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Home , Ann Gloag, Brian Souter, Megabus (Europe), Stagecoach Merseyside

Issue 92 | July 2012

onThe newsletter stage of Group

Your 2012 Stagecoach Champions Commitment to excellence wins praise

Our 2012 Stagecoach Champions have outstanding performance and commitment across been unveiled. six categories. Gold, silver and bronze awards were Around 150 nominations were received from handed out and winners will receive cash prizes.’ across the Group and the winners were decided Helen Mahy said: “The quality of entries was by a panel of Helen Mahy, Chair of the Board’s extremely high and we congratulate all the Health, Safety and Environment Committee, winners for their commitment to excellence co-founder and non-executive which is an inspiration to us all.” Director and Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications. Turn to page 6 for a full At the Group management conference report on the winners. in , winners were praised for their

Lighting Double success at Transport Awards the way Stagecoach Group and Comfort- out on top in the Innovation Transport Project Stagecoach DelGro celebrated double success at the of the Year category at the industry event. employees Mike Reid, 2012 Scottish Transport Awards as their and .com General Frank Roberts, Daniel coach operations scooped two top awards. Manager Ian Laing said: “We are thrilled to win Opoku and Ashley Scottish Citylink – a joint venture between two such high-profile awards and I would like Ayers had the honour Mike Reid. Stagecoach and international transport group to thank all of our staff who are at the heart of of taking part in the ComfortDelGro – won one of the most sought- delivering coach services for our customers. UK’s Olympic Torch after awards of the night as it was named Bus “Through innovative ideas and affordable fares, Relay after being Operator of the Year at the awards we are proving that coach travel is a high-quality, selected as torchbear- ceremony. fast and comfortable alternative to the car and ers. And the groundbreaking megabus.com we will continue to work hard to attract even East Scotland bus driver overnight sleeper coach service, which is also more people on to our greener, smarter coach Mike, who is a community part of the Scottish Citylink joint venture, came services.” favourite and has raised Frank Roberts. thousands of pounds for good causes over a number of years, said he was honoured to be chosen to take part in the torch procession in Fife. employee Frank, a former soldier and keen fund-raiser has raised £100,000 for charity over the years. He has also fundraised for the Swanage Railway Trust and is heavily involved in the Swanage steam railway. Frank said: “After 30 years of supporting charities I’m delighted to be able to receive this recognition. This is a proud moment for me.” Daniel Opoku has also worked for South West Trains for 17 years and was put forward to participate as a torchbearer because of his passion and commitment to customer service. Daniel said: “Being a part of the global showcase is very exciting as the Olympics is the biggest sporting event in the world.” Andover driver Ashley Ayers paid a surprise visit with his torch to a local Brownies group, (L-r): Awards host Grant Stott, Scottish Citylink Commercial Manager Aiden Proctor, run by fellow Stagecoach employee Theresa ComfortDelGro CEO Jaspal Singh, Stagecoach UK Bus Deputy Managing Director Bob Montague. Montgomery, Scottish Citylink and megabus.com General Manager Ian Laing and Transport Scotland Chief Executive David Middleton.

1 uk bus on stage

You what?! Stagecoach employees to Overheard on the Stagecoach Group answerphone Caller:“I have a crush on a certain play key Olympics role bus driver and I was wondering if you Stagecoach bus and rail employees Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian could find out whether or not he fancies from across the UK are to play a key role in Souter said: “The London 2012 Games are a me and give me a call back, or would supporting the 2012 London Olympic and once in a lifetime opportunity for our people you perhaps advise that I should write Paralympic Games. to be involved in a global event on this scale. We him a letter and if I send it to you could Employees from Orkney in Scotland to Porth are proud to be involved in the Games and look you perhaps pass it on to in Wales and Dover in England will play an forward to helping make the event a success for him.” important part in delivering public transport for spectators and athletes alike. We also send our best the global sporting event this summer. wishes to the British Olympic and Paralympic Can you beat that? More than 2,630 Stagecoach bus drivers and teams. The whole country is behind them and Send your weird and support staff will help provide transport for we all hope they are among the medals when the wonderful overheard athletes and media throughout the Games after competition starts.” comments to the transport operator was selected by the London Stagecoach will manage two bus depots lindsay.reid@ Organising Committee for the Olympic Games throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games – stagecoachgroup. (LOCOG) to deliver one of the largest transport one at West Ham and one at Beckton. Stagecoach com contracts for the event. West Scotland Operations Director Rob Jones and And Stagecoach Group’s rail franchises – South Midlands Operations Director West Trains and – are among Richard Kay have been appointed as depot the UK rail operators providing additional services General Managers, while and extra capacity throughout the Olympic and Operations Director Elizabeth Esnouf was Paralympic Games, as well as special tickets for seconded to the role of Olympic Project Director Olympic Games spectators. in 2011.

Two anniversaries were celebrated recently as Stagecoach and the Aldershot Happy anniversary & District Bus Interest Group invited the public to have a fun day on the buses as they commemorated the 100th Basingstoke driver Bob Hannam with Paul anniversary of the founding of the Ferreira and Richard Fernandez. original local bus company, Aldershot & District Traction Co. Ltd, and 20 years of Cycle challenge bus operations throughout the Aldershot, Bus drivers, engineering and ad- Farnham and Blackwater Valley area by its ministration staff from Stagecoach’s successor Stagecoach. Basingstoke and depots Andrew Dyer, Managing launched the company’s Green awareness Director, said: “Imagine telling someone in (From left) Aldershot & District Bus Interest week in the South by cycling just over 24 1912 that buses would offer Wi-Fi, low floor Group Event organiser Bill Tutty with miles between bus stations. easy access, and that travel could be paid for in Stagecoach’s Assistant Operations Manager Colin Basingstoke came out on top and lead riders advance using smart cards – and that pensioners Stratford and a 1954 AEC Reliance with the Paul Ferreira for Basingstoke and Richard would be given passes to travel free!” latest Enviro 200 single. Fernandez from Winchester passed each other in New Alresford. Both completed the course within 1 hour 34 minutes. Dave Fulford, Assistant Operations Manager View from the top said: “Many of the participants did very well Buses on ’s route 205, considering they are not cycling daily.” which runs from Paddington to Bow, have had a novel artwork fitted to their upper deck ceilings depicting life on High Street 2012 (the route Smartcard completion from the City to the Olympic Stadium between Stagecoach has become the Aldgate and Bow). first major bus operator in the country Organised by Susan Langford MBE of the Magic to accept smartcards for concession- Me charity, the images were created by 100 children ary journeys on every one of its vehicles from three primary schools and local older people who outside London. worked with printmaker Janet Brooke and poet Surya The technology now covers the Perth-based Turner to make a 10-metre artwork to decorate the group’s 19 regional bus companies in Scotland, upper ceiling of the double decker buses. England and Wales and means that passengers Stagecoach London Operations Director, Diane with National Concessionary Travel Scheme Hannan, said: “This project has identified places of smartcards now simply need to place their card interest in a unique way and I am confident that our on the ticket machine when they board the bus passengers travelling on Route 205 will enjoy the and their journey will be recorded electronically. The artwork on the ceiling of the bus. whole experience.”

2 uk bus on stage Praise for brave Lionel

London bus driver Lionel Mummery Lionel started driving the bus away from the has been commended for his actions while area for his own safety. on duty during the London riots last year. The bus was severely damaged, with the The Bromley Garage driver had dropped windscreen smashed on both sides as a result of passengers off on the advice of police and missiles being thrown at it. Despite this, Lionel The victorious Stagecoach football was attempting to turn the bus around when continued to drive the bus away from danger to team. the steering wheel was grabbed through the Catford Bus Garage where he was then treated window by a youth involved in the surrounding for his injury. Back of the net disorder. His actions were praised as ‘nothing short of Lionel was then punched through the remarkable’ at the Safer Transport Command ’s football cab window and the window was smashed, Commendation Ceremony in London for team have won the Volvo Cup for the shattering glass all over the inside of the driver’s helping to prevent further damaging the vehicle second time in three years. Manager cab. Youths then entered the bus and tried to get which would have caused severe disruption to of the team, Ian Foran, received an to Lionel through the cab door, at which point the local area. award for his seven years’ service as the manager and also for his many years playing for the team. Well done to all. Flying high The East SSC employee Alison Yarr took a leap Midlands commercial of faith to raise more than £1100 for team at the bus charity. Alison completed a skydive in launch with Whitchurch, Shropshire, in aid of the Commercial RSPCA and would like to thanks all those Manager at the SSC who contributed to the total (South) Andy raised. Smith dressed Our picture shows Alison on her way back to as Windy earth during her skydive. Miller. Makeover for Windy Everyone was invited to the party Revamped Loughborough station unveiled as Windy Miller helped celebrate the launch of new buses for Stagecoach Loughborough station’s £8 million improvement scheme has been officially East Midlands’ Mansfield Miller service. unveiled after being revamped into a brighter, more spacious and fully accessible The character from the cult TV series travel hub. Camberwick Green has become a Improvements to the station and surrounding area include a new footbridge and lifts providing familiar sight emblazoned on the sides step-free access to all platforms, extended platforms capable of accommodating 10-carriage of buses on the route. trains, new cycle parking, refurbished toilets and waiting rooms, and new ticket vending Commercial machines. Manager (South) Andy Smith drew the Tim Sayer, Engineering Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “The completion of the short straw and had to don the Windy Miller improvement scheme will deliver some real benefits for commuters using Loughborough costume. station, and we’re very pleased to have played our part in this scheme.” On the run Three Stagecoach London Jubilee tea party staff took part in this year’s London Marathon. Management Service Controller Danny and staff at Stagecoach White (pictured) achieved South held a traditional a time of 4 hrs 11 mins, tea party in one of the while driver Dave Leigh of company’s bus depots to Bow completed the course launch a specially-liveried in 5hrs 51 mins and driver bus to commemorate Dennis Spencer-Perkins the Queen’s Diamond of Barking ran 4hrs Jubilee. 43 mins. All three Andrew Dyer, Managing were collecting for Director at Stagecoach Richard House South, said: “We are Hospice which delighted to launch our bus provides care for to mark the exceptional sick children. reign of Her Majesty Managers at the tea party launch of the Queen Elizabeth II.” Stagecoach Diamond Jubilee bus.

3 uk bus on stage

On the road for charity rally

Stagecoach co-founder and Non- Kenya Children’s Home is run by Ann and the babies are adopted by Kenyan families and Executive Director Ann Gloag and her her Balcraig Foundation. It helps up to 1,700 the rest are cared for in our orphanage until they team of Gloag Girls have completed the children in the country every year and the are 18.” Banger Rally across Europe and, along abandoned baby unit houses children aged up to with their fellow team the Backhouse 18 months. The Gloag Girls and the Backhouse Boys can Boys, raised a total of £100,000 for a unit She said: “There are a lot of people who think I be sponsored by visiting the below links. for abandoned babies at Kenya Children’s am mad to do this but I wanted to do something http://www.justgiving.com/ Home in the country’s capital Nairobi. completely different in order to help raise backhouseboysbarmytobarcelona Both teams drove 1,500 miles from Lille in awareness and funds for the abandoned babies http://www.justgiving.com/ France to Barcelona in Spain during the charity that we help. We try to provide the best care we gloaggirlsbarmytobarcelona event. The girls were in a 1999 Vauxhall Astra. can at our unit and, thankfully, around 80% of

Drivers on the Wall Top bus drivers A group of Stagecoach bus drivers swapped their driving seats for hiking recently held its regional Bus boots when they walked the length of Driver of the Year competition. Hadrian’s Wall to raise money for Eden The winner was Michael Valley Hospice. Galloway from Cwmbrân Depot The four drivers from the Carlisle depot while Michael Hutchens from trekked 84 miles over four days, aiming to raise Blackwood Depot was runner-up £500 to support the Eden Valley Hospice, and in third place was Lee Hunt, a charity based in Carlisle which provides The South Wales Bus Driver of the Year competitors. also from Blackwood Depot. specialist care for people with life-limiting illnesses and support for their families and carers. Vicky goes the distance Puppy power Merseyside driver Vicky Unsworth completed the London Marathon in a personal best time of 3 Stagecoach has hours 7 mins and raised more than £500 for the raised £600 for St Ann’s Hospice, thanks British Heart Foundation in the process. to a playful pooch named Tinkerbell. The race was Vicky’s 14th marathon and she runs more than Drivers and operational staff at the company’s 80 miles a week, fitting it in around her shifts. Hyde Road depot donated one pound a time Our picture shows Vicky (right) after the London Marathon. to spend five minutes walking the friendly two-year-old Chihuahua, which is owned by assistant depot operations manager, Louise Atkinson. Keeping watch And staff members who refused to walk the Stagecoach London won three tiny pup were ‘fined’ £2! awards at the On-Bus CCTV Commen- Louise commented: “Tinkerbell is a little star dation Ceremony, which is organised by so we knew lots of people would be happy the Metropolitan Police and Transport for to donate money in return for the pleasure of London. taking her for a walk, Manchester Operations Director Matt Davies After centralising its CCTV department to but we also knew (second left) and Marketing Assistant Andrew West Ham Garage, Stagecoach London won the that quite a few of Howard-Smith (second right) collect the award. Most Improved Award at the event. In addition, our burly male bus the company received an award in recognition of drivers wouldn’t be Green award the hard work of its CCTV staff and extended keen to be seen out working hours during the London riots in 2011. with such a dainty has And Derminder Bassi also collected an award dog.” scooped the North West Carbon Reduction for outstanding achievement as one of the best The fundraising Award at the Business in the Community On-Bus CCTV Analysts for an investigation that notched up £300 awards ceremony. he and the rest of the team carried out which which was matched The company was acknowledged for its helped convict a gang of violent robbers. by the company. commitment to delivering greener, smarter bus services and reducing its CO2 emissions Stagecoach Manchester by eight per cent in the last year, as well as London’s employee Mark cutting its electricity use by 20 per cent. The winners at the Bartrip with award also recognised how these environmental On-bus CCTV Tinkerbell. improvements have been achieved alongside Commendation increasing passenger numbers and satisfaction rates. awards.

4 uk rail on stage

WIN A Picture of £50 the Season VOUCHER This edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by Stagecoach Cumbria Inspector Peter Butterfield. It shows an open-top bus, and a smaller version, at the Great North Swim, next to Windermere, at Low Wood Bay. Congratulations to Peter who will shortly receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers. If you think you have a picture that captures one of the four seasons, please send your image to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to: [email protected]

Tram-tastic Grand opening of new station winner Tim Shoveller, leader of the South LUCKY shopper West Trains and Network Rail alliance, has Kath Cully scooped officially opened the new look Effingham a tram-tastic prize of Junction station. The project has delivered a £250 of high street brand new modern brick and flint station shopping vouchers building, improved station access and a in a competition more accessible footbridge and footpath. run by Travel Tim Shoveller said: “The accessibility South Yorkshire enhancements and upgrade of facilities will and Stagecoach improve the flow of passengers in and out of the Supertram to SYPTE Director station, enhancing passengers’ journeys. promote a special General David Alan Williams, freelance writer for Modern off-peak tram Brown (left) and Nigel Wragg Railways Magazine (right) and Tim Shoveller day-ticket that present Kath with MD for the South West Trains and Network Rail gave passengers a her prize. alliance. discount of over 20% compared to the usual price. Supertram Commercial Manager Nigel What a star Wragg said: “I am delighted to be handing East Midlands Trains recently carried Kath her prize today and to have worked out a special train naming to mark 125 years alongside the SYPTE in promoting our of the Star newspaper. off-peak great value tram services. We will The paper’s editor Jeremy Clifford officially continue to provide affordable and reliable unveiled the new ‘Sheffield Star’ train alongside services to attract even more people onto Tim Sayer, Engineering Director of East Midlands greener, smarter transport.” Trains.

Sheffield Star Editor Jeremy Clifford unveils the These boots are newly named train. made for walking Seven South West Trains employees from the CCSC (Customer Communica- Golden tions Security Centre) have completed a sponsored walk which has so far raised carrot £1500 for MacMillan Cancer Support. The Guildford and Alton The group was part of a 24-strong team right time railway group were which walked across London to raise the delighted to win the Golden cash, passing some of the city’s most famous Carrot Award six times in attractions such as the Houses of Common, St 2011-2012. This award was a Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. testament to the hard work Donations can be made at - http://www. of staff from both SouthW est Amanda Ingram and Andy Haycock from the Guildford/ justgiving.com/teams/thecrew Trains and Network Rail. Alton Right Time Railway Group accepting the award with Congratulations to all of the team! station and train crew colleagues in the Guildford signal box.

5 champions on stage

Your 2012 Stagecoach Champions The winners of our 2012 Stagecoach Champions awards were announced at the Group’s recent management conference in London. Our champions were awarded trophies and will receive cash prizes after impressing judges with their performance in six categories.

Community Champion Health Champion Innovation Champion Our Health Champions with Sir .

Helen Mahy and Sir Brian Souter congratulate the For the employee who has done most to Innovation award winners celebrate their win with Community Champions. Helen Mahy and Sir Brian Souter. promote employee health within the Group. Recognises employees who have made a For the employee with best new business idea contribution to the local community through Trevor Ede, Deputy Engineering across the Group. fund-raising or volunteering. Manager, and Glenn Oldman, Vehicle Allocation Supervisor, Barking, Don Pinder, Compliance Engineer; Steve William McCracken, driver, Stockport, Stagecoach UK Bus – whose prompt actions Beattie, Standards Engineer; Duncan Stagecoach UK Bus – for his work over before emergency services arrived helped save Wilkins, Engineering Change Manager; several years as a Community First Responder, the life of a colleague who collapsed with a and Matt Hurst, Internal Communica- attending emergency callouts to provide help heart attack. tions Manager, South West Trains – the before the ambulance reaches those in need. group has worked together to design and Robert Nicol, admin assistant, Perth, PSV introduce a web-based resource for fitters, Claims – who also works as a Community improving efficiency, safety and the company’s Youth Learning Assistant and took a leave of environmental footprint. absence from his day job to go to Kenya and Pete Glass, Head of Service Delivery, East volunteer in an orphanage in Nairobi. Midlands Trains – for his work on introducing Sue Adlam, Vice President - Sales & a centralised database and reporting tool for Marketing, – for her safety, performance, fleet, customer service and involvement in a range of community work, other functions. It has resulted in improved from helping disadvantaged young people joint working, better service to customers, and and those who need affordable housing, to delivering cost savings. supporting community clean-ups and working Abdus Shahid, Night Controller, West with a breast cancer survivors’ charity. Ham, London, Stagecoach UK Bus – whose work to provide driving teams with detailed information and statistics has helped Environment Champion encourage improved reliability.

Customer Service Champion

Safety Champion

The 2012 Environment winners with their trophies (Edward Hodgson, West Scotland MD, collected on behalf of James Rankin who was unable to attend). The Customer Service Champions (megabus.com Presented to an individual who has COO Dale Moser collected Sossou Gbetoudor’s championed greener working practices award on his behalf). such as by improving energy efficiency, reducing the company’s carbon emissions or For the individual who has gone the extra Our Safety Champions with Helen Mahy (left) and mile to deliver exceptional customer service. developing innovative ways to get people to Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter (right). switch from the car to public transport. Awarded to an employee who has Ken Smith, driver, Stockton, Stagecoach Chris Ball, Operational and Technical championed good safety or excelled in UK Bus – for a 40-year career bulging with Audit and Support, Stagecoach UK Bus – dealing with a specific situation or incident. numerous examples of going the extra mile for who has project managed the successful roll out customers, resulting in many commendations of one of the Ecodriver system at the division. Paul Trigwell, train driver, East Midlands from passengers. Glenn Oldman, Vehicle Allocation Trains – for his work on educating people about Sossou Gbetoudor, Ticket Agent, Gray Supervisor, Barking, Stagecoach UK Bus the impact of suicides and assisting colleagues Line New , Twin America – an excellent – for his commitment to improving energy who have been involved in similar tragic events. ambassador for the company who matches his efficiency and his work on boosting recycling. Bob Healey, train driver, South West Trains enthusiasm for sales with a genuine desire to James Rankin, bus driver, Dumfries, – for his bravery in dealing with a fire on a train help customers. Stagecoach UK Bus – who transformed in December 2011. Denise Harvey, retail systems administra- depot waste ground into a relaxing environment Valerie Answer, Traffic Controller, tor, Stockport, Stagecoach UK Bus – for with flower beds, bushes, trees, vegetable patch Mansfield, Stagecoach UK Bus – for her her behind-the-scenes but critical support for and picnic table for all staff to use. focus on health and safety issues which has had internal departments and external customers a dramatic impact in increasing compliance rates around commercial and concessionary smartcard and reducing accidents. schemes.

6 uk bus / north america megabus.com drives into Texas

Stagecoach is expanding its Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; and New rising fuel prices and stretched household megabus.com operations in the US to Orleans, Louisiana. incomes. the major state of Texas, with services The new routes are being operated by a “The roll-out of megabus.com’s successful running out of Houston, San Antonio $17.5 million fleet of 25 new state-of-the-art package of low fares and high quality service and Dallas, the state’s three biggest cities, double-decker coaches. to Texas will give us access to one of the with a combined population of around Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, Sir Brian biggest potential markets in North America. 4.6 million people. Souter, said: “megabus.com has sparked a We look forward to extending our geographic Residents will be able to travel to five cities: revival in inter-city coach travel in the United footprint further as we deliver on our growth Austin, Texas; Norman, Oklahoma; Memphis, States, particularly in the current climate with strategy for the brand.”

Pedal power A helping hand Stagecoach employee Neil Mackinnon recently took part in the Etape Caledonia - an 81 mile cycle Stagecoach London’s Leyton Garage has taken part in the launch of a joint around Perthshire. venture between Hackney Learning Disabilities Service, The Metropolitan Police, and Thanks to a generous donation from Transport for London’s Travel Mentoring Service. Stagecoach, Neil, who works in the The project provides ‘Able to Travel’ bus sessions which aim to help people with disabilities and Customer Insight team, has so far raised their carers to feel confident and safe when travelling on public transport in Hackney. £630 for Marie Curie Cancer Care after Stagecoach London’s Managing Director, Mark Threapleton, said: “We are pleased to be completing the course in 4 hours 25 associated with the various organisations in delivery of this scheme. It has great benefits in helping a minutes. defined group of customers gain confidence and understanding in using buses.” Climate change award was delighted to win the Climate Change category at the Yorkshire Post Environment Awards. Engineering Director Joe Gilchrist said: “We’re extremely proud to be recognised for our innovative strategy to tackle climate change. “This award highlights our innovative approach to tackling climate change and the investment we have made in a range of measures which are helping us to become a more sustainable business.” Outstanding service Coach USA employee Mairelys Staff from Stagecoach, the SaferT ransport Team, Hackney Council and TfL at the project launch. Hernandez has been honoured for her outstanding service in the motorcoach industry at a special ceremony in Atlantic City. Speed demons Mairelys, who works at the Coach USA and megabus. A group of com training school, Stagecoach London received an engraved controllers recently took plaque, a watch, an part in a team-building engraved lapel pin and go-karting contest which an overnight stay and was organised by Jim dinner. Draper, Service Controller at West Ham. Mairelys The final result was that Hernandez Adam Cowie was the with her fastest, followed by Ashok award. Khimji and then Babu Patel. It’s thought this could potentially become an annual event. The go-karting Stagecoach London drivers.

7 people page on stage

Ged says – Aaron Marshall farewell The quickfire round Lincoln South West Trains Inspector Ged Worst job? Woodthorpe Being a milk boy has retired after Who are you? with my dad - I still 50 years service. Aaron Marshall, Rail Community don’t like the early The depot Officer Team Leader, South West Trains. mornings. team at Lincoln What do you like most about your Most embarrassing took Ged out job? moment? for a special Meeting and helping new people and They usually involve dinner on his knowing that one day can be totally alcohol and Las Vegas last day and he different from the next. so can’t really be printed in here! is seen pictured here with his fantastic What do you like least about your Dream job? retirement cake. job? Has to be a footballer. Working Friday and Saturday until 1am Favourite animal? can make a serious dent in the social life Definitely a dog. Diamonds are forever Favourite TV show? Most like to be stuck in a lift with? Stagecoach is using the rear Currently Celebrity Juice but my Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Anniston, Megan of its Diamond service buses to ask all-time favourite is The Sopranos. Fox, Jenny McCarthy....how big’s the lift??!! the public to nominate someone who Biggest achievement? deserves recognition for their contribu- Setting up and being part of a successful The Quickfire Round features in every tion in the community. team at and launching the edition of On Stage and we want to hear “Four winning nominees “Off The Rails” scheme in partnership from as many staff as possible. will have their picture with Portsmouth Football Club Study To suggest the next participant, email put on the back of Centre which educates pupils the about [email protected] one of our Diamond respect for staff and the dangers of the buses as a mark of their railway. achievements within the local community,” said John drives off to retirement Marketing Managing Assistant Director John Conroy has retired after 35 John was presented with a special leaving cake at his final Kristina years in the transport industry. Managing Directors meeting. Gwynne. John, who is one of the company’s longest- serving Managing Directors, is well-respected Kristina among colleagues and staff and will be very much Gwynne invites missed. nominations. Paying tribute to his contribution to Stagecoach, UK Bus Managing Director Les Warneford said: “John is everything you could want in an MD and he goes with our best wishes. We will all miss him.” CONTACTS John added: “It’s been a privilege to be MD of the company for such a long time and I have Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, thoroughly enjoyed it.” Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW Email: Home comforts [email protected] Kind-hearted staff at Group HQ have sent 29 parcels to soldiers serving in www.stagecoach.com Afghanistan. The items, which include dried goods, sweets and practical items such as toothbrushes, are gratefully received. Thanks to all involved. If you have a story for On Stage, please contact Lindsay Reid as above. The copy deadline for the next edition of On Stage Long service will be Friday Stagecoach East Midlands 17 August. staff celebrated a combined total of 480 years service at their long service dinner. Managing Director Gary Nolan was joined by Regional Director Robert Andrew to help staff celebrate.

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