GREENER AND SMARTER Special feature on green issues Centre pages The newspaper of Stagecoach Group Issue 74 Spring 09 £1 goes a long way 3 Investing in success 5 Driver’s MBE honour 12 Route to romance 13 Franchise bid’s fresh challenges LET’S GET GOING STAGECOACH Group has submitted its bid for the South Central passenger rail franchise, giving a fi rm commitment to deliver the complex projects set by the Government while maintaining high- FOR GREEN WEEK quality services to passengers. A Stagecoach Group spokesman Group-wide week Declan McDermott, said: “The South Central franchise megabus.com’s 10 presents signifi cant challenges and of action aims to millionth customer, is set will be a period of major change. for a dream trip to the “Our priority has been to ensure raise awareness USA. passengers have seamless access to a consistently safe, high-quality, fast, at work and home frequent and reliable railway during this time of transition. PLANS are under way for “Stagecoach already has strong Stagecoach’s fi rst ever Group-wide links with the franchise through Green Week. its existing transport services and Between April 20 and 24, staff we have worked closely with local and customers across all areas of stakeholders in developing our the business are taking part in a proposals. week of environmental awareness “We have an excellent track record activities. of delivering complex and technical These highlight the many projects, from new timetables to benefi ts of using public transport, smart ticketing, while maintaining as well the advantages of being excellent service to customers. environmentally friendly in other Ten million reasons to celebrate! “We also believe our insight into areas of life. what drives consumers’ lifestyle And the event shows everyone MEGABUS.COM has welcomed its 10 millionth global brand which is still growing. choices can help encourage people how seriously Stagecoach takes customer on board. “We wanted to recognise the achievements of to reduce car use and get on board its commitment to reducing the The market-leading budget coach service is megabus.com over the last fi ve years and what greener, smarter rail travel. company’s carbon footprint. now attracting around two million passengers better way than by rewarding our 10 millionth “We understand there are no easy a year in the UK, and Stagecoach has recently customer with a wonderful prize?” solutions, particularly in the current SUSTAINABLE expanded its North American services. Lucky Declan said: “I was overwhelmed to be economic environment. Declan McDermott of London was the told I had won the prize as I had simply logged “But we have a fully costed, Having recently appointed energy company’s 10 millionth customer, winning a on to the megabus.com website to book a trip sustainable plan and we are consultancy Inenco to undertake holiday of a lifetime to New York, complete home to London from Cardiff. confi dent we can play a signifi cant a three-year Carbon Management with a trip to Boston on a megabus.com “To think that I only spent £20 on my tickets part in improving the experience for Programme, Stagecoach announces service direct from the Big Apple. and now I’m heading over to America is rail passengers in London and the its Group-wide carbon footprint in Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian unbelievable. south of England.” the spring. Souter said: “Since its launch in 2003, “I can’t wait to visit New York and I’m sure the From there, Inenco will put megabus.com has grown into a successful trip to Boston will be fantastic too.” in place new processes, key On Stage news performance indicators, targets and Stagecoach Group Chief even more sustainable.” initiatives to drive improvements Executive Brian Souter says: For customers, the main Green Champion going on-line across the Group, reduce the “Green Week is a chance for us highlights of Green Week are a Staff are also invited to nominate their Green Giveaway Day – when FROM now on, On Stage is to company’s carbon footprint and all to learn how we can improve Green Champion – the employee they 20,000 ‘green kits’ will be handed become an online only publication, use energy even more effi ciently. our green credentials. feel contributes the most towards out – and the chance to win a in keeping with Stagecoach’s Stagecoach’s aim to encourage “At Stagecoach we are already reducing the company’s carbon year’s free travel on Stagecoach commitment to reducing its carbon people out of their cars and on working hard to reduce our footprint. services in an online competition. footprint. to public transport is one of the carbon footprint. We want to The winner receives a luxury share this work with our staff Schools across the UK are also Future editions of On Stage will be solutions to the ever-increasing two-night stay at an environmentally and customers. being invited to get involved. available on the Stagecoach Group challenge of climate change. friendly hotel, including travel costs “We also want to continue to Stagecoach employees are website at www.stagecoachgroup. During Green Week, staff and and spending money. improve our environmental being provided with top tips com/scg/media customers are encouraged to think To request a Green Champion performance. There are more on the best ways to save energy A print-out will also be posted on about other ways in which they can nomination form, please email: energy savings we can make via a poster campaign featuring noticeboards at depots. reduce their carbon footprint – both [email protected] at work and at home. to ensure our business is staff. UK BUS Oxfordshire’s buses boast the S-factor STAGECOACH in Oxfordshire has Marketing Manager Chris Child waiting facilities. re-launched a number of major said: “Many people already see the The re-launch see buses routes to further develop the benefits of using public transport renumbered to become part of a core network of services carrying to get to and from work, go family of ‘superior’ routes known passengers from towns and shopping or have a night out. It’s as ‘S-Series’. villages such as Witney, Woodstock fast, cheap and environmentally Chris added: “All the buses used and Bicester. friendly and drops you in the heart on these services are low-floor and The focus is on providing the best of the city. have easy access for pushchairs possible service to passengers and “However, there are people who and the disabled. attracting new customers who have are often still welded to their car “They are driven by a group of previously rejected the thought of seat and dismiss public transport regular drivers who live in the Chris Mallender, Chief Executive of taking the bus in favour of the car. too quickly.” local community and have good Corby Borough Council (left) and The routes already take around Over the last three years, relationships with passengers. Council Leader Councillor Pat Fawcett 53,000 travellers a week into Stagecoach has invested over £4 “The focus of S-Series is giving enjoy a quick read. Oxford and the hope is to entice million on new buses, and worked the majority of passengers what many more people out of their closely with Oxfordshire County they want, and that’s a good, One of Oxfordshire’s S-Series Buses open a cars. Council to improve bus stops and reliable bus service.” branded S5 buses. new chapter BUS bookworms enjoyed a good Elf service aids read when travelling around Corby, thanks to a special festival. baby treatment Books on the Buses, part of the BALAMORY’S FOUR bus drivers from Newcastle Play on Words Corby Literacy Festival 2009, was a fun and found a fun way to raise £5,250 educational event in which easy- for the Baby Unit at Newcastle’s to-browse ‘Quick Read’ books Royal Victoria Infirmary. were left on local bus routes for A total of £2,625 came from all to enjoy. STAR DRIVER donations collected at the The books included works by A FORMER children’s TV star is one of Stagecoach’s driver is way tougher than being an actor. Walkergate depot and on the personalities such as Tanni Grey- newest recruits. “You are responsible for everyone on the bus, then buses by drivers Stuart Cooper, Thompson, Colin Jackson and For four years, actor Rodd Christensen was better there's the routes to try to remember and other people on Dave Kenny, Ron Oxburgh and Fiona Phillips. known as Spencer the Painter, who lived in the orange the roads to deal with. Mark Rutherford, who dressed up Launching the event, Corby house on the BBC TV show Balamory. “I definitely now have a new respect for bus drivers. as elves during the festive season. Borough Council’s Lead Member The series – which was watched by two million viewers “I've had people tooting their car horns and pointing, This figure was matched by for Community, Cllr John a week – came to an end in 2005 and Rodd has now mums come up and ask because their children have Stagecoach North East to give a McGhee, said: “The Books on the started work as a driver with Stagecoach in Perth. recognised me and a little girl gave me a picture she had final donation of £5,250. Buses event is our way of bringing However, he has found he is still as popular as ever drawn of Spencer.” Ron Oxburgh said: “Last year we the magic of the Play on Words with Balamory fans, with youngsters queuing up to Following his time on Balamory, Rodd worked on the raised £1,700 on the buses and we festival to everyone in Corby.