The future’s bright at Stockwell A NEW iBus hub at Stockwell has been created to make a more suitable working environment for controllers. Sporting 12 workstations plus two viewing screens, the room has been made generally more comfortable. The facility is much larger and brighter, with improved lighting supported by natural light. “I think the investment from the company has been fantastic and I know the controllers are really pleased with the changes,” said Gill Tynan, general manager service operations. “Not only will things be more comfortable for my team but the enhancements will also assist us to continue to improve our efficiency as well.”
The new iBus control room at Stockwell Garage.
Driver comes to the rescue A REVENUE protection inspector has commended a driver for coming to her aid when dealing with an aggressive passenger on his bus. The female inspector had asked the passenger in question for his ticket, which he could not produce, before then asking him to pay for his journey. When the passenger refused she asked him for his details, at which point the situation looked like it could have taken a turn for the worse. That’s when the driver of the bus, Abderrahim Elbekri stepped in. “I saw her start to back away as he began to get up, so I could tell the situation had the potential to escalate,” said Abderrahim. “While I did not leave my cab,
Teaching safety on the buses
Merton driver Abderrahim Elbekri. I made sure the passenger was aware of me and told him that he needed to give his details to the revenue inspector.” Luckily, the man calmed down somewhat and handed over the requested information before disembarking shortly afterwards. “I have been driving for a long time and been in a few similar situations before, but this one certainly had me worried at the time,” added Abderrahim. “Everyone deserves to be able to work in a safe environment and by stepping in early you can stop something serious from happening. “She was very pleased and thanked me profusely but at the end of the day I was just doing my job – it’s my bus which means the safety of everyone on board is my responsibility.”
MERTON garage has been working with TfL, Mencap and the Safer Transport Team to teach children with physical or learning disabilities how to travel on the bus safely. The travel mentor scheme takes the children onto a bus every second Tuesday of the month, teaching them valuable skills they may need. They are also presented with a number of different scenarios that could be encountered while travelling, such as how to deal with a drunk, an aggressive person or even a pickpocket. Other items on the agenda include how to use an Oyster card correctly and how to choose the correct service. Merton driver Stephen Appiah has been behind the wheel for the sessions, with Greg French from the communications department and operating manager Hannah Self also attending to lend a helping hand. “Since the start of 2013 we have run two sessions and will continue to do so in the future. The scheme is great for the reputation of the company and offers a valuable service to the children, our future customers, as well,” said Hannah. “I even got to be an actor pretending to get into an argument during the first session, which was something a bit different from normal!” A similar scheme has been developed with Sutton Community Transport with input from John Scott and Mark Cambridge at Sutton Garage. BusTalk l April 2013
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