On Stage Issue 71 - Stagecoach Group

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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
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Page 11: Geraldine Smith MP launches Morecam
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On Stage Issue 71 - Stagecoach Group

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