Issue 75 | Summer 2009

onThe newsletter stage of

Welcome to our Group well-placed new-look On Stage. Look out for some to weather storm new features as o Stagecoach Group has announced strong annual results, Results Factfile well as stories from but warned of tough times ahead in the coming financial year. The Group’s UK Bus division – widely Revenue from continuing across the Group. recognised as the best in the transport sector – Group businesses up 19.3% performed particularly well and the results were Enjoy! welcomed by financial analysts. Full-year dividend Stagecoach and other operators are facing increased by 11.1% to 6p challenging trading conditions, particularly All change at affecting rail operations in the UK, but the UK Bus like-for-like Group has taken steps to ensure it is operating as revenue up 8.9% efficiently as possible. the top at SWT Group revenue for the year ending April 30, UK Rail like-for-like 2009, was up nearly 20% to more than £2 revenue up 6.2% Managing billion, while operating profit was up by 11% to Director Stewart Palmer has £227.8 million. announced he is to retire later this year. A strong performance was reported across the Mr Palmer (pictured above), whose career Group and Chief Executive said in the transport industry has spanned 37 that, despite facing a challenging year ahead, the disruption caused by the upgrade of the West years, will step company is well placed to weather the economic Coast main line. Stagecoach’s share of VRG down in October. storm. operating profit for the year was £42.7million, a Taking over as Stagecoach’s UK Bus operation continues slight rise on the previous year. Managing Director to attract growing passenger numbers, with In North America, the Group maintained of the South like-for-like passenger volumes up 3.2% and operating margins at just over 10% despite the Western franchise revenue up 11.7% to £830.8million compared tough economy and the budget inter-city coach will be Andy Pitt, to £743.9million in the previous year. The service .com has continued to expand, currently Business operating margin also increased to just over 15%. with revenues up significantly from $11.3million Development The results also showed continued growth the previous year to $35.8m for 2008-09. Director for for the UK Rail business. Revenue in the rail Commenting on the results, Mr Souter said: Stagecoach Rail division was up 25.7% to £977.7million and “There is no doubt the transport sector faces a Group. passenger volumes have continued to rise, albeit challenging year ahead but I am confident that at a slower rate of growth. we can develop new ideas for future growth, (VRG), in which maintain high-quality public transport services to Stagecoach has a 49% shareholding, also our customers and deliver long-term value to our Top marks for performed well despite the ongoing shareholders.” Metrolink

Manchester Metrolink has celebrates become the first tram system in the Corby railway station in UK to have stops awarded Secure has been officially Stations status by the Department for opened, bringing with it a full East Transport. Midlands Trains timetable to London St Three stops – Old , Whitefield, and Pancras Station. Harbour City – were given top marks after The new £8.3million station provides full access meeting the scheme’s safety and security for disabled passengers and also has bicycle parking guidelines. facilities. In addition to parking for 140 cars, there An independent judge from the British are facilities for other forms of transport, including Transport Police assessed the design and A new railway station is the icing on the cake for a taxi rank and bus interchange. Trains’ services. management of the stops, and considered Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East crime statistics and passenger surveys to see Midlands Trains, said: “We know just how much are extremely proud to be the company bringing how safe passengers felt while using the excitement and enthusiasm there is for our new train services back to Corby for the first time stations. train services between Corby and London and we since the 1960s.”

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On the ball You what?! (Overheard on a bus in Exeter.) Congratulations to Woman: “What’s made you late?” the football team at Stagecoach Driver: “I had a breakdown.” who recently won the Woman: “Oh my husband had one of them – I hope you’re OK!” Volvo Cup for the third year in a row, Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments to beating Bus 3-1. [email protected] A special mention must go to the Merseyside goalkeeper who broke his arm in the first half but played on until half time! Busway vehicles ready to roll

Stagecoach “They’re the first buses in Cambridgeshire to recently launched its fleet of 20 brand run on the renewable fuel, which is an important new, high-spec buses on routes between step towards reducing exhaust emissions.” , St Ives and . The vehicles – which will be used on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway when it opens later in the year – feature free wi-fi, leather seats and air conditioning, and have immediately proved popular with passengers. Ashton depot Stagecoach has invested £3 million in the vehicles, which all run on 100% bio fuel produced from recycled food waste. opens its doors Philip Norwell, Stagecoach Cambridgeshire Stagecoach has Commercial Director, said: “These new buses are celebrated the official opening of absolutely fantastic. its new Ashton bus depot at Unit 5 “There’s a whole host of extras which make Cambridge’s new eco-friendly buses run on Riverside Works. journeys on them more comfortable than ever. 100% bio-fuel. The Worshipful the Civic Mayor and Mayoress of , Councillor Jack Davis and Mrs Carole Davis, joined Managing Director Mark Keep on running Threapleton for an official ribbon-cutting three Stagecoach employees have charity Sense, which provides support for people ceremony. helped raise thousands of pounds for who are deaf and blind. The new Ashton depot was opened charity by running the London Marathon. Meanwhile, Sunderland bus driver Sean Smith following the relocation of the company’s Route Controller Vicky completed the race in three hours 12 minutes, operation. Williams successfully completed the marathon in raising over £300 for Macmillan Nurses. Stagecoach has invested £2 million in the 3 hours 45 minutes – a personal best for Vicky, Congratulations are also due to Neil Cook of depot, which when at full capacity will see who is also the Stagecoach Merseyside Green who finished the race in over 70 buses operate out of the new site, Champion. a time of 4 hours and 49 minutes, raising nearly covering the company’s East Manchester and Her efforts also raised a total of £1800 for the £600 for Cancer Research Wales. Ashton operating areas. The facility includes a six-bay engineering workshop, an office block and full vehicle wash facility, which uses a recycling unit to Stagecoach staff clock up 1,430 years reduce water consumption. There are 173 employees at the new site, including driver, engineer, inspector and managerial roles.

A pound goes a long way

Stagecoach East Scotland staff recently took part in a ‘Bring a £1 to work day’ for the Children’s Hospice A group of 51 dedicated Stagecoach at a special presentation evening held at Ardsley Association Scotland (CHAS). staff have been rewarded for their House Hotel, in . Staff throughout Fife, Perth, Dundee and loyalty after clocking up the equivalent of Among the long-serving staff were Philip Angus brought £1 to work and raised £544, 35 lifetimes’ worth of work between them. Tomlinson, Charles Abrahams, Colin Hand and matched by Scotland to give The employees, who have completed a Anthony Philips, who have all worked for the a grand total of £1000. combined 1,430 years of service, were celebrated company for 40 years.

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Dean’s a star pupil Spotlight on… An apprentice body builder at Torquay depot in Devon has achieved perfect exam marks two years in a The Salisbury Station and row. Dean Swift started with Stagecoach as a cleaner but later applied for an Depot Team apprenticeship with the company. The South West Trains Salisbury they demonstrated that He has now achieved 100% in his exams Station team comprises the station staff, teamwork is worth more than a generous budget. for the past two years. guards and drivers Steve Chislett, Nigel Staff gave up their own time to organise the Crowe, Mike Pearce, Chris Jendensen and celebration, giving everyone associated with Samir Bares. Salisbury a sense of pride and achievement. South West Trains They make sure customers receive a punctual The Salisbury staff are proud of where they train service and a high standard of customer care, work, and of the people they work with, and hitting the back both on board the trains and at the station. demonstrate this through their commitment to At a recent event to celebrate the 150th the local community and first-class customer of the net anniversary of the Salisbury-Gillingham line, service. The Wessex Eagles Under-15 football team spent the winter months training indoors thanks to South West Trains. Destination yesteryear The train company donated £300 to help The London to Havant line (via the footballers fund their weekly training at a Liss and Petersfield) celebrated its 150th local sports centre. anniversary recently. Manager Steve Hayter said: “Without the To mark the occasion, Petersfield Station help of South West Trains we wouldn’t have Manager Kim Blake worked with Petersfield been able to afford to stay indoors for the Town Council to organise and host a day of whole of the winter period.” Victorian-style fun at the station. South West Trains Managing Director Stewart Palmer, who donned Victorian garb to unveil a Bus companies plaque at the station, thanked Kim and her team Pictured at the event are (from left): Mike for creating a truly great and memorable day. Baldwin, DSM Portsmouth; Tony King, FSM in line for top “It’s fantastic to see the station team getting Portsmouth; Stewart Palmer, MD SSWT; Russell so involved with the local community,” he Hook, DSM Portsmouth and Kim Blake, SM national award commented. Petersfield. Two Stagecoach bus companies are competing for a top honour at the 2009 National Transport Awards. and Stagecoach in Fife have both been shortlisted for the prestigious Chris Moyes Award for Public Transport Operator of the Year. Give a dog a good name...Blind uide Dogs for the The two companies will be up against G As a supporter of the several other bus and rail operators for the title at the awards ceremony on July 22 at Association across the UK, Stagecoach has been given the London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. opportunity to name one of the charity’s puppies. Staff are being invited to provide as many name suggestions as possible over the next few weeks. The winning name will be given to a new-born pup in the winner’s local area. Committed to In 2005, Stagecoach began providing free bus travel for guide dog trainers and puppy walker volunteers across the country. As excellence a reward, Stagecoach employees are being given the chance to name a new-born pup, like the one pictured. has been As well as having their name suggestion used, the winner will awarded the prestigious Committed also receive photos and a biography of the puppy, as well as the to Excellence Award (C2E) by the opportunity to meet the pup and receive regular ‘pupdates’ on European Foundation for Quality its progress. Management (EFQM). Suggested names should be no more than two syllables The accolade, awarded following an and must have no more than nine letters. Entries should be external assessment, recognised the emailed to [email protected] or posted company’s achievements in business to Lindsay Reid, Corporate Communications Manager, excellence. Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW. The closing date for entries is Friday 14 August 2009.

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Letter from holiday escape Number 10 Stagecoach apprentice James Spick and span Bellfield was brimming with pride after receiving a personal letter from During a recent holiday to Perth, the Prime Minister following a Lincoln Depot cleaner Jane Webster noticed national award win. something wasn’t quite right at Group Gordon Brown personally wrote to James headquarters and decided to do her bit to to congratulate him on his accolade, which help! recognised him as the leading talent in the Each edition, we’re looking for your interesting Transport Engineering and Maintenance and unique holiday photos. Email your snaps to category at the GoSkills Passenger Transport lindsay.reid@stagecoach group.com along with a Apprenticeship Awards. paragraph about where you were and what the photo shows. That’s better!

New fleet for Tube

Stagecoach is investing more than The 87-seat vehicles, which have two staircases, £9 million in a new fleet of vehicles for its are equipped with wi-fi, toilets, air conditioning, Oxford Tube network – the most frequent reclining seats, generous legroom, seatbelts, express coach service in Europe. powerpoints for laptops and mobile phones, GPS The fleet of 26 new Van Hool Astromega double tracking and CCTV for personal security. deck coaches – each costing more than £350,000 Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach Pictured, from left, are: Richard Little, Harry – is being built in Belgium. UK Bus, said: “This is the third complete fleet Roles, Mike Turner, Gary Moore, Margaret Oxford Tube runs a 24-hour service every day replacement for the Oxford Tube in 10 years and McNamara, Rose Thomason and Ann Bell. of the year with coaches running between Oxford it is evidence of our commitment to investing in and London up to every 10 minutes at peak times. Europe’s premier express coach service.” A helping hand for a colleague Enjoying the great outdoors When West Cumbrian bus driver Gary Moore suffered spinal injuries in A group of UK Bus apprentices a motorcycle accident, his colleagues headed for the great outdoors recently did their bit to help. as they visited an outward bound centre Not only did they collect £1100 towards in North Devon to learn skills in team his medical expenses, they also organised a building, motivation and leadership. prize draw which, when combined with The 64-strong group took part in abseiling, other donations, raised a further £1320 for team challenges, assault courses and raft building a computer. during their week-long stay. At the end of the On behalf of Gary, Mike would like to trip, each apprentice gave a presentation on what thank everybody involved for their help and they had learned and all impressed staff with their Apprentices go outward bound. generosity. attitude and enthusiasm. Employees scoop top awards Bunny money Stagecoach won two top awards Stuart Roughley made it a double success for driver at the second annual Passenger Transport Stagecoach Manchester when he was named Dwynne Percival raised almost £600 Management Awards (PTMA). joint winner of the Local and Operational for Weston Park Hospital in The awards recognise managers at all levels in Management Award. by dressing as an Easter bunny and the UK’s public transport industry, rewarding Stuart, Operations Manager at the company’s handing out chocolate eggs in return them for their skills, talent and commitment. Hyde Road Depot, was rewarded for his drive for donations. Stagecoach Manchester Fleet Engineer Mike and enthusiasm – qualities which have lasted Dwynne was treated at the hospital after Brinicombe, who is based at the company’s throughout his 31 years in the transport industry. falling ill with a brain tumour and decided Princess Road depot, won the New Engineering Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director, Les it was time to repay the staff for all their Award for the pride and passion he shows for his Warneford, said: “This success demonstrates the support. people, his passengers and his profession. quality we have within our ranks.”

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WIN A Teamworks Picture of £50 winners VOUCHER The latest winners of the the season South West Trains Teamworks Award This edition’s winning Picture of were the cross-functional Clapham the Season was taken by Krzysztof Uszou engineering works planning team. from Stagecoach in Cheltenham. It shows a Nominated by Jim O’Brien, Flagship Service 14 bus in Gloucester on a summer’s Station Manager at Clapham Junction, the day. team were involved in planning for the Congratulations to Krzysztof who will shortly engineering works that took place over an receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers. 11-day period at Christmas. If you think you have a picture that captures Jim said: “As a result of the team’s excellent one of the four seasons, please send your image planning, customers were well informed to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 prior to the works and given alternatives. Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW, or email it to “If on the day they had to use the [email protected] service, they were met by professional, knowledgeable people who were able to assist them in using the request service between Barnes and Clapham Junction.” Frank’s at the heart of Herston Halt Bid disappointment South West Trains employee Frank Frank and his fellow volunteers spent 22 years Stagecoach Group recently Roberts has reached a major milestone in installing the railway’s telecommunication system. learned that it was unsuccessful in its his lifelong ambition to rebuild part of the Now, as Station Manager for Staines and latest rail bid for the South Central Swanage heritage railway in Dorset. Windsor – and despite also studying for a BSc franchise in London. Station Manager Frank in Railway Operation with the The franchise was awarded to the has invested 25 years of Institution of Railway Operators incumbent, Go-Via, despite Stagecoach his life and thousands of – Frank has continued to invest putting forward a high-quality, competitive pounds of his own money time and money in the Railway, bid. to complete a series of most notably at Herston Halt. While disappointed in the outcome, the projects on the Swanage Having demolished the Group has a strong existing rail portfolio Railway. original wooden platform in and will continue to assess any further rail One of his main January 2009, Frank and his team franchise opportunities in the future. objectives was to rebuild of soldiers and Team Herston the Herston Halt platform volunteers were gifted with a to allow trains to stop. kit platform from Woodside After months of hard Station, which is now part of the Record-breakers work, that project is now Croydon tram link. complete and, along with They worked tirelessly to East Midlands Trains has the many volunteers who ensure that the new platform announced its best ever punctuality helped him, Frank took was successfully rebuilt just three performance, with the latest figures centre stage during a celebration in Swanage to months later at a cost of just £10,000. showing 94% of trains are on time. mark the official opening of the rebuilt platform. Frank said: “When I left the Army, I thought Mark Steward, Operations Director for Frank, who lives in Swanage, was in the Army military support for the Railway might decline East Midlands Trains, said: “This is a fantastic for 25 years and developed an interest in the but I’m delighted to say it has actually increased. result, and one that we are very proud of. Swanage Railway while posted to Blandford “It’s a wonderful achievement and, along with “This is our best period of performance Camp in 1984. the people of Swanage, we should thank the since the franchise started in November He persuaded the Army to volunteer on railway hundreds of soldiers who have given up their time 2007, and demonstrates that the investments projects within the local community – a tradition over the past 25 years to help restore and preserve we have been making are starting to really that has continued ever since. this important heritage railway.” pay off.” Pink ladies Supertram ladies and some of their family members were in the pink recently as they took part in the Race for Life. Attired in striking pink tutus, matching T-shirts and eye-catching bunny ears, the ladies raised funds for Cancer Research UK by completing the 5km race and had a fun day out into the bargain.

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Green Week pics Ted’s our eco-champion This Poster was created by Eco-friendly Ted Ingle is £25,000 a year. Amy Grange Stagecoach Group’s Green Champion Receiving his prize of a two-night British A pupil of St. – the staff member who has contributed hotel break, Ted said: “It’s very flattering to think Monica’s RC most to cutting the company’s carbon that my colleagues nominated me as the Green High School footprint. Champion – and to win is brilliant.” Specialist A Safety and Quality Manager at East Midlands Language Trains’ Neville Hill Depot, Ted beat off strong and Applied competition from across the Group, including Learning College, Prestwich, runners-up Phil Johnston from South West Trains, Manchester Michael Johnston from Stagecoach in It was the and John Emberson from Coach USA. winning poster in Ted’s most recent achievement was a new a competition disposal system for the estimated 480 tonnes a year “What Does Green Mean to You?” of waste removed when trains are cleaned. organised by Stagecoach Metrolink as part of Now, 80% of all off-train waste at the Neville its Green Week activities, a carbon management Hill Depot in , is recycled – saving some Eco-warrior: Stagecoach Group Green initiative by Stagecoach Group, operators of Bus, Champion Ted Ingle. Rail and Light Rail Services across the country. Green Week drives home the message

Stagecoach’s firstG roup-wide public transport, as well as striving to further Green Week was hailed a great success. reduce our own carbon footprint day in, day out During the April event, staff and customers across every area of our business.” across the UK, North America and Canada Among the events held throughout Green enjoyed activities aimed at promoting the Week was an online customer competition for 20 environmental benefits of public transport. people across the UK to win a year’s free travel on The ‘green Stagecoach also outlined its commitment to their local Stagecoach bus network. team’ prepare to visit Gainsborough, reducing its own carbon footprint. More than 20,000 free ‘green kits’ were Worksop and Mansfield to distribute their Bringing Green Week to a close, Stagecoach distributed across the country from bus stations, green kits. Group Chief Executive Brian Souter said: “It’s while hundreds of school pupils also took part in very pleasing to see that, even when times are Green Week through a green poster competition. Stagecoach in Fife customer tough, people still care about the environment. In addition, green roadshows and demonstration Ian Montgomery “Green Week is just one element of our events were held across Stagecoach’s rail was the lucky on-going environment strategy. We will continue operations, along with energy saving trials and winner of a year’s to promote low-carbon, reliable and good-value initiatives. free travel on local services after entering the Green Week competition. cleans up on the highway Coach Canada celebrated Green Week Courtney Hogg, across its nine locations in Ontario and Sarah Brooks, Quebec. Kim Scott and The company has adopted a ‘simple actions, Jessica Post from Coach big impact’ approach to reducing energy, waste Canada clean and carbon and, each day throughout the week, up the highway Coach Canada had ‘lights out’ for 15 minutes. as part of the Employees are also cleaning up a 3km stretch of Adopt-a-Road Stageoach North East staff are road close to its Head Office as part of an Adopt- programme. dressed for the occasion as they make the a-Road program. most of Green Week.

Stagecoach North West Operations Manager Paul Wainwright presented the company’s Publicity campaign is up, up and away Green Week competition Following the announcement energy-efficient era for the company – the winner of its groundbreaking £350,000 green company released hundreds of biodegradable Gary Hall programme late last year, Stagecoach North balloons from its head office in Sunderland. with his East has launched Ready Steady Green, the The Ready Steady Green handbook annual communication element of the scheme informs every employee about the company’s Megarider which is set to engage its 1,700 staff. environmental vision and features guidelines on prize pass. To mark the launch – and the start of a new improving energy efficiency at each depot.

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Speaking up All-time high for megabus.com Stagecoach is reminding megabus.com, the market-leading compared with May 2008, with high-profile employees across the Group about its budget inter-city coach service, has manufacturers filing for bankcruptcy and the whistleblowing policy, which ensures attracted one million passengers in North industry seeking billions of dollars in government individuals can raise serious concerns America in the past six months as the aid to survive the downturn. constructively and in confidence. airline and car industries are hit by the Canny consumers, meanwhile, are snapping up The Group’s ‘Speaking up’ policy applies to economic downturn. bargain inter-city coach travel with megabus.com, all divisions, companies and employees, and Sales at megabus.com in North America grew benefiting from fares from just $1 available via the covers issues such as financial malpractice, by 183% between May 1, 2008, and April 30, internet. safety concerns or practices that could be a 2009, and it has now carried more than 3 million Dale Moser, President and COO of megabus. danger to the public or the environment. passengers since its launch in April 2006. com in North America, said: “While the public A copy of the policy is available on The figures were released as the International is feeling the effects of the current US economy, the Stagecoach Group website at www. Air Transport Association announced it had megabus.com has fast become the perfect solution stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/ doubled its forecast for global airline losses to $9 for those looking to stretch their travel dollar. publications/policydocs/speakingup.pdf billion this year. “The rapid rise to three million customers is If you have a concern about malpractice, Total US car sales are down by more than 33% proof of that.” Stagecoach hopes you will feel able to first raise it with your line manager. This may be done verbally or in writing. However, if you feel unable to raise the matter with your immediate line manager, Tricia Brennan’s Ghana diary for whatever reason, you can raise the issue As reported in the last edition of The edges are worn away, leaving a drop of about with a Director of the Company. On Stage, South West driver training officer two feet. Rita did spectacularly well. I had to do Alternatively, you can contact Stagecoach Tricia Brennan spent time in Ghana earlier a handbrake stop just once. We lost the nearside Group Deputy Company Secretary Mike this year, assisting with driver training for wing mirror at one point but these things happen. Vaux, tel +44 (0)1738 642043 or email the Women’s Transport Cooperative in Tomorrow is a new day! [email protected] Ghana’s capital city, Accra. You can also email your concerns in Here are some extracts from Tricia’s journal Ekow and I went to the Ministry confidence to We dne s day during her visit: 11 Feb of Health where I drafted out an [email protected] assessment form for their drivers. Left for Ghana this morning from There are 43 drivers to be assessed – I’m going to Saturday 18 Jan Terminal Five. Took about an hour be busy! Treble triumph to get through customs immigration and baggage reclaim. Managed to spot my guide We managed to get all 43 drivers Monday Ekow and we got in a taxi – I use the term 23 Feb assessed in six days and one hour. It loosely as there were no seatbelts and it sounded was then time to depart for Kotoka as though the back axle was about to drop off. International Airport. However it got us to the SSNIT Guest House and I was taken to my room – basic but quite So, here I am back in Blighty having had a great adequate. adventure. Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible. On to the bus with Ekow and Ruth, Paul Herbert of Tu e s d ay has been named the company’s Bus 20 Jan the Women’s Cooperative Transport Driver of the Year for the third time in Manager, for a trip to visit Road a row. Safety Ltd in Tema. Then back to Accra on the bus Cheltenham driver Paul (pictured left) before heading off to the National Road Safety received his trophy from Operations Commission where I am likely to have some Director Sholto Thomas at Cheltenham input into discussions on training and road safety. Race Course. Runner-up was Marcin Watched President Obama’s inauguration. Aleksandrowicz also from Cheltenham, with Introduced to one of the Suzanne Blewitt from Coleford picking up Monday third place. 26 Jan Cooperative’s vans to check over. Oh dear! It has not moved since November – horn not working, no road tax and, Wales gets Wi-Fi frighteningly, someone had welded the side sliding door closed. Apparently passengers were supposed Stagecoach to be able to travel in the back of the van. I said to recently introduced 17 brand new Ekow: “No way!” vehicles on its X4 route – the first of its fleet to offer Wi-Fi technology. The van had been taxed and it Cllr Kate Lloyd, Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Tu e s d ay started! Rita, my trainee, is a novice said: “This is great news for Cardiff, especially 27 Jan and has not driven since May. Transport Supervisor Emmanuel, Transport for those people who have mobility However, she is so confident and determined Manager for the Ministry of Health Seka Aleja problems or parents with pushchairs.” that it is a pleasure. The road is in bad condition. Dumba, Tricia Brennan and Ekow.

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Divene gets – Lindsay Reid on board The quickfire roundpushed!) into a boating pond. To this Divene Anderson, a marketing Who are you? day, that story provides graduate from the University of the Lindsay Reid, Group Corporate great amusement to West of , has recently taken up Communications Manager and Editor of my family and friends. the position of Marketing Assistant at On Stage. Dream job? Stagecoach West and Stagecoach South What do you like most about your To be an X-Factor job? Wales. judge. Divene will support the development Something new happens every day. Favourite animal? Chimpanzees. and management of new Stagecoach What do you like least about your job? Most like to be stuck in a lift with….. promotions, as well as working with the 4am starts! Anyone who can help us get out! Or commercial department to ensure efficient Favourite TV show? Simon Cowell. ongoing communication of bus service The Apprentice. information to customers. Biggest achievement? From now on, the Quickfire Round Running a successful singing business for will feature in every edition of On three years and singing at lots of special Stage and we want to hear from as East Midlands Long weddings and parties. Worst job? many staff as possible. To suggest the Service Awards Fruit & veg girl at Iceland! next participant, email Most embarrassing moment? [email protected] There have been many. Probably falling out of a boat (although I maintain I was Gary goes

During 2008, 35 Stagecoach East globetrotting Midland employees achieved qualifying periods of long service. Stagecoach Manchester has bid Many of these went to a special farewell to one of its longest-serving presentation dinner at Branston Hall Hotel, members of staff, who’s completed 40 years Lincoln, attended by Robert Andrew, of service with the company. Regional Director North. Gary Griffies (65), from , retired as a traffic auditor, a position that made him a familiar face on the Manchester bus scene for the CONTACTS past 11 years. Gary now plans to travel the world and is Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, making plans to visit Canada and Alaska this year. Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director Perth, PH1 5TW Mark Threapleton is shown thanking Gary for his sterling service. Tel: +44 (0)1738 442111 Fax: +44 (0)1738 443076 Email: [email protected] Fully qualified www.stagecoach.com Stagecoach UK Bus employees If you have a story for On Stage, Doris Watt and Alison McGregor have please contact Lindsay Reid as above. completed a modern apprenticeship to become Contact Centre Level 3 The copy deadline for the next Professionals. edition of On Stage will be the second Senior Administrator Doris and Telesales Team week of August, Leader Alison spent a year working towards the 2009. enhanced qualification, which also included passing five core skills programmes and two additional units. Doris and Alison are pictured with their tutor, Lexi Smart, Contracts Co-ordinator for Intec Business Colleges.

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