Merton is voted simply the best! G
O-AHEAD London is celebrating a great set of results at the UK Bus Awards, which took place on November 20 at the London Hilton Hotel. Merton garage was awarded the prize of London Bus Garage of the Year for its impressive work over the past 12 months. The award was open to garages that operated buses on contract to London Bus Services Ltd, with performance and monitoring data used by TfL to compile a shortlist of garages
reaching high levels of recorded performance. “Winning the award shows just how hard we have been working at the garage,” said operating manager Hannah Self. “The trophy is already on display at Merton and I know all of my colleagues are really chuffed at the result. “Now that we have the trophy at our garage, I’m sure we will all be working extra hard to try and keep hold of it next year!” Cllr Alambritis, leader of Merton Council, visited Merton garage to
congratulate management and staff on their recent success at the UK Bus Awards. Councillor Alambritis was given a tour of the garage by Trevor Johnson (see photo on front page), who filled him with a wealth of knowledge and facts about the garage. “Merton is a good borough and this win just adds to its accomplishments,” said the impressed councillor. The second success of the day came in the Top London Bus Driver category, which was won by Stockwell driver Roy Lambe.
... And Roy reigns supreme in London Top driver Roy Lambe, right, with Stockwell general manager Colin Opher.
Top in London
Merton driver Scott Horney was also highly commended in the same category. The award was judged on a number of factors including mystery traveller reports, driving standard assessment reports, public commendations, driver monitoring assessments and accident records. “It’s brilliant to be recognised for my endeavours out on the road,” said Roy. “I am really pleased to have won, especially when there are so many excellent bus drivers on the roads in London.”
BELOW: Merton operating manager Hannah Self and Merton general manager Trevor Johnson.
Price the decider as company loses two routes IN the latest set of tender results, GoAhead London was unsuccessful in its bid to retain two of its routes. The routes in question are the 425, from Stratford to Clapton, and the N551, from Gallions Reach to Trafalgar Square – both presently run from Docklands depot. Route 425 will transfer on July 6 and
route N551 on August 31 to First London East and will be operated from its Lea Interchange depot. “We are quite disappointed to have been unsuccessful in the retention of these routes. The performance of both routes is excellent but unfortunately it came down to price,” said Docklands operating
manager Ted Dalton. “The N551 service was regularly at the top of the league table for night buses. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all of their hard work on these two services and encourage staff to keep up the high level of performance on all the other routes at Docklands garage.” BusTalk l December 2012
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