On Stage Issue 71 - Stagecoach Group

WHAT A RESULT!
The newspaper of Stagecoach Group Issue 71 Summer 08
New figures
reveal business
is booming
SPECIAL FEATURE
PAGE 4
Top of the Scots
2 VIP passenger 5
Tree-mendous effort 8-9
Tribute to Trina
11
GROUP PLAN TO CUT
CARBON FOOTPRINT
A MAJOR new drive has been
launched by Stagecoach Group to
cut its carbon footprint and attract
more people to greener, smarter
public transport.
Work has started on developing a
Group-wide carbon management
programme to improve the
environmental sustainability of the
company’s operations.
And there are plans for a major
marketing campaign to use the
superior environmental performance
of public transport to encourage
intelligent car use and more use of
buses, coaches, trams and trains.
Climate change is one of the most
serious challenges facing our world
and the choices we all make every
day – including how we get to work
and the way we travel on holiday –
affect the planet we will entrust to
future generations.
Government studies such as the
Stern Review and the Eddington
Report have made clear that
emissions from transport are growing.
They also show that we can achieve
significant economic and social
benefits from more environmentally
sustainable ways of living.
Public transport is an important
part of the solution, and Stagecoach
is already working with the
Government, local authorities and
its suppliers to develop a range of
transport solutions.
The Group’s wide-ranging environmental
strategy already
includes investment
in renewable fuels and
cleaner engines, state-ofthe-art
energy-efficient facilities,
water and waste recycling initiatives
and offering businesses green travel
incentives for their employees.
The climate change strategy is being
updated and Stagecoach is committed
to introducing a Group-wide carbon
management programme.
The company has formed an
internal cross-functional working
group and is using external
consultants to more accurately assess
greenhouse gas emissions, fix new
key performance indicators and
targets, and share best practice across
divisions.
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group
Chief Executive, said: “Recent
research by Stagecoach has confirmed
that environmental concerns are
increasingly driving customer
behaviour.
“If environmental issues are
important to our customers, they have
to be important to us as a business.
“We believe this represents a
significant opportunity for our
business and we need to actively
market our greener smarter travel
services to show how they can help
people have a greener lifestyle and cut
their own carbon footprint.”
NEW SHARESAVE PLANNED
STAGECOACH Group is set to
offer a new SAYE sharesave scheme
for UK-based employees.
The new SAYE scheme – which
will commence on 1 October
2008, and run for three years – is
being offered in partnership with
Yorkshire Building Society.
It is proposed that SAYE options
will be offered at a discount to the
share price fixed on 4 August 2008.
Information and posters will be
sent to all depots at the end of July,
and full application details will be
sent to all UK employees on
5 August.
Registration for the scheme will
close on 25 August at 5pm, with the
first contributions collected from
wages during September.
Adam Plant (left) and Dave Stannard paddled 275 miles for charity.
Paddle power pulls in the pounds
AN ARMADA of kayaks
welcomed a pair of paddlers
back from a marathon charity
adventure.
The well-wishers greeted
Dave Stannard and Adam
Plant from East Midlands
Trains as they arrived at
Sheffield Quays.
The flotilla marked the end
of a 275-mile journey for the
Krazy Kayakers, who made
the London to Sheffield
trip to raise £2500 for the
premature baby charity
BLISS.
Adam said: “I know that
money will be put to the very
best of use.
“I don’t mind admitting
that this has been the single
most difficult experience of
my life. It seemed at times
like everything was against
us, from bad weather to all
those dreaded locks. But I’m
so proud of what we have
achieved.”
To find out more about the
Krazy Kayakers, read their
blog or even make a donation,
visit www.krazykayaks.
blogspot.com

Important
job for John
EAST Midlands Trains has appointed
John Hillman to the newly created
position of Stakeholder Development
Manager.
John has worked in the rail industry
since 1983 in a variety of retail and
customer service management roles
and more recently as Head of Drivers
for Central Trains.
He said: “I believe that the future
is full of opportunities for the rail
industry.
“Our engagement with our
stakeholders will have a significant
impact on us growing passenger
numbers and allowing us to deliver
a sustainable travel network for the
benefit of all.”
David Horne, Commercial Director
for East Midlands Trains, added:
“Appointing a dedicated Stakeholder
Development Manager was one of
our franchise bid commitments and I
am delighted to welcome John to my
team.
“He will play a key role in
achieving our business targets.”
Coach USA
appoints CFO
ROSS Kinnear has been promoted
to Chief Financial Officer, North
America.
Reporting to Dale Moser, Chief
Operating Officer, Coach USA,
Ross will be principally based at the
company’s offices in Paramus, New
Jersey.
Ross, who was previously at
Stagecoach headquarters in Perth,
is now responsible for all the
financial affairs of the Group’s North
American business and his direct
reports are now Bill Budds, Jerry
Lunanuova and Elena Berezhnaya.
Meanwhile, Nicola Salmond,
previously Financial Accounting
Manager at Stagecoach Group, has
been promoted to Group Financial
Controller, reporting to Ross Paterson
(Director of Finance).
Nicola is now responsible for
all aspects of Group accounting,
financial reporting, business
planning, budgeting and forecasting.
New head for
megabus.com
MATT Eggert has moved from
Chicago to New Jersey to head up
megabus.com in the United States in
the position of Operations Manager.
He has successfully managed the
megabus.com network in Chicago,
overseeing its growth over the past
two years, and he will now be at the
heart of the development of the new
north east network.
Matt is moving to the Elizabeth,
NJ, operations depot where has been
overseeing the driver training and the
launch of the new customer service
centre.
2
Summer 08
Say your prayers!
A CHELTENHAM leading driver
had to be shown the ropes for a
daring charity event.
But James Heaney soon rose to
the challenge of a 100-foot abseil
from the top of a local church,
raising £213 for The Stroke
Association.
“When I was at the top I was very
nervous,” admitted James.
“Being asked to lean back when
STAGECOACH Devon always tries
to make travelling by bus a pleasant
and relaxing experience, but now it
can be a stimulating one as well.
The company has teamed up with
the Faculty of Arts at Plymouth
University to showcase the work of
some of its final year students on
the county’s bus network over the
summer.
The project was the idea of
student Pauline Chee-A-Nam. She
approached Stagecoach Devon
about the possibility of using the
digital LED information boards on
the company’s fleet to show her
project ‘Art Movement’, a series
of messages designed to make the
passenger think and hopefully smile
over the course of their journey.
The displays mirror the Poems on
the Underground that have proved
you’re stood on the top of a
100-foot-high church tower isn’t the
most natural thing in the world.
“However, once I got going, there
was no stopping me. Two bounces
later I was at the bottom!”
The Stroke Association helps
people affected by stroke get the
care and support they need.
For further information, visit
www.stroke.org.uk.
TOPPING THE LEAGUE
OF SCOTLAND’S PLCS
Free or cheaper travel is helping Hampshire’s young athletes get the support they
need to succeed.
Travel aid for promising stars
YOUNG athletes aiming for the
top are getting off to a flying
start thanks to Stagecoach and
South West Trains.
The two companies are
providing free or reduced-cost
travel through the Hampshire
Talented Athlete Scheme. The
initiative has been spearheaded
by Sport Hampshire and Isle
of Wight in partnership with
Hampshire County Council,
Southampton City Council and
Portsmouth City Council.
Stagecoach is providing up to
25 bus passes for use by up-andcoming
athletes across its buses
in Hampshire, while South West
Trains is pitching in with up to
200 Young Person’s Railcards.
Budding artists on the move
such a success in London, and were
launched in the city to mark the
opening of the university’s new
highly acclaimed Roland Levinsky
arts building on the main campus in
the city’s North Hill area.
A double-decker Stagecoach bus
was draped in banners advertising
the students’ final year degree show,
with samples of the work displayed
in the cove panels onboard. The
bus carried members of the press,
students and dignitaries from the
university’s site at Royal William
Yard to the official unveiling
ceremony of the Levinsky building.
Pauline said: “Given I’m just a
student I really didn’t expect the
company to be interested, but they
were fantastic. I think it is great that
they are so supportive of the arts
and the launch was overwhelming.
James Heaney takes the
plunge from St Barnabas
Church in Tuffley,
Gloucester.
STAGECOACH Group has been
named Scottish plc of the year.
The company received the
prestigious accolade at the 10th
annual Scottish Business Insider and
PricewaterhouseCoopers Scotland
plc Awards in April.
Stagecoach was also runner-up
in the Innovation category of
the awards, which were held at
Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel.
The Group beat off competition
from Wood Group and last year’s
winner Aggreko to win the top
award.
The judges described Stagecoach
as “a company that participates in
the whole economy in Scotland” and
paid tribute to Chief Executive Brian
Souter’s entrepreneurial leadership
in developing new services in a
traditional sector.
Brian Souter said: “I am delighted
Stagecoach has been recognised with
such a prestigious award.
“For the past three decades,
Stagecoach has been a market leader
in developing new ideas in public
transport and delivering first-class
service to our passengers.
“This award would not have
been possible without the huge
commitment of our employees
here in Scotland and across our
international operations, as well as
the support of our shareholders,
transport partners and customers.”
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and
Sustainable Growth, John Swinney
MSP, who presented the awards,
said: “This government is acting to
make Scotland more competitive, but
we will depend on the creativity and
dynamism of the private sector to
drive increased sustainable economic
growth.
“That’s why I am delighted to
see these business people and
the companies they run receiving
the recognition they thoroughly
deserve.”
Frank Blin, Head of UK Regions for
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, added:
“In the ten years that we have held
the plc Awards we have experienced
seismic changes in Scotland’s plc
community.
“Some have enjoyed immense
growth and success on a global
stage, whilst others have been lost to
foreign buyers.
“Companies like Stagecoach are a
great example of how a home-grown,
family business can embrace the
public markets to fuel growth both
here and internationally.”
Student Pauline Chee-A-Nam records the launch of Stagecoach’s art on the buses.
“A bus journey can often be a time
to sit and collect our thoughts and
it’s during these reflective moments
I’m hoping to catch people’s
attention and give them something
to enjoy.”
Richard Stevens, Operations
Director at Stagecoach Devon, said:
“The project caught our imagination
and it’s nice to be able do something
for budding local artists while
giving passengers something
different to consider during their
journey.”

GREEN TRAVEL
GAINS GROUND
CONSUMER concerns about
the environment and health are
helping drive a shift from car
travel to greener public transport,
according to new research.
More than 10% of people surveyed
by Stagecoach Group have changed
their mode of transport in the last
three years as public concern about
climate change continues to grow in
the UK.
Stagecoach found that, of those
who had previously used the car,
36% had switched to the bus, 30%
now walked and 5% changed to
travel by train.
The study of more than 4,000
consumers revealed that 12% of
respondents changed mode as a
result of environmental considerations,
while 20% cited health
reasons.
Some 47% of respondents said they
were using their car less, with 36%
stating an increased use of buses
Safety first
DAVID Maxwell is East Midlands
Trains’ new Safety and Environmental
Director.
David (44), who’s originally
from Liverpool, was most
recently Head of Safety and
Environment for Westinghouse
and has worked in the rail
industry for over 20 years.
His latest move marks a full
circle for David as he spent part
of his early railway career as a
British Rail Management trainee
based at Derby back in 1987.
David said: “I have worked in
many roles in the industry from
the footplate to the boardroom
and I want to make a true
difference to our safety record
and environmental impact.
“I believe that, by engaging
with our staff, we will drive
improvements in these two key
areas.”
David lives in Tamworth and
has two teenage sons. He is a
member of the Territorial Army
where he is a Sergeant in 275
Railway Troop, part of the Royal
Logistic Corps.
In his spare time he also finds
time to play rugby union and
enjoys travelling and hill walking.
and 19% said they made more use
of trains.
Research also found that:
with a company whose ethics
supported the environment
more for public transport that is
environmentally sustainable
the car to the bus if it was fuelled
by biodiesel.
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group
Chief Executive, said: “These
results confirm that environmental
concerns are increasingly driving
customer behaviour and a growing
number of people are now making
more intelligent use of the car.
“With increasing car congestion
and high fuel prices, we are starting
to see a fundamental shift towards
public transport.
“We believe there is significant
Public transport is ahead of cars in the race for greener, smarter travel.
opportunity to attract more people
to greener, smarter travel to help
them reduce their carbon footprint
and tackle the challenge of climate
change.”
The survey results were revealed
as Stagecoach continued a major
drive to make its own business more
sustainable and attract more people
St Pancras International station has put many more Europe-bound passengers on the trains.
YOUNG rugby enthusiasts have
been given a smart boost by
their local bus company.
Stagecoach in Fife teamed
up with Beath High School’s
rugby team, the Beath Bulls, to
provide them with brand new
kits.
Lauren Kobilnyk, Marketing
Manager for Stagecoach East
Scotland, said: “We are keen to
support the local community
and saw this sponsorship as an
opportunity to contribute to the
development of young people
in the area.
“We’d like to wish the team
all the best for the remaining
season and hope they are happy
with the new kits.”
Grateful Beath Bulls coaches
Allan Neill and Michael Rankin
added: “With the support from
Stagecoach in Fife, the Bulls will
continue to grow in strength
and we sincerely thank them for
their support and the wonderful
opportunity this has provided.”
The Beath Bulls show off their new
Stagecoach-sponsored strips.
to travel by bus, coach, train and
tram.
The Group’s wide-ranging strategy
includes investment in renewable
fuels and cleaner engines, state-ofthe-art
energy efficient facilities,
water and waste recycling initiatives
and offering businesses green travel
incentives for their employees.
PASSENGERS buying through rail
tickets with East Midlands Trains
and Eurostar are helping to swell
the number of people travelling to
Europe via rail to an all-time high.
Eurostar has reported an increase in
passenger numbers as the opening of
St Pancras International station and
the debut of a £5.8 billion high-speed
link through south England lured
more passengers from the region to
travel to the continent by rail.
Eurostar said 2.17 million customers
travelled between London, Paris and
Youth Club
donation is
just the ticket
SOUTH West Trains has put
Hampshire youngsters on the
right track.
A donation from the rail
operator has helped to set up a
new youth club in Portchester.
The contribution was
instigated by Dave Cannons,
who works for South West Trains
at London Waterloo station.
Dave secured the £2,000
donation to fund laptops with
educational software.
Sarah Moss, Centre Manager
for the Westlands Youth Group,
said: “Funding for organisations
such as ourselves is vital and we
would like to express our thanks
to South West Trains for its
donation.
“Membership has now reached
over 50 with weekly sessions
where young people enjoy
not only the wireless-enabled
laptops but play pool, table
tennis, table football, arts, crafts
and games.”
Mark Dunn, South West
Trains’ Area Manager, added:
“It’s vital that we give young
adults something constructive
to do in their spare time and
the Westlands Youth Centre
provides youngsters with a fun
and educational experience,
which cuts down the dangerous
pastime of using the railway as a
playground.”
Continental shift to rail
as Brits flock overseas
Brussels in the first three months of
the year, an increase of more than
21.3% on the same period in 2007.
Simon Montague, Eurostar’s
Director of Communication, said
the service was benefiting from
shorter journey times thanks to the
high-speed link.
“We have seen the number of
travellers from the East Midlands and
Yorkshire more than double in the
first three months since we started
running 186mph services on High
Speed 1,” he added.
Kit is scrumthing special
Summer 08 3

STRONG PERFORMANCE AS TRAVELLERS DITCH CARS FOR BUSES AND TRAINS
ECO-UNEASE FUELS
SUPERB RESULTS
STAGECOACH Group has
posted a strong set of financial
results as high fuel prices, rising
congestion and concerns
over climate change drive
more people to switch from
the car to bus and train.
Revenue from the Group’s
continuing operations shot up by
more than 17% for the 12 months
ending April 30, 2008, while profit
before taxation jumped from
£162m to £174.4m.
Stagecoach recorded its sixth
successive year of organic growth
at its UK Bus division, with an
extra 21m passengers getting on
board – a rise of 3.6%.
Strong partnerships with
local authorities, coupled with
innovative services and the success
of its telemarketing campaigns,
have also contributed to the huge
return to public transport.
The Group’s rail division, which
now includes the South Western
and East Midlands rail franchises
as well as tram operations in
Sheffield and Manchester, had a
very strong year.
Revenue from UK Rail was up
36.1%, while Virgin Rail Group
(VRG), in which Stagecoach has a
49% shareholding, also performed
strongly.
Stagecoach’s share of VRG’s
profit was up from £18.9m in
NEARLY four centuries of service
were celebrated at a event in South
Wales recently.
Pictured at the Stagecoach in
South Wales long service awards
dinner on June 7 are (back row, from
left): Richard Davies (Commercial
Director); Melvyn Hockey
(Brynmawr Driver) – 25 years’
service; Phillip Pitman, (Porth Driver)
– 20 years; Merlin Jones (Brynmawr
Engineering) – 30 years; Derek Chick
(Porth Driver, retired) – 45 years;
Albert Williams (Caerphilly Leading
Driver) – 20 years; Andrew Rapado
4
Summer 08
2007 to £32.2m in 2008 as passenger
volumes on the West Coast franchise
continue to grow.
Both operating profit and margins
were up in the Group’s North
American business where growth
has continued in sightseeing, charter,
contract, commuter and scheduled
services.
Increased profits across the Group
are being ploughed back into better
services for passengers, including
a record £71m order for new buses
in 2008-09 and investment of
around £180m in improving rail
Centuries of service celebrated
(Revenue Protection Inspector) –
20 years; John Gould (Managing
Director); David Howe (Engineering
Director) – 20 years; Alan Seymour
(Cwmbran Engineering, retired) –
22 years. Front row, from left: Ivor
Williams (Cwmbran Driver) – 20
years; Peter Owen (Merthyr Driver)
– 34 years; Barrie Ware (Caerphilly
Inspector) – 20 years; Terry Watkins
(Cwmbran Driver and union rep,
retired) 44 years; Wayne Evans
(Cwmbran Driver) – 35 years; Lincoln
Alford (Cwmbran Engineering) – 39
years.
services over the lifetime of the
South Western and East Midlands
franchises.
Stagecoach Chief Executive Brian
Souter said: “We believe there are
growing signs of a fundamental
positive shift in customer attitudes
towards public transport, driven by
increasing road congestion, rising
fuel costs and concern about climate
change.
“We are leading the sector in
offering customers greener, smarter
travel to reduce their carbon
footprint.
Door to door
SOUTH West Trains and Island
Line Trains, both Stagecoach
Group rail companies, are to
offer an innovative door-to-door
luggage delivery service.
They have teamed up
with Carry My Luggage, an
independent company that can
collect and distribute baggage to
and from any UK address. It can
also deliver and collect luggage
for some cruise operators at
Southampton Docks.
Carry My Luggage removes
the hassle normally associated
with travelling with luggage by
collecting items prior to travel
and delivering them safely to
their destination.
With its state-of-the-art
tracking systems, Carry My
Luggage monitors every item
from collection through to
delivery, ensuring security and
peace of mind.
Visit www.carrymyluggage.com
for more details.
2008 RESULTS FACTFILE
£1,763.6m
Strong passenger volume and revenue growth at South
Western and East Midlands Trains
Performance objectives in North America achieved ahead
of schedule
Expansion of budget inter-city coach service megabus.com
in North America
Continued strong revenue growth on Virgin West Coast
franchise
“We have strengthened our
position as a leading UK rail
operator, generating strong revenue
growth, winning new contracts and
offering consistently high quality of
service to our customers
“In North America, we are
encouraged by the continuing
strong performance of our business
and we have achieved our objective
of an improved operating margin
ahead of schedule.”
In May/June last year, the Group
completed a significant return of
value to shareholders. Adjusted
STAGECOACH North West will
have no fewer than three entrants
in this year’s Bus Driver of the Year
competition.
West Cumbria driver Brian
Kirkwood, Morecambe driver
Martin Shaplin and Carlisle driver
John Murray have all qualified in
local heats.
And the trio will be hoping to
topple Arriva’s defending champion
Paul Cleaver at the awards ceremony
in Blackpool on September 7.
The national competition, now
in its 42nd year, is designed to test
earnings per share for the year
are up more than 70% and the
proposed full-year dividend has
increased by over 30%.
Stagecoach Group Chairman
Robert Speirs said the new financial
year to April 30, 2009, had started
well and “trading across the Group
is in line with our expectations.”
Robert added: “I would again
like to thank our hard-working
employees across our operations
who ensure we meet the high expectations
of our customers every
day.”
Three-way tussle to land top spot
Chris Bowles (left) congratulates Martin Shaplin, Brian Kirkwood and John Murray.
the driving skills and knowledge of
entrants and at the same time help to
raise standards in the bus and coach
industry.
Entrants are tested on their ability
to handle full-sized buses in difficult
situations and are given a thorough
grilling on their knowledge of road
safety law and the Highway Code.
Stagecoach North West Managing
Director Chris Bowles said: “All
three have worked really hard to
qualify for the competition and
we wish each of them well in
September.”

In the pink: Mark Threapleton, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, is joined
by Genesis Corporate Fundraising Co-ordinator Tamzin Morris (left) and
Wendy Henshall, Genesis Campaign Manager, to add a splash of colour to a bus.
STAGECOACH Group is ahead of the game when it
comes to protecting the environment.
More than a year ahead of schedule, the company
announced it is to invest in greener bus technology to
meet new European emissions.
The Group confirmed the first part of a £71m investment
in a fleet of 584 new vehicles for the UK during 2008-09 –
the biggest ever order placed by the company.
Stagecoach has initially ordered nearly 500 vehicles with
a total value of more than £60 million from manufacturers
Alexander Dennis (ADL), Optare, MAN, Plaxton,
Scania and Volvo. The remainder of the £71 million
orders will be confirmed later this year.
The initial order includes an investment of over £30
million in more than 220 new buses and coaches that
meet tough new Euro 5 emissions standards, which are
not due to come into force until September 1, 2009.
These vehicles will use selective catalytic reduction
(SCR) technology to reduce nitrogen oxides in the exhaust
gas.
The engine is optimised for low emissions of diesel
particulates and low fuel consumption and, by adding
a reducing agent, the nitrogen oxides produced during
combustion are converted into harmless nitrogen and
water vapour within a catalytic converter.
Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK
Bus, said: “We believe there is huge potential to encourage
more people to reduce car use, get back on board the bus
and help address the challenge of climate change.
“By re-investing our profits in greener bus technology,
we will make our own operations more sustainable and
help reduce the carbon footprint of our customers.”
Rupert Cox, Commercial Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, joins Mayor of Dronfield
Cllr Izzy Pryce and Geoff Pickford, Integrated Transport Manager for Derbyshire County
Council, to launch Dronfield’s new fleet of buses.
Charity support is wheely special
STAGECOACH Manchester helped
the drive to beat breast cancer
by joining the Pink Pinkie Week
Campaign.
To show support for the Genesis
Appeal, which runs Pink Pinkie
Week, the company donated £500
and painted the front left wheel nut
guard pink on 50 of its buses.
Staff also lent a hand by rattling
their pink collection boxes and
swapping their uniforms for pink
outfits.
A VIP guest did the honours as a
new fleet of hi-tech buses hit the
road in Dronfield, Derbyshire.
The Mayor of Dronfield, Cllr
Izzy Pryce, helped to launch the
new buses, featuring a special Peel
Monument livery.
The MAN/E300 buses meet tough
European emissions standards,
marking a real move forward for
public transport in the area. They
are designed to be fully accessible
to elderly passengers, people with
disabilities and families with young
children.
The Genesis Appeal, based at
Wythenshawe Hospital, is the UK’s
only breast cancer charity entirely
dedicated to the prevention of the
disease and aims to create a future
without breast cancer.
Lester Barr, Chairman of The
Genesis Appeal, said: “Genesis is
delighted with the support that
Stagecoach Manchester gave.”
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer in British women, with one in
ten likely to develop the condition.
GREENER BUSES
LEAD THE WAY
Honoured
passenger
welcomed
on board
EAST Midlands
Trains recently
played host to
a very special
passenger.
His Holiness the
14th Dalai Lama of
Tibet travelled on the
company’s 14.55 from
St. Pancras International
to Nottingham.
The spiritual leader
was going to the city
to give five days of
teachings.
The Dalai Lama is
shown being welcomed
by Tim Shoveller,
Managing Director of
East Midlands Trains.
The Pryce is right
for fresh investment
Stagecoach Yorkshire’s newest fleet
cost over £500,000, and Cllr Pryce
believed Stagecoach’s investment
in the service, connecting Dronfield
with Chesterfield and Sheffield, will
lead to further passenger growth
across the town.
Rupert Cox, Commercial
Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire,
added: “This service has seen
significant growth since 2003 and,
with this investment, we hope
to make Stagecoach buses even
more accessible for passengers in
Dronfield.”
Ian meets
chartered
challenge
IAN Day, the Operations
Manager based at
Stagecoach’s Ashford depot,
has been elected as a
Chartered Member of the
Institute of Logistics and
Transport (CMILT).
Ian, from Margate, was with
Thanet Council’s Community
Transport service for 10
years before his appointment
as Operations Manager with
Stagecoach in 2006.
He gained his certificate
after proving the necessary
experience within the
transport industry and the
competence and professionalism
required within his
present role.
Ian, whose team of 67
drivers and administration
personnel operate a fleet of
30, said he was delighted with
the accolade.
“The acceptance into the
Institute offers a range of
services and access to a vast
library of information and
research that will enhance
the way we can approach
the day-to-day challenges of
running a bus network,” he
added.
Egg-citement
over British
breakfast
FIRST-CLASS passengers
on East Midlands Trains can
still start their day in the
traditional way.
As the rail operator’s
London service prepared
to launch a new First Class
menu, speculation was rife
that the full cooked British
breakfast was to be dropped.
But the classic dish is
still on the bill of fare, as
Customer Service Director
Jake Kelly explained.
“Feedback from
passengers told us that,
although many wanted to
see lighter breakfast options,
a significant number still
loved our cooked British
breakfast,” said Jake.
“The breakfast is cooked
fresh on board by a chef and
we will also be retaining
the buffet cars on our
high-speed train fleet.
“I believe this shows we
are a train company who
are not only committed to
providing a fantastic service,
but also listen to what
customers want and then
deliver it.”
Summer 08 5

Driving up
standards
CONGRATULATIONS
have gone to Paul
Herbert from
Cheltenham who took
first place at the recent
Stagecoach West Bus
Driver of the Year Awards.
Mark Skidmore from
Gloucester took second
place, while Daniel Jarvis
from Gloucester came
third.
SHARED CENTRE
IS A GREAT MOVE
EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS has
moved a number of key staff
to Network Rail’s new control
centre in Derby.
Gavin Bell, Head of Train
Service Delivery for East
Midlands Trains – whose
Control Team has moved to
the centre – said: “This new
joint control centre provides
a fantastic opportunity for
both East Midlands Trains and
Network Rail to improve communication
with its customers.
“Controllers from both
companies will be sitting side
by side, sharing information
and being able to work quickly
together to manage the
day-to-day operation of the
railway.
“An additional benefit will
be that both performance
management teams will also be
based in the same location for
the first time ever, providing
the opportunity for an increased
management focus.”
Gavin will be working closely
with Chris Jackson, Operations
Manager for Network Rail at the
East Midlands Control Centre
(EMCC). Establishing a senior
management presence at the
centre is part of East Midlands
Trains’ strategy of providing
6
Summer 08
Stagecoach West Driver of the Year
Paul Herbert, flanked by runners-up
Mark Skidmore (left) and Daniel
Jarvis.
management support for staff
throughout the business, and
not basing all managers at one
head office function.
Mr Jackson said: “In all the
other parts of the country where
Network Rail has introduced
integrated control centres
with the local train operators,
the performance of trains has
increased dramatically.
“Sitting alongside our train
company colleagues means that,
when we need to make decisions
affecting their services, it’s far
quicker and easier than having
to pick up the telephone.
“The end result is a much
better train service for
passengers, with delays and
disruption kept to a minimum.”
The EMCC building is the
first of its kind in the UK. It
has been built to a modular
design, enabling Network Rail
to provide modern facilities at
an efficient cost and is the first
of a number of similar control
centres planned around the
country.
It is Network Rail’s greenest
ever building, incorporating
solar water heating to reduce
carbon emissions and rainwater
harvesting to save a million
litres of water every year.
Hare we go, hare we go...
PASSENGERS had a close encounter of the furred
kind on the Northampton to Leicester bus route
recently.
The Easter Bunny sprang on and off buses all day.
“And what’s more,” revealed Adam Rideout,
Marketing Manager at Stagecoach East, “the
Bunny was loaded down with chocolatey presents
and was ‘rabbiting’ all the way to Leicester and
back.”
The Stagecoach service, which runs from
Northampton to Leicester via Market
Harborough every 60 minutes, now has the benefit
of newly branded and refurbished buses.
PASSENGERS using three key
routes in Coventry are to benefit
from some of the city’s biggest ever
bus service improvements, thanks
to a new partnership agreement.
Stagecoach, transport authority
Centro, Coventry City Council
and Warwickshire County
Council have all endorsed the
Voluntary Partnership Agreement,
committing to provide quality bus
services on routes 55, 56 and 57.
Thanks to a £1.8 million
investment, customers using the
STAGECOACH West has
invested over £100,000 in
a brand new Optare Versa
vehicle. Affectionately
nicknamed ‘The Tadpole’ by
staff, the new Optare Versa
low-floor bus represents
the latest in clean engine
technology, meeting European
emissions standards and
The Easter Bunny hops on board to wish
passengers a Happy Easter.
Phil Medlicott and his team launch the new Matrix services in Coventry.
Partnership provides improved service
enhanced Matrix services – which
link the city centre with North
Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth
– will ride on 14 new low-floor,
easy-access buses.
Phil Medlicott, Stagecoach in
Warwickshire’s Managing Director,
said: “At a time when fuel prices
are continually rising and we each
need to do our bit to reduce our
carbon footprint, these improvements
will make a real difference
and go a long way to encouraging
more people to choose the bus.”
Tadpole makes a splash
Staff have nicknamed Stagecoach West’s
new Optare Versa ‘The Tadpole’.
helping to cut carbon emissions.
The new Versa will mainly
operate on the recently extended
service between Gloucester,
Coney Hill and Abbeydale. The
service runs across the Lobley’s
Drive bridge into the developing
estate at Cooper’s Edge,
continuing on via Hurricane
Road to the Whittle Inn,
Brockworth which is adjacent to
Tescos. It will also operate on citi
Service 5.
Manchester
Metrolink
expansion
MANCHESTER’S Metrolink
network is set to expand to nearly
double its size.
Greater Manchester Passenger
Transport Executive (GMPTE)
selected the M-Pact Thales
consortium as preferred bidder
for the ‘design, construct and
maintain’ contract for the major
expansion.
Three new Metrolink lines will
run to Oldham and Rochdale,
Droylsden in Tameside and
Chorlton in South Manchester.
They are expected to take five
million car journeys off local
roads every year, and increase the
number of trips passengers make
on the network each day from
55,000 to more than 90,000.
The contract will also include
a quarter-mile extension to
mediacity:uk in Salford Quays
if the Transport and Works
Act order is approved by the
Government.
And more lines into Oldham
and Rochdale town centres – as
well as to Ashton-under-Lyne,
East Didsbury, Manchester
Airport and the Trafford Centre
– could also be built if Greater
Manchester’s bid to the Government’s
Transport Innovation Fund
is successful.
David Leather, GMPTE’s Interim
Chief Executive, said: “Metrolink
has been a massive success
since the first lines to Bury and
Altrincham opened in 1992. I’m
delighted we’ve now selected a
preferred bidder for this major
expansion of the tram network.”
Permanent
thrones for
Hampton Court
AS part of South West Trains’
commitment to improving
stations on its network,
Hampton Court Station has
undergone a £150,000 refurbishment
of new and improved toilet
facilities.
The work, done in partnership
with Surrey County Council and
Network Rail, established the
first permanent set of toilets in
the station for 20 years.
Malcolm Page, South West
Trains’ Station Development
Manager, said: “South West
Trains recognises this station
as a major tourist interchange
because of Hampton Court
Palace and the popular flower
show.
“There was a need for
amenities of this nature as
previous developments that
would have improved these
facilities unfortunately had not
progressed.”

PASSENGER BOOM
FOR BUDGET BUS
Preston Operations Manager Rob Jones
with two of Preston Citi’s happy customers.
And our survey
says...
PRESTON passengers have given
a big thumbs-up to their local bus
services.
Independent research found that
customers of the Stagecoach Citi
bus network in Preston are some
of the most satisfied bus users in
the UK, with the formula of highfrequency,
high-quality, valuefor-money
bus services proving a
clear winner.
Up to 98% of people questioned
said that they were highly
satisfied with the new services,
demonstrating results far in excess
of the National Travel Survey,
which provides an overview of
how customers across England
rate their local bus services.
Operations Manager Rob Jones
said that he was extremely
pleased with the results.
“The challenge now is to build
upon our initial success and
continue to improve the offer for
our existing customers and of
course attract more new bus users.
“Our mission really is to get
Preston back on the bus,” he
added.
Nathan Williams, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach
in South Wales and West, helps Alun Wyn Jones dish out
some healthy snacks.
BARROW depot threw open its doors to
the public for a special open day.
A variety of events were laid on to
make sure the May event was enjoyed
by all ages, and having their photograph
taken in front of a bus with a destination
blind of their choice proved very popular
with visitors.
An assortment of bus enthusiast stalls
and the chance to view and travel on
‘True giant’ given a fitting tribute
Tim Shoveller (left), John Miller (centre) and railway expert Roger Ford unveil the powercar’s
prestigious nameplate.
THE MEMORY of one of Britain’s
greatest train engineers has been
immortalised in the most fitting
way possible.
Terry Miller was the driving force
behind the creation of the High
Speed Train (HST), also known as
the InterCity 125 – still the fastest
ever diesel train.
Now East Midlands Trains has
named its first reliveried powercar
(43048) after the great man.
Marking the event at a special
ceremony in Leeds, Tim Shoveller,
Managing Director of East Midlands
Trains, said: “It is with great pride
that we honour Terry by naming
one of our powercars after him.
“He is a true giant in the history
of the railway and his design has
stood the test of time.
WELSH Rugby Union star Alun Wyn
Jones passed on some healthy eating tips
to Stagecoach passengers.
Alun joined the Health Challenge
Wales team to give out free fruit to
travellers at Pontypridd Bus Station in a
bid to raise awareness on healthy eating.
Health Challenge Wales aims to
encourage people from all age groups
and backgrounds to start protecting and
A Barrow of laughs had by all at open day
many vintage buses added to the fun.
Operations Manager Willie McPhail
and Engineering Manager David
Cowperthwaite and their staff were on
hand all day to ensure a fun day was had
by all.
Mascot Just the Ticket joins Engineering Standards
Manager Bryan Walkden (left) and Engineering
Director Paul Lee at Barrow depot’s open day.
“To get an idea of just what an
incredible design Terry gave us, you
only have to look at our HST fleet’s
current performance – operating
at a peak of 18,000 miles per five
minutes delay.
“We believe this is the best
performance ever for an HST
fleet and is comparable with
the performance of many more
recently designed engines.”
The nameplate was unveiled by
John Miller, Terry Miller’s son, who
said “My father would have been
very proud today. He toiled very
hard over this project and it’s great
for him to be honoured in this
way.”
‘Terry Miller MBE’ operates the
07.26 service from Leeds to St.
Pancras International.
Try some fruit to give you a kick
INTER-CITY coach service
megabus.com has now carried
one million passengers in North
America.
megabus.com began offering
fares for as little as $1 in the
United States in April 2006 and
has expanded to cover 25 cities
in North America – attracting
commuters, students, business
and leisure travellers.
The company celebrated
its success by presenting the
millionth customer – Dana Bellers
from St Louis – with a laptop
computer and complimentary
Chicago Double-Decker/
Trolley Tour tickets. Her fellow
passengers on the same coach
also received free sightseeing
tickets.
“megabus.com is the
inexpensive, convenient and
safe way to travel on my own,”
she said. “The online reservation
system is easy to use and fares are
always the lowest compared to
rail, air and car.”
Dale Moser, President and
Chief Operating Officer of
megabus.com, said: “We have
the market-leading budget coach
service in North America and
the overwhelming popularity
of megabus.com’s innovative,
express travel means we are
continuing to expand.
“We’re excited to have reached
our millionth customer and
look forward to serving future
travellers with the same passion
and exceptional value-for-money
our existing customers have come
to expect.”
improving their own health and that of
their families by eating healthily and
doing something active which they enjoy.
John Gould, Managing Director of
Stagecoach in South Wales, explained:
“By taking part in the initiative,
we wanted to help the Assembly
Government drive home the message
about healthy eating and positive living
style.”
megabus.com research shows
that 79% of customers have
used the budget service as an
alternative to the car, train or
plane.
Joseph Schwieterman, Director
of the Chaddick Institute for
Metropolitan Development
and Professor of Public Service
Management at DePaul
University, said it was a growing
trend.
“The public is responding with
considerable enthusiasm to the
express services provided by
megabus.com and other low-cost
providers,” he said. “After years
of decline, the industry is once
again poised for growth.”
Customers are able to travel
on a new network of routes on
America’s east coast.
Services run from New York
City to Boston, Washington,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Buffalo
and Atlantic City, New Jersey, as
well as a cross-border service to
Toronto, Canada.
megabus.com offers up to 55
daily departures from New York
in new greener, state-of-the-art
coaches, with free wi-fi and
on-board video.
This means the growing
low-cost coach network covers
eight locations in the east coast
and 17 Midwest cities.
The North American expansion
follows the UK success of
megabus.com, which carries
around two million passengers
a year on a network of inter-city
services covering around 40
locations nationwide.
£2 million
well spent
RESIDENTS of Hartlepool are set to
benefit from a £2 million investment in
new buses.
Stagecoach in Hartlepool has ordered
19 new, low floor, single deck vehicles for
use in the town.
The new Enviro 200s are some of the
most environmentally friendly buses in
production and are also easily accessible
for wheelchair users, those with prams
and the infirm. In addition, all the new
vehicles will have CCTV fitted.
John Conroy, Managing Director of
Stagecoach North East, said: “We hope
the £2 million investment will significantly
improve the travel experience we
offer our customers.
“We are committed to ensuring our
services are accessible by all and that
they are environmentally sound and
these new vehicles meet our objectives
exactly.”
Summer 08 7

A TREE-MENDOUS E
BUS NETWORK’S CA
STAGECOACH GOES THE EXTRA MILE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONME
Green scheme
keeps buses clean
A PIONEERING Bio-bus project which cuts
carbon emissions and boosts recycling has
been extended for another six months.
Stagecoach launched the UK’s first
Bio-buses in October 2007 as part of a
ground-breaking environmental initiative
allowing customers to exchange used
cooking oil for discounted bus travel.
biodiesel made from used cooking oil and
other food industry by-products. These are
from sustainable sources that do not involve
the destruction of natural habitats or
compete with the human food chain.
In its first six months, the cleaner fuel
saving 550 tonnes of carbon.
Stagecoach issued 5,000 free containers to
householders on the Service 1 Stewarton to
Darvel via Kilmarnock route, allowing them
to recycle their used cooking oil in return
for discounted bus travel.
In six months, more than 21 tonnes of
used cooking oil was taken to East Ayrshire
Council’s recycling plant at Western Road,
recycled at the facility.
Local schools and other groups have
taken a keen interest in the Bio-bus project.
Senior managers from Stagecoach have
worked closely with Stewarton and Loudon
Academies, both of which are on the bus
route, to explain the project to pupils as
part of their environmental studies.
Sam Greer, Managing Director of
Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “The
Bio-bus project has captured the
imagination of local people, and the
community has really got behind the
scheme.
“We have delivered a truly sustainable
partnership solution to the challenge of
climate change. The local community,
a forward-thinking transport operator,
the fuel industry and local government
are all working together to protect the
environment.
“More than 600,000 passengers have used
the Bio-bus service, helping to cut their own
carbon footprint, and we are a long way
carbon neutral service.
“We are delighted to extend the project
for a further six months to bring further
environmental benefits to the local
community as we monitor the potential to
our UK operations.”
STAGECOACH has reached a major
milestone in the quest for greener travel
with the launch of Scotland’s first carbon
neutral bus network.
The groundbreaking eco-initiative means
all of the Group’s Fife to Edinburgh bus
network will be carbon neutral for the next
five years.
Stagecoach is to plant more than 140,000
trees in 2008, absorbing the CO2 produced
by the buses which carry more than 2.4
million passengers a year.
A mix of conifer, broadleaf and native
woodlands will be planted as part of the
project, which has been externally reviewed
by Glasgow Caledonian University and
verified by Forest Carbon.
The scheme will be supported by a major
marketing campaign targeted at car users.
And it’s just one part of Stagecoach’s environmental
strategy to help tackle climate
change by reducing the carbon footprint of
the company and its customers.
The wide-ranging blueprint includes
investment in renewable fuels and cleaner
engines, state-of-the-art energy efficient
facilities, water and waste recycling
initiatives and offering businesses green
travel incentives for their employees.
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief
Executive, said: “This is an extremely
exciting initiative which is setting the
standard for greener, smarter bus travel
and helping our customers reduce their
own carbon footprint.
“There is an increasing awareness about
the impact of people’s behaviour on the
environment. We hope this innovative
project will promote intelligent car use,
encourage more people to get on board
public transport and help protect the
planet.”
NEW DVD SHOWCASES GREEN INITIATIVES
The new DVD, greener smarter travel, illustrates the green benefits of public
transport.
A NEW DVD is showcasing Stagecoach’s
commitment to reducing its impact on the
environment.
Titled ‘greener smarter travel’, the DVD focuses on
the climate change challenge facing our world and
how seriously the Group takes the issue.
Produced in association with independent
production and communications company speakeasy,
it shows stakeholders the contribution public
transport can play in reducing carbon emissions.
The DVD covers five key areas: investment in
renewable fuels and cleaner engines, state-of-the-art
energy efficient facilities, water and waste recycling
initiatives and green travel incentives for businesses
and their employees.
Each theme uses a case study to illustrate the
breadth of Group initiatives to make our business
more sustainable.
8
Summer 08

NT AND ENCOURAGE GREENER, SMARTER TRAVEL ACROSS THE UK
FFORT TO REDUCE
RBON FOOTPRINT
Pupils from Dunfermline’s Pitreavie Primary School help Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter dig for victory in the battle to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
The trees are being planted on Buccleuch
Woodlands estates in the south of Scotland
under a partnership with Global Trees,
a Scotland-based charity set up to help
people reduce their carbon footprint.
Global Trees founder Peter Grant said:
“It is fantastic that an organisation of
the size and scope of
Stagecoach has
become involved with Global Trees and
has committed to offsetting its Fife to
Edinburgh bus network.
“This is great news for the charity and
for Scotland. We hope this move will
encourage other businesses across Scotland
and the UK to get involved and take a more
pro-active stance on the issue of global
warming. ”
TAKING STOCK OF HOW WE USE OUR ENERGY
MAKING the best use of energy is being put
firmly at the top of the agenda for Stagecoach
North East.
Independent energy consultants TNEI
Services are conducting an energy assessment
across each of North East’s six regional depots.
And the new energy audit is just the first
element of a comprehensive five-year plan to
improve the company’s environmental policies.
The assessments focus on the main sources of
energy use at the depots – heating, compressed
air and lighting.
And Stagecoach is now waiting for TNEI to
offer its recommendations for ways in which
it can improve its energy efficiency, reduce its
carbon footprint and generally enhance its
environmental practice.
John Conroy, Managing Director of
Jim Colchester, Woodlands Manager at
Buccleuch Woodlands, added: “We are
delighted that Stagecoach, through Global
Trees, has decided to offset these emissions,
allowing us to plant 60 hectares of trees.
“This is a fantastic initiative and a great
example of businesses taking steps to do
what they can to help reduce their environmental
impact.”
Stagecoach North East, said: “Improving our
environmental credentials is an essential part
of our commitment to enhancing our service
offering.
“From the vehicles we run across our fleet
to the way we use energy in our engineering
departments and our offices we are
determined to become more energy efficient.
“Before we can begin to make changes it
is vital that we set clear objectives which will
deliver tangible results and benefits.
“The advice given by TNEI will be invaluable
in terms of delivering our strategic plan and,
with their expertise, our long-term targets will
be clearly defined and achievable.”
An awards scheme is being considered to
recognise teams making a significant impact on
green targets.
“
This is an
extremely exciting
initiative which is
setting the standard
for greener,
smarter bus travel
and helping our
customers reduce
their own carbon
footprint.”
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group
Chief Executive
Astley Fenwick (left) and Richard Jennings of TNEI, the
company set to offer a range of eco-friendly
recommendations at Stagecoach North East.
Summer 08 9

All aboard the
rail musical
express
A MUSICAL train made
tracks on a special journey
from Nottingham to Worksop.
Skiffle and blues provided
the soundtrack on the East
Midlands Trains 19:56 service
on April 30.
The music train formed
part of an Association of
Community Rail Partnership
(ACoRP) conference
discussing wider diversity on
rural and local services.
The main conference,
sponsored by East Midlands
Trains, took place on May 1 at
the Arena in Nottingham, but
guests and members of the
public were invited to enjoy
the musical journey as part of
a pre-conference social event.
Speaking before the event,
David Horne – Commercial
Director for East Midlands
Trains and the keynote
speaker at the conference –
said: “Community Rail plays a
vital part in the development
of our franchise, and we are
very pleased to be sponsoring
this national conference which
looks at some very topical
issues.
“However, we’re also keen to
show our local communities
the benefits of train travel and
just how relaxing it can be, so
we’re delighted to be working
with ACoRP to provide a
train with a difference – and a
community slant.”
Ex-soldier
armed with
new career
A FORMER soldier and
warehouse supervisor is on
the road to a new career,
thanks to taking on new
training.
After being made
redundant in 2004, Billy
Scobie joined the Dundee
and Angus Individual
Initiative, a training scheme
managed through Helm
Training which allowed him
to re-train as a bus driver for
Stagecoach Strathtay.
Billy has now taken his
career a step further with
more training to become a
driving instructor.
He said: “At the time I
lost my job it was a difficult
decision to change.
“But now, with my bus
licence, I know I’ll never be
out of work and I enjoy the
challenges of continuing my
training with Stagecoach.”
PRAISE FOR DEARNE
VALLEY BUS SERVICES
STAGECOACH Yorkshire has
been praised by the Minister
of State for Transport for its
commitment to passengers in the
Dearne Valley.
The Rt Hon Rosie Winterton, MP
for Doncaster Central, was in the
area to launch a fleet of 13 brand
new Stagecoach Yorkshire vehicles
set to benefit bus users across the
Dearne Valley.
The new buses, costing almost
£1.5m, are an addition to seven
introduced in the area last year. All
20 now carry a fresh logo bearing
the words “the Dearne link” and
feature an eye-catching livery.
Ms Winterton said: “I am very
pleased to see the results of Stagecoach’s
investment.
“Local bus services play a vital
role in our communities and these
new ultra-modern buses around
the Dearne Valley area represent a
significant commitment towards
providing the level of service that
passengers look for.
Stagecoach Yorkshire Managing Director Paul Lynch and The Rt Hon Rosie Winterton
MP officially launch the new Dearne link buses along with competition winners
Wardene Riggs, James Perry and Wayne Bateman.
“I am particularly keen that all
public transport is responsive to the
needs of everyone who wishes to
use it, so I am pleased that this new
fleet has low-floor access, providing
improved access for disabled
and elderly passengers as well as
parents with young children.”
Renovation reaps rewards for charity
A VIP visitor has endorsed the
renovation of an East Midlands
railway station.
Jonathan Shaw MP, Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for
Jonathan Shaw MP visits Oakham station to acknowledge the Community Stations
project based there.
A BEDFORD bus driver has helped
keep preparations for the Olympic
Games on-track.
Jim Clark searched his Luton
Airport transfer coach for a lost
laptop computer containing crucial
information on the Beijing games.
Zoe Paget, Operations Manager
at Stagecoach Bedford, explained:
“A delegation of Olympic Games
officials from Beijing visited Milton
Keynes.
“One of the party left a laptop
computer on the airport VT99
coach. When this person realised
what had happened we received
a very urgent phone call and our
Marine, Landscape and Rural
Affairs, visited Oakham station.
The Community Stations
initiative is a project established to
bring back life to redundant station
Jim sets gold standard
driver Jim Clark carried out a
search of the relevant vehicle.”
At first, the laptop was not found
and it was assumed that someone
else had picked it up.
But, at the end of his shift, Jim had
another thorough search and found
the treasured item on a parcel
shelf.
Zoe added: “Jim, in his own time,
delivered the computer to the
hotel where the delegation had
booked in.
“They were so delighted to have
it back they gave John a special
Olympic trophy which is now
proudly displayed in our depot.”
premises by making them available
to local community groups at a
peppercorn rent.
And one of the buildings at
Oakham station has been let to
registered charity Studentforce,
which helps young people to learn,
develop, work and volunteer with
people in the workplace and wider
community.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director
of East Midlands Trains, said:
“Local railway stations really
do play a key role in their local
community and this is a fantastic
example of how community
groups and businesses can work
together to promote benefits for all.
“We welcome Studentforce to
Oakham station and are extremely
pleased the Minister is supporting
this worthy initiative.”
STAGECOACH in East Kent and
Hastings has promoted former
Schools Liaison Officer Tim
Pomfret to the newly created
position of Customer Services
Manager.
Tim, who has worked within
the bus industry in the south east
for 42 years, will be supported
by an assistant to continue to
oversee the school bus operations
provided to the education
authorities, as well as respond
to customer suggestions and
complaints on the network of
over 100 routes provided daily
from the six depots in the region.
Joining Ms Winterton at the
launch event were four local
people who entered a competition
run by Stagecoach to be the faces
of the Dearne Valley services and
have their image on the back of the
buses.
Paul Lynch, Managing Director
of Stagecoach Yorkshire, described
the initiative as “a reflection of our
commitment to deliver a reliable,
clean and affordable service to
the travelling public and we are
confident that users will find a
huge improvement”.
Earlier this year, Stagecoach
also introduced simplified
routes, refined timetables for
improved reliability and combined
ten-minute frequencies on the
busiest bus routes into Barnsley,
Rotherham and Doncaster.
There has since been a 3.2 per
cent growth in passengers overall
and a 5 per cent increase in the
numbers of adult fare paying
passengers.
Pat’ll do nicely
A KIND-HEARTED Leamington
bus driver awarded a cash prize
for his exceptional service has
donated his winnings to a local
hospice.
Pat Walsh was nominated as
Stagecoach Leamington’s driver
of the month recently and
handed his £100 prize money to
Warwickshire’s Myton Hospice.
The company matched this
generous gesture, doubling the
contribution to £200.
Sam Dixon, Stagecoach
Leamington’s Operations
Manager, said: “Myton Hospice
needs the support of the
whole community to operate
effectively and I am sure that
they would wish to join me in
thanking Pat for his kindness.”
Putting customers first
“The new role is just part of
the company’s determination to
be more reactive and supportive
to both customers and staff who
either face problems or can see
ways of improving the facilities
and services we provide,” said
Tim.
“As with any bus operator,
we face new challenges from
the economic climate and the
changes within the cities, towns
and villages that we serve.
“To improve the quality of
our services we must listen
carefully to the concerns raised by
everyone involved.”
10
Summer 08

Geraldine Smith MP
launches Morecambe’s
new floor-level
buses, watched by
Stagecoach North
West Managing
Director Chris Bowles
(left), Operations
Manager Stephie
Barber, Lancashire
County Council
Transport Manager
Mick Porter and
Lancashire County
Councillor Matthew
Tomlinson.
FITTING TRIBUTE
TO BRAVE TRINA
A MARATHON round-Britain tour
is set to raise charity cash in memory
of a very special Stagecoach driver.
Trina King served as a driver and
office worker in Cwmbran, Wales, for
a number of years.
She died, aged just 27, last year
following a brave battle with cancer.
Now Trina’s husband and brother
are set to join two colleagues on
a whistle-stop tour of all 17 of
Stagecoach’s regional HQs.
And the team hopes every
Stagecoach depot in the land will
help them honour Trina’s memory
by contributing to their collection for
Macmillan Cancer Support.
The sponsored drive begins at
Land’s End on September 16, and is
scheduled to go all the way to John
o’ Groats then back to Land’s End
in just three days – with the added
challenge of staying off motorways
for the entire trip.
Taking part are Trina’s husband
Andrew King and her brother Rod
Teague – both Stagecoach drivers –
and megabus drivers Gareth Evans
and Pete Morgan.
Pete explained that Stagecoach had
paid for the rented van they’ll be
using for the journey, while megabus
will donate the fuel.
In support of their challenge, he
hoped that depots would carry out
their own collections.
Also lending a helping hand is
megabus.com’s Network Manager
Ian Laing, who’ll take a turn behind
the wheel when the expedition
reaches Perth.
Pete added: “Trina was very brave.
She never let her illness get her down
– right to the very end.
The mane attraction
NEW buses have been trotted out in
Morecambe with the help of some
four-legged friends.
A horse-drawn 20-seater bus was
brought down from Scotland especially
for the launch – a marked contrast to the
state-of-the-art low-floor Optare Versas
hitting the streets of the seaside town for
the first time.
Local MP Geraldine Smith officially
opened the new service linking the
Westgate area with Morecambe.
Christopher Bowles, Managing
Director of Stagecoach North West,
said: “The company was very pleased
to add the Westgate service to its stable
of low-floor routes as this will ensure
the continuing growth of passengers
in the Lancaster and Morecambe areas
and underlines the importance of
investments with modern buses and
higher frequency services.”
Stagecoach in Lancaster has increased
passenger numbers by over 40% in
seven years and now carries some nine
million passengers a year.
Ready to roll! Charity round-Britain drivers (from left): Rod Teague, Andrew King, Pete
Morgan and Gareth Evans.
“If everyone around the country
only donates one pound, it
would make a huge difference for
Macmillan Cancer Support.”
Fleets in line for summer spruce-up
Anyone seeking more information
is welcome to call Pete Morgan
on 07933 595180, or email peter.
morgan39@btopenworld.com
E-ticketing’s
e-ffective
E-TICKETING is really taking off
for Virgin Trains.
The company has sold over
£500,000 worth of rail travel using
e-ticketing since its launch in
August last year.
The 69,415 transactions have
been sold as either Mobitix – with
the electronic ticket sent direct
to mobile phones – or as tickets@
home, where customers book on
the internet and print their ticket
at home.
Graham Leech, Virgin Trains’
Executive Director Commercial,
said: “The trial has been low-key
to enable the system to be tested,
but has proved to be highly
popular with our customers.
“Over the next few months we
will work towards offering more
of our online customers the
opportunity to print their own
tickets, and will be extending this
facility to our other routes.”
Virgin Trains has pioneered its
e-ticketing solutions in partnership
with The Trainline.com.
Daniel climbs
career ladder
DANIEL Millis has been appointed
Assistant Operations Manager at
Stratford-upon-Avon’s Stagecoach
depot.
Daniel began his career with
Stagecoach as a driver in Dover,
progressing to Controller last year
after completing his company’s
development programme.
He recently served as Assistant
Operations Manager at
Stagecoach Hastings.
EAST Midlands Trains is carrying
out a full refurbishment of its Class
158 train fleet, with the help of local
company DeltaRail.
The multi-million-pound
refurbishment programme
will see all 25 of the company’s
Class 158 trains going through
a complete overhaul, as well as
being re-painted in the new East
Midlands Trains livery.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director
of East Midlands Trains, explained:
“This is a huge step forward for East
Midlands Trains.
“Not only will the refurbishment
result in additional seating capacity,
passengers will also get the benefit
of more comfortable seating, new air
conditioning and CCTV, as well as
brand new toilets – something we
know our passengers will welcome!”
The project is just part of the £90
million of investment during the life
of the East Midlands Trains franchise,
making improvements in areas that
impact directly on performance,
reliability and customer service. It
includes an upgrade to Derby train
maintenance depot, improvements to
stations and the opening of a brand
new station – East Midlands Parkway.
“I’m looking forward to working
with DeltaRail on this contract, and
especially pleased that the work will
be carried out in Derby, ensuring
that the city’s renowned reputation
for fleet build and refurbishment
continues on through this extensive
improvement programme,” said Tim.
Work is due to begin August, and
each train will take between four and
six weeks to complete.
Meanwhile, East Midlands Trains
Anna Matthews, CEO of DeltaRail, and Tim
Shoveller, Managing Director of East
Midlands Trains, look forward to joining forces
for a major refurbishment programme.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, with the first re-branded
Class 156 train.
has also unveiled the first of its
re-branded Class 156 trains.
The company, which will be
re-branding all 11 of its Class 156
trains into the new East Midlands
Trains livery, has teamed up with
Derby-based company Bombardier
Transportation for the re-painting of
its entire Class 156 fleet.
Tim Shoveller said: “Our priority
for the start of the franchise was to
ensure a smooth transition and to
get punctuality and reliability off to a
good start.
“Now we’re confident these things
have been achieved, it’s time to start
focusing on the refurbishment of our
trains, both inside and out.
“We’re starting with the re-painting
of our 11 Class 156 trains, which will
be completed by early May.
“We’ll then move straight on to our
Class 222 Meridian fleet, which will
also be carried out by Bombardier
Transportation at their Derby
works.”
Summer 08 11

Sandy maintains
his interests
A LONG-SERVING engineer
has retired from Stagecoach –
but has no intention of staying
away from buses.
Sandy Brydon learned his
trade during ten years in
the haulage industry before
spending four decades in the
bus service, starting as a Shift
Mechanic.
Moving all over Scotland,
he worked in a range of
roles, from Depot Foreman
and Depot Engineer to Area
Engineer and Chief Engineer,
before his appointment as
Engineering Director for
Stagecoach in Fife and later
Stagecoach East Scotland.
Sandy was a key player in
improving Stagecoach East
Scotland’s accessible network,
and had a leading role in the
planning and implementation
of a recent trial hovercraft
service between Fife and
Edinburgh.
In his retirement, Sandy has
taken on the maintenance
of the Stagecoach preserved
fleet at the Lathalmond Bus
Museum in Fife.
He also spends time
restoring a small fleet of
vintage lorries and sourcing
the vehicles donated to charity
by Stagecoach Group Chief
Executive Brian Souter.
Cheque out this
nice surprise
A SURPRISE donation provided
the welcome conclusion to
a highly successful charity
campaign run by Portsmouth
drivers and staff.
The depot spent 15 months
raising more than £10,000 for
the Portsmouth and Chichester
branch of the Multiple Sclerosis
Society through a range of
events, including a bus pull,
social evenings and street
collections.
The Stagecoach Against
Multiple Sclerosis (SAMS)
campaign started when a former
driver’s wife was diagnosed
with MS.
Driver Mick Crockford, the
Deputy Chairman of SAMS,
wrote to Stagecoach Group
Chief Executive Brian Souter
to tell him about the depot’s
success.
And his response contained a
letter of congratulations – plus a
cheque for £5000!
“The generous donation was
completely unexpected,” said
Mick.
“We were delighted with our
original total, raised thanks to
the support of Stagecoach staff
and customers in the region, but
this is the icing on the cake.”
12
Summer 08
HOVERCRAFT SERVICE
NEEDS FRESH IMPETUS
‘Roadmap’ required to get transport link up and running
STAGECOACH has welcomed
a new report confirming public
sector funding support could help
establish a permanent hovercraft
service across Scotland’s Firth of
Forth.
The company said the new legal
advice was “a positive step forward”
and called for a “roadmap” to help
maintain the momentum towards
Hopes remain for the return of the hovercraft service.
TRAINING and personal
development is an integral part of
any career and a new compulsory
qualification in the transport industry
is set to transform driving for a living.
Stagecoach North East is recruiting
new drivers across each of its six
depots, not only in response to
continued expansion, but also
because of the new Certificate of
Professional Competence (CPC)
the company is introducing in
September.
making the link a reality.
UK law firm Dundas and Wilson
prepared a 34-page report for the
South East of Scotland Transport
Partnership (SEStran) on the potential
procurement options for both the
hovercraft link and a separate
proposal for a catamaran service.
Stagecoach unveiled a detailed
business plan in autumn 2007,
Sunningdale kids have a sensational day
STAGECOACH North East’s
Sunderland depot received an
extra-special visit from seven local
children.
The kids from the city’s
Sunningdale School all have
profound multiple learning
difficulties and complex medical
needs.
It was hoped the visit would help
the children to interact as the mix
of noises, smells and sights would
stimulate their senses, enabling
them to become more aware of the
environment around them.
They were treated to a tour of
the depot and met staff in the
engineering department and the
control room before enjoying a trip
on one of the buses.
Driver Steve Hamilton helped
co-ordinate the visit and treated
the children to a drive through the
bus wash, which proved to be the
highlight of the day for the children
who laughed as the water and
colourful oversized sponges and
washers noisily cleaned the bus.
Steve said: “It was great to see the
children enjoying the experience so
much.
“Something that we do as part of
our everyday routine really helped
to stimulate the children’s senses
and it was a great experience for
them and the team here too.”
These special memories have now
been captured in a hand-made story
booklet the children created to show
their appreciation to depot staff.
The Driver CPC has been designed
by the Driving Standards Agency
to improve road safety and reduce
road casualties, while elevating the
role of drivers and establishing a
programme of continued professional
development.
From September onwards, anyone
applying for a Passenger Carrying
Vehicle (PCV) licence will also be
required to hold the Driver CPC,
which they can take together.
Existing licence holders will have
outlining how a link could be
established between Fife and
Edinburgh using a 150-passenger
craft with a crossing time of just 20
minutes.
The Group offered to invest more
than £10 million to make the project
a reality, with limited short-term
public sector support of around £3.3
million to bridge the gap in the first
three years to reach the point where it
became commercially viable.
The consultants’ report confirmed
that the transport partnership could
provide capital funding support to
help set up a commercial hovercraft
operation, provided state aid
clearance was given by the European
Commission.
A Stagecoach Group spokesman
said: “This is a detailed and
comprehensive report. It is a positive
and welcome step forward and
makes clear there is no legal barrier
to public funding for a permanent
cross-Forth hovercraft service.
“We have been very encouraged
by SEStran’s support for both a
hovercraft and catamaran service,
Shaggy dog story
with a happy ending
ONE driver and her dog are creating a real buzz in
competitive events.
Stagecoach West driver Hilary Bowden and her dog
Buzz are members of the Wye Valley Dog Training
Club which qualified for the 2008 Team Crufts Dog
Show.
The club, alongside two others, made it through
to the final where it performed to a packed arena of
some 6000 people, and achieved a fantastic second
place.
Just a week later, Hilary and Buzz were at it again,
performing at the first championship show of the year.
To win, the participants had to complete three
gruelling rounds, and Buzz beat 32 other dogs to take
first place.
Buzz later qualified for Crufts 2009 and, if successful,
will be crowned Agility Champion – the highest level
dogs can achieve.
New certificate set to drive standards higher
to undertake 35 hours of training
every five years and are entitled to a
five-year grace period initially.
John Conroy, Managing Director
of Stagecoach North East, said: “The
certificate will enable us to further
support our drivers in their everyday
roles by giving them the tools they
need to hone their communications
skills, improve the way they manage
a range of potential situations and
learn about new industry developments.”
both of which could provide a
significant boost to transport links
and the economy on both sides of the
Forth.
“As the report makes clear,
European Commission clearance
on these issues can take time. That
is why we need to maintain the
momentum behind the hovercraft
project to meet the aspirations of
the communities in Fife and in
Edinburgh.
“It is crucial we now have
a roadmap from the Scottish
Government on the hovercraft project
and clarity on whether it is prepared
to commit public funding to make a
cross-Forth link a reality.”
Stagecoach announced in February
that it had been forced to put research
and development on the hovercraft
project on hold until it received clarification
over the future public sector
role and investment, both of which
are key to taking the project forward.
Fife Council has recently pledged to
spend £1 million on the infrastructure
works for the hovercraft on the Fife
side of the Forth.
The new Certificate of Professional
Competence (CPC) will enhance driver
training.

Brilliant birthday bash
for Corby bus service
A CORBY bus service celebrated a
special milestone with a street party
and free travel for its customers.
Stagecoach’s Corbystar service
was five years old last month and
a birthday party was held at the
town’s Willow Place Shopping
Centre.
“The Corbystar bus network has
become an integral part of the town
and we wanted to mark its fifth
birthday with a bit of fun,” said
Depot Manager John Drew.
“We had street entertainers, a
competition to guess how many
balloons it takes to fill one of
our buses, a Scottish piper, our
Corbystar mascot and much more.”
The Corbystar buses run
throughout Corby town centre and
surrounding estates. All Corby
residents received a birthday card
through the post plus a voucher
for one day’s free travel on the
Corbystar buses.
The Corbystar mascot – also known
as Stagecoach East Timetabling and
Scheduling Assistant, Aiden Proctor – helps
the birthday celebrations go with a swing.
Cycle trek brings cheer
to children’s tiny lives
AN AMBITIOUS Inspector is
hitting the road to make a big
difference to little lives.
Russell Minshaw, who’s based
at Stagecoach North West’s West
Cumbria Depot, will be cycling
130 miles to raise money for the
Tiny Lives charity, which helps
towards the cost of lifesaving
equipment for premature babies.
Tiny Lives helped Russell’s
friend’s baby when it was born
prematurely last year.
FREE FARES DAY HELPS
BOOST BUS GROWTH
Russell has his own difficulties
to overcome before taking on
the challenge on July 23. He has
two pins inserted into his hips,
which makes physical activity
difficult.
Before the charity ride, he will
be holding a special fundraising
night in Maryport.
Meanwhile, anyone who
would like to donate money
should visit www.justgiving.
com/makeamumhappy
Rupert Cox, Commercial Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, hailed the Free Fares Day a
great success.
Pensioners take
the scenic route
SENIOR travellers have rated a
Warwickshire bus route as one of the UK’s
most scenic.
Taking advantage of the new government
scheme allowing over-60s to travel free of
charge, the National Pensioners Convention
judged Stagecoach’s number 18 route from
Stratford-upon-Avon to Royal Leamington
Spa the 13th most beautiful in the country.
Sam Dixon, Operations Manager for
Stagecoach Leamington, said: “We are
thrilled. This is a double-decker service so
there are great views from the top deck.
“Route 18 travels between Stratford,
Warwick and Leamington, going through
the picturesque village of Wellesbourne and
stopping at Charlecote House.
“It also travels alongside the river Avon.”
A FREE travel day designed to
celebrate a landmark achievement
by Stagecoach Yorkshire has
generated more than 20,000
additional passenger journeys
across the region.
The company recorded an average
40.4 per cent increase in passenger
numbers across all routes throughout
Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and
Mexborough in May.
The Free Fares Day was launched
as a thank you to customers for their
loyalty following the company’s
extensive service improvements
a year ago, which have led to 3.2
per cent growth in passengers
overall and a 5 per cent increase in
the number of adult fare-paying
passengers.
Stagecoach Yorkshire Commercial
Director Rupert Cox said: “There has
been a very positive response to all
the service changes we made a year
ago and this has been reflected in
passenger numbers.
“The network is more reliable
Cathedral appeal
is rear-ly special
THE DRIVE to save one of Canterbury’s most
historic buildings has been given a very visible
boost by Stagecoach in East Kent and Hastings.
The company has donated the rear of a doubledecker
bus to the Save Canterbury Cathedral
Appeal for the whole of 2008.
Stagecoach came up with the idea after some
staff were taken on an exhilarating roof-top tour
of the impressive landmark.
Paul Southgate, Managing Director of
Stagecoach in East Kent and Hastings, said: “The
Cathedral looks like a picture postcard – a view I
know I take for granted.
“But, close up, the poor state of repair of the
roofs and the masonry is very apparent.
“We are determined to help and remind people
just how important it is. The back of the bus
is the most visible gift to the appeal we can
provide.”
and punctual and our new
marketing initiatives have helped
to communicate the changes and
highlight that we are determined
to give customers the best possible
service.”
The company’s revamp of services
last May followed a major review
which took into account feedback
from key stakeholders, including the
Passenger Transport Executives in
South and West Yorkshire, customers,
staff and councillors.
The new structure included a
number of new routes, extended
routes and timetable changes to
improve reliability and frequency on
some services.
Stagecoach Yorkshire has invested
in 30 new buses in the last 12 months
– 13 in Doncaster, ten at its Shafton
depot and seven in Barnsley – and
plans to introduce more during the
summer.
A total of 70 per cent of the fleet
is low-floor, making it easier for
passengers to board and alight.
Paul Southgate joins local girl Lily Carr and
Canterbury Cathedral chorister Joel Whitewood –
Radio 2’s Young Chorister of the Year – to show off
the campaigning bus.
Alan Kidd, Crew Supervisor at
Stagecoach Metrolink, is kitted out
for a journey on one of the UK’s first
water-powered trams.
Water way
to go forward
MANCHESTER’S Metrolink
has become the first UK tram
system to be powered using
water.
Transport bosses at Greater
Manchester Passenger Transport
Executive (GMPTE) signed a
deal with Scottish and Southern
Energy to use hydroelectricity
to run the service.
Metrolink is already one of the
most environmentally-friendly
forms of transport in Greater
Manchester as it does not
produce air pollution at street
level.
Now, the decision to use hydroelectricity
will also substantially
cut Metrolink’s carbon dioxide
emissions.
Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s
Metrolink Director, said: “About
a quarter of the UK’s carbon
emissions come from transport,
and we want to do our bit to
reduce them.
“Anyone who travels on
Metrolink instead of using their
car is already helping to fight
climate change as trams are
nearly four times better for the
environment. Using hydropower
will make them even more
environmentally-friendly.”
Summer 08 13

A £2.25 MILLION vehicle
investment is benefiting customers
in Dundee, Perth, Montrose,
Arbroath, Forfar and Kirriemuir.
Eighteen state-of-the-art Enviro
300 buses were introduced to the
local network in April.
All are fully wheelchair accessible
and fitted with CCTV for added
passenger safety.
Six of the buses will operate on
the improved service between
Brand new fleet is ready to roll
Perth and Dundee while the
remaining vehicles will run
primarily on two Stagecoach
Strathtay services, Montrose –
Arbroath – Dundee - Invergowrie
and Dundee – Forfar/Kirriemuir.
Doug Fleming, Managing
Director of Stagecoach East
Scotland, said it was hoped the
investment would encourage more
people to take the bus, particularly
into Perth and Dundee where
congestion and parking can be a
real problem for commuters.
“Convincing people to switch
to the bus, when they can, helps
to alleviate these problems,” he
added.
New buses are boosting public transport in Tayside.
Station blooms
thanks to local
volunteers
GREEN-FINGERED volunteers
have been hard at work at
East Midlands Trains’ station at
Spalding.
The team, made up of people
from the South Holland
Churches Volunteers and the
Spalding and Peterborough
Transport Users Forum, has
completed part one of a
three-phase approach to help
the train company revitalise the
Victorian station’s appearance.
Volunteers spent two months
clearing two flower beds and
planting over 300 plants and
shrubs for the Tulip Festival and
World Tulip Summit.
Nigel Carlisle, Route Manager
Lincolnshire and Norfolk, said:
“They have done a great job of
brightening up the station and
we thank them for all their hard
work.
“At East Midlands Trains,
we are keen to get local
communities involved with their
local railway station and this is a
perfect example of communities
working together to bring about
improvements.”
Robin Hood’s
Sunday run
THE ROBIN Hood Line train
service, which runs from
Nottingham to Worksop via
Mansfield, will be running on
Sundays for the first time from
this December.
Nottinghamshire County
Council will be funding the
service until May 2011. But, if
the service is as well used as
expected, it is hoped that the
Department for Transport (DfT)
will fund it on a permanent basis.
The County Council has led a
campaign to encourage the DfT
to fund the Sunday service and
has gained massive support with
over 10,000 pledges of support
from Nottinghamshire and
Derbyshire residents.
It is hoped that the Sunday
service will carry an average of
1,800 passengers by 2010, which
should confirm the long-term
DfT funding for the service.
ACTIVE APPROACH
HELPS TEAM SPIRIT
APPRENTICES have been put
through their paces in a number
of outdoor adventure activities.
First-year Stagecoach
engineering apprentices attended
an outward bound centre in
Appledore, North Devon. The
event is the fourth in as many
years and nurtured the engineers’
skills in team building, motivation
and leadership.
Activities included abseiling,
team challenges, a team assault
course and raft building.
And, at the end of the week, each
apprentice gave a presentation
on what he or she had learned
and how they could transfer this
knowledge to the workplace.
Bob Bootiman, Stagecoach North
East; Jason Freeman, Stagecoach
West, and Mark Powell,
Stagecoach Wales, stayed at the
centre during the event and the
apprentices were also supported
at various times by Dorothy
Hermiston, Deputy Training and
Development Manager, UK Bus;
TWENTY young footballers are
off to sunny Spain, with help from
Stagecoach Manchester.
The Moss Side lads are taking part
in a soccer tournament in Barcelona,
thanks in part to the bus company’s
£1000 donation to the Hideaway
Youth project, which aims to solve
social conflict between two groups of
youths who live on opposite sides of
Stagecoach’s depot on Princess Road.
The young men, aged between 17
and 21, will battle it out against six
opposing international teams in the
tournament organised by Interna-
Table tennis competitors at 2007’s contest.
Energetic engineering apprentices take a break during their outdoor activities week.
Clare Willis, Training Co-ordinator,
UK Bus; and Mark Horide,
Paul Lee and Peter Sheldon,
Engineering Directors, South West,
North West and West respectively.
Everyone, especially the activity
centre team, was impressed by
the attitude, enthusiasm and
behaviour of the group and the
course leader said it was the best
apprentice group he had led for
many years.
The next apprentice event will be
the Apprentice of the Year Awards
in Manchester on Wednesday,
September 24, recognising
achievement in all areas during
the year.
Moss side lads get goal-den opportunity
tional Sport and Leisure.
Mark Threapleton, Managing
Director of Stagecoach Manchester,
said: “We hope that the project will
strengthen community cohesion, as
well as giving these young men hope
for the future.
“We wish the team a fantastic
trip to Spain and all the best in the
tournament.
“Let’s hope they come back with
some silverware!”
Going for goals:
Mark Threapleton,
Managing Director
of Stagecoach
Manchester (left),
hands over the
donation to Ahmed
Omar, Pete Thomason,
Abdi Shire and
Muhannud Osman
from the Hideaway
Youth project.
Getting into the swing of things
TABLE tennis wizards have the chance
to test their skills against other transport
workers early next year.
The table tennis section of the National
Passenger Transport Sports Association
(NPTSA) is holding its annual
competition at Butlins Holiday Centre at
Minehead, Somerset, from Friday, January
30 to Monday, February 2, 2009.
In addition to some frenetic
competition on the tables, there’s plenty
of entertainment in line with this year’s
competition theme, the 1960s.
Acts provisionally booked for the event
include Gerry and the Pacemakers, The
Searchers and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky,
Mick and Tich.
For more information and a booking
form, contact Ian Woods on 0151 291
5677 or e-mail ianwoods@blueyonder.
co.uk as soon as possible, as places are
limited.
14
Summer 08

Hiking team
boosts cause
A TEAM of four Kettering bus depot
employees walked six miles to raise
money for Sports Relief.
Ron Steele, Tina Perridge, Suzanne
Wells and Veronica Steele limbered up
with daily exercises at the bus depot
in preparation for the big day.
Friends, relatives and colleagues
pledged £150 before the event, and the
team raised more with collection tins
on the day.
Team leader Ron Steele said:
“We have great team spirit here at
Stagecoach and we all challenged
each other to complete this walk.”
Ron was also going in at the deep
end for another charity recently when
he took part in a 5km swimathon at
his local swimming pool and raised
£200 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Keen to encourage colleagues to
embrace a healthy lifestyle, Ron
created an information board in
the depot carrying key messages
about diet. He has also arranged
corporate membership for Stagecoach
employees at a local fitness club and
is planning ‘eat healthy’ weeks in the
depot canteen.
Charity climb
summit special
INVERNESS driver Alex Mackenzie
has scaled the heights to raise cash for a
local charity.
Alex conquered Africa’s highest peak
Kilimanjaro and raised £7,700 for the
Highland Hospice.
Alex thanked the Stagecoach Group
Charitable Committee, the Gloag
Foundation and his colleagues for all
donations.
CHARITY ROUND-UP... CHARITY ROUND-UP...
Sponsored cycle is elementary for Gillian
AN ENGINEERING clerk with
Stagecoach North East saddled up to
raise cash for charity.
Gillian Watson of Gateshead
joined ten others from the Derwent
Trekkers to cycle 45 miles in aid of
the Gordon Stokoe Trust.
The Trust was founded in
honour of Gordon Stokoe who
died suddenly last year from a
brain tumour. Gordon had worked
tirelessly for charities and until his
untimely death had been working
to help poverty stricken families in
Tanzania.
His partner Margaret set up the
trust in his memory and the money
raised by the charity bike ride will be
used to aid education programmes
Gillian Watson and her fellow sponsored cyclists celebrate completing their challenge.
throughout Tanzania.
Complete with an extra boost from
Stagecoach, the sponsored cycle
raised £1000 in total.
Gillian said: “All my colleagues at
Children to benefit
from Bedford bonanza
Driver Vince Malandra and Assistant Operations Manager Dave Davis present
their cheque to the staff of Bedford Hospital’s children’s ward.
the depot supported me by making
donations and encouraging me,
and it was great for the company to
match the funds raised too as it has
made it all the more worthwhile.”
A STAGECOACH bus made a special
visit to Bedford Hospital to drop
off a £500 cheque for the Riverbank
children’s ward.
The money was raised by staff at
Stagecoach in Bedford who took part
in fundraising events throughout the
year, including Christmas events and
raffles.
Delighted Ward Sister Sue Llewellyn
said: “Donations like this really do
make a difference to the children
staying on the ward, as we can
purchase extra equipment which can
help to make their stay less traumatising.
“We would like to use this money to
upgrade our treatment room, as this
can often be a frightening place for
a child. We can decorate it in such a
way as to provide distractions for the
children during treatment procedures.”
Dave Bamburgh (left) and Eddie Porter
of Stagecoach North East at Teesside
with Anne Cooling of the Butterwick
Hospice.
Fundraising
in a different
league
A FOOTBALL-related fundraiser
scored a major donation for a
North East hospice.
Staff at Stagecoach North
East’s Teesside depot pitched
in with £750 during a raffle for
tickets to see Middlesbrough FC
play at the Riverside Stadium.
The money went to the
Butterwick Hospice, which
received another £9000 earlier
in the year thanks to Christmas
fundraising at Teesside.
John Conroy, Managing
Director at Stagecoach North
East, said: “We were happy to
support the initiative devised by
the Operations Manager Eddie
Porter at the depot.
“The money raised is
testament to the commitment
of all the staff in Teesside to
support such a worthy cause. We
are very proud of the continued
efforts of all involved to help the
Hospice.”
The depot will continue to
raise money for the Butterwick
Hospice throughout the year
through a series of social events
and sponsored activities.
Loyal staff recognised at awards ceremony
BUS driver Roger Thanner was
recognised for his 20 years of
service by Stagecoach Manchester
at a recent awards presentation
held at the city’s Radisson
Edwardian hotel.
A total of 42 Stagecoach staff, who
collectively have over 1,000 years
of service to the company, received
Award-winners at Manchester’s long service
awards ceremony.
Celebrating nearly 400 years of service
long service awards and a bouquet
of flowers for their guests at the
dinner.
Each of the loyal workers had
already received a high-quality gift
to mark the actual anniversary
of their employment with the
company.
Mark Threapleton, Managing
Director of Stagecoach Manchester,
commented: “I am delighted to
express my genuine appreciation
and congratulations to all our staff
who achieved their long service
award for their commitment to the
company. We are very proud to have
so many loyal and long-serving staff.
“Their dedication to the job has
helped establish and maintain our
good name in the region.
“Everyone at the awards had at
least 20 years’ service and five were
receiving 40-year awards, which is
no mean feat in any job.”
STAGECOACH North West
paid tribute to 15 long–serving
employees and retirees at a
special evening in Penrith.
Workers from Barrow, Carlisle,
Fleetwood, Kendal, Morecambe,
Preston, West Cumbria and Head
Office were all thanked for their
loyal service over a combined
total of 384 years.
Pictured (rear, from left) are:
Christopher Bowles, North West
Managing Director; Anthony
Munn (Carlisle Coach Painter) –
24 years’ service; Richard Elliott
(Carlisle Driver) – 30 years;
Stephen Todd (Kendal Driver)
– 20 years; Colin Nicholson
(Marketing Manager) – 20 years;
Ismail Dala (Preston Driver) – 20
years; Robert Edwards (Preston
Driver) – 24 years; Michael
Johnston (West Cumbria Driver)
– 20 years; Dennis Gainford (West
Cumbria Driver) – 21 years;
David Lloyd (Barrow Inspector)
– 21 years; Paul Lee (North West
Engineering Director).
Front (from left): John Fleming
(Carlisle Driver, retired) – 38
years; Harry Williams (Head
Office Service Quality Inspector)
– 35 years; Stephen Houghton
(Morecambe Inspector) – 20
years; James Melling (Preston
Driver) – 35 years; Alfred Gee
(Fleetwood Driver) – 30 years;
Colin Johnstone – (West Cumbria
Driver, retired) – 26 years.
Long-serving Stagecoach North West employees were honoured at an evening event
in Penrith.
Summer 08 15

AIMING FOR TREBLE TOP
THIS year’s National Transport Awards
could hold yet more success for
Stagecoach, which has been shortlisted
for three top honours.
Two of Stagecoach’s Scottish bus
companies – Fife and Inverness – are in
the running for the Chris Moyes Award
for Public Transport Operator of the
Year.
The company’s award-winning ‘Where
you want to be’ telemarketing campaign
has been shortlisted by the judges in
the Travel Information and Marketing
category.
And a hi-tech taxi smartcard system
– developed by Stagecoach Group
subsidiary Concessionary Solutions
Ltd and deployed in partnership with
Dumfries and Galloway Council – is up
for Most Innovative Transport Project.
“We are continuing to lead the way
in delivering greener, smarter travel
and I am delighted that our companies
and our people have been recognised
for their innovation and service,” said
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian
Souter.
“Our success is also down to our strong
partnerships with our stakeholders. We
will continue to work hard to make our
services even better in the future to get
more people in Britain back on board
public transport.”
Stagecoach in Fife carries more than
30 million passengers a year and has
undertaken a number of successful
initiatives that have attracted new
customers to public transport, including
the Ferrytoll park and ride operation,
and the trial of a cross-Forth hovercraft.
It has also been involved in bus
If you’d like to contribute to On Stage, please take note of these important deadlines:
EDITION COPY TO BE SUBMITTED BY ON STAGE PUBLISHED
Autumn 08 First week, September 08 First week, October 08
Winter 08/09 First week, December 08 First week, January 09
Spring 09 First week, March 09 First week, April 09
Summer 09 First week, June 09 First week, July 09
CONTACTS
Fife’s Ferrytoll park and ride is just one of the exciting activities which have put Stagecoach in line for
National Transport Awards.
partnership schemes with local
authorities and made a multi-millionpound
investment in new coaches for its
express network.
Passengers using Stagecoach services
in Inverness travel on some of the most
modern buses in Scotland and 95% of
the fleet is wheelchair accessible.
Stagecoach has significantly increased
passenger volumes through a number of
Bus Route Development Grant schemes
in partnership with Highland Council
and the Scottish Government.
Customer satisfaction rates are as high
as 95% and the company has also cut its
carbon emissions through the installation
of a hi-tech energy management
system.
Stagecoach’s innovative ‘Where
You want to be’ campaign, which
uses industry-leading telemarketing
techniques, has attracted millions of new
bus passengers across the UK and won
the Department for Transport’s ‘Winning
New Customers’ category at the 2007
UK Bus Awards.
The taxi smartcard system was
developed by Stagecoach for over-60s
who qualify for concessionary travel.
First used by Dumfries and Galloway
Council, it incorporates on-board
electronic taxi terminals that read personalised
travel cards issued to eligible
users on behalf of the council.
Smartcards are issued with an agreed
concessionary value and electronic
information from the terminals is
downloaded for reimbursement to taxi
operators and paid directly into their
bank accounts.
The system saves local authorities
thousands of pounds a year in administration
costs and unspent money is
returned to the council at the end of
the financial year.
The 2008 National Transport
Awards, organised in association
with Transport Times, were due to be
held at the Grosvenor House Hotel
in London on July 15. The awards
recognise transport professionals
and providers who have made a real
difference to the UK transport system.
PICTURE OF THE SEASON
This edition’s winning
Picture of the Season was
taken by Gavin Francis,
who is based at Oxford
Depot. It shows an Oxford
Tube vehicle making its
way through heavy snowfall.
Congratulations to Gavin,
who will shortly receive
his prize of £50 of M&S
vouchers.
If you think you have a
picture that captures one
of the four seasons, please
send your images to the
Editor at the address below.
Editor: Steven Stewart, On Stage, Stagecoach Group,
10 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW.
Tel: +44 (0)1738 442111, Fax: +44 (0)1738 443076
WWW.STAGECOACHGROUP.COM
If you have a story for On Stage, please get in touch with your
local contact below:
Stagecoach Group Steven Stewart 01738 642040
UK BUS
STAGECOACH EAST SCOTLAND Sarah Anderson 01383 516455
STAGECOACH WEST SCOTLAND Allan Henry 01292 613515
STAGECOACH NORTH EAST Jodine Milne 0191 566 0236
STAGECOACH NORTH WEST Colin Nicholson 01772 255752
STAGECOACH MANCHESTER Karen Coventry 0161 276 2727
STAGECOACH MERSEYSIDE Clare Tresnan 07711 950 019
STAGECOACH EAST MIDLANDS Louise Wright 01522 522255
STAGECOACH OXFORDSHIRE Chris Child 01865 405511
STAGECOACH IN WARWICKSHIRE Adam Rideout 01604 662283
STAGECOACH EAST Adam Rideout 01604 662283
STAGECOACH CAMBRIDGESHIRE Ed Cameron 01223 423578
STAGECOACH WEST Nathan Williams 07753 775 193
STAGECOACH WALES Nathan Williams 07753 775 193
STAGECOACH SOUTH EAST Helen Martin 01243 536161
STAGECOACH SOUTH Helen Martin 01243 536161
STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST Janet Wafer 01392 889271
STAGECOACH YORKSHIRE Hannah Thompson 01226 202555
NATIONAL TRANSPORT TOKENS Sajda Khan 01254 680180
UK RAIL
SOUTH WEST TRAINS Lisa Basham 0207 620 5892
ISLAND LINE Andy Naylor 01983 862492
EAST MIDLAND TRAINS Anna Richardson 01332 262010
STAGECOACH SUPERTRAM Julia Shaw 0114 2759888
STAGECOACH METROLINK Cheryl Hubbard 0161 2058665
NORTH AMERICA
COACH USA Dale Moser 001 201 225 7575
COACH CANADA Jim Devlin 001 705 748 1170
On Stage is published four times a year. Advertising connected directly or
indirectly with Stagecoach is accepted. Charitable adverts will be included
without charge, otherwise rates on request.
On Stage is distributed free to Stagecoach staff. Public subscriptions
are available at £12 for one year or £20 for two years. Cheque payable
to Stagecoach Group plc at the editorial address. The Editor is unable
to enter into individual correspondence concerning the affairs of The
Stagecoach Group.
DESIGNED BY THE BIG PARTNERSHIP GROUP LIMITED, SCOTLAND.
16
Summer 08