UNITE! NEWSLETTER ISSUE 20 | SEPTEMBER 2019 SPRING EDITION

CDC VICTORIA’S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FEATURING UPDATES, DEVELOPMENTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE THE BUSINESS.

GREEN BUSES RESPECT OUR TREE HIT MELBOURNE DRIVER CAMPAIGN PLANTING DAY PAGE 8 PAGE 12 PAGE 10 INSIDE

CONTENTS CEO’S Message...... 3 8 From your SDM’s...... 4 News...... 6 News...... 7

Hybrid Launch...... 8 Planting Day...... 10 Respect Our Driver Campaign ...... 12 Anti-Graffiti Workshops...... 14 Compliments & Comments ...... 16 6

12 10 UPCOMING EVENTS SEP 2019 OCT 2019 NOV 2019

MOVEMBER Ethiopian New Year October Victorian 12 6 School Holidays Mid Autumn Festival End 5 Melbourne Cup Day 13 (Mooncake festival) Victorian Seniors October Victorian 7-11 11 Remembrance Day 21 Festival Melbourne School Holidays Start Festival Hub White Ribbon Day African Festival 25 22 Melbourne White Night 21-22 Ballarat 27 AFL Grand Final Parade 27 Diwali 29 Jewish New Year

2 Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter WELCOME

CEO’S MESSAGE

Welcome Jeff Wilson - CDC Victoria’s new Chief Executive Officer Dear team, I feel truly honoured and privileged to join CDC Victoria. We have a expertise of our people. It is also The future looks very bright for our great company that really cares great to see our teams are proud company as communities grow and about its people, its communities and passionate about what we do - so does the need for our services. and our cultures. This is very evident serving the community. We have more people needing and by the way the SPaRCQ values are wanting to connect to more places lived out within our business and It is unfortunate that a small minority within the community don’t behave and we will work with our partners how the company and the staff to offer the best solutions. Growth engage in our community. appropriately at times and this can put our team members and other within the community is important I believe this is key to our ongoing members of the community at risk. because this provides opportunities success because we are a people We are being proactive in trying to to our staff and our families. business. Everyday we connect curb this behaviour and will be soon Growth can cause issues such as children to schools, parents launching the ‘Respect Our Driver’ traffic congestion and make it to workplaces and families to campaign. This is about educating difficult to achieve perfect On Time communities. You are a vital part in all our passengers that our drivers Running (OTR). We understand making communities exist. are real people with real lives and this and appreciate your efforts in I would like to thank everybody real stories that are to be very proud serving our community to the best that has made me feel so welcome. of. We want people to understand we can. I am learning the business and at that we all need to respect each I look forward to meeting personally this early stage, I think I will still be other and treat each other in a with and thanking you in person as learning in years to come as there manner that we would want to you are the reason why we have such is such a lot to learn and being such be treated. a great CDC family. a progressive industry there will Our company’s proactivity in this always be something new. This In the meantime please be safe and campaign and the upcoming enjoy all of the good things in life. is exciting! Movember health initiative, the tree I have had the opportunity to visit planting day and graffiti workshops Best wishes, make me extremely proud to be a all but two of our depots and have Jeff Wilson part of the CDC family. been extremely impressed with Chief Executive Officer – the knowledge, experience and CDC Victoria

WELCOME ONBOARD TO ALL OUR NEW EMPLOYEES

Roger Curtis-Harding & David Van Oorschot (BALLARAT), Jann Harold Sarabia, Amandeep Singh Gill, Parvinder Sethi & Adam Jones (TULLAMARINE), Saman Ghasemloo, Harshavardhan Reka & Semi K Tuivaiti, (OAKLEIGH), Christopher Hoang, Julie Marinos, Graeme Lilley, Winston Lai & Kevin Harris (WYNDHAM) & NATIONAL OFFICE (CAMBERWELL), Matthew Fleming, Baldeep Singh, Andrew Witcombe, Iain Fitzpatrick, Nigel Voller & Alistair Broad (GEELONG), Chris Olive & Rhiannon Bizon (SUNSHINE) Kevin Farrell, Ivan Smith, Janelle Bottrell & Darren Flowers (SUNRAYSIA & BROKEN HILL)

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 3 NEWS

FROM YOUR SERVICE DELIVERY MANAGERS

OAKLEIGH GEELONG I would like to thank you for bearing It’s hard to comprehend how fast time through this cold winter and has flown by this year. Already we’ve maintaining our SPaRCQ values managed to get through the Avalon by driving safe, attending to our Airshow, another awesome performance customers’ needs, identifying possible by everyone involved which saw us move SUNRAYSIA & hazards and reporting them accordingly. over 40,000 people. There have been As you all know we’ve had a number of some other notable charter operations, BROKEN HILL incidents most notably the projectile such as the ABS National Conference It is hard to believe we are closing in incident which led to the injury of one and several rail replacements. on the last few months of 2019. The of our drivers and whilst we continue Our route service performance Sunraysia yard has seen some changes to work with the relevant authorities continues to show signs of with regards to parking areas and and stakeholders to stop such incidents improvement, but we still have a few vehicle shuffling due to the acquisition from happening, it’s important to areas to focus on such as Early Running of two National Patient Transport (NPT) continue to remember your ‘Safe and (ER) which is currently around 9 per cent. vehicles and appropriate Occupational sound’ training and report all incidents Some new tools will help us improve Health and Safety (OH&S) changes. to the OCC promptly. this. Our regular meetings with PTV We have been able to successfully accommodate the NPT vehicles and As you all know we have now received provide us with good feedback on our staff with the use of the depot facilities the first batch of hybrid buses which will overall performance and anti-social however, consideration for vehicle replace some of our older fleet. This is behaviour on our network has been storage, including employees’ personal an exciting time as we introduce new declining, mostly due to driver’s efforts. vehicles, is an issue we now face and is fleet to our business while reducing Last month we saw the introduction continuing to be addressed. carbon emissions and protecting the of the Victoria Maori Wardens (VMW) environment for future generations. to the Geelong bus network. Their Two new OH&S representatives were appointed in July and we welcome We have begun parking buses in the role is to help engage with local youth their efforts and appropriate measures vacant block behind the workshop and assist with any issues they may be for positive safety changes within the clearing our depot from over experiencing, which is designed to depot. Our Workshop foreman has congestion and reducing the number of ultimately improve our bus services and taken his responsibilities in his stride in-house incidents. The reconstruction drive respect back to the driver. and has made positive safety changes of the new site will hopefully commence Our fleet replacement program is now in to the Broken Hill depot which is in the new year adding much needed full swing, with 16 new vehicles entering assisting with a positive increase in room for both our yard and workshop. our depot this year, with more to come. culture change with employees. In terms of our recent slides relating to These will help improve the quality and The NSW TrainLink commenced our On Time Running (OTR) we have comfort for our drivers and passengers. operation in June from Broken Hill to been able to significantly reduce our We are continuing to recruit new drivers Mildura and return 3-days on weekdays Early Running (ER) and I commend you to our team to replace some recent and a one-way service on weekends. all for your persistent work. retirements, as well as fill some newly This has been a great acquisition and On a final note, as we begin to enter created positions due to new services patronage levels continue to rise. spring time and get some urgent and and structural changes. Welcome to Sunraysia depot and NSW TrainLink well overdue sun I would like to wish you all, I hope you enjoy your time at have received positive feedback about you all a safe and prosperous final CDC and contribute positively to the service and we are hopeful the quarter. I look forward to working our operations. six-month trial will become a closely with you all for the remainder of Doug Nyman, SDM at continued service. the year. Geelong Depot Keep up the exemplary work and all the Kaz Abdulrahman, SDM at best to all employees. Oakleigh Depot Ash Loveridge, SDM at Sunraysia & Broken Hill depot

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WYNDHAM BALLARAT As we head into the last quarter of We have seen the another busy year, it is time to reflect departure of two long on the areas that we have made serving members of our advancements in and the areas that team, Kevin McLean (18 years) and require more team effort. A few Peter Court (21 years) have both retired route changes during July 2019 were recently. Peter is however keeping his TULLAMARINE successfully implemented. Charter driving skills up by doing some casual services saw growth and the inclusion charter work for us. And so the year continues! We welcome Adam Jones, our new of 10 hybrid buses brought down the We also celebrate the longevity of two Workshop foreman. Adam has average fleet age. team members; Ken White has given 41 been with us only a short time but The focus for the very near future years of his life to the company and Ian already his presence is having a and ongoing basis will be On Time Goodson has been around for 40 years. positive impact. Running (OTR). With the assistance of Thanks to Kevin, Peter, Kan and Ian for all employees we endeavour to achieve your contribution to the company over We are also more focused on our the set targets. Sharing information a combined 120 years! weekly and monthly KPI’s. Our new with driving staff and assistance from contract has a strong focus on doing planning will play vital roles in achieving We hosted the ‘School Connect our best. Congratulations to the our OTR targets. I request all of you to ask Program’ at the depot which saw 70 team of drivers - we are doing well. questions with the team at Wyndham to excited children from two local schools We sometimes however all need a get your queries cleared in understanding along with their teachers enjoy a trip gentle reminder on the importance the guidelines around OTR. to the Melbourne Museum and some of not leaving early or not missing even managed to star in the new We are also proud to announce that our stops. Thank you for trying your best Community Engagement Video shoot Ethiopian staff will be holding their New to maintain our figures. – which will be released very soon, so Year celebrations on 19th September stay tuned! We are also continuing to focus on 2019. We look forward to enjoying their the growth of our taxi business. We We also hosted the Community authentic traditional food and getting now have over 100 cars in our fleet Engagement Anti-graffiti workshop to know more about their rich culture. and are looking for more taxi drivers. with 40 engaged youths. Both events I feel proud and believe you share the If anyone knows of someone proved to be very successful and same feelings with the current efforts of wanting to become a taxi driver enjoyable for all involved. all involved in providing effective public please send them our way, we would transport around Wyndham despite We have again provided the charter love to have them drive for us. the major road works with added shuttles for the Western Bulldogs vs Tullamarine depot is excited to traffic build up being a daily challenge. Adelaide game with a sell-out game at have Michael Chicop representing I look forward to our continuous MARS Stadium. We were able to move positive contribution towards achieving in excess of 4,500 passengers to and Tullmarine depot in the new CDC Wyndham’s OTR target. Thank you. from the stadium with ease. Thanks to ‘Respect Our Driver’ campaign (pg all drivers involved in this event. 12). The campaign will put a “real” Ravneet Walia, SDM at drivers face at the forefront, his story Wyndham Depot Good luck to all CDC staff as we start and the fact that all our drivers well- to wrap up the year. We hope everyone being is important to us at CDC. enjoys what is left of 2019. Frances Ross, SDM at Glenn McKenzie, SDM at Tullamarine Depot Ballarat Depot

SUNSHINE The upgrades to our driver area are well underway with the installation of both male and female locker rooms Sunshine depot welcomed and a new quiet space for drivers to relax while on break. four new Hybrids to its fleet in These upgrades started as suggestions from the SPaRCQ August. With the arrival of these new vehicles, a training committee and through consultation has seen the project package was rolled out to ensure everyone was familiar commence through to construction. with the functionality and operation of the new vehicles. A special thank you to the training team as well as Dejan and A reminder to all drivers around the requirement to not run Bob for their efforts to ensure all the Sunshine drivers were early. Please ensure you are following your shift journal and trained. In addition, we have also seen the arrival of two 57- do not depart a timing point earlier than your scheduled seat coaches to our Charter fleet to further strengthen the departure time. Until next time, safe driving! service we supply to our local schools and charter groups. Shaun Lawson, SDM at Sunshine depot

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 5 NEWS

ULURU HOLIDAY WINNER Happy snaps from the winning bidder of the Uluru holiday of a lifetime.

Earlier in August, CDC launched a The group holidayed in style for 7 days Paul and Sharon along with Alasdair competition for staff to bid for the trip from 19 to 25 August 2019 and were Duffy from Shell/Viva conquered Ayers of a lifetime to Uluru. We’re happy to blown away by the experience. Rock in 2 hours after a gruelling 2.2km, share some photos from Paul Avers, our “The trip was a once in a lifetime 45 degree rock climb to an amazing winning bidder and driver at Buslink experience and we were extremely view of the desert in every direction. Sunraysia. Congratulations Paul and well looked after. Activities, food and “It was a very spiritual moment for the thank you for sharing your journey. accommodation was superb and 3 of us and something to be treasured Paul and his wife Sharon thoroughly provided us with many unique and forever especially since the Rock enjoyed their 7-day Uluru holiday with colourful memories along with new and closes on the 26th October this year fellow driver, Mukhlesur Kazi (Kazi), very valued friendships,” added Paul. to climbers. We feel very privileged, his wife Yasmin, and Kazi paid for his Paul and Sharon’s trip included a both spiritually and emotionally to have children Zahra, Zainia and his mother Segway tour of the perimeter of the scaled the Rock, we have some great Hansa to join in as well. rock, visit to Yulara, bush tucker inspired memories of doing it together and According to Paul, Uluru had been dinner in the desert at the renowned made a lifelong rock climbing friend in on their bucket list for ages and when “Sounds of Silence. The group also Alasdair.” added Paul. they realized the money raised from went on a helicopter flight around “We would all like to thank Viva Energy, the winning bid would go to the Royal Uluru, the Olgas and Lake Amadeus. Shell and CDC for the opportunity to Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, he On top of that, they also had the experience the centre of Australia, we knew he had to bid. opportunity to have sunset drinks and have made some great friendships we “The Blind Institute is very dear to us canapes at the world famous “Field will treasure for life and some fantastic as they were very kind, helpful and of Light” a sensational 50,000 square memories to recall and share together.” supportive to my late mother who was metre display of solar powered optic Paul’s winning bid was $4,800 and we blind for 15 years. Combining this with fibre colour changing led lights in a are so glad he, along with our other our personal motivation to visit Uluru desert valley, an extraordinary visual art staff and their families enjoyed the we put a suitable bid for the whole trip display in Yulara for a limited time. Uluru trip. in,” said Paul.

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GARDEN ON THE MOVE Imagine having a garden on the rooftops of route service buses? That was what 10 SBS Transit single deck buses had on their roofs from May to July 2019 in Singapore. The green initiative was part of GWS Living Art’s ‘Garden on the Move’ campaign and we commend our sister company SBS Transit on taking part in this green initiative. Made up of Wedelia Trilobata and other hardy plants adapted to the local tropical climate, the “green” roofs aim to help in the study of possible energy and cost savings for bus operators. BALLARAT SCHOOL CONNECT Engaging with the youth in Ballarat to educate and empower the youth on the importance of road safety One of our Community on the future of mobility and Engagement programs is the introduced to the bus industry. Ballarat School Connect. This The exhibition itself included a program allows us to connect showcase of interactive Innovation- with the local schools in regional Communicative Technology (ICT) Victoria while creating a sense of using road safety – a first time for inclusion within Ballarat’s most many of the kids. disadvantaged areas. Lunch packs were also provided As part of the program, CDC and then the group was taken back provides educational excursions to Ballarat. Some of the students for youth in Year 9 to 12 to special and one of their teachers will also interest places. The aim is to give be featured in the new Community these youth an experience outside Engagement video – which has yet of the classroom where they can to be released so stay tuned! learn in an alternative environment. The youth were very engaged This year, CDC brought 70 youth during the visit and enjoyed from Yullie Community College the excursion. Special thanks to and Ballarat Specialist School drivers Peter Court and Darren to the Melbourne Museum to Bevern for your safe driving and attend the ‘Road to Zero’ Road feedback about the program. We Safety Exhibition. The youth and look forward to the next round 15 teachers were picked up from of excursions and being able to Ballarat depot and transported engage within the communities to Melbourne Museum. At the that we serve. museum, youth were educated

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 7 SNAPSHOT

GREEN BUSES HIT MELBOURNE

CDC officially launches its eco-friendly hybrid fleet at Wyndham depot. On the 26 June 2019, CDC Victoria celebrated our official hybrid bus launch at Wyndham depot. We were privileged to have the Minister for Public Transport/ State member for Williamstown - the Hon. Melissa Horne MP as our guest of honour. We also hosted the local member for Tarneit – Sarah Connolly, Deputy Mayor of Wyndham, Walter Villagonzalo and over 80 distinguished guests, partners and staff from CDC Victoria. The festivities kicked off with speeches by CEO, ComfortDelGro Australia, Nicholas Yap, the Minister for Public Transport/ State member for Williamstown - the Hon. Melissa Horne MP and Vice President of Volvo Buses Asia Pacific, David Mead.

8 Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter SNAPSHOT

Guests were treated to a special animation video that illustrates the THE ECO-FRIENDLY FLEET area of coverage that our new fleet of The new, environmentally friendly buses, which represents the hybrids will cover by 2022. An actual biggest single order of hybrid buses in Australia demonstrates Volvo hybrid chassis in buggy form CDC’s strong focus on sustainability and innovation in its was also kindly lent to us by Volvo business operations. so people could see the “insides” behind the hybrid technology. Each bus also directly supports the local automotive industry in Victoria with body manufacturing and fit-out being carried Four hybrid buses then took guests out by Volgren in Dandenong. All 50 low-floor buses feature on a short ride so that guests could Volvo’s Parallel Hybrid driveline and meet Euro 6 emission experience first-hand the benefits of standards. In testing, the Volvo hybrid driveline has been travelling on the hybrids. shown to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions A total of 30 hybrid buses were by up to 50%, as well as reducing fuel and carbon dioxide on show at Wyndham depot in emissions by up to 40%. commemoration of the event and The introduction of these fleet vehicles follows successful trials we are happy to announce that all 50 across Victoria which found that these Hybrid vehicles use 30 buses will be in service on CDC routes per cent less fuel and significantly reduce noise during idling in Wyndham, Oakleigh and Sunshine and when departing stops. by mid-2022.

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 9 FEATURE

TREE PLANTING DAY Six CDC staff dig deep to rejuvenate the Werribee River parklands

On Friday, 26th July, six CDC staff volunteers As part of our ‘Delivering a greener West’ took time from their usual work day to go off the program, CDC and partners funded 5,350 plants beaten track to participate in a planting session and trees to create a sustainable ecosystem to commemorate ‘National Tree Day’. Working along the Werribee River parklands. The foliage alongside over 50 volunteers from Parks Victoria, and trees that the group planted that Friday our CDC volunteers planted over 1,200 shrubs and represented about one fifth of the total plants trees along the Werribee River parklands. that will soon cover the large plot of land in Melbourne’s west -as part of Parks Victoria’s long The planting day allowed our staff to get their term plan to rejuvenate the Werribee hands dirty and kick off another phase of our River parklands. ‘Delivering a Greener West’ Sustainability program which we launched in 2017 with bus industry We were happy to have Miles Crawford – GM of partners – CMV Truck & Bus, Volgren and the CMV Truck & Bus at the planting session and were People & Parks Foundation (the fundraising arm so glad to see our staff really enjoying the process. for Parks Victoria). There’s nothing better than being outdoors on a nice day and getting their hands dirty in the name of sustainability was definitely worth it.

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Special thanks to People & Parks Foundation, Parks Victoria, Werribee and all the volunteers for your efforts. We couldn’t have done it without you – achieving the largest number of volunteers in one session! What a perfect start to the next phase of our sustainability program.

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 11 FEATURE

RESPECT OUR DRIVER CAMPAIGN

CDC launches a new ‘Respect Our Driver’ campaign to create awareness and educate the public on abuse our staff have to endure.

CDC Victoria is proud to launch its Avtar Singh (both from Wyndham) new ‘Respect Our Driver’ campaign - who volunteered to be part of this Spring. Designed to humanise this important campaign. You are so our drivers and give you a voice, we appreciated for your time, stories, profile seven drivers from across most smiles and effort. of our depots in Victoria – namely Each driver was Ballarat, Geelong, Oakleigh, Sunshine, photographed in uniform Tullamarine and Wyndham. behind the wheel and also The campaign aims to drive respect in plain clothes. Drivers back to our drivers and foster a more were encouraged comfortable ride for all on our buses. to dress in attire As a company, it is very disturbing to that communicated see the number of verbal and physical their interests or incidents that are aimed at our drivers. passion. The idea This campaign is our way of taking on was to convey to the a proactive approach to respect and public that drivers educating the public on what should have families, interests come second nature, but doesn’t and lives outside of always. We understand that a lot more driving buses. We is needed but this is a start. are hoping that the campaign will remind people Look out for our special ambassadors to acknowledge bus drivers including Western Bulldogs footballers hard work and lower the Aaron Naughton and Hayden Crozier, level of abuse and criticism Vic Maori Warden Eva Tai-Rekena and you face on a daily basis. Russell Butler – Guide Dogs Victoria representative. It’s a tough fight but we are committed to supporting Special thanks to our drivers John this campaign and hope Boak (Ballarat), Bill Cook (Geelong), that it will help to support Dogan Coskun (Oakleigh) Abebe you as the face of Soloman (Sunshine), Michael Chicop our business. (Tullamarine) , Jeanette Wells and

If you’d like to send us feedback on the campaign, please send this to: [email protected]

12 Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter FEATURE

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 13 COMMUNITY

IT’S WORKSHOP TIME CDC Victoria kicked off a new series of its interactive anti-graffiti workshops in Ballarat and Sunshine in August.

On Tuesday, 6th of August, CDC Victoria kicked WHAT DO THE off the first of its Anti-graffiti workshops at Ballarat depot. This time we hosted 30 youths from three WORKSHOPS COVER? different Western Bulldogs (WB) Youth Leadership In the workshops, youth are taught to groups - WB Hepburn & Pyrenees group, WB adopt a proactive approach to respect Ballarat, and WB Glenelg group. and leadership and are given the chance We also hosted a second workshop on to tag/graffiti our special graffiti bus. Wednesday, 14th August at our Sunshine depot When they least expect it, the workshop with over 25 youth from participants then the WB Youth Leadership have to remove all groups - WB Melton and their graffiti, in an WB Inner West Melbourne. effort to show them THESE WORKSHOPS ARE how difficult the GREAT FOR EDUCATING process really is. WHY DO WE This teaches them empathy, RUN THESE THE YOUTH ON SOCIAL responsibility and the need WORKSHOPS? LEADERSHIP, STANDING for assertiveness. UP AGAINST WHAT’S Ballarat, Pyrenees We host these hands-on and Glenelg, Youth Anti-graffiti workshops WRONG/UNACCEPTABLE Development Coordinator, every year as part of our Salim Mohamed mentioned Community Engagement AND LEADING WITH that he thought the plan to educate the youth ASSERTIVENESS. workshop was highly on the cause and effect interactive, engaging and of graffiti on our buses. exceeded his expectations. Workshops aim to educate and empower future “It was great to have that leaders to model good behaviour among their mixture of verbal content, hands-on activity and peers and drive respect back to our drivers. Youth role play. It allowed each person to engage in are taught key themes such as respect, assertive their most suited style.” communication and leadership skills. Mohamed added that he thought the workshops were important to educate kids and shape our future leaders. “These workshops are great for educating the youth on social leadership, standing up against what’s wrong/unacceptable and leading with assertiveness.”

14 Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter COMMUNITY

The youth who participated at the Sunshine depot workshop were also treated to a special appearance by Western Bulldogs footballers, Aaron Naughton and Hayden Crozier. Needless to say the youth were star struck and it was such a great experience for the participants. “We try and create an interactive atmosphere at these workshops so that youth can broaden their minds and learn outside of their usual classrooms,” said Community Engagement Manager, Michelle McKersey. “Having these well-known footballers who are role models, participating in the activities and engaging with the youth adds a whole new educational dimension to the workshops. We are thrilled to be able to surprise the youth and create strong memories as we promote the themes of respect, assertiveness and leadership,” she added.

Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter 15 TG19410

COMPLIMENTS & COMMENTS

Well done Pedro Sakal from Well done Aaron Arthur from Oakleigh depot Wyndham depot Just passing on some positive feedback. To the Special Thanks to Route 190 driver, gentleman driving the 625 to Elsternwick leaving Pedro Sakal. Chadstone at 3:58pm today. His service was outstanding, incredibly My 22-year old son Joshua has polite and attentive. You can tell he cares about his passengers. And Autism. We live in Sydney but his favourite city is when dealing with a P-plate driver who tried to give him attitude, he Melbourne. Our first visit to Melbourne was in 2014 handled himself with patience and politeness while being and since then he has returned every year. He is no nonsense. obsessed with Volgren buses and each visit he goes - Mrs. Courtney Percy to the Dandenong plant for photos outside…His latest craze is the Volgren Optimus Volvo B9TL. For this years visit we flew in on Thursday 8th July. Well done Ben On arrival at Tullamarine, Joshua Kim from Oakleigh left to get a ride on the Volgren depot Optimus Volvo B9TL. I got a call from him around 4pm excited that I was a passenger on the 624 bus he was in Werribee and finally on from Caulfield Station heading the bus. I could feel his excitement towards Chadstone Shopping Centre and happiness. He got off at at about 6:19pm on the 18th of Wyndham Vale and waited for the June 2019. I want to acknowledge bus to come back and things got the bus driver at the time and hope better from here. that this message gets to him and that the PTV team know that he was At 5.21pm, I received another call an amazing bus driver in terms of from Josh. He was so excited that people’s safety and care. at times he was lost for words. As I was actually originally planning to the bus came back to Wyndham go to Monash University on the 900 Vale, Josh took more photos and Stud Park Rowville bus from Caulfield the driver went for a break. The however, I just missed it, and just driver must have noticed how much as the 624 bus was going to leave joy my son was having at seeing it saw me and another passenger this bus. He asked my son for his looking to go on the bus. He opened camera and told him to sit in the the door and I asked if it would take driver’s seat so he could have his me to Chadstone so that I could photo taken there. OMG! hopefully change buses there. (Little It’s hard to even put in words my did I know that the bus would take feelings when I heard this, let a longer route than the 900 before alone my son’s! It was his dream reaching Chadstone). Besides the come true! point, I was more astonished that This driver may not realise that his the bus driver was very cautious and one act of kindness has brought aware of safety first! A passenger so much happiness to my son and wanted to get off shortly after getting heartfelt appreciation from us, on. The bus driver suggested that his family. he would drop him off at the foot path as it is safe for the passenger This special moment will be etched to do so! Very kind of the bus driver in Joshua’s mind and heart and this happy memory was very kind of him to inform me on to open the doors to begin with and is what he can reflect on and draw strength from the bus route! also in a very safe manner (i.e pulling when he goes through a rough or sad time. I’m writing this in hopes that he is to the side next to the foot path!). So to this kind hearted man (Pedro Sakal), we offer able to read this and I want to let Secondly, the driver asked me if I was our sincere heartfelt appreciation. My son keeps him know that I really appreciated heading further to Oakleigh or I think talking about it to all our friends. his help and that he is doing a great HolmesGlen or rather, because this Thank you so much for bringing job! Thank you again 624 bus driver bus would take me there too in case so much happiness to all of us but towards Chadstone from Caulfield Chadstone wasn’t my final destination. especially to Josh. I didn’t want to tell him that I caught Station! I hope others are able to this bus to catch another bus because acknowledge the spirits and - Laisani Vukici I had already missed it and would be a help that you share! bit embarrassing haha but I thought it - Calista Um

16 Unite! | CDC Victoria Newsletter cdcvictoriabus cdc-victoria-pty-ltd cdcvictoria