now thinking about his next latest Euro 5 emissions standards, further driving commitment to give local communities high- challenge, adding: “I’d like to do the up the quality of bus travel for local people in quality, good value bus travel. With sky-high fuel Pan-American Highway, from Alaska to Scotland, and Wales. prices and the increasing cost of running a car, it Argentina, or travel around the entire coast Included in the fleet are the UK’s first orders makes more sense than ever to switch to greener, of the British Isles – if work will give me for new 15m state-of-the-art interdeck coaches, smarter bus travel.” the time off that is!” Mega monkey business has launched a new Mega Monkey free discount card Super first-aiders designed to encourage more people to use bus travel to get to a variety of leisure staff at venues in the Portsmouth area. Elgin bus station turned first aiders Andrew Dyer, Managing Director, said: “We recently as they jumped to the assistance are pleased that so many venues have already of a customer who suffered a heart supported the scheme and we are now looking attack, taking good care of her until an for more. We hope that everyone will benefit ambulance arrived. The customer has from a boost of business and a great many of our now made a full recovery and passed on Stagecoach MD Andrew Dyer (centre) with customers in the Portsmouth area will enjoy the her thanks to all staff. promotion teams and the Mega Monkey bus. convenience of bus travel whilst saving money.”

2 uk rail / uk bus on stage

Pupils from Don’t get caught Langston Junior school with ‘out of the blue’ Martin Corcoran, train driver March is Prostate Cancer with South West Awareness Month. Every year 37,000 Trains and Adam men are diagnosed with prostate cancer Lea Pompey, in the UK and the disease claims the life Education of one man ever hour. When discovered, Manager men often say it feels like a bolt from for Pompey the blue – leaving them unsure of what Study Centre, Portsmouth to do next or who to turn to. Football Club. The Prostate Cancer Charity operates a free helpline staffed by specialist nurses who can answer any concerns about the disease. They are available from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm on Promoting rail safety 0800 074 8383.We also have a range of free information booklets on our website. and the Pompey include treating staff and fellow passengers Study Centre have joined forces to with respect, preventing vandalism and staying For information about Prostate Cancer promote safety and deliver strong safe. Awareness Month please visit messages to children and teenagers in the Matthew Winnie, Head of Security & www.prostate-aware.org.uk Portsmouth area through the ‘OffT he Revenue Protection for South West Trains, said: Rails’ project. "Although levels of crime on the railway are The scheme is designed to make children actually very low, we are continually looking at Commendation in the Portsmouth area aware of some of the ways to make our trains and stations even safer for Owen major issues relating to train travel, which for our passengers and staff.” bus Golden Whistle award for Darren driver Owen McGuire has Darren Ward, Head of Operations industry-leading initiative to help to reduce won an award for Strategy & Implementation for East level crossing incidents. outstanding service Midlands Trains, has picked up the Commenting on his win, Darren said: “It to the community award for ‘Outstanding Individual makes me very proud to receive this award, following Operator’ at the 2012 Golden Whistle however I see it more of a recognition of the recognition from Awards. success of as an appreciative Owen McGuire. Darren, based in Derby, a whole. As a company we have member of the (Photo courtesy of Tony was selected as winner as a achieved a lot to be proud of public. Hall Photography). result of his involvement over the last four years, and I feel Owen received the company’s in helping East very fortunate to be a part of Service to the Community award and Midlands Trains such a high performing commemorative badge after being praised to surpass all organisation." by passengers. Most recently, one customer of its internal Darren Ward (right) wrote: “I travel almost every day by bus operational receives his award from and Mr McGuire is a kind, gentle and nice targets. He was Chris Loder, South East person, helpful with the elderly and at ease particularly Area Chairman of the with students. It looks like he never has a credited for Institution of Railway bad day, and makes my journey easy and his work in an Operators. comfortable.” Owen said: “I enjoy my job and meeting the public every day, so to be rewarded for doing something I love is a great honour.” Rail division management changes

Stagecoach recently confirmed • Finance Director – Andy West Charity funds for new senior management teams at • Customer Services Director – Jake Kelly its rail companies. This follows new • Human Resources Director – dream-a-way South West Trains’ Managing Director Kelly Barlow bus Tim Shoveller taking up his post and • Safety & Environment Director – driver Paul Gordon recently organised David Horne taking over as Managing Brian Cook. two company raffles which raised almost Director of East Midlands Trains. East Midlands Trains £700 for Dream-a-Way, a locally-based The following management teams have • Safety & Operations Director – Ian Smith charity which provides holidays and trips now been confirmed: • Engineering Director – Tim Sayer for people of all ages with disabilities or South West Trains • Finance Director – Tim Gledhill severe illnesses within Devon, Cornwall • Operations Director – Mark Steward • Human Resources Director – and the Scilly Isles. • Engineering Director – Christian Roth Clare McCartney.

3 uk bus on stage

Special bus Skydive fundraisers service Stagecoach employees Graham An ex-Stagecoach Bluebird bus is Whitelocks and Colin Leight recently took getting ready to make a 5,000-mile to the skies to raise £2,500 for charity. journey to Banjul in The Gambia, Africa The pair successfully performed a 13,500ft – slightly longer than its usual trips skydive to raise the cash for Baby Lifeline which Colin (top) and between stops in ! supports the care of mothers and babies in cases of Graham take to The epic journey will take the bus, which premature births and still births. the skies. has been donated to SHINE Africa by Stagecoach Bluebird, through eight countries along its way, these being Scotland, England, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, 25 years on the M40 Senegal and The Gambia. Stagecoach’s Tube service has SHINE Africa is a group of dedicated celebrated its 25th birthday. people helping to build schools and provide Launched in 1987, the Oxford to London service nursery education in the tiny country of The started with just seven second hand coaches. Over Gambia, which has no resources of its own. the last 25 years the Tube has developed to meet the increasing demands of customers, now using 87 seat double deck coaches, making 80 trips a day, running every 10 minutes at busy times and providing a 24-hour service. To mark the occasion any passengers who shared their birthday with the Oxford Tube were permitted to travel free. And customers travelling on the day – 7 March – were treated to some birthday cake on their way into London. Martin Sutton, Managing Director of Stagecoach , said: “The success of the Oxford Tube is due to all the drivers and the support team who keep the (l-R) Oxford Tube passenger Phil Rumsby, Stagecoach Managing Director service running day after day.” (From left) Phil Medlicott, Jay Thompson, Martin Sutton and Oxford Tube driver A book is also being published by Malcolm Crowe, a Christopher Cox and Dean Holness. Malcolm Crowe. long serving Oxford Tube driver, to mark the anniversary. Our favourite Helping sporting talent drivers Stagecoach South West will be providing sponsorship Stagecoach passengers have for future Olympic hopeful Devon Thelanderson Smith, nominated their favourite bus driver in who is the son of local bus driver Richard Smith, and is . ranked first in the country for javelin in his age Jay Thompson, from Folkestone depot, gained group. first place with the most votes, while Dean Michelle Hargreaves, Stagecoach South West Managing Holness, from Ashford depot, was runner-up. Director, said: “In a year when the whole of the sporting Stagecoach Managing Director Phil world will be focussed on the UK, we are delighted Medlicott presented the winners with their to sponsor Devon. I’ll be taking a keen interest in his certificates along with Retail Sales Manager athletics career and hope to see him representing Britain Devon pictured with South West Christopher Cox from Ashford, who voted for at the 2020 Olympics.” Engineering Director Mike Bishop. Dean Holness. In total, 26 drivers were recognised by passengers who chose to participate in the New coaches for - link initiative. Bus passengers travelling between Oban and Glasgow are to benefit Changing places from two new, state-of-the-art coaches following investment by West Coast ’s Leyton Motors on behalf of . garage recently assisted the Metro- The brand new coaches will run on Service politan Police’s Cycle Task Force in its 976 between Glasgow and Oban, a joint community work with London’s cyclists. venture by Scottish Citylink and West Coast A bus from the depot took part in a police Motors. exercise to help educate cyclists who were seen Aiden Proctor, Scottish Citylink Commercial to be breaking the Highway Code, and to allow Manager, said: “This service provides customers Aiden Proctor (left) and West Coast them the chance to experience the view bus with good value, high-quality travel and offers drivers have from their cab. Motors Managing Director Colin Craig launch the new vehicles. people an affordable and reliable alternative to the car.”

4 uk rail on stage

WIN A Smarter Picture of £50 rail travel VOUCHER Passengers in the East Midlands the Season are benefiting from the expansion of a This edition’s winning Picture smartcard scheme of the Season was taken by The East Midlands Trains scheme allows Stagecoach Cumbria and North monthly and annual season tickets to be Lancashire driver Paul McGill. It stored electronically on a StagecoachSmart shows a service out and about travel card, instead of on a paper ticket, and last summer at Rosthwaite, near the train company has installed smartcard Keswick. readers at 26 stations across its network. Congratulations to Paul, who will shortly receive his prize of £50 East Midlands Trains Managing Director of M&S vouchers. If you think you have a picture that captures one of the four seasons, David Horne said: “We want to make travel please send your image to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, even smarter and more convenient for our PH1 5TW, or email it to [email protected] customers and we will continue to expand the scheme to include more tickets for even more passengers in the future.” One of the new ticket machines. Just the ticket Birthday East Midlands Trains has installed a new ticket machine at Loughborough University celebrations Students’ Union, providing a quick and easy way East Midlands Parkway station for students and lecturers to book online and has celebrated its third birthday, with collects their tickets. record numbers of passengers using Jayne Moyses, Sales & Customer Relationship the station in the last year. Manager for East Midlands Trains, said: “This is the Since 2009, the station’s first year of first time East Midlands Trains has installed one of operation, the number of passengers its ticket-on-departure machines at a site that isn’t a travelling from East Midlands Parkway has railway station. With many passengers now choosing increased by almost 120%, increasing to to buy their tickets through our website, we wanted to around 450,000 journeys. provide even easier access to the 11,000-plus students Marc Turley, Head of Commercial for at Loughborough University simply wanting to collect East Midlands Trains, said: “We’ve seen the their pre-booked tickets.” number of passengers using the station steadily growing as more and more people Supertram appointment become aware of its convenient location, easy parking and fast links to London.” Stagecoach Supertram has confirmed the appointment of Margaret Kay as Managing Director. Margaret, who previously held the role of HR Director at School’s out the East Midlands Trains rail franchise, said: “I am delighted to be leading the team here at Supertram. Our services play South West Trains recently a vital role for the people of , carrying more than hosted visits from Reay Primary 44,000 passengers every day. We are determined to keep school in Lambeth, whose pupils improving our services and I look forward to working with were given a tour of Waterloo and a the team here to drive standards up even further for our guide to buying tickets and using the customers.” ticket gates, as well as a look inside a Margaret has already created two new management first class train carriage. positions at the company – Chris Elliott has taken on the The children repaid staff by drawing role of Head of Engineering, while Tim Bilby has been some pictures of trains at Waterloo. appointed Head of Finance and Commercial.

Capturing the moment

The winners of South West Trains’ employee photography competition enjoyed a celebratory lunch to mark their achievements. The three category winners were Lisa Hagan (Rail Infrastructure), Andrew Davies (Rolling Stock) and Brian King (Railway People) and each winner received a canvas of their work. The overall winner was Gary Robertson for his photo of South West Trains’ photography trains lined up ready to leave the depot early in the morning. competition winners. Congratulations to all.

5 the green scene on stage

Stagecoach Manchester wins green accolade was named the winner of the ‘Large Business’ category at the inaugural Greater Manchester Green Business Awards. The company was acknowledged for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and to recycling waste generated by the business, as well as its internal programmes, which are designed to engage staff and encourage them to support Stagecoach’s environmental initiatives. The awards, organised by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, recognise local organisations that have placed environmental best practice at the heart of their business success. Stagecoach Manchester fought off tough competition from five other local organisations Charlie Parker from EnWorks with Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director Christopher to be named the winner. Bowles, Engineering Director Peter Sumner and Marketing Assistant Andrew Howard-Smith. Christopher Bowles, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “Winning this up-to-date vehicles and best service possible to spent some time making sure they made the award is testament to the commitment of our customers, while at the same time keeping right decisions, as this is a new award run by our employees at all levels in the company, in the environmental impact of our operations to Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. working towards our green targets. a minimum.” “Congratulations to the Stagecoach “I am extremely proud of the dedication and Charlie Parker, lead officer of the Greater Manchester team who have invested heavily hard work of the whole team over a sustained Manchester Environment Commission and in improving the sustainability of their fleet period, which has led to this fantastic award. We Chief Executive of Oldham Council, said: “This and are doing their bit to reduce their carbon will endeavour to continue offering the most was a very competitive category and the judges footprint.” Green award for Coach usa Stagecoach Group's North American business has won a prestigious award for its commitment to cutting carbon emissions. Coach USA, one of the largest motorcoach transportation companies in North America, Coach USA’s John Oakman receives the award has received the United Motorcoach from Pat Ziska of Motor Coach Industries. Association’s (UMA) Green Highway Award. The award recognises companies that technologies that offer a 4% to 6% reduction in demonstrate leadership in reducing carbon fuel usage. emissions. Coach USA's fleet of more than 1,600 Coach USA was honoured for a range of coaches and buses is also fitted with GPS green achievements, including fuel-saving systems that trigger alerts through the measures, policies to cut engine idling, company’s control centre if engine idling times Gold standard maintenance procedures, recycling programmes are exceeded. and facilities management. Facilities have been upgraded with energy- Buses running between Swindon The company is continuing to update its fleet saving lighting, while LED lights have been and Oxford have gone gold with newer coaches featuring the latest clean- added at the company's parking lots. This has has invested nearly diesel engine technology. It is also testing new contributed to a 20% reduction in energy use. £1.5 million in seven brand new Scania Enviro 400 high-specification buses that come complete with leather seats, free Earth Hour WiFi and Euro V specification engines that represent the very latest in clean WWF’s Earth Hour, which takes place on 31 engine technology. March 2012, is a simple message with a big Launching the vehicles, punch – it asks people to switch off their Managing Director Ian Manning said: lights for one hour to show their concern “These new buses will take the customer about the impact of climate change. experience to a whole new level and Earth Hour allows everyone, all over the world, to we look forward to welcoming new take part in one small act with big results. passengers on board.” You can take part in Earth Hour 2012. Find out more at wwf.org.uk/earthhour and sign up to show your support. Picture: Maverick Agency/ WWF Scotland. 6 uk bus / north america on stage

On track with Shop stewards on course new app Budget inter-city coach service megabus.com has launched a new vehicle tracking application for customers in the United States. The Megabus USA mobile app, the first of its kind in the inter-city bus industry, is available on iOS and Android devices. Passengers can use the free app to check the estimated time of arrival for their service and find bus stop locations. The stewards who attended Dale Moser, President and Chief Operating the recent course. Officer of megabus.com in North America, said: "This smart mobile app will be a great The Stagecoach National Shop Stewards’ Course was successfully held in the tool for our passengers and our company.” Eastbourne Centre. Once downloaded, users can input their The course was run by Jimmy Young from (chair NLC/NDC) and Frank Llewwllyn origin and destination cities to the app and, from Manchester (secretary NLC/NDC) and was attended by UK Bus Managing Director Les when they are travelling, confirm what time Warneford. In total, 24 stewards attended and all felt that it was a great success. their bus will arrive. Thank-you gets bowled over Coach Canada to Tracey employees recently employee helped raise funds for Tracey Mickle has received thanks for Big Brothers/Big Sisters the support she and colleagues have of through shown in raising funds for the Weston a Bowl For Kids’ Sake Park Hospital Cancer Charity through fundraising event. their participation in the annual Every dollar raised goes Dragon Boat Regatta over a number to the funding of the of years. agency's programmes, which While the regatta event has now come assist with the funding to an end, Tracey – who has herself fought of in-school mentoring cancer – was thanked by the charity for the programmes, games and ‘fantastic amount’ she has helped raise over activities. the years. The theme was “Classic Rock”, where participants could come out dressed as Special delivery Coach Canada employees take part in the special fundraising event. their favourite classic rocker. for Worksop St Michael’s Worksop depot recently Hospice fundraisers Fundraising celebrated the arrival of 10 new buses join Phil Medlicott for its popular Route 19 service. (front) to preview support Passengers were treated to specially the lottery bus. decorated mince pies, hot drinks Stagecoach in Hastings and free giveaways to celebrate the has donated promotional introduction of the buses. space on the back of a bus to support the St Michael’s Hospice in the town. Fundraisers and volunteers from the hospice joined Stagecoach staff to get the first view of the design which promotes the charity’s weekly lottery. Managing Director Gary Nolan (pictured holding sign) helps launch the new vehicles.

7 people page on stage

Tony Peters Matt gets on board – Stagecoach London Stagecoach Manchester has The quickfire round welcomed Matt Davies my bag with passports at the security check. as its new Operations Who are you? Director. Got an ear bashing Tony Peters – Route Performance from the wife and kids Matt, who has previously Manager, East London. over that one! worked for both First and Matt Davies. What do you like most about Dream Job? Arriva said: “I'm looking Dealing with a new set of your job? Something where I forward to working to maintain the high circumstances each day, and seeing the would be working for standards here and further improve our results of something I have dealt with that myself and that would offering to new and existing bus passengers benefits the travelling public. benefit the local or wider community. across Greater Manchester." Probably a dog. If I What do you like least about your Favourite animal? Christopher Bowles, Managing Director of job? Being the Performance Manager can include wild then it would be a lion. Stagecoach Manchester, commented: “Matt’s and having to deal with the never ending Most like to be stuck in a lift with? wide experience working in the North of roadworks that blight London’s I enjoy motorstreets. sport If I could chose anyone from history then England and his track record of bringing TV show? Favourite I guess I it would be Jesus. For someone forward improvements to services will be so Formula 1 if that counts Professionally, as a TV show. who is alive today then I would say Her key benefits to Stagecoach Manchester.” Biggest achievement? Majesty The Queen. centralising our control rooms from seven New faces in Yorkshire garage-based rooms into one remote site The Quickfire Round features in every was quite a big one. Personally, celebrating Stagecoach edition of On Stage and we want to hear 20 years with my wife and having our two from as many staff as possible. Yorkshire has appointed children. two new engineering A door-to-door agent trying To suggest the next participant, email Worst job? [email protected] managers. to book appointments to sell a wall coating. Andy Kay (pictured), who Most embarrassing moment? has many years experience as Following the wrong queue when in a mechanic, has taken up post transit in airport and then leaving in Barnsley, while Robin Davis is the new Carole Engineering Manager at Rawmarsh depot. Carole is in the Stevens. Toni says goodbye driving seat New Stagecoach Oxfordshire Stagecoach Group Operations Manager Carole Stevens has headquarters cleaner Antonia Fleming, always had a passion for working with known as Toni, recently retired aged 75 buses after regularly going to work with after working in the Perth office since her father. 1999. Carole received her licence at the age of 18, Martin Sutton, Stagecoach Oxford Managing In her retirement Toni, who has two becoming the youngest bus driver in Oxford. Director said: “It’s excellent to have Carole join children and five grandchildren, plans to Having completed the Stagecoach Graduate the team. Her experience gained from around visit family in Italy as well as working on her Programme, Carole has previously worked at the country together with her determination allotment and enjoying a spot of bingo. Hyde Road depot in Manchester, Worthing and passion for the bus industry makes her a depot and Merthyr Tydfil/Aberdare depots. credit to the company.”

CONTACTS Ops Supervisor Tony retires Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Operations Supervisor Tony McCoy Perth, PH1 5TW has recently retired from Stagecoach West after over 26 years in the bus industry. Email: Tony started his career as a [email protected] metro driver at www.stagecoach.com depot in 1985, which was then owned by Cheltenham If you have a story for On Stage, please and Gloucester Omnibus. contact Lindsay Reid as above. He now plans to spend his time on his woodwork The copy deadline for the passion, gardening and next edition of also seeing more of his On Stage will grandchildren and great- be Friday, grandchildren. 13th April, Operations Manager James 2012. Williams said: “I would like to wish Tony a happy, healthy, and long Tony McCoy (centre, wearing glasses and Stagecoach uniform) with colleagues. retirement.”

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