Issue 95 | January 2013

onThe newsletter stage of Vote for your 2013 Stagecoach champions THE search has begun for the To nominate your Champion, download a working practices and sustainability, such as Stagecoach Champions of 2013 – and we nomination form from the FAQ section, under by improving energy efficiency, reducing the are hoping for even more nominations than ‘Media’, at www.stagecoach.com. Email the company’s carbon emissions or developing ever before. completed form to champions@stagecoachgroup. innovative ways to get people to switch from the 2013 marks the fourth year of the awards and com or send by post to Lindsay Reid, Corporate car to public transport. around 50 employees have previously been Communications Manager, Stagecoach Group, Community Champion: recognises employees honoured for their outstanding efforts across a 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW. Any staff who have made a significant contribution to the number of fields. member can nominate a colleague for an award. local community through charitable fund-raising The 2013 awards will recognise success in Nominations close on Friday 29 March 2013. or volunteering. the following categories: Safety, Environment, Look out for updates on the awards and the Health Champion: for employees who have Community, Health, Customer Service, and shortlisted nominees in future editions of On done most to promote employee health within Innovation. Stage. the Group. The awards are judged by Helen Mahy, Chair of Customer Service Champion: presented the Health, Safety and Environment Committee. Categories for 2013 to individuals who have gone the extra mile to Gold, silver and bronze awards are presented for deliver exceptional customer service. each category and shortlisted entrants receive a Safety Champion: awarded to employees who Innovation Champion: for employees who trophy and a cash prize. have championed good safety or excelled in have developed good ideas across any area of the This year we are looking to encourage even dealing with a specific situation or incident. business, whether it’s the launch of a new product, more entries from our bus and rail companies Environment Champion: presented to the introduction of a new system or a way of across the UK, North America and Canada. individuals who have championed greener saving the company money.

STAGECOACH bus driver Mike Reid Brian Blessed gets on has been awarded a British Empire Medal Queen’s honour board for Samaritans (BEM) in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. for Mike passengers at Mike, who is based at St Andrews depot, was London Waterloo were treated to a awarded the honour for charitable services in booming announcement from Brian Fife and Angus after raising around £65,000 for Blessed recently, as the actor supported a good causes over the past 25 years. fundraising day in aid of Samaritans. The 63-year-old is well-known locally for his Brian Blessed urged passengers to spare a few charity work, and has raised thousands of pounds coins for Samaritans, while the charity’s volunteers for a number of local and national charities collected at the station all day and helped South including Guide Dogs for the Blind, CLIC West Trains managers hand out complimentary Sargent and the St Andrews branch of Enable. mince pies. Mike said: “To find out I was getting this The idea came after passengers tweeted Brian honour was just amazing. It was the last thing Blessed – a regular South West Trains commuter – I thought about but I’m absolutely delighted. to suggest he recorded an announcement. South I’ve had great support for my charity work West Trains got to work with Samaritans and from local people and from my colleagues and staged the charity fundraising day at Waterloo managers at work and I would like to thank Stagecoach driver Mike Reid BEM. station, with Mr Blessed’s fee going to Samaritans them all for that.” to support their work. Mike, who lives with his wife Pam, began his supplied the vehicles for the event. Mike drove Samaritans is halfway through a five-year transport career in 1970 and has worked for the length and breadth of the country as part of partnership with Network Rail to reduce suicides Stagecoach since 1985. He is a driver on services the Olympic and Paralympic torch convoys in on the railways. in the St Andrews area where he is a favourite advance of the London 2012 Games last summer. among passengers and staff. Stagecoach Group Scotland Managing Director Chief Executive Sir also provided a Charlie Mullen added: “Mike is an excellent letter of support for Mike’s honour nomination, ambassador for the local community and for which was submitted by one of the recipients of the company and has helped countless people his charitable work. through his charitable work.” As an experienced busman, Mike was also selected to drive one of the buses for the Find out more about Mike in the Olympic Torch Relay last year as Stagecoach Quickfire Round on page 9 Brian Blessed records his special announcement. 1 uk bus on stage

Aberhill anniversary STAGECOACH in Fife celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Aberhill Depot in Methil by You what?! bringing together past and present employees Overheard on a night bus in London. and vehicles for a trip down memory lane. Person 1: “Anybody know when Old and new vehicles, painted in the same classic we’ve got to get off?” red and cream livery as the Fife Scottish vehicles Person 2: “When we get there.” were back in the 1960s, joined retired drivers and Person 1: “Ah….anybody conductresses from the same era to commemorate know where there is?” The anniversary celebrations at Aberhill Depot. the anniversary.

Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments to Your essential lindsay.reid@ stagecoachgroup. com employee guide

UK bus appointments EMPLOYEES are reminded of the we should all follow and should help you to STAGECOACH has announced a importance of reading the Group’s Code decide how to act if you are ever in doubt. series of appointments at its UK Bus of Conduct, which sets out the values and Honesty and integrity have been crucial in division as preparations continue for standards all staff are expected to live up to. building our relationships with the people and Robert Montgomery to take up the post The Code of Conduct applies to all directors, communities we work with and serve. We want of Managing Director on 1 May this year. managers, employees and representatives of to make sure these values and our reputation as a Elizabeth Esnouf (50) has taken up the new Stagecoach Group and its businesses. high quality organisation are protected.” post of Managing Director, Coaches and All employees should take time to read the For any questions, advice or further Special Activities. She will be responsible for the Code of Conduct and consider how it affects information, please get in touch with one of the .com and businesses, their own particular role. Copies are available following people: as well as rail replacement services and other online at www.stagecoach.com or from your line special contracts. manager. Andrew Levy, Legal Director Gary Nolan (56), Managing Director Laws and cultures vary from location to tel: 020 7620 5976 of , is appointed location, however the Code of Conduct applies email: andrew.levy@ stagecoachgroup.com Regional Director (North) from 1 February across the whole Group in addition to local rules 2013. His role will be to oversee Stagecoach and regulations. Stagecoach UK Bus & Rail companies in the North West, North East, At the heart of the guide are the principles Friars Bridge Court, 41-45 Blackfriars Road Yorkshire, Manchester, Merseyside, East that have guided the development of , SE1 8NZ Midlands and East. Group over the past 30 years: acting with honesty Robert Andrew (49), currently Regional and integrity, taking responsibility for our Ross Paterson, Director of Finance Director (North), becomes Regional Director actions, treating people with dignity, respect and tel: 01738 642 054 (South) on 1 March 2013. A former Regional thoughtfulness. email: ross.paterson@ stagecoachgroup.com Director (Scotland), this means he will have had The Code of Conduct covers how we deal senior management responsibility for each of with our employees, suppliers, customers, Lindsay Reid, Corporate Communications the bus division’s regions. competitors, and the wider communities in Manager In addition, Les Warneford, who has more which we work. tel: 01738 642 019 than 40 years’ experience in the UK bus Sir Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief email: lindsay.reid@ stagecoachgroup.com industry, will continue to undertake special Executive, said: “We have always had a very clear project work for Stagecoach after he retires in set of values at Stagecoach and it is vital that we Michael Vaux, Company Secretary May 2013. live up to them in practice. I would encourage tel: 01738 642 043 everyone, no matter what their role, to take time email: michael.vaux@ stagecoachgroup.com to read this guide and consider it carefully. It is just Charity triathlon as important as your contract of employment. Stagecoach Group plc “The Code of Conduct sets out the principles 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW RICHARD Fletcher from Chesterfield recently STAGECOACH London employee A mountain to climb competed in the Sharon Moonie took part in the trip of a Virgin Active lifetime when she completed a sponsored London Triathlon to trek to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in raise £237 for the Tanzania, Africa. Breathtakers OB trust. Sharon, who has worked for Stagecoach for 13 The charity supports years, raised £3575 for the charity ‘SCOPE’, which sufferers of the lung disease Obliterative cares for disabled children, by trekking for 10 days Bronchilitus and their families. The gruelling up the 5895metre high mountain, often in freezing triathlon involved a 1500m open water swim, a temperatures. Sharon (right) pictured with one of her 40k bike ride and a 10k run. She would like to thank her London colleagues trekking companions Bernadette. Thanks to all who supported Richard. who helped raise around £1000 of the total.

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Gifting trolley New apprentices at COMMUTERS and those travelling home for Christmas on services from London St Pancras to Nottingham were able to purchase top East Midlands Trains gadget gifts directly from a special Currys and PC World gifting trolley service. EAST Midlands Trains has recruited Goodies available through the service included its first four engineering apprentices. iPads, Beats headphones and the ‘Paperwhite’ The four new recruits will be based Kindle, as well as holiday essentials such as spare at the company’s maintenance depots batteries and memory cards. in Etches Park, Derby and Eastcroft Neil Micklethwaite, Customer Service in Nottingham while also attending and Commercial Director for East Midlands Derby College’s Engineering Academy Trains, said: “We’re constantly on the lookout at the Roundhouse in Derby. for ideas about how our services and facilities The new apprentices are Matthew Taylor can be improved, and we think this is a great from Mickleover, Jamie Spooner from initiative that hopefully proved popular with our Alvaston, and Callum Howling and Joshua passengers.” Brear who are both from Long Eaton. All four are delighted to have the opportunity to earn while they learn and L-R Joshua Brear, Jamie Spooner, Callum West Coast deal gain valuable work experience on the first Howling, Matt Taylor. STAGECOACH has announced step of their career ladder in engineering. that its joint venture, Tim Sayer, Engineering Director for East and we recognised the need to invest in has reached an agreement with the Midlands Trains, said: “Derby has a long the future of the maintenance side of the Department for Transport to continue and proud heritage of railway engineering business.” operating train services on the West Coast Mainline until 8 November 2014. Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Finance Director, Customer service stars said: “This is a good deal for passengers and taxpayers, as well as our business and Virgin EAST Midlands Trains employees have • Driver of the Year – Trains employees. It will ensure customers been recognised at the company’s inaugural Steve Wilkinson, Norwich continue to benefit from the best customer Customer Service Awards. • Senior Conductor of the Year – service on the UK rail network and it brings A total of 13 employees were named as winners Tara Grafton, Derby continuity for our people.” at the awards: • Train Manager of the Year – Tim Scott, Derby • Outstanding Individual of the Year – • Customer Host of the Year – Samantha Willerton from Leicester station Emma Jones, Sheffield Rainbow Day • Team of the Year – • Ticket Office Staff of the Year – SOUTH West Trains passengers Leicester station Customer Service Team Kim Cinavas, Sleaford station recently enjoyed a ‘Rainbow Day’, at • Unsung Hero – • Train Dispatcher of the Year – Farnborough Main Station, taking Cheryl Parkin, Head Office, Derby Joe Kelham, Lincoln station advantage of a special bargain price of • Manager of the Year – • Welcome Host of the Year – £10 return to encourage people to try Jason Cocker, Station Manager, Sheffield Kass Pinjara from London St Pancras station the train. • Revenue Protection Staff of the Year – Jake Kelly, Customer Service Director for the Izzy Maher, Leicester South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: • Depot Staff of the Year – Mark Vardy from “With over 212 destinations to choose from, Eastcroft Maintenance Depot, Nottingham this offer allowed parents and families to leave the car at home and plan a great day out on our Neil Micklethwaite, Customer Service & network.” Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate success and reward those employees who have gone Mince pie delight above and beyond to ensure their customer feels The East Midlands Trains Customer Service like East Midlands Trains really cares about them PASSENGERS travelling through Awards winners. as an individual.” Nottingham station before Christmas received an unexpected festive treat as the ‘East Midlands Trains Elves’ descended on the station to hand out complimentary tRAILblazers walking for charities mince pies. A group of Network Rail, South Since then the tRAILblazers have raised Andy Moore, Head of Stations for East West Trains and West of England line £10,000 for The Queen Alexandra Hospital Midlands Trains, said: “We wanted to say thank employees known as the tRAILblazers Renal Unit, Cosham, the Hampshire and Isle you to our passengers for their patience and recently walked from Feniton Station to of Wight Air Ambulance, Motor Neurone understanding while important improvement Exeter St David’s. Disease Association and Salisbury Hospice. work takes place at Nottingham station.” This was the fifth leg of their Atlantic Coast Their latest endeavour has raised £1410 for Express Walk, which they began in 2009. the MS Society.

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Jayson connects Run to the beat STAGECOACH employees Andrea with Movember Hayes and Karen Griffiths recently took part in a Run to the Beat half marathon STAGECOACH in London in support of Pilgrims Midlands Operations Hospices. Manager Jayson The two ladies managed to complete the Smith has raised 13.1-mile run, which took place on 28 £170 by taking October, in 2 hours and 21 minutes, and part in prostate and crossed the finish line together. They managed testicular cancer (l-r) David Barrie, Dover depot manager, Karen to raise over £1100 through sponsorship charity campaign Griffiths and Andrea Hayes present their cheque from friends, family and colleagues, which Movember. to Karen Kenward of Pilgrims Hospices. Stagecoach bosses rounded up to £1500. Jayson had personal reasons for deciding to take part. He said: “Sadly, we have just lost my grandfather who was 98. My father, who lives in the Republic of Ireland, is under treatment at Poppy buses the moment so prostate cancer as a charity is very close to my heart.” After growing it for the month of ‘Movember’, Jayson’s moustache vanished play their part on the morning of December 1. STAGECOACH played an important part in London Poppy Day and Award recognition Remembrance Day last year. The company had two buses wrapped in poppy STAGECOACH bus and coach livery to promote London Poppy Day and on the companies were recognised at the day itself Stagecoach London provided one of the 2012 UK Bus Awards. buses to transport a military pipes and drum band The megabus.com overnight sleeper to various locations. coach scooped the Innovation Award at the also provided a Routemaster London ceremony, while Stagecoach’s role bus to take the Military Wives Choir to several in the Olympic and Paralympic Games was performances. also praised. Another Routemaster bus was provided by Stagecoach UK Bus Deputy Managing Peter Hendy CBE, Commissioner for TfL, and Director Robert Montgomery said: “It that transported numerous celebrities and went The Poppy buses at Parliament Square in London. was a great honour to be involved in the to Clarence House where HRH Prince Charles London Olympic and Paralympic Games. joined the bus and met some of the fundraisers. be added to TfL trains too. Our staff worked very hard to deliver a The poppy livery on the buses was so popular London Poppy Day 2012 raised £801,000, all in high-quality transport operation and we’re that London Mayor Boris Johnson agreed that it support of the Armed Forces and their families. pleased that their commitment has been recognised in this way.” Christmas crime

Cash For Kids POSTERS were recently displayed on more than 60 Stagecoach buses in South STAGECOACH in Cumbria has Wales reminding passengers how to avoid raised money for the Cash for Kids being a victim of crime over Christmas. charity through a special pre-Christmas Bus inspector The campaign, called ‘Don’t Have a promotion. Geraint Howells Nightmare This Christmas!’, was based on a From 24 November to 24 December with one of the series of images which were produced in the Stagecoach donated 1p for every 100 tickets posters. style of film posters. issued on any of its buses based in Carlisle and Penrith. The overall charity donation was expected to be around £3,000 and the company is Helping hand with a Bus for Jobs continuing to raise funds after naming Cash for Kids as its official charity partner. STAGECOACH is backing a Sir Brian Souter, Chief Executive of Stagecoach Commercial Manager Fraser new ‘Bus for Jobs’ initiative to help Stagecoach Group, said: “Bus for Jobs could Smith said: “We wanted to work with a local hundreds of thousands of jobseekers make the vital difference for those who are charity to help support those who live in the across the UK find employment by struggling to get that first job or training communities we serve and Cash for Kids enabling them to use Stagecoach place. In particular, I hope we can help offered us the ideal fit, with all money raised routes free of charge throughout the more of our young people make a better being used on local projects.” month of January. start in life.”

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WIN A £50 Picture VOUCHER of the Season

THIS edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by Dave Paterson, who works for in the Arbroath depot. It shows the X7 service leaving Arbroath bus station heading for Dundee. Congratulations to Dave 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 The Lord Mayor thanks Paul Southgate, Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to: Managing Director of Stagecoach in East [email protected] Kent. Lord Mayor’s Christmas bus Improvement for Andover A £700,000 improvement scheme has East unveiled been completed at Andover station. a bus which showed its support for the The improvements include a refurbished Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas waiting room and station toilets, improvements Gift Fund. to the car park and forecourt area providing a The vehicle went into operation in more welcoming and easily accessible station and Canterbury before Christmas. Councillor new secure cycle compound. Robert Waters, the Lord Mayor of Jake Kelly, Customer Service Director for Canterbury, said: “This is a moving the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, advertising board which is seen by thousands said: “The upgrade of the facilities at Andover, every day, so thank you Stagecoach for together with the improvements to access, will Jake Kelly and MP Sir George Young mark helping us, once again, to raise funds for this provide a significantly improved station for our the official opening of Andover’s station worthwhile charity.” passengers.” improvements.

In memory of Peter STAFF at the SSC took part in a Management Santa Run to raise £3,000 for the British accolade Heart Foundation in memory of former employee Peter Williams. STAGECOACH Group has one of the Peter’s daughter Katie organised the 5km best management teams of any business event which a group of Peter’s former in the UK, according to an authoritative colleagues took part in. Donations also flooded annual survey of corporate reputation. in from staff around the UK. Separately, Peter’s Stagecoach was also voted the top public family have also raised around £3,300, taking transport group in the Britain’s Most Admired the grand total to well over £6,000. Companies 2012 survey. UK Bus HR Director June Ashton said: “It Steven Stewart, Stagecoach Group’s Director was brilliant to do something to remember our of Communications, said: “We are delighted to lovely friend and colleague Peter who touched be recognised once again by our peers for the The group of Santa Run participants, including many people’s lives and certainly would have strength of our business, particularly the high some of Peter’s family members. involved himself in events such as this.” reputation of our management team.” Award for best new share plan Open for business STAGECOACH Group’s Buy as You communications used to promote the scheme has Earn (BAYE) share incentive plan has been and said that Stagecoach had ensured that all opened new premises on Romney named ‘Best New Share Plan’ at the ifs employees would benefit equally from it. Marsh. The new outstation, which ProShare Annual Awards 2012. The judges concluded, as a result of the initially brings eight driver jobs to the The judges considered that the BAYE scheme benefits of the scheme and the way it has been area, will allow Stagecoach to increase its met the company’s key objective of increasing promoted, Stagecoach has greatly increased the bus fleet to improve local bus services. the number of employees owning shares in number of employees now holding shares in the the business. They were impressed with the company.

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New buses for Aberdeen commuters New buses has launched 10 brand new single-deck buses for its popular for Nuneaton X17 route. STAGECOACH has invested Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director, Stagecoach £1.7 million in 14 new state-of-the Bluebird, said: “The new buses, increased frequency art buses for the Nuneaton town and free wifi now on this route are a welcome network. development to the busy commuter corridor. The buses were launched at Nuneaton “The eye-catching branding also means the Town Football Club by Member of vehicles are easily identified on the roads and bring Parliament for Nuneaton Marcus Jones Bluebird staff with the new vehicles. something fresh to the area.” and Managing Director Steve Burd. Steve Burd said: “We have continually reinvested in the network to improve the quality of the service in order to give Green Santa goes people a reliable and frequent service, coupled with value for money travel and comfortable clean buses.” back to school STAGECOACH North Rail companies East’s Green Santa visited primary schools across the have pedal power region spreading the festive spirit, after selected schools STAGECOACH’S rail franchises – won an eco-competition, East Midlands Trains and South West winning a ‘green’ gift worth Trains – scooped three top honours up to £250. at this year’s National Cycling School children were invited Awards. to write a letter to the bus South West Trains won first prize company’s Green Santa to ask for Best Customer Service at the for environmentally friendly event as well as picking up the top presents for the school, with honour in the category of Summer of some wonderful entries including Green Santa visits a local primary school in the North East. Cycling. Richmond station was also solar-powered clocks, compost highly commended in the category of bins, energy savings lights and environmental programme environmentally aware and best London Cycle Parking. wormeries. ‘Ready Steady Green’ and is demonstrate how easy it is to East Midlands Trains was named the The Green Santa initiative is designed to encourage children make a difference to their local winner in the category of Partnership part of ’s across the region to be more environment. Working.

Ian Manning, Golden touch Managing Mega investment Director of WARWICK Stagecoach West has invested Stagecoach rolled out 15 nearly £3.5 million in 19 brand new vehicles for West (centre) new double-decker coaches this the introduction of its third luxury Gold Service. with Martin week on its Ontario and Quebec Ian Manning said: “I am delighted to be unveiling our Horwood, MP for Cheltenham routes. The $11 million investment luxurious new double-deck fleet today, which will go offers passengers a better view from and Councillor into operation this Saturday on Service 10. Paul McLain, the upper deck with ceiling skylights “The new buses will take the customer experience to running the total length of the Deputy Leader of a whole new level and we look forward to welcoming Gloucestershire coach, a better ride, and a reduced new passengers on board.” County Council. environmental impact.

On board with vehicle investment STAGECOACH in Fife launched Fife and Glasgow. two fleets of brand new vehicles for Charlie Mullen, Managing Director passengers recently. of Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We The company has invested over £1.9 are delighted to continue investing in million in 11 new vehicles for its Taylink public transport in the Fife area and 99 route as well as investing £2.7 million making improvements wherever we can in nine new vehicles to go into service to provide a high quality service for our The new Taylink vehicles were launched at RAF Leuchars. on its Express coach services between customers.”

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One of the first vehicles arrives at Top award for Riverside Train Station in California. TV commercial

PR and communications firm Hanser & Associates has won a prestigious Adrian Award in the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) 2012 competition, for a TV commercial created for megabus.com. Paramus, NJ-based megabus.com’s first TV commercial (‘Megabus.com - Stay Connected’) showed how megabus.com helps customers stay connected with friends and family. “We’re honored that our TV commercial has received international recognition,” said Mike Alvich, megabus.com’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. “The ad describes what has already been written megabus.com heads to in thousands of news stories: free Wi-Fi and other amenities onboard our buses have changed the way 22 million Americans California and Nevada travel.” THE North American megabus. destinations are now covered by megabus.com com network has expanded to eight in the United States and Canada. It comes only Top awards for staff locations in the major states of California six months after megabus.com launched a new and Nevada, which have a combined network of routes in Texas. COACH Canada has named population of around 40 million people. Dale Moser, President and COO of megabus. its annual Driver of the Year and Services will cover Los Angeles, San Francisco, com in North America, said: “We are confident Employee of the Year. Oakland, Calif., Riverside, Calif., Las Vegas, that our 21st century double-decker buses with Howard Morris was named the winner Sparks/Reno, Nev., Sacramento, Calif., and San Wi-Fi and power outlets, combined with our of the Driver of the Year Award while Jose, Calif. outstanding prices, will prove popular with Marketing Coordinator Jason Bulman, was The expansion means more than 120 people in California and Nevada.”. the recipient of the Employee of the Year honour, as voted by their peers. Chuck (front right) Howard has been a driver with Coach at the event. Chuck goes Canada since 1969 and is always willing to go the extra mile for customers. networking Jason has worked for Coach Canada since 2007 and is a great employee who has a MEGABUS.COM’S humble attitude to help others. US mascot Chuck was Congratulations to both. busy networking at the Pennsylvania Tourism Summit in Harrisburg, On the stage PA, recently. Chuck promoted megabus at THE famous New York City the state capital building Sightseeing brand played an important along with a number of role in the Radio City Christmas other mascots. Spectacular starring the Rockettes as the dancers took to the stage with a City Sightseeing double decker. Chicago Trolley is lighting up Spreading the word CHICAGO Trolley’s Holidays Lights the Christmas lights in Chicago. tour is going from strength to strength. Tour guides play holiday music, provide an THE phrase ‘megabus.com’ was According to Rob Pierson, Coach USA informative tour about Christmas & Chicago, the fifth most Google searched term General Manager, Chicago Trolley and and have sing along Christmas Carols with in Atlanta in 2012 and was the ninth Double Decker Bus Company said that the customers. most searched term in Chicago, new tour was first introduced in 2011 and Chicago Trolley was also proving that news about megabus. sold a total of 1,667 tickets – this number recently nominated by Concierge Preferred com is spreading fast in the US. more than doubled in 2012. in the category of Best Attraction in the The festive tour allows customers to view annual awards.

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Santa drives in Devon Hairy drivers had a very special seasonal driver as Santa A GROUP of 49 bus Claus took his turn behind the wheel! employees in Lancaster got Santa used his driving shift as an hairy by growing moustaches opportunity to raise money for the in November and raised Multiple Sclerosis Society. almost £5,000 for the Special Care Baby Unit at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in the The ‘tache-tastic’ fundraisers. process. Push once – 50 years of public transport FORMER UK Bus Policy Adviser requirements at the London 2012 Olympic Peter Nash has written a book which and Paralympic Games. charts the fascinating story of life in Fifteen of the 30 contributors to the the bus industry through the eyes of book are former and current Stagecoach Santa on Service 57 to Exmouth. 30 career busmen. employees. The book – called ‘Push Once – A Life in Profits from book sales will be donated the Bus Industry’ – chronicles 50 years of to the Kithead Trust, the national archive Get your skates on change, from the early 1960s to the present for records about the industry. For more day, including a look behind the scenes information, or to purchase a copy visit of the successful delivery of the transport www.mdsbooks.co.uk

Christmas cheer on the buses STAGECOACH South ran two Santa Buses over the festive period, Marketing Analyst Michael Sanderson and in Basingstoke and Marketing Assistant Chris Brooke get their in Portsmouth, to skates on. help raise money for charity. STAGECOACH in Lincolnshire With buses being helped local school groups make the driven by Santa, most of Lincoln’s Christmas Ice Rink the initiative by running free buses to the attraction. raised cash for St In return, adverts promoting bus travel Michael’s Hospice in were displayed at the rink. Basingstoke and for Rowans Hospice and the Roberts Children’s Brian Griggs, Simon Davis and Les Barnett, who help prepare the Tash-tastic Centre in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Santa Bus for service. MERSEYSIDE driver Mark Wignall went tache-tastic and Bullseye raised more than £250 in STAGECOACH the process for Yorkshire’s Rawmarsh the Movember depot darts team won campaign, which raises awareness of their league for the prostate cancer and other male cancer, second year running after and associated charities. winning 10 out of their 12 The victorious Rawmarsh darts team. games this season.

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Tim hands back his keys Long service awards recently paid tribute to a number of long-serving and retiring staff. A presentation ceremony was held in November for 41 members of staff who have 20-45 years’ service. Staff at the long service presentation. The company also recently celebrated a group of retiring employees who clocked up almost 150 with the company and retired driver Fred Wood years of service between them. was presented with a special award for 40 years of Daniel Lawrence, from Stagecoach’s Barnsley safe driving. CHELTENHAM driver Tim Marsh depot, retired after completing 43 years of service, Paul Lynch, Managing Director at Stagecoach has retired after more than 40 years’ along with Brian Jukes, who was with the Yorkshire, said: “It gives me a great sense of pride service. company for 39 years, and David Knaggs, who to be celebrating the loyalty and achievements Tim, who started his bus career on 5 completed 29 years of service. of staff who have dedicated their careers to the May, 1972, is pictured with Stagecoach Antony Herberts stepped down after 38 years company.” West Managing Director Ian Manning and Cheltenham colleagues on his last day. The quickfire round – Mike Reid BEM East Scotland Who are you? Dream Job? Mike Reid BEM, East Scotland driver. Driving the Olympic Torch Relay bus. What do you like most about your Favourite animal? job? Driving and meeting people. Dogs (Guide Dogs). What do you like least about your Most like to be stuck in job? 05:30 starts. Stagecoach’s Worthing and Chichester a lift with? Favourite TV show? My wife Pam Movember Team with the moustached bus. All major soaps. and Natasha Kaplinsky. Biggest achievement? Awarded BEM in the New Years Honours list. Movember mania The Quickfire Round features in every Worst job? Painting Doors. edition of On Stage and we want to hear TEN Stagecoach staff from Chichester Most embarrassing moment? Taking a from as many staff as possible. and Worthing bus depots raised over service bus on what I thought was a City To suggest the next participant, email £800 after participating in the Movember Tour but the season had just finished. Appeal, in which men grow moustaches [email protected] to raise awareness and fundraise for prostate cancer charities. The team of 10 were sponsored by colleagues Oh what a night from their depots. Dave Fulford, Assistant Operations Manager driver the Help for Heroes charity. based at Stagecoach’s Worthing Depot, said Jane Young has been named the ‘Song for Jane’s winning song will that he and his ‘mo bros’ were grateful for the Heroes 2012’ competition winner. be recorded and sold with support shown by everyone. Jane beat off competition from six other proceeds going to the talented Ayrshire song-writers, who all performed charity. their own original songs to a sell-out audience More details can be found and judging panel to raise awareness and funds for at www.songforheroes. Jane Young. CONTACTS Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Loyal service Perth, PH1 5TW STAGECOACH South recently Email: recognised a group of long-serving [email protected] employees who have worked in the bus industry for between 20 and 60 years. www.stagecoach.com The event also celebrated the retirement If you have a story for On Stage, The long-serving Stagecoach South staff with of Maureen Dickinson, who retired from Managing Director Andrew Dyer (front left). please contact Lindsay Reid as above. Aldershot depot after 36 years service. The copy deadline for the next edition COLLEAGUES past and present were of On Stage will on hand to wish Grimsby operations Ron calls it a day be Friday 15th Manager Ron Smith a happy retirement praised Ron’s hard work and his sense of humour February, 2013. after 41 years with the company. when presenting him with a retirement gift of Gary Nolan, MD Stagecoach East Midlands, holiday vouchers.

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