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Issue 84 | March 2011

onThe newsletter stage of Group

Who will be our 2011 champions? TIME is running out to nominate Categories for 2011 your 2011 Stagecoach Champions – and Nigel (centre) receives his award. there are top cash prizes on o er for the • Safety Champion: awarded to an employee winners. who has championed good safety or excelled We are on the lookout for champions in six in dealing with a speci c situation or incident. Nigel wins categories this year. There will be gold, silver and bronze award winners in each category. • Environment Champion: presented to Presentations will be made by each division in an individual who has championed greener top award their own areas and there will also be plaques for working practices and sustainability, such as employee each gold, silver and bronze winner. by improving energy e ciency, reducing the Nigel Yabsley scooped a top honour at The cash prizes (with US$ or Can$ equivalent company’s carbon emissions or developing the 2011 London Bus Awards. for any winners in North America) are: innovative ways to get people to switch from Bromley Garage driver Nigel won the Bus Gold - £1,000 the car to . Service Ambassador Award at the ceremony, which is held by (TfL) Silver - £500 • Community Champion: recognises to celebrate the hard work and excellence of Bronze - £250 employees who have made a signi cant London bus drivers and sta . To nominate a champion, all you need to do contribution to the local community through Nigel, who drives on route 664, was praised is email your suggestion to champions@ charitable fund-raising or volunteering. for his calm and steady approach to the service stagecoachgroup.com. Employees can which has historically had problems with nominate themselves or one of their colleagues. • Health Champion: for the employee who disruptive school children. This approach has People nominating should include their own has done most to promote employee health allowed him to gain the trust and respect of name, position and company, as well as the within the Group. the youngsters and has resulted in a huge same details for the person they are nominating. improvement to their behaviour, making life They should provide a description of what • Customer Service Champion: presented more pleasant for everyone using his bus. He the individual has done to deserve the award, to the individual who has gone the extra mile has also been widely involved with TfL’s school including any information on the impact of their to deliver exceptional customer service. visits and helps educate local students on how e orts on the business. Nominations for the to use buses both safely and responsibly. 2011 Stagecoach Champions awards close on 31 • Innovation Champion: for the employee March 2011. with the best new business idea.

Rail Business honour for EAST Midlands Trains’ online Best Midlands Trains, said: “The launch of our online has done to improve the safety culture of the Fare Finder tool won the award for Best Fare Finder is the result of consultation, Nottingham drivers team through a unique Information Technology Excellence at the research and some very valuable feedback from development group and one for its use of famous recent Rail Business Awards. our passengers. We’re con dent that we now twins Jedward in a recent marketing campaign. Beating o competition from other have an online tool that caters for the needs of Marc Turley, Head of Marketing for East train companies throughout the country, our passengers, is easy and convenient to use as Midlands Trains (centre) collects the award. East Midlands Trains’ new and improved well as guaranteeing access to the cheapest Best Fare Finder, which is available on available fares. www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk, provides a “We’re really proud to win this award quick and easy way for passengers to access the which helps to show that our commitment cheapest available fare for around 450 di erent to providing great value fares is UK train journeys. starting to have a real impact.” The system compares ticket prices from East Midlands Trains also multiple times of the day and days of the picked up three highly week on a single, easy to read page. This commended honours at the means if customers can be  exible about travel awards – one for bargain arrangements, they can quickly and easily  nd coach and rail service the cheapest train ticket available. megabusplus.com, one for Marc Turley, Head of Marketing at East the work the company

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HQ staff show ( Overheard on a off skills on ice You what?! service from Waterloo to Ascot) Boy 1: “We gotta get into drinking stu like Earl Grey...” Boy 2:“Bruv, why?” Boy 1:“Coz then people will think we’re more sophisticated, innit!” Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments to [email protected]

The winning team receives the trophy from Lindsay Durward of Stagecoach. Africa by bus STAFF at Group headquarters is continuing Before travelling to Tanzania, Neil returned recently showed o their curling its strong partnership with international to Zambia to deliver bus driver training to skills by winning the Stagecoach- development charity Transaid to improve six trainers at the ITC. While there, he also sponsored Business Curling road safety in sub-Saharan Africa. welcomed the coach which Stagecoach has Challenge in Perth. The company is funding driving instructor donated to the centre. The single deck Volvo The company entered three teams into Neil Rettie on a two-year secondment to help vehicle will allow more e ective training for bus the competition, where novice curlers are improve driving standards in Tanzania. drivers in Zambia and is the latest support to be matched up with those more experienced Stagecoach has also donated a coach to the provided by Stagecoach, which is a founding to compete against other companies in Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Zambia, member of Transaid. the area. which will be used to improve the standard of Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Les After two qualifying events, one of the training for bus drivers in the country. Warneford said: “Our partnership with Transaid Stagecoach teams – made up of Alistair Neil, who previously spent six months is very important to us. We know  rst-hand the Bryan-Jones and Mike Vaux as well as training bus and coach drivers in Zambia, has challenges involved in running bus services in non-Stagecoach employees Derek Halley been appointed Project Manager of Transaid’s Africa and fully recognise the need for improved and Peter Loudon – made it to the Professional Driver Training Project in Tanzania. driver training. We provide a comprehensive semi- nal stage. After winning that match, He will oversee a professional driver training training programme for all of our drivers here they also proved too strong for their programme for bus and coach drivers in the in the UK and we hope that Neil’s opponents in the  nal and stormed to East African country in a bid to improve driving input in Tanzania, and the victory by 10 shots to 4. standards and road safety. bus we have donated in Speaking before leaving, Neil said: “I’m Zambia, will go some absolutely delighted to have this role. It’s a huge way to improving Matthew hits opportunity for me to play an active part in driving standards and the big time improving driving standards over there. road safety in those “I never expected this chance to come up but countries too.” PLUMSTEAD Driver Matthew it’s a great challenge and a totally new experience. Neil Rettie Deely found himself in the limelight It’s a steep learning curve but I’m enjoying it (second from left) last September when he was spotted and it’s an extremely worthwhile project which with sta from while driving his bus through we all hope will lead to improved road safety the Industrial Greenwich. in Tanzania.” Training Centre. He was handpicked for a small part in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean  lm that was being shot at the old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. delighted to introduce the new Unirider Matthew was so taken with the lifestyle Student savings tickets in the area to bene t those studying at that shortly afterwards he gave up bus STAGECOACH has now launched College.” driving and left to seek his fortune on the Unirider in Inverness. “The Unirider ticket o ers the student sliver screen. The new product o ers a discounted rate massive savings on travel on the Stagecoach exclusively for students travelling to Inverness. network in and around Inverness, Steve Walker, Managing Director of making getting around much easier and Stagecoach in the Highlands, said: “We are more a ordable.”

Oxford drivers take the plunge for charity TWO Stagecoach drivers have helped raise money for leukaemia charity the Anthony Nolan Trust, by taking part in a parachute jump. Phil Gri n and Darren Hawkins jumped 10,000 ft in a tandem skydive. They raised £1,022, which was matched by Stagecoach, making a total of £2,045 Stagecoach Oxford Managing Director Martin Sutton said: “I would like to congratulate Phil and Darren on their parachute jump and we are pleased to match the money raised for such a worthwhile charity.”

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Spotlight on… PSV Claims BASED at Group headquarters, PSV Claims deals with accident and insurance-related matters for UK Bus and Light Rail operations. There are 42 members of sta dealing with all sorts of incidents, from lost An artist’s impression showing a refurbished luggage to vehicle damage to personal injury matters. First Class Meridian coach. The department is split into three teams. The  rst team deals with incidents where Stagecoach vehicles are damaged as a result of the actions of third parties. The second team deals with Fleet makeover claims from third parties whose property is damaged in an incident for which Stagecoach is EAST Midlands Trains has embarked blameworthy. This team also covers damaged or lost property claims from passengers. on the  nal phase of a £30 million Finally, there is a team dealing with personal injury claims. PSV Claims’ role is to reach a programme to totally refurbish its entire conclusion where the third party who has su ered loss or injury is satis ed that they have been  eet of trains. fairly treated while also reaching a satisfactory conclusion for the company. The  nal stage of the programme will see all of the company’s 27 Meridian trains (Class 222s) completely refurbished. The improvement programme, which will be carried out at the company’s Derby Etches First class Park Depot, will deliver a totally new interior ’S Master Cutler, Bill Speirs, look for passengers. New leather seats will and senior representatives from a host of enhance the First Class area of the train, and the region’s key businesses recently joined new seat covers and carpeting will deliver East Midlands Trains to o cially open improvements throughout the Standard Class She eld Station’s brand new First Class coaches. As part of the refurbishment, there Lounge. will also be changes to increase the available The Lounge has been created as part of East luggage space. Midlands Trains’ £10 million station enhancement Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East programme. Other improvements for She eld Midlands Trains, said: “We’re really excited to include the full refurbishment of all the standard be starting work on the  nal stage of our £30 class waiting rooms and toilet facilities, as well as million train refurbishment programme. Whilst improved CCTV throughout the station. the Meridians are the newest trains within our The new Lounge will provide a dedicated David Horne and Master Cutler Professor Bill  eet, we still want to make sure they are given facility in She eld for the  rst time, and First Speirs o cially open the new First Class Lounge. their fair share of care and attention as part of Class passengers will bene t from complimentary our refurbishment programme. refreshments, newspapers and WiFi. “It has been a pleasure to open the new First Class “We’re sure that our passengers will be David Horne, Commercial & Customer Service Lounge which is a great initiative as it will allow delighted with the extra touches, including the Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “This businessmen to continue to work whilst travelling additional luggage space and the new luxury new First Class lounge raises the facilities for and reduce the stress involved. I would like to leather seats which will help to give an extra business travellers even further and completes our thank East Midlands Trains, for this initiative, for special feel to our First Class coaches.” programme to provide First Class lounges at all allowing me, the Master Cutler, to ride on the our major city stations. footplate of the Master Cutler service, for their The Master Cutler, Professor Bill Speirs, added: support and for our wonderful send o .” Survey satisfi es PASSENGERS at Stagecoach’s rail All change at Hounslow station franchises are amongst the most satis ed in the UK, according to the latest SOUTH West Trains recently helped new accessible toilet, a new ramp and new National Passenger Survey. unveil a new look for Hounslow Station environmentally-friendly lighting. The results of the Passenger Focus study, following a £650,000 refurbishment. Andy Pitt, Managing Director for South carried out in autumn 2010, show that The work was carried out in partnership West Trains, said: “Today marks the end of passenger satisfaction at East Midlands Trains with the , London a four-month programme of improvement reached its highest ever level, with 88% of Borough of Hounslow and . work to bene t all passengers using Hounslow customers satis ed with their service. This The old station building has been modernised station. demonstrates a further 4% increase – the biggest by enhancing its original features to create a “Despite tough economic times, we recognise year-on-year improvement of any UK rail more spacious booking hall and ticket o ce. the importance of stations in providing a operator. At South West Trains, the UK’s most Among the gateway to our train services, and we remain complex commuter rail network, the survey improvements committed to invest over £50 million in our shows that an impressive 87% of customers are a brand stations over the duration of the franchise.” were satis ed with their service. It matches the highest level of passenger satisfaction previously Andy Pitt, South West Trains Managing Director; Richard achieved on South West Trains and also marks a O’Brien, Network Rail Route Director, and Chris Calvi-Freeman, 2% year-on-year improvement. Head of Transport, London Borough of Hounslow, unveil a plaque to commemorate the refurbishment.

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Stagecoach treat Bob’s extra long shift is an inspiration BUS driver Bob Taylor ventured further than usual when he took an East London bus out to publicise events for Barnardo’s. He drove the bus for a number of days as part of Barnardo’s Tour of Inspiration to help publicise a series of events and promote positive involvement of young WHEN PSV Claims at Group people and children with a disability in sport leading up headquarters received a gift in the to the Olympic Games in London in 2012. shape of an edible stagecoach and The  rst phase was a pilot project in London and horses, the team decided to donate it the South East over a  ve-day period. It consisted of a to Perth Royal In rmary as a treat for series of roadshows using the bus, encouraging young patients in the local hospital. people with disabilities to take up sport and achieve their dreams. Sporting activities took place at each venue and a range of equipment was available for young Bus driver of the year people to try out something new. At the end of the THE search is on to  nd the 2011 week the sports equipment was donated to disability UK Bus Driver of the Year. projects within the London and South East Region of Over the coming months, individual Barnardo’s. The bus was specially prepared for the trip operators will hold qualifying heats, and had some eye-catching vinyls applied to help draw replicating the skills that will be tested in attention to the tour. Bob reported that the bus ran the National Finals. These events are used to faultlessly and attracted a great deal of attention. select the best drivers from each company to Bob with the Tour of Inspiration bus. go forward to the  nal. The Bus Driver of the Year competition o ers cash prizes of £1500, new vehicles outside London over four years £1000, £750, £500 and £250 to the top Stagecoach gets will reach nearly £290million.  ve drivers. The best-placed Stagecoach Les Warneford, Managing Director of driver will also be awarded the Stagecoach Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “As well as o ering Cup along with a prize of £500. 520 new buses the best value bus fares in Britain, we are driving STAGECOACH Group is to buy and up the quality of travel by investing in greener lease more than 520 new buses and coaches vehicles, better facilities and improved services. Awards dinner for operations across the UK in 2011-12. “Minimising carbon emissions is a key factor The company is investing £52million in 360 in our investment programme. We want to play new buses and coaches for the coming  nancial our part in reducing the impact of travel on year, to be introduced in Stagecoach’s regional bus the environment. There is a big opportunity networks across the UK. to attract car users to the bene ts of greener, Stagecoach will also lease more than 160 new smarter bus travel and cut our own carbon state-of-the-art vehicles for London, which were footprint.” acquired in October 2010. Vehicle manufacturers ADL, Scania, The new orders follow an annual tendering and Volvo will supply a total of 255 double- Wales recently process and all the vehicles meet the latest Euro 5 deckers, 74 single-deckers, 166 midi-buses, celebrated the achievements of sta emissions standards. It means Stagecoach is buying 28 coaches and 64 hybrid vehicles. The new in obtaining NVQ quali cations by or leasing more than 580 new buses and coaches vehicles are expected to go into service by holding an awards dinner for employees. for the UK in 2011-12 and the investment in April 2012.

with the following bene ts: • FREE advice on safe and hygienic contact Free eye tests for all • FREE comprehensive sight test by lens wear registered optometrists • FREE advice on the best vision care STAGECOACH has teamed up with • FREE advice on how to treat and prevent package for your needs Tesco to o er free eye tests to all sta dry eyes Those who call to make an appointment from 1 March 2011. • FREE advice on e ects of diabetes and will also be automatically entered into a free Employees across the UK – and close family other conditions on your eyes prize draw with the chance of some top members – can arrange their appointment • FREE advice on how to protect your eyes prizes worth £100. The  rst draw will be through the new scheme. from the e ects of UV exposure drawn on 17 April. More details of how to take up the o er, • FREE advice on the age-related eye For more information, contact Howard and information on local Tesco Opticians will conditions i.e. age-related ailments like Little by emailing howard.little@ shortly be provided on posters at business cataracts and AMD stagecoachbus.com across the country. • FREE advice on the best contact lenses Terms and conditions for the free draw will be on the posters The new scheme provides employees and eye wear at your depot.

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WIN A Picture of £50 VOUCHER the Season THIS edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by Pat Avery who works for . It shows a rail replacement service operating between Axminster and in very snowy conditions. Congratulations to Pat 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] Step back in time A fond farewell for Steve SUPERTRAM conductor Dawn Hinton recently helped celebrate SOUTH West Trains has said goodbye to the history of trams in She eld by one of its most experienced train drivers, donning a uniform similar to those Steve Anderson, who recently retired after worn on trams in the city in the 1960s. working in the rail industry for 50 years. The uniform was loaned to Supertram Steve began his career, aged 15, as an engine from the Crich Tramway Museum in cleaner in Salisbury and later trained as a driver, Matlock and the bell punch and ticket holder working at Crystal Palace, Selhurst, Swanley and actually date back to the 1930s. Orpington before moving back to Salisbury. Jan Chaudhry, Operations Director for South West Trains, said: “We are very fortunate to have so many sta who have stayed with us for so long and Breakfast time who can draw on many years of experience. The Steve Anderson with Driver Manager Sid Edwards. EAST Midlands Trains once again rail industry has seen many changes, but one factor o ered additional breakfast trains on that has remained constant for us is the dedication moment of my career was when I became a train days when the rugby team and professionalism of sta who are part of the driver back in 1969. played at Twickenham during the ‘railway family’. “Compared with when I started in the industry Six Nations tournament in February “I would like to thank Steve for his exemplary 50 years ago, trains today o er much more comfort and March. service and wish him a long, happy and healthy and safety, both for the driver and its passengers. In addition to the two successful breakfast retirement.” However one thing remains the same: people of trains which operate every Saturday morning, Steve said: “I have really enjoyed my time driving all ages carry on waving at me when I drive past a an additional service also ran, providing trains, especially steam trains, and the proudest road or bridge.” passengers with a choice of three breakfast services on two Saturdays in February. And for the team’s Sunday game in March, School project travels by Supertram two extra breakfast trains ran, o ering fans PUPILS and teachers in enjoyed a day out on public transport recently the chance to start the Calcutta Cup day in with a bit of help from She eld Supertram. comfort and to arrive in London fed and The group used the purple tram service from Meadowhall to She eld train station as part of ready for the day. their school project on di erent types of transport. The school would like to thank everyone at David Horne, Commercial & Customer Supertram for contributing to a great day out. Service Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “What better way to start the day in true style with a tasty full English breakfast whilst He said: “It was an amazing journey through travelling at speeds of over 100 mph!” Dave’s big trip a fascinating country. It was di cult though and METROLINK employee Dave Sharpe sometimes hard work covering the mileage on the recently took part in the trip of a lifetime to Indian roads. Going cycle crazy raise money for a charity that provides clean “We reached the  nish in Cochin on 14 January drinking water and sanitation for people in and were quite relieved to hand in the keys to the EAST Midlands Trains recently held developing countries. tuk-tuk. We had put 2903km on the clock but it its  rst ever Bike Week. Dave, a reliability engineer, completed the felt like a lot more!” The initiative provided an opportunity ‘Rickshaw Run’ challenge with a friend, driving Dave’s trip has so for cyclists to give their views and opinions 2,500 kilometres in a rickshaw (or ‘tuk-tuk’) from far raised £2740 directly to the East Midlands Trains the north to the south of India. for the Frank Water management team and a number of drop-in Despite some mechanical di culties, Dave made Project charity sessions were held at stations around the East it from Rajasthan to Kerala on his tuk tuk, passing To contribute, visit Midlands Trains’ network. through dozens of towns and cities during the two www.justgiving. week challenge. com/lunatuk

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New Enviro buses ‘Just go’ for Fife services

STAGECOACH in Fife recently on the X24 announced the introduction of 29 new vehicles on local services in Fife, at a STAGECOACH in South Wales has total cost of £4.3m. launched 14 brand new buses to serve its The Enviro 400 double deckers and Enviro customers on its popular X24 route. 200 single deckers, which were manufactured With larger and improved interiors, the buses by Ltd in Falkirk, feature also provide step-free entrances, and represent the the latest ‘green’ Euro 5 engines, CCTV and very latest in clean engine technology, meeting low  oor entrances. To celebrate the arrival Euro V emissions standards, helping to cut carbon of the new vehicles a new brand has been emissions. created for local services within the town. Branded justgo…, Stagecoach’s £1.5m The ‘Around Dunfermline’ livery, which will investment in the X24 service is part of an feature on 14 vehicles, aims to make the area’s ongoing Stagecoach campaign in South East Wales local services easily recognisable. to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and travel instead by bus. John Gould, Managing Director of Stagecoach in South Wales, added: “The introduction of these buses is one of the biggest investments recently in One of the brand new X24 vehicles. public transport in the area. We believe that this enhancement will deliver a much-needed boost Our message to Torfaen and Newport residents is for bus provision in the Eastern Valley, and also simple – leave your car at home and “just go” by play a vital role in sustaining the environment. Stagecoach instead!”

the platforms and in outdoor areas. Sensors Ford and New Milton stations. Greener lights detect the level of daylight brightness and Malcolm Page, Station Development Manager on the railway automatically increase, decrease or switch o for South West Trains, said: “We are constantly the lights to maximise the use of natural light. looking at ways to deliver greener smarter travel SIX stations across the South West Sensors can also adjust the lights to changing for our passengers. By delivering innovative and Trains network are amongst the  rst on conditions during the daytime, for example sustainable lighting solutions, we are helping Britain’s railways to bene t from a new, when trains enter a station and shade a platform to make a signi cant contribution towards more environmentally-friendly lighting or when dark rain clouds appear. lowering carbon emissions, making travel by system which uses up to 60% less energy Following a successful trial carried out by train an even greener option. than traditional lights. South West Trains and Network Rail at Woking, “This trial is a signi cant milestone in the The new technology gives the ability to the new lighting system is now also in operation lighting revolution and con rms our reputation control the station lighting, particularly on at Haslemere, Putney, Twickenham, Chandlers as a greener, smarter transport provider.”

...and on the buses required. When switched on, they automatically vehicles, cleaner fuel and improved recycling, dim to the required lighting level, dependent on technology such as this is vital if we are to STAGECOACH is also set to trial a the amount of natural light available. further reduce our carbon footprint.” new ‘intelligent’ lighting system at bus The system could reduce energy consumption at Stagecoach has also installed lighting controls depots across the UK. the six depots by around 40%, producing an annual at four bus depots which already use low energy The company is installing the new system at saving of more than 373,000kilowatts per hour lighting. The system –manufactured by Setsquare depots in , Glasgow, Nuneaton, Leamington (KWh) and saving almost 230 tonnes of CO2 over – automatically turns the lights o when they are Spa, and over the next a year. not required and has reduced energy usage by an three months. The lights, supplied by Contrac Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, Les average of 10% at the Chester eld, Walkergate, Lighting, automatically switch o when not Warneford, said: “As well as investment in greener Ashton and Hyde Road depots.

SOUTH West Trains is aiming to cut energy consumption on its trains by up Launch of new energy meter to 10% a year. A new Train Energy Management System service on the London Waterloo to Reading Trains service, through developing new eco- (TEMS), which is being piloted on 20 of line. A total of 20 trains are scheduled to be friendly driving techniques which reduce the company’s Class 444, 450, 455 and 458 equipped with the technology by May 2011. electricity consumption. trains, will allow improved environmental The energy meter allows the South West Christian Roth, Engineering Director for performance through the development of new Trains engineering team to accurately South West Trains, said: “Our latest initiative to eco-friendly driving techniques. determine the energy used by trains on a reduce energy consumption builds on the work The  rst  ve trains to be equipped with the speci c route. One of the biggest impacts will we have already done and demonstrates our TEMS, also known as the railway energy meter, be the ability to improve the environmental commitment to reducing our carbon footprint have now been completed and are back into performance of each and every South West even further.”

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Myra and Bill are model employees Chris is a champion TWO Coach BARKING garage has a champion Canada employees on its books, in the impressive shape of have been Chris Cameron, who recently won the recognised for heavyweight English championship in their outstanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. performance. Chris, who only took up the sport three years Myra Buchan, ago after being introduced by another driver, Inside Sales also takes part non-competitively in boxing, Representative for submission wrestling and cage  ghting. He will , be defending his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship was the recipient of later this year, but before that hopes to take part the 2010 OMCA in the European Championships in Portugal and Employee Excellence the British Championships, which he also won a Award and the 2010 couple of years ago. Coach Canada Chris (right) in action. Employee of the Year Award. Meanwhile driver Bill Alkerton received the Driver of the Year Award. Both awards were presented by Coach Canada President Don Carmichael. Farewell to Frank Myra has been employed with Coach Canada for 20 years and her colleagues feel she embodies the term “role model COACH USA driver Frank employee” and is someone they can place McDonald has retired after 49 years’ complete trust in. service with the company. Bill has been driving since 1975 and joined Frank, who began his career with Coach Canada in 1996. Bill is always in high Waukesha-based Coach Lines demand from tour operators and groups in 1962, has driven more than 20 di erent throughout the year. types of coach and covered more than Above: Myra and Bill receive their 2.5million miles during his working life. awards from Coach Canada President To celebrate his career, the company Don Carmichael. presented Frank with several gifts at a party in his honour and wishes him every happiness in his retirement. Generous staff Frank McDonald retires after 49 years. STAFF at Group HQ have once again shown their generosity by collecting hundreds of pounds for three charities. A special collection was held for the Thumbs up for Stagecoach Movember men’s cancer campaign in which BUS users in North East Dave Skepper, Midlands’ sta raised £202. A further £100 was added are happy with their local Commercial Director, said: “At Stagecoach by MJR Assessors and the company matched Stagecoach bus services, according to East Midlands we are committed through the amount to give a total of more than an independent survey conducted at the Bus Quality Partnership with North East £600. Grimsby bus station. Lincolnshire Council to deliver the highest In addition, a ra e was held in December North East Lincolnshire Council and its possible standard of bus services to local people for employees at Group HQ, raising £73 partner, Balfour Beatty Workplace, surveyed and maintain value for money through some which was matched by the company, one in  ve scheduled bus services that ran of the lowest bus fares in the country. resulting in a cheque for £146 going to through the bus station on November 9 2010. “We will, of course, continue to try to Down’s Syndrome . Passengers were asked about their overall improve our bus services. However, these And in a last-minute hamper ra e, sta satisfaction with the bus service and, of the results re ect the hard work, safe driving, raised almost £80 for CHAS. Thanks to 123 forms completed, 90 per cent of people and customer care skills of our drivers, everyone who contributed. surveyed said they were ‘very satis ed’ or  tters, cleaners and supervisors based at our ‘fairly satis ed’. Grimsby Depot.” Winners really ARE in the driver’s seat SIX Stagecoach in Exeter employees recently won the chance to be ‘Boss for a Day’ – with members of the management team agreeing to swap shifts with them. Pictured is Stagecoach South West Operations Director Richard Stevens taking his turn behind the wheel as part of the shift swap initiative.

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Ron Shepherd – Susan Adlam The quickfi re roundringing while I says goodbye was on my o ce Who are you? STAGECOACH South West line with no one Sue Adlam, Vice President - Sales & on the other end, employee Ron Marketing of Coach Canada. Shepherd has then realising I What do you like most about your had accidentally retired from job? the company’s hit the speed dial The great people I get to meet and the for my own cell commercial lifetime friendships that I have made. department number...while What do you like least about your job? one of my sta was witnessing this. Now after a career Not being able to control every situation. spanning 44 that’s having a bad day. Favourite TV show? Favourite animal? years. Criminal Minds. Ron’s hard Kangaroo. Ron Shepherd. Biggest achievement? work throughout Most like to be stuck in a lift with? After losing my dad last Valentine’s day I Richard Branson – I would love the the years and his fantastic sense of humour made the commitment to volunteer for will be missed by all who have worked opportunity to speak with him as he is so various organisations and to plan a trip to interesting and inspirational. with him and all sta wish him a long and Jamaica or Haiti to work with the people as happy retirement. this was something that he did and was dear The Quick re Round features in every to his heart. edition of On Stage and we want to hear Worst job? from as many sta as possible. John’s 32 years Haven’t had a bad job - I guess I am pretty To suggest the next participant, email EAST London Bus employee John lucky. [email protected] Mason recently retired after more than Most embarrassing moment? 32 years’ service in the industry. Getting frustrated that my cell phone was John joined London Transport in 1978 at the original West Ham Garage, but was made redundant in 1994 when the garage closed. After a brief spell away he rejoined Two top appointments the bus industry before returning to East STAGECOACH in Kent and East Sussex has made London in 1996 to work at Upton Park two top appointments recently. Garage. He then transferred to Waterden Ashford depot has a new boss after Dutch Docherty was Road before moving to the current West appointed as Operations Manager, while Sam Dixon has Ham site in 2009. taken up her role as Operations Manager at Stagecoach in During his retirement John is looking . forward to enjoying more of his hobbies In 2000, Dutch Docherty ended a career as Regimental which include riding his motorbike and Sergeant Major in the Royal Horse Artillery and joined playing golf. Stagecoach in Canterbury as a minibus driver. He has since New appointments Sam Dixon and Dutch Docherty. risen through the ranks. Sam started her career in Canterbury as a trainee driver in 1999. She has since held several di erent roles at, most recently managing several depots in Warwickshire since 2007. CONTACTS Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, A special honour Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW EAST Midlands Trains Managing Director Tim Shoveller recently Email: [email protected] conducted a special ceremony at Neville www.stagecoach.com Hill Depot in Leeds, to name all four of the depot’s shunt locomotives after If you have a story for On Stage, former Neville Hill employees. please contact Lindsay Reid as above. The locomotives have been treated to a new coat of paint and full polish, courtesy of The copy deadline for the next edition a painting challenge which took place at the of On Stage will be depot. At the ceremony, each locomotive was named after a former member of the Neville Tim Shoveller at the ceremony with April 8, 2011. members of the Neville Hill team. Hill team. David Lightfoot from Hudders eld and Ivan Stephenson from Wake eld and Duncan Bedford from Wake eld, were well David Thirkill from Roundhay in Leeds, respected members of the team, who sadly have both recently retired from the depot after both recently passed away. Family members serving more than 40 years of service each. attended the special naming ceremony in Both attended the event to unveil their memory of their time at the depot. special nameplates.

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