The newsletter of Stagecoach Group Issue 121 | May 2017 STAGE ON page 3 page 6 INSIDE Stylish send-off | Green fingered fun Back to the Future #FourTrains ENTHUSIASTS, history buffs and customers were treated to a world first recently as four generations of trains representing the past, present and future of passenger rail travel, ran side by side, in the same direction on the East Coast main line. The famous Flying Scotsman, alongside two of Virgin Trains’ #PlushTush trains (the HST Intercity 125 (Class 43) National Railway Museum, and our Intercity 225 (Class 91) Flying Scotsman) were joined by the new Azuma (Class 800), which will go into service next year. The journey through the Yorkshire countryside was enjoyed by crowds of rail fans who took advantage of viewing points along the route and greeted the trains at York station. Coverage of this unique #FourTrains event made the national and regional news on the BBC and ITV and exploded on Twitter and Facebook where the live footage was streamed and pictures shared around the world. The #FourTrains event showcased four generations of trains and was a huge success David Horne, Managing Director for Virgin Trains on the East Coast, said: “Just one year on from unveiling Azuma travelling alongside ‘Flying Scotsman’ and look forward to 2018 when we’ll usher in a new our brand new Virgin Azuma trains, we’re delighted trains from our revamped current fleet. With our new era for travel on the East Coast route.” to present this unique event that showcases the Azuma trains entering service next year, this is an A big ‘Thank You’ from Virgin Trains to everyone past, present and future of rail travel in the UK, with opportunity to celebrate the icons of the railways and who made the event such a success. Launch of new local travel app West Coast EAST KENT is the first area in the UK to pioneer a Available to download now from the App Store on Partnership BID new free local transport app. iOS smartphones, local people can use TravelHero to The TravelHero app is designed to provide an easy- plan door-to-door journeys by bus or cab, buy tickets STAGECOACH and Virgin will partner with French to-use tool that allows customer to compare travel by card or PayPal, and enjoy hassle-free travel using high speed operator SNCF in their joint bid for options in the local area for bus and cab journeys. mobile tickets. the West Coast Partnership rail franchise, which TravelHero has brought together well-known bus will incorporate current West Coast and new service provider Stagecoach South East and Kent HS2 services. The Government has announced cab company Longleys Private Hire to make travel that the West Coast Partnership franchise will easier for customers in the region. run from 2019, that it will include the first few TravelHero will particularly appeal to people years of operation of HS2, and that bidders travelling between towns and villages within East must have high speed experience. SNCF, one Kent, including students and young professionals of the world’s most recognised and capable and those who are occasional bus and cab users. High Speed operators brings that experience to Its features include sophisticated journey planning, our partnership. The shareholding for the bid is tailored routes for individual needs, secure cashless Stagecoach 50%, SNCF 30% and Virgin 20%. payments and convenient mobile ticketing. Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive of Stagecoach TravelHero Product Champion, Elizabeth Evans, said: Group, said: “This creates a powerful world- “TravelHero offers a new, trusted and convenient class partnership, bringing together the team way to make journeys easier, and we hope East which has transformed inter-city rail travel in the Kent residents enjoy the app. It has the potential to UK with the most recognised and capable high expand to deliver even better value and convenience speed operator in Europe.” for customers.” 1 Did you know? South West Trains network is the only section of Britain’s rail network to have two female leads working together to deliver track and train. ON STAGE What a Celebrating individual style TV AND fashion celebrity Jessica Wright is helping to Laugh! celebrate the style of bus passengers across the UK. The former TOWIE star teamed up with Stagecoach, Tyne and Wear Metro passenger: to launch a search for a ‘style squad’ – a group of “I always remember two young girls saying just individual customers who will be chosen based on before Christmas they were going to Edinburgh their style, creativity and personality. for mahogany – meaning Hogmanay!” The campaign aims to highlight and applaud the diverse range of fashion tastes that exist among the If you have seen or heard something funny country’s bus passengers, with entrants asked to – online, in the papers, on social media or just share their sense of style via social media. while out and about – send your contributions for Stagecoach and the team behind Jessica’s Sistaglam the ‘What a Laugh’ section in the next edition to clothing range, will choose Jessica’s squad at a fashion [email protected] day for shortlisted applicants and the overall winners will take part in a ‘squad’ photoshoot with Jessica for her Sistaglam clothing line, followed by a meal with n Extra car parking at the star. The winners will also feature in an advert to Havant station be displayed on buses in different parts of the UK. Jessica said: “I love watching what people are A NEW and improved car park at Havant station, wearing and seeing how creative they can be with Lynne Harrop, Stagecoach UK Bus Head of Marketing adding over 200 extra car parking spaces as well their outfits – what someone wears really shows off and Customer Experience, said: “At Stagecoach, as better facilities for passengers, is now open. their personality. The country’s bus passengers are we place huge emphasis on our people and this The works at Havant station were funded by the a great example of the range of styles and tastes campaign is a great way to recognise the huge Department for Transport and delivered by South people have when it comes to fashion and I am really diversity of styles of our passengers, whether they’re West Trains’ project team. excited to hear what Stagecoach customers can travelling to university, commuting to work, heading Improved security and lighting, extra CCTV bring to our squad – we’re looking for fun people with to the shops or going out with friends. It’s also a great cameras, new Help Points and segregated big personalities, individual style and a passion for opportunity to do something to get people excited walkways all feature in the new car park as the fashion.” about taking the bus.” total number of spaces in the new decked car park has been brought up to almost 500. Alistair Wright, Head of Station Property for South West Trains, said: “We’re really pleased to be opening these extra car parking spaces for Book your seat on the library bus passengers at Havant. PUPILS from Oak Tree Academy in Stockton-on-Tees “We’ve now delivered an extra 1,400 spaces have been given a ticket to read, after Stagecoach across the network in the past twelve months North East donated a bus which will be transformed which will contribute towards improving the into a library. journeys for many of our passengers.” Nathan Stanislawski, Operations Manager for Stagecoach North East’s Teesside depot, said: “We always try our best to support projects which will benefit the local community and it feels brilliant that Oak Tree Academy pupils were delighted with their we are helping to make a real difference to so many donated bus youngsters at Oak Tree Academy. “Being able to lend a helping hand to community will be a permanent fixture within the school grounds From left to right: Graham Weavers, Rail Operator projects like a new library for a school on our and will be open throughout the school day to all year Supervisor for South West Trains, Alan Mak MP for doorstep is always important, especially when it groups. The bus conversion is set to be completed Havant and Alistair Wright, Head of Station Property comes to youth learning and development.” by the end of the summer term in preparation for the for South West Trains. The bus will be turned into a reading library which new school year. Unique gift for care home STAGECOACH East Midlands responded to a request the care home, they used to use their local bus from a local Lincoln care home to provide them with service on a regular basis. Many continue to walk a replica bus stop and timetable for their residents. around the home looking for the bus stop. Staff at The bus operator donated the unique gift to Bernadette House work with residents on a regular Bernadette House Care Home after being contacted basis practicing Reminiscence Therapy. This type by the home to help residents with their everyday of therapy encourages discussion of past activities; therapy. The bus stop has been placed in the events and experiences that help people reconnect From left: Elizabeth Stephens (Owner of Bernadette House Care Home), Eric Dunham (Resident), Mick reminiscence garden for all to use. with their former lives. By providing a bus stop and Forbes (Stagecoach East Midlands Engineering Director The majority of residents at Bernadette House timetable, Stagecoach East Midlands hopes to bring who organised the bus stop), Kay Bunn (Resident), Bruce are living with Dementia but before they came to some familiarity and comfort to the residents.