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Issue 100 | November 2013
The newsletter of Stagecoach Group
Celebrating the 100th edition of Stagecoach Group’s staff magazine
Simply the best
buses in Britain
Stagecoach earns host of awards at UK Bus event
Stagecoach officially runs the best
buses in Britain.
Stagecoach Manchester won the City Operator of
the Year Award at the recent 2013 UK Bus Awards,
and was recalled to the winner’s podium when it was
named UK Bus Operator of the Year.
Speaking after the ceremony, which brought a
number of awards for Stagecoach teams and individuals,
Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Robert
Montgomery said:“Once again our companies and
employees have done us proud.
“We are delighted that their efforts in delivering
top-class, good-value bus services have been recognised
with these awards.”
Manchester driver John Ward received the Road
Operators’ Safety Council’s 2013 award for safe driving.
Stagecoach London was also among the winners as
its West Ham Depot was named London Bus Garage
of the Year.
The Sheffield Bus Partnership, in which Stagecoach
in Sheffield plays a key role, was hailed by judges as ‘a
watershed for the industry’ as it won two top awards
for Making Buses a Better Choice and Local Authority
Project of the Year, as well as finishing as runner-up in
the Innovation Award.
Stagecoach in Sheffield was also runner-up in
the Making Buses a Better Choice category for its
Supertram Link services, as well as taking second place
in the Marketing Excellence Award.
The Stagecoach Manchester team receiving the City
Operator award. Pictured, from left, are: Operations Director
Matt Davies, Managing Director Christopher Bowles, former
Marketing Manager Karen Coventry (now Stagecoach
Oxfordshire) and Engineering Director Peter Sumner.
Meanwhile, Stagecoach East Scotland was named
runner-up in the Top Express Coach Operation;Tom
Waterhouse from Stagecoach South finished runner-up in
the Young Manager of the Year Award and Stagecoach South
West was runner-up in the Top Shire Operator category.
Stagecoach Group was also named runner-up in the
Sustainability category and two Stagecoach employees
– Kenneth Monaghan from Stagecoach West Scotland
and Jason Rayner from Stagecoach South – were Highly
Commended in the Unsung Heroes Award.
Franchises recognised at awards
STAGECOACH Group’s rail franchises
have been recognised as being among the
best in the industry at the 2013 National
Rail Awards.
Alliance representatives, including Managing
Director Tim Shoveller (third right), collect
the Outstanding Teamwork Award.
The South West Trains – Network Rail Alliance won the
awards for Putting Passengers First, Outstanding Teamwork
and Maintenance Team of the Year at the prestigious
awards ceremony held recently at Grosvenor House Hotel
in London.
Stagecoach’s East Midlands Trains franchise also scooped
the Safety Award for the third consecutive year.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for the South West
Trains – Network Rail Alliance said:“I am delighted that
the superb efforts of our entire team have been recognised
with these awards.
“It is extremely pleasing to receive national recognition
for our teamwork, our maintenance and for putting our
passengers first.”
David Horne, Managing Director of East Midlands
Trains, added:“I am delighted that the efforts of our team
have been recognised in what is such a crucial area of our
work.”
Continental
coaches go
further
megabus.com has
expanded its network
of budget services to
include new European
destinations, running
services in Germany
for the first time thanks
to a new link between
London and Cologne.
In addition, megabus.com
now also serves Lille, Ghent,
Rotterdam and Antwerp for
the first time, providing even
more choice for customers
travelling to Europe.
megabus.com has also
recently introduced a fleet
of 10 left-hand-drive 72-seat
Van Hool coaches to operate
on its network in Europe.
Elizabeth Esnouf,
Managing Director of
Stagecoach’s UK Coach
division, said: “These new
links are great news for our
customers.
“With more locations
added to our European
network, our low-cost,
high-quality coach services
will allow customers to
travel even more extensively
at very affordable prices,
helping to make their money
go further.”
megabus.com has also
launched a Dutch-language
website.
Typhoon appeal
STAGECOACH
Group is donating
£10,000 to the Disasters
Emergency Committee
(DEC) to help the international response to
Typhoon Haiyan in the
Philippines.
The Group has also agreed
to match the fund-raising
efforts of its 35,000 bus and
rail employees in the UK
and North America up to
the value of £40,000.
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History of On Stage
On Stage reaches
100 not out!
Magazine set for a new look
ON Stage is 100 editions old, and we couldn’t
pass this special milestone without an affectionate
look back at the magazine’s history – and a look
ahead to its future.
The Stagecoach Group staff magazine began its life in
1989.
Issue number 1 was produced in the autumn of that year
and took the form of a 12-page document, giving news
and updates from across the company.
In a front-page article entitled ‘Buses Mean Business’, Sir
Brian Souter said:“We have become the biggest privately
owned bus group in Britain.That is why we now have
On Stage as a staff magazine and we hope our staff will
use it to let us know what is happening in their local
areas.”
Introducing the magazine to its 2,500 employees at the
time, the company added:“This is the very first issue of
On Stage, the staff magazine of the growing Stagecoach
family.
“We want to hear about the things you are doing – at
work and in your leisure time.We want to hear your
ideas for On Stage.We want you to feel that this is your
magazine.”
Twenty-four years after that first issue, On Stage has reached edition
number 100 – a fantastic achievement.
The magazine is as popular as ever and is now distributed online
and through printed copies to the Group’s 35,000 employees across
the UK and North America.
Over the years, On Stage has taken many different forms as you will
see from some of the previous issues pictured on this page.
But, throughout the past 24 years, it has remained an integral part
of the Stagecoach culture and it continues to be thought of fondly by
employees from across the business.
Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said:“We would like to
thank everyone who has contributed to On Stage throughout the
past 100 issues.
“To see the way the company has grown since that first issue
was published is remarkable and it is all down to the efforts of our
employees.
“On Stage has marked many important events in the Group’s
history as well as letting us find out more about the people we work
with.
“We look forward to hearing even more news about our staff
through the next 100 issues too!”
Have your say
Now that we have reached 100 issues, we would
like to refresh On Stage by adding some new features
and ideas – and we’d like you to help us.
If you have any suggestions to about the kind of new
features or subjects you would like to see in future issues,
please email your ideas to lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com
Rolling back the years: This selection of On Stages shows how the well-read
publication has evolved since its debut in 1989. It’ll be ‘all change’ for the next edition
with a fresh new look but, as always, On Stage will be packed full of news and features
which matter to our 35,000 colleagues in the UK and North America.
2
Top apprentices
Stagecoach’s top UK bus and
rail apprentices have been recognised at
the company’s 9th annual Apprentice of
the Year Awards.
Jason Ham from Stagecoach South West
was awarded first place position in the
third-year apprentice category, sponsored
by Optare, while Matthew Mallinson from
Stagecoach Yorkshire and Ryan Barnes from
Stagecoach London were second and third,
respectively.
In the year two awards, Daniel Brace from
Stagecoach South West was first, with James
Thornborrow and Geoff Tipping, both from
Stagecoach London, taking second and third
spots.
The winner of the year one category,
sponsored by Alexander Dennis Ltd, was Sam
Harris from Stagecoach Yorkshire, with James
Irving from Stagecoach South in second
place and Lewis McGregor from Stagecoach
South West in third.
Also, for the first year ever, apprentices from
within the South West Trains-Network Rail
Alliance fleet team attended the awards, and
first-year apprentice Anthony Dragonetti,
who is based on The Isle of Wight, was
presented with the South West Trains First
Year Apprentice of the Year Award. East
Midlands Trains also has six apprentices.
An Ace idea
A FOUR-LEGGED
friend added some
cheeky charm to
a Stagecoach West
Scotland marketing
campaign.
The company branded
one of its local services
with the cool canine,
and customer Dorothy
Hodge (pictured) won the ‘Name the Dog’
competition with her suggestion ‘Ace’.
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Tube driver over intercom:
“Ladies and gentlemen,
the beeping noise means
‘the doors are closing,
do not get on’. It does
not mean ‘try to force
your way onto the
train and get your
rucksack stuck’.
Please remember
this in future.”
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Overheard on the Tube
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New UK Bus director
A NEW director has been welcomed on board at
Stagecoach’s UK Bus division.
Clare Kavanagh (pictured right) began her new role as
Service Development Director on November 1 and will be a
member of the UK Bus Board.
For the 12 years previously, Clare was Transport for London’s
Director of Performance, Surface Transport, responsible for the
strategic development of the capital’s bus network.
One of the key issues for the Group is smart ticketing.The
Group’s strategy and delivery is led by Alistair Smith, Director
of Commercial and IT, and his team. Clare will liaise with
Alistair and will work with UK Bus businesses to support
their efforts in further developing smart ticketing, taking a
close involvement in liaising with local councils and transport
authorities.
She said:“I am delighted to be joining the first class team
at Stagecoach and I look forward to contributing to the
continuation of the very successful company strategy.”
Glittering
performance
Andy Campbell (second from right) receives the
Partnership Award on behalf of Stagecoach East.
LUXURY coach service
MegabusGold.com shone at the recent
2013 Route One Operator Excellence
Awards.
The new product won the Innovation
Award, while Stagecoach East – along with
Cambridgeshire County Council and VIX
Technology – took the Partnership Award for
the Cambridge Guided Busway project.
Elizabeth Esnouf, Managing Director
of Stagecoach’s UK Coach division, said:
“megabusGold.com is one of the most
innovative coach products to be launched in
the UK for a number of years and it is very
pleasing to win this award.”
Stagecoach East Managing Director Andy
Campbell added: “Partnership working has
been central to the success of the busway and
we look forward to seeing even more people
using it in the years to come.”
Drivers are true Bravehearts
TWO Scottish drivers who took on a knifewielding passenger have been honoured for their
bravery.
Fife-based Michael Shanks and Robin Goodfellow
restrained the armed schoolboy and managed to take the
knife from him while pupil passenger Keli Dalrymple
called the police.
The courage of all three was recognised recently by
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, who presented
Michael , Robin and Keli with Brave@Heart Awards
during a special ceremony at Edinburgh Castle.
Colin Ashcroft,
Operations
manager at
Stagecoach
South’s
Worthing depot,
presents Tina
with her ticket
to a weekend of
fun in Brighton.
Robin Goodfellow (left) from Fife’s Rennies
depot and Michael Shanks (right) from
Dunfermline depot joined brave schoolgirl
Keli Dalrymple to receive Brave@Heart
Awards from First Minister Alex Salmond.
And the winner is…
WORTHING mum Tina Pike enjoyed a mini holiday
in Brighton after winning Stagecoach South’s Coastliner
700 competition.
The contest was designed to encourage more people to explore
their local coastline, and Tina said she couldn’t believe it when she
learned she’d won.
“I literally jumped up and down – I was so excited!,” she added.
3
Cuppa boosts
cancer support
EAST Midlands Trains joined in
the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
to help raise funds for the Macmillan
Cancer Support charity.
The rail operator asked all customers to
get on board and make a donation either
on the train or at their local station.
Kelda Bassett, Service Development
Manager for East Midlands Trains, said:
“This was a great opportunity for our
employees and customers to help raise
some valuable funds for such a worthy
charity.”
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Stations set shining example
FIVE stations and five East
Midlands Trains employees received
winners’ awards in the company’s
2013 Best Stations Awards. Sheffield remained unbeaten as Best
Large Station, picking up the award for
the second year running.
Best Medium Station was awarded to
Loughborough while Melton Mowbray
received the award for Best Small Station
for the second year running. The award
for most improved station was awarded
to Matlock while Longton station won
the Community Partnership Award. Two East Midlands Trains’ station
employees – Gary Smedley from
Nottingham station and Nicky Baxter
from Sheffield Station – jointly won the
award for their Outstanding Personal
Contribution, with ten other employees
receiving a highly commended award.
Stuart Scott from Lincoln and Cheryl
Platform reborn
WATERLOO’S former international
terminal started to come back to life
as the South West Trains-Network Rail
Alliance took its first steps towards
re-opening one of the five platforms at
the facility.
Six months ahead of schedule, Platform 20
welcomed its first passenger train service in
over six years following a special agreement
between the South West Trains-Network Rail
Alliance and the Department for Transport. This means it can be used to relieve
congestion at London Waterloo during
times of disruption while preparations are
continuing to bring Platform 20 fully into use
for timetabled services from May 2014.
It will help accommodate the 108 additional
carriages which will be introduced from this
winter to provide extra capacity for around
23,000 peak-time passengers a day.
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LONG-SERVING employees
and recent retirees of the South
West Trains-Network Rail Alliance
took to the water to enjoy a special
celebratory meal.
The colleagues boarded the luxury
cruiser Erasmus for the trip on the
Thames, and each received a certificate
from Alliance Managing Director Tim
Shoveller.
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The long-serving and retired staff
after their Thames cruise.
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The East Midlands Trains award winners with
their prizes.
Parkin from the company’s head office in Derby also
received awards for their support to the station’s team. Andy Moore, Head of Stations for East Midlands
Trains, said: “We have some great stations and it’s
always a tough task choosing the winners, but we
were pleased to see such a range of high-quality
entries again this year and our congratulations go to
all the winners.”
Food, glorious food
EAST Midlands Trains gave out more than 1200
free breakfast rolls to customers to mark the launch
of its brand new First Class offer.
Customers travelling in First Class on East Midlands Trains
services now benefit from a complimentary breakfast on any
train arriving into London before 10 am on weekdays.
A brand new all-day menu has also been launched with
the introduction of tasty dishes such as antipasto, chilli con
carne, vegetable tagine and a cheese platter. Singing butlers Alberto and Maxwell serve a free breakfast roll
to passenger Jack Wilson to mark the launch of East Midlands
Trains’ new First Class service.
First-class day out
A PARTY of brave children were
treated to a VIP day out in London,
thanks to East Midlands Trains.
The youngsters, all of whom have
experienced the death of a loved-one,
boarded the first class train for some
sightseeing and a special meal.
And East Midlands Trains driver Matt
Goodlad and colleagues also raised enough
money to make sure all the children were
treated to a ride on the London Eye.
Tracey Brailsford, Ashgate Hospice’s
Family Support Team Manager, said:“It
The VIP passengers with East Midlands Trains Managing
Director David Horne (left) and Ashley Bear.
was a brilliant day and everyone was so lovely – from the
train driver who let the children see what the driver’s cab
was like to the catering staff who somehow managed to
cook burger and chips for everyone on the way home – on
top of catering for all the other passengers on the train!”
Trendsetting tram
SHEFFIELD Supertram was all the rage recently
as it helped showcase some of Meadowhall Shopping
Centre’s top fashion trends to amazed commuters
travelling on the Meadowhall to Sheffield tram line.
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Record donation to railway children
Free travel to training is boosting the
career of javelin athlete Hollie Arnold.
A RECORD-BREAKING donation by
East Midlands Trains and Stagecoach is set
to make a big difference for street children
across the globe.
Railway Children – which fights for vulnerable
children at risk of abuse and exploitation on
A sporting chance
A PROMISING athlete has been
given a helping hand by Stagecoach
South Wales.
The company has given British
Paralympic javelin competitor Hollie
Arnold a 52-week megarider gold ticket
to help her travel to training in Cardiff.
A delighted Hollie who won a
Gold medal at the 2013 IPC Athletics
World Championships in Lyon, said:“I
commute to and from my training base
in Cardiff every day so it will save me a
full year’s worth of travel costs.
“I can now invest in more training
equipment, which is fantastic! Bus travel
allows me to relax and unwind before
and after training.”
Safety first
A CLEAN safety
sheet spanning
three and a half
decades has
brought well-earned
recognition for a
Stagecoach bus
driver.
For 35 years, Billy Bradford (pictured)
from Sunderland has driven the roads
of his native North East with no
accidents, and he’s now been presented
with an award by the Road Operators
Safety Council (ROSCO) to mark the
achievement.
Billy (66) said:“I’m really pleased with
the award.There’s no real secret to my
success, I just try to keep out of trouble
when I’m on the road and stick to the
job at hand.
“I thoroughly enjoy driving and my
job, so to be recognised for doing it well
is great.”
Sweet success
STAFF at Group HQ in Perth
raised almost £500 for Macmillan
Cancer thanks to a home baking
sale and dress-down day.
The company then topped up the
amount raised to give a grand total of
£1000 for the worthy cause.Thanks to
everyone who contributed.
the streets – has received the largest ever charity
donation made by the train operator.
Over £34,500 was raised by East Midlands Trains
through a special train run from London St Pancras
to Alfreton.
A cheque for that amount was presented to the
international charity at a Derby dinner where
Stagecoach Chairman and keynote speaker Sir
Brian Souter surprised the 450 guests by pledging
that Stagecoach would double the donation to a
grand total of £69,092. East Midlands Trains Managing Director David
Horne (centre), with Vicky Binley, Commercial
Director, and Howard Johnston, Chairman for
Mainspring, who organised the special dinner.
Awards hail success
in the community
STAGECOACH’S rail franchises picked
up five awards and three runners-up prizes
in this year’s Community Rail Awards.
At East Midlands Trains, the North
Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership
collected winner’s awards in the category of Best
Small Community Project and Outstanding
Teamwork.
East Midlands Trains also collected first prize
in the community rail photo competition and
the Belper station volunteers team received third
place in the category of Best Station Volunteer
Project for the transition of Belper station garden.
The Poacher Line Community Rail
Partnership won second place in the innovative
stations at small projects award.
South West Trains’Three Rivers Community
Rail Partnership picked up first place for its
‘Marwell Zoo Bus Leaflet’ linking up bus
Career development
STAGECOACH South West
stuck to the schedule to help
two local radio stars complete a
charity challenge.
Radio Devon presenters David
Sheppard and David Fitzgerald raced
to be the first to visit all 41 of the
county’s towns and cities using only
the local bus network – and that
meant they spent most their time
The Stagecoach Group Community Rail Awards
winners.
services from rail stations to key tourist attractions in
Hampshire.
Meanwhile, the Lymington-Brockenhurst and Isle
of Wight Community Rail Partnerships collected the
winner’s award for the ‘Exploring the Solent and Isle
of Wight Map Boards’ project.The Chandlers Ford
fundraising tea stall also received second place in the
Outstanding Teamwork award.
UK BUS division colleagues who completed their first
Engineering Development Programme were treated to a
celebration dinner to mark their achievement.
The programme involves a series of external courses plus a short
secondment to another company and on-the-job training.
Pictured at the event are (front, from left): Mark Duffy (East
Scotland), Rob Crispin (London) and Alec Bradley (South). Back
(from left) are:Vishaal Singh (London), Sam Lloyd (South West),
Dave Pilbeam (London) and Alan Stewart (West Scotland).
Ride on-time
travelling with Stagecoach South West.
The fun challenge received major
radio and television coverage across
the week and services ran perfectly
to time.
Radio racer David Sheppard plans his
next bus journey.
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On board for
customer
service week
STAGECOACH made the most of National
Customer Service Week this year with its businesses
across the UK taking part in the initiative.
The Group’s bus division celebrated the national campaign
with a range of activities at its local bus companies.
Stagecoach directors and managers carried out frontline
duties, as well as participating in temporary job swaps with
other members of staff.
Meanwhile, some of Stagecoach’s local bus operations held
‘Meet the Manager’ sessions while customers were invited to
nominate their favourite Customer Service Star in their local
area.
At East Midlands Trains, free tickets were given away and
there were on-board quizzes and colouring competitions.
Bike-themed events were also held for customers, along with
competitions and displays from local groups at train stations
across the network.
Stagecoach Supertram used the week to launch a
month-long programme of events for customers, including
‘Meet the Manager’ sessions, inviting customer feedback
through a survey and running a competition to spot
‘Supertram Man’ around Sheffield.
There was also a campaign to find the Supertram
Customer Service Star.
nagers
Assistant Operations Ma
Stagecoach South West
nager
Ma
the
et
Me
a
at
Jones
Chris Comer and Trevor
.
hop
vels
Tra
ter
session at Exe
distribute
In South Wales, a bus was set up to
on.
mati
infor
ce
servi
and
s
pack
fast
break
Andrew Dyer, MD of Stagecoach
South gets behind the wheel for
a shift.
and
out 500 breakfast bags,
Sunderland depot handed
nts.
ipie
rec
the
ong
am
e
these three schoolgirls wer
Gloucester Operations Manager
James Williams was in the driving
seat during the week.
The Public
Transport
Appreciation
Society
boarded
Exeter
buses for
impromptu
performances.
Moving performances
BUS passengers had some surprise treats during Exeter’s
first Unexpected Arts Festival.
A group of actors from the Public Transport Appreciation Society
(PTAS) travelled on Stagecoach buses across the city, engaging
customers with songs, puzzles – and even a bit of cleaning!
West Scotland Managing Director
Edward Hodgson goes back to
driving duties for the day.
delighted to be
North East driver Terry Rooke was
.
named Customer Service Champion
A HAPPY Hull driver
was given another reason
to be cheerful when he
took top place at the
2013 Stagecoach East
Midlands Customer
Service Awards.
Customers complimented
Kevin Bryant on his friendly
attitude and willingness to
help anyone getting on his
bus, with one commenting:
“He is always smiling!”
Keith Holmes, also from
Hull, was runner-up, and
25 more drivers from across
Stagecoach East Midlands
were commended.
Smiles all round
Kevin Bryan receives his award from
Hull Operations Manager David
Conway.
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RAIL passengers are secure in the
knowledge that they can enjoy travel
through safe and secure stations and
car parks.
Seventeen of South West Trains Network Rail Alliance’s station car parks
were recently re-accredited with Park
Mark status, taking the total across the
network to be accredited with secure
station status to over 100. Meanwhile, at East Midlands Trains,
eight stations on the network have been
re-accredited with secure station status.
Stagecoach’s
Lincolnshire Day
bus.
Flying the flag
A COLOURFUL bus really flew
the flag for a special event in Lincolnshire.
Stagecoach East Midlands celebrated
the annual Lincolnshire Day by decking
out a double-decker in the spectacular
colours of the Lincolnshire Flag.
The bus formed the centrepiece
of the city centre festivities and was
surrounded by stalls showcasing local
produce.
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Stations safe
and secure
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CLAPHAM Junction Station has
seen the light when it comes to
cutting energy costs.
The busy facility is benefiting from
a new eco-friendly intelligent lighting
system which automatically determines
the lighting levels required at different
times of the day – matching lighting to
train timetables, passenger presence and
natural light levels.
South West Trains-Network Rail
Alliance Environment Manager Amy
Dickinson said: “Reducing our energy
consumption is a challenging but crucial
aspect of our business.”
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the green scene
Millions invested in eco-fleet
STAGECOACH Midlands has
invested £2.25 million on 15 stateof-the art buses for services in the
Leamington, Warwick and Coventry
areas.
Invited guests gather to mark the launch of the
new Stagecoach Midlands buses.
The new fleet, all with Wi-Fi
on-board, mark the second major
investment at Leamington depot in the
last two years following the introduction
of 10 new buses on the Unibus route.
The buses were launched at Chesford
Grange Hotel in Kenilworth by
Councillor Dave Shilton, Chair of
Warwickshire County Council, and
Stagecoach Midlands Managing
Director, Steve Burd.
Steve said: “This is a huge investment
in our services and it demonstrates our
commitment to continually invest in
our bus services for the benefit of our
passengers.”
Green fleet hits the streets
CANTERBURY’S first
bio-buses have hit the
road, bringing the latest
in clean, green travel to
the ancient cathedral city.
The six new vehicles,
which run on 100% biofuel,
were launched at an event
held at the University of
Kent.
Philip Norwell, managing
director of Stagecoach in
East Kent said: “We have a
responsibility to look after
our environment whilst
continuing to provide the
public transport that people
are increasingly choosing to
use to get around East Kent.
“Our investment in these
Stagecoach and University staff, plus special guests, celebrate the
£1 million-plus investment in bio-buses in East Kent.
ultra-modern vehicles is testament to our commitment to
providing quality bus travel in Canterbury to help cut traffic
congestion, whilst also continually reducing our own carbon
footprint.”
Picture of
the Season
WIN A
£50
VOUCHER
This edition’s winning Picture
of the Season was taken by
Calum Durward, who works
at Stagecoach Group headquarters in Perth. It shows an
open-top Stagecoach bus at Lake
Windermere in the Lake District.
Congratulations to Calum who will shortly receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers.
From the next issue of On Stage, Picture of the Season will be changing to ‘Picture This’
and we are now looking for transport-related photos of any kind – they no longer have to be
connected to a particular season of the year.
If you have any good photos please send them to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach
Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com
7
Classic route boost
A JOURNEY back in time is helping
a wonderful cause in Eastbourne.
Stagecoach South East has donated £360 to
St Wilfrid’s Hospice after pledging a percentage
of proceeds from route 110, the classic bus
route it operated in July and August as part of
its celebrations of the 110 year anniversary of
Eastbourne bus services.
Simon Cosham
(left) from St
Wilfrid’s is presented
with a cheque by
Bill Weatherley,
Eastbourne
Depot’s Operations
Manager.
Stagecoach MD
Christopher
Bowles and
Angela Daniel
from St Ann’s
Hospice
celebrate the
company’s
fundraising
efforts.
A
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ANNIVE
Awards recognise excellence
TWO Coach Canada employees have
earned recognition in the Ontario Motor
Coach Association (OMCA) Awards.
Lyn Morrow, Maintenance Administrator for
Coach Canada, was the recipient of the 2013
OMCA Employee Excellence Award.
Lyn’s ability to maintain the constant flow of
information accurately on the company’s nine
facilities and 500+ vehicles is second to none.
To add to this level of responsibility, Lyn also
heads up many fundraising committees within
Coach Canada and donates her spare time
outside of work. Lyn also recently received a
Stagecoach Community Champion Award.
Carl Rowe was awarded the 2013 OMCA
Driver Award. He has been a full-time highway
coach driver for Coach Canada since August
2005.
Carl is a hard-working, dedicated driver who
is committed to his customer from start to finish
on each and every charter. He is requested by
many return clients because they feel safe and
sound as a result of his excellent driving skills.
Carl has also received the Infrastructure Health
and Safety Association Driving Achievement
each years running.
Milestone for Megabus
MEGABUS.COM US has reached a
major milestone, having now carried 30
million passengers across North America.
The low-cost coach provider has expanded
rapidly over the course of its seven-year
existence, from serving seven cities to/from
Chicago in April 2006 to now serving more
than 100 cities across North America.
“Megabus.com’s is now the travel option of
choice for more than 30 million people, and
we’re thrilled to serve them as our passengers,”
said Mike Alvich, megabus.com’s Vice President
of Marketing and Public Relations.
“Our customers continue to look for ways
to stretch their hard-earned dollar, and we
look forward to providing them with a safe,
convenient and affordable travel option.”
megabus.com is widely known for making
bus travel “a cool thing,” according to Joseph
P. Schwieterman, Professor, School of Public
Service and Director of Chaddick Institute
for Metropolitan Development at DePaul
University.
Uni’s founding
professors honoured
Routemaster return
ONE of Stagecoach London’s
heritage buses from route 15 made a
guest appearance in Romford Market
to help publicise the launch of Havering
Museum’s ‘Havering on the Move’
exhibition.
The bus attracted a great deal of interest from
young and old alike and the museum reported
a healthy increase in visitors to see the history
of transport in Havering.
A RY
Stagecoach
London Managing
Director Mark
Threapleton (right)
with Omololu
(centre) and his
dad Kehinde.
ERS
A PROMISING sprinter with a
special family connection to Stagecoach
is being given a helping hand by the
company.
Stagecoach London is sponsoring talented
sprinter Omololu Abiodun, whose dad
Kehinde is a driver at Leyton Garage.
The 21-year-old athlete was a double
gold medallist at the 2013 Essex County
Championship for the 100m and 200m events
and his ambitions include competing in the
Commonwealth Games next year.
AN
IV
On the run
on stage
RY
N
uk bus / north america
Guests attend the naming event at the University of
Warwick Campus.
ACADEMIC giants from the
University of Warwick’s history
have inspired new names for
Stagecoach’s Unibus vehicles in
the city.
The company has named nine buses
after the professors who founded
the University in the mid-1960s,
covering disciplines including French,
Engineering, History, Mathematics,
Politics and Chemistry.
Steve Burd, Managing Director for
Stagecoach Midlands said “We wanted
to honour the professors who founded
the University and naming the buses
was a good way to do that.”
Thousands raised for hospice
STAGECOACH Manchester is
celebrating the end of a hugely successful
charity partnership which saw the company
raise over £20,000 for St Ann’s Hospice.
The region’s leading local bus operator has
supported the charity over the past two years, with
the company’s five depots taking part in various
activities to raise funds. Christopher Bowles, Managing Director of
Stagecoach Manchester, said:“We have been
overwhelmed by the response from our staff and
drivers, and the challenges they have undertaken in
order to raise money for this worthwhile charity.
“We wish St Ann’s all the best for the future
as it continues to play a vital role in the local
community.”
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A
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ANNIVE
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A spot of lunch
ERS
PORTSMOUTH
Assistant Engineering
manager Simon Davis
has clocked up 30 years
with Stagecoach and
its Portsmouth City
Transport predecessor.
Richard Alexander, Engineering Director
at Stagecoach South, said:“I am delighted to
express my appreciation and congratulations
to Simon for his continued commitment and
dedication to the company.”
AN
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Three decades on
on stage
RY
N
people page
Quickfire round – Sir Brian Souter
irman
Stagecoach co-founder and Group Cha
Who are you? Sir Brian Souter,
Stagecoach co-founder and Group
Chairman
r
What do you like most about you
as I
job? I’m doing the things I love best
am passionate about public transport
r
What do you like least about you
ents
accid
us
serio
for
ntial
job? The pote
ider
with loss of life that we have to cons
ey
Abb
nton
Dow
?
show
Favourite TV
Biggest achievement? Still being
ing
around in the same industry and hold
s.
the reins of the company for 33 year
Worst job? Making large redundancies
at Ribble in the early 1990s
Most
embarrassing
moment?
Locked out of
hotel room with
no clothes on.
Fortunately I
had a Financial
Times at hand!
Dream job?
The one I am
presently doing
Favourite animal? Pandas
Most like to be stuck in an elevator
with? War ren Buffet
New director on board
The Stagecoach Stroud Depot Pensioners
on their lunch outing.
THE Stagecoach Stroud Depot
Pensioners enjoyed their annual
lunch recently in Gloucester.
Stagecoach Managing Director Ian
Manning attended and the group were
well looked after by Stroud Depot
Manager Laura Smith.
Loyal service
AFTER completing the Graduate Training
Programme at Stagecoach North East seven years ago,
Matthew Cranwell has now returned to the local bus
company as Operations Director.
Matthew (32) will oversee the everyday operations of the
company by working closely with the Operations Managers at
each of its six depots.
He said: “When the opportunity arose at Stagecoach North
East I had no hesitation in taking it. It’s nice to see so many
familiar faces and they’ve made me feel right at home.”
Meanwhile, Simone Smith, who is in her second year on the
Graduate Training Programme, has been appointed Assistant
Operations Manager at Walkergate depot.
Ray bids farewell
STAGECOACH South East recently
celebrated 960 years of service from 33
members of staff at its Long Service
Awards Dinner.
The event was attended by recently retired
former MD Paul Southgate, who received a
40-years’ service award.
CONTACTS
Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage,
Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road,
Perth, PH1 5TW
Email:
lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com
www.stagecoach.com
If you have a story for On Stage,
please contact Lindsay Reid as above.
The copy deadline for
the next edition
of On Stage
will be Friday,
December 13.
New North East Operations
Director Matthew Cranwell.
Sir Brian Souter congratulates Ray
on his retirement.
STAGECOACH Midlands Commercial Projects
Officer Ray Ramsey retired recently after 50 years’ service.
He originally joined United Counties in 1963 which was later
bought by Stagecoach.
During a recent visit to Northampton head office, Stagecoach
Group Chairman Sir Brian Souter thanked Ray for his long and
valuable contribution to the and wished him a long and happy
retirement.
Ray is interested in public transport as a hobby and he is a
keen record and CD collector.
He has been married to Mary for 16 years and they have two
sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.
Gareth conquers Kilimanjaro
BOURNEMOUTH train guard Gareth Bishop
recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and raised more
than £1300 for Greyhound Rescue West of England
(GRWE).
South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance employee Gareth
said:“It was by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my life
but at the same time the most exciting and rewarding.”
Gareth stands atop Africa’s
highest mountain.
9