Bus Talk - Issue 35 August 2015

Issue 35 • August 2015

Leading the way in cleaner buses Expanding emission-free bus travel - see page 3

In this issue

Success for Sutton in route tenders Page 4

Go-Ahead plans ahead in London Pages 6 & 7

In the shoes of the visually impaired Page 8 2

Go-Ahead London Bus Driver of the Year

Third time lucky for Stephen!

STEPHEN Chipperfield from Waterside Way was the clear winner in this year’s Go-Ahead London Bus Driver of the Year competition, held in Crawley on July 4.

There were also good performances from Peckham’s Trevor Roberts, who came second, and Merton’s Stephen Appiah in third place. All three winners received a trophy and cash prizes of £200, £100 and £50 respectively.

Stephen Chipperfield has gone up a notch each year, coming third in 2013, second in 2014 and finally taking the top prize in 2015.

Drivers who took part in the competition were put forward by their garages, based on performance, safe driving and eco-driving scores. The nine finalists were selected following

tests at Camberwell to measure their CPC, PCV and Highway Code knowledge.

All three winners will go on to represent GoAhead London in the national Bus Driver of the Year competition, which takes place in Blackpool over the weekend of September 5 and 6.

“We’ve been doing the regional heats at Crawley for a few years now,” said Training and Development Manager Eric Dale. “It’s all starting to flow and we’re finishing earlier as things go more smoothly. I’m now looking forward to seeing how our winners perform at Blackpool this year.”

ABOVE: From left, Stephen Chipperfield, Trevor Roberts, Stephen Appiah and Training and Development manager Eric Dale.

THE ECO Challenge 2015 is nearly here!

Previously known as the 500 Challenge, this is Go-Ahead London’s biggest annual competition, giving 20 of our greenest drivers over the last six months the chance to win a brand new Citroen C1 car!

This new and improved ECO challenge with a difference takes place on September 18, 2015. Will YOU be one of the lucky few to take part? Are YOU ready to get behind the wheel of a Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari for a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience? Be prepared for a working day like no other!

Will YOU be the winner of our ECO challenge competition and become the owner of a brand new Citroen C1 car?

We're switching over T

WO new electric buses have arrived at Mandela Way garage, bringing the benefit of emission-free bus travel to more London commuters.

The i2e single-deck buses have been manufactured by Spanish company Irizar and are the first to operate in the UK. They are already operating successfully in Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastian in Spain and Marseilles in France.

The new buses will join two existing electric buses on route 507 (Waterloo Station to Victoria Station) and route 521 (Waterloo Station to London Bridge Station).

These relatively short routes were chosen because they are able to operate for a full day without the need to re-charge the battery.

Detail pictures of the new Irizar i2e electric buses.

Batteries are charged for four total passenger capacity of 60. to five hours overnight, giving a range of up Go-Ahead London was the first London to 112 miles under typical London traffic conditions. The running costs are around 75 bus operator to trial electric buses and over the last 18 months, routes 507 and per cent lower than for a regular diesel bus.

521 have operated two electric buses from The 12-metre buses have a continuous Chinese manufacturer BYD. low floor and two double doors, with an “The batteries have performed well,” said electric ramp at the centre door. They have General Manager Pat Mahon. “The buses 26 seats and one wheelchair space and a

start service at 6.20am and keep running until 12.50am the next morning on just one battery charge. We are now going to trial the Irizar bus to see how the two models compare.

“We have been operating route 507 and 521 successfully at Waterloo since 1994 and I am proud that we have retained these routes for a further five years in the recent round of tenders.”

Driver/mentor Diana Smolerek took the first of the new buses out on a test drive and said: “It’s nice and smooth and the controls react really easily, making it feel light to drive. You do need to give it a couple of seconds between changing gear though, as the power can cut out if you try to change too quickly.

“It looks really good and the airconditioning works well. It’s also very quiet inside – I think our customers are going to love it!”

The introduction of two more electric buses re-enforces Go-Ahead London’s commitment to running the most environmentally friendly fleet in the world.

Company risk competition

By Tom McGlew EVERY year, the company holds a competition where garages compete to devise and implement a health and safety improvement.

The Risk Competition, now in its twelfth year, has always generated some great ideas but, more importantly, they are the ideas of you, the employee.

This year’s competition is an employee health and safety suggestion scheme.

The competition is open to all employees, who were asked to submit a solution to a health and safety topic of their own choosing. A team, made up of drivers, engineers, administrators and controllers based at each garage, then chose the best idea to put forward to the competition with all the other garages.

The closing date for

employee ideas to be submitted was July 31. Did you get your idea in? If you did, good luck to you, and a big thank you for taking the time to make a difference.

It could be your idea that improves safety for all of us.

To demonstrate how the

competition can have a real practical effect on improving the working lives of employees, last year’s winners, Croydon garage, won with an entry based on improving the back health of staff. They ran a series of events, including bringing T H E

H& S

C O L U M N

Last year's winners from Croydon garage are pictured with John Trayner and Richard Harrington.

in an osteopath who offered free consultations in the garage. They also negotiated a discounted membership with a local gym and sourced and trialled a new type of driver seat. As a result of the success of their trial, the company has now specified the driver seat to be fitted on all new build vehicles it buys.

All of this as a result of the Risk Competition.

If you did not enter this year’s competition, don’t worry – all is not lost. The competition suggestion box may be closed but a good safety solution shouldn’t wait for a competition. If you have a sensible, practical and workable solution to a safety concern, get in touch with a manager to discuss. You can do this on the employee portal, email or ask to see a manager when you’re next in the garage.

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Don't miss your chance for career development A

NOTHER opportunity for Go-Ahead London employees to develop their careers will take place this autumn.

Every year since 2007, the company has run a pre-promotion course for employees, chosen from those who applied for the opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge.

Participants will learn more about different areas of the business, with guest speakers explaining the part their teams play in the company. There will also be sections on CV writing and interview skills and an exam

at the end of the course.

More than 40 of those who have taken the course have been promoted so far.

The six-week course takes place at Camberwell Training School starting on Tuesday, September 15, from 5.30pm for two to three hours, then on the following five Tuesdays at the same time. The sessions are in employees’ own time.

If you wish to be considered for a place, the online application form is available on the employee portal. Make sure you can be available for all six sessions.

Applications must be

submitted by Friday, August 14.

Further information is available on the employee portal and on garage screens.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A SPECIAL one day prepromotion course will be held on August 19 for employees who need a skills top-up.

The course is designed for those who have been shortlisted and

interviewed for SGA, Controller or other operating positions but were unsuccessful.

Guest speakers from various areas of the company will provide more in-depth information about the business to the 12 employees taking part. The aim is to give more background support and improve their promotion prospects.

Sutton celebrates route retentions

u A COURSE APPLICANT'S VIEW...

Abraham Thomson Controller

ABRAHAM Thomson was one of the successful applicants to take part in the prepromotion course in February.

He has since been appointed Controller, based at Stockwell, and believes the course definitely helped him achieve his promotion.

“I had been short-listed before but didn’t get the job,” said Abraham. “I decided to do the course to improve my prospects.

"The knowledge I gained about the company from the

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course was immense.

“We had guest speakers including John Trayner and people from various roles in the business. The course gave me more confidence and a better insight of what to expect in an interview.

“I have already informed many of my colleagues about the course and encouraged them to apply as I found it helpful and worthwhile.

“I believe the pre-promotion has been a stepping stone to my progression.”

SUTTON garage is celebrating the retention of all routes that came up for tender in the latest round of TfL awards.

The routes retained are 80, 93, 151 and 154. Also, Merton garage has retained route 164, which is operated by Sutton garage on Sundays.

Four additional buses will be brought in on route 80 so it can run an increased frequency and route 151 and 154 will have an extra bus each for the same reason.

Route 93 has the biggest PVR

(Peak Vehicle Requirement) at Sutton and is due to get brand new buses.

Glenn Woodman, new Operating Manager at Sutton, said: “We are delighted to retain these routes, particularly the 93 as it is the largest route we operate and therefore particularly key to our business.

“I would like to congratulate the team at Sutton for all the hard work they have put in to achieve this success.”

ABOVE: Route 93 drivers Tony Psillides and Paul Southby.

Changes to the team u NEW STARTER Laura Marrion

Management Accountant

u NEW APPOINTMENT Lance McFarlane

Communications Administrator

FOLLOWING his role introducing the Employee Portal to all Go-Ahead London garages, Lance McFarlane has now been appointed Communications Administrator, based at Merton Head Office.

Lance originally joined Camberwell garage as a driver in 2010, and soon after was seconded to the Customer Services Department at Head Office. Here he dealt with TfL queries, complaints and general enquiries but also continued to do some driving shifts.

Early in 2014, Lance became involved in the installation and development of the Employee Portal. In his role as a ‘super

NEW Finance Department recruit Laura Marrion is really enjoying getting stuck into a completely different type of business and said buses are much more complex than yoghurt!

Management Accountant Laura previously had a similar role at yoghurt company Yoplait, where she worked for five years.

Her role in Finance includes month-end reporting, garage accounts and dealing with expenses. “I’m really enjoying

getting to grips with another type of industry,” said Laura.

“Everyone has been very welcoming too.”

Laura is still studying in her own time and hopes to achieve her final accountancy qualification in about a year’s time.

When she’s not working or studying, she enjoys rock music and going to gigs. She recently went to see former Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash, who now performs with his own band.

user’, he taught drivers, supervisors and managers how to use the system.

He started his new role in the Communications Department on June 27 and is still the contact for any queries involving the Portal. His other responsibilities include creating email addresses for new employees, keeping the Employee Portal updated and creating digital signage. He is also involved in organising the Eco Challenge and Camberwell Garage Open Day. His spare time is taken up with his family, which includes daughters Ashleigh and Brooke, aged three and two, as well as going to the gym.

u WORK PLACEMENT Aisha Farooq

IT Department

UNIVERSITY student Aisha Farooq has recently started a work placement in the IT department at Head Office as part of her computing degree.

Aisha is studying at the University of Wolverhampton, where she will return after her internship at Go-Ahead London to complete her degree.

She has been helping to develop and customise

recruitment software ICIMS (Internet Collaborative Information Management System), which is used for recruitment, applicant tracking and reporting.

“It’s been great,” said Aisha. “I’m really enjoying working here, everyone is so friendly.”

Outside work, she enjoys horse riding, travelling and socialising with friends and family.

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FACE 2

FACE

Engineering t for Go-Ahead

IN OUR Face 2 Face column, we chat to Rosie Ward, Commercial Assistant in the Commercial department, who has worked for the company for 18 months.

We ask Rosie a series of light-hearted questions.

Q: Where would you go for a dream holiday?

A: The Maldives.

Q: What’s your favourite TV programme?

A: Game of Thrones.

Q: Who makes you laugh?

A: Everyone – I laugh at everything! But my favourite comedian is Micky Flanagan.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A: Going for a drink with family or friends – mine’s a vodka and orange!

Q: Which band or singer would you like to see in concert?

A: Adele.

Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: A police officer. I was for three years but it wasn’t quite the job I had hoped it would be.

Q: Who would be your leading man if you were the leading lady in a film?

A: Gerard Butler.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

A: The people I work with and the variety of the job. I enjoy the events, like Epsom and Wimbledon.

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Planning ahead as company invests in talent

A

FTER three years of training, the latest group of engineering apprentices are ready to take on challenging new roles in the business.

Through a combination of work and collegebased training, the group have all been working towards achieving level 3 NVQs. Five technical apprentices attended the College of North West London on day release for two years followed by a final year block release course at the S & B Automotive Academy in Bristol. The five have now been appointed Senior Vehicle Engineers at the following garages: n Lewis Margrave, Sutton n Adam Nichols, Camberwell n Michael Wynne, Camberwell n Luke Whyatt, Stockwell n Jordan Mohun, Northumberland Park Gabriel Collins, who has been appointed Senior Vehicle Engineer at New Cross, also completed three years’ of technical training but did his college course at Scania Technical Training in Loughborough.

Metrobus technical apprentices Jack Reeve and Michael Lewis have completed three years, including a college course at Scania Technical Training in Loughborough. They will be

appointed to new positions shortly.

Christopher Elliot has achieved a level 3 Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence after two years of training on a block release course at the S & B Automotive Academy in Bristol. His new position and location is to be decided this month (August).

The business also has a first and second year group of engineering trainees, and each year three Apprentice of the Year winners are chosen.

This year, each received a certificate signed by Group Chief Executive David Brown and Chief Engineer Richard Harrington. They were: n First year – Alicia Lawrence n Second year – Taylour Gravell n Third year – Luke Whyatt Go-Ahead London will shortly be taking on a new group of apprentices to join the first and second year apprentices already in the business, ensuring a skilled and well-trained engineering team for the future.

PICTURED ABOVE: Third Year Engineering Apprentices, front row, from left: Christopher Elliot, Lewis Margrave, Luke Whyatt, Gabriel Collins, Adam Nichols, Jordan Mohun, Michael Wynne and Jack Reeve.

the future d London u TAYLOUR GRAVELL Apprentice of the

Year Winner Second Year

“SURPRISED but grateful” was Taylour Gravell’s response to winning the second-year Apprentice of the Year award.

“I’ve always been interested in mechanics,” said Taylour.

“My brother-in-law, Ian Gough, is an SGA at Blue Triangle and said Go-Ahead London was a good company to work for, so I applied to join the apprentice scheme.

“The training is going well and I’m hoping to have a good career with the company.”

t to take the business forward

u ALICIA LAWRENCE Apprentice of the Year

Winner First Year

u LUKE WHYATT Apprentice of the Year

Winner Third Year

LUKE Whyatt has completed his three-year apprenticeship and is now enjoying the challenge of his new position as Senior Vehicle Engineer at Stockwell.

He was “happy but surprised” to win the third-year Apprentice of the Year award. “I always found it interesting playing around with car engines,” said Luke, “so a career in engineering was a good choice for me.”

FIRST-YEAR Apprentice of the Year Alicia Lawrence said the award really meant a lot to her.

“It was great to know that all the effort I have put in and the passion I have for the job has been recognised,” said Alicia.

“My dad is a mechanic and I always loved being around cars, which is why I wanted to do engineering. I never expected to be working on buses but I love the challenge – there’s never a dull day.

“I feel very lucky to work for the biggest bus company in London because it offers more opportunities. The training scheme is very structured and because the company takes on apprentices every year, everyone is used to it and they know how to help you."

Alicia has also featured in a YouTube video produced by TfL to celebrate 100 Years of Women in Transport.

“I was very flattered to be asked by my manager to take part,” said Alicia. “But it was quite nerve-racking to do. They did lots of filming though, so they were able to pick out the best bits!"

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Full of Eastern promise PUTNEY garage welcomed 19 new Eastern European drivers after a recruitment drive in Romania in June, and everyone at the depot has worked together to ensure a smooth transition to life in the UK. “The experience has been challenging for the new recruits but they have worked very hard to achieve the standard required and they are all doing really well,” said General Manager Catherine Booth.

“Previously, we had just one Romanian driver at Putney, Adrian Melinte, and at the outset I asked for Adrian’s assistance with the new drivers who are also from Romania.

“Adrian has gone the extra mile to help with all aspects of the training period, including national insurance and bank account applications and driver mentoring. His help has been invaluable.”

Above left: Romanian driver Adrian Melinte with General Manager Catherine Booth.

Above right: Fellow Romanian drivers Relu Pavel (left) and Razvan Stoian.

Adrian said: “I really enjoyed helping with the new drivers.

Some of them had driven buses before in Romania but not all of them. They have all had to get used to driving on the other side of the road though, which can be difficult

at first.

“They all speak conversational English and have found everyone very friendly and welcoming at the garage.”

Following the successful introduction of the drivers

at Putney, Stockwell garage has also now recruited some Romanian drivers.

The 20 new drivers will join in batches and Adrian has already been to Camberwell to help out with the first four new recruits.

Role reversal is a real eye-opener CAMBERWELL drivers have had the chance to experience how it feels for passengers with a visual impairment to board a bus.

A group from SELVis, a visual impairment charity, visited the garage on June 24 for an open forum. This was followed by an opportunity for their members to experience the layouts of various types of buses. They were particularly keen to try out the New Routemaster because the layout is so different to other buses.

SELVis also brought some Sim Specs with them, which simulate various levels of visual impairment, so that drivers could experience a role reversal to help them understand the needs of the visually impaired.

The feedback from drivers who took part was very positive. Driver Ade Agbaosi said: “Yesterday I took part in a disability awareness activity on the New Routemaster – it was brilliant. I experienced what it is like to board a bus with partial sight. I think this sort of training should be included in the driver CPC. “The reason I say this is because it's one thing telling drivers to consider elderly and disabled passengers but actually putting us in their shoes to understand how they feel and how much longer it takes them to process what's going on around them to make a decision is even better.

"Doing more of this would make disabled and elderly passengers’ journeys a better experience.”

Drivers Faruq Mia, left, and Khaydeen Brown try out some Sim Specs that simulate visual impairment.

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Rewind 20 years...

1995

WE HAVE dug back into the archives again this month with more articles from 20 years ago, and, amazingly, some still familiar faces.

August 1995

No 32

It's a big wrap for Blakey

bus BRITAIN’S best-known akey” “Bl inspector – Stephen ses Bu Lewis from On the al in – joined London Centr nch the lau to e uar Sq ar Trafalg latest “wrapped” bus. s Media company TDI say ally tot , ses wrapped bu images, covered in advertising st are now one of the mo icles. veh ity blic sought-after pu

s is The London Central bu sian lay Ma the by d being use to ard Bo tion mo Pro rist Tou a as try promote the coun man holiday destination. Ah tourism, for r cto dire UK Zuhuri, tastic. said: “The bus looks fan g itin “It is such an exc medium and ideal as the centrepiece of our new campaign.”

a girl from ABOVE: Blakey meets Board, the Malaysian Tourist vertising with the "wrapped" ad d. un bus in the backgro ining and RIGHT: I ‘ate you! Tra r Eric Dale ge na Ma nt me Develop the On m gets the treatment fro the Buses star.

spaper

London General's staff new

Number 16 July 1995

t s e b e h t y l p m i S for engineers. tire to achieve it for the en d by The project was guide e HARD work and on in gineering function ger en na s Ma eer es gin rvic en Se by l n ica Techn determinatio . y go alit Qu Geoff Robinson and played a central role in for the full ion rat pa Pre s. yer ral Manager Roy Sa helping London Gene two-day audit in April s On-site assistance wa gain the much-coveted rs. took almost two yea e ntr Ce e of rvic mp Se sta by al given internation It included training and good oro Th . ry 02 Ga r 90 ge ISO na – Ma y qualit awareness sessions for (Stockwell), Chris Stiles The company is one of d hundreds of an ff sta ervisors on nd Lo the (Merton), their sup just two former hours’ work formulating eering ies gin an En mp ite co s tell bu Sa and Transport is Quality Manual – what . lier Hil ve the Da r d ge ine na ga Ma ve to ha procedural bible the w no t firs certificate, and the

t, Mick Dunn, ABOVE LEFT: From lef Clymont Mc Chris Leach, Bobby four of the y, rth wo and Joseph Nose well who ck Sto at rs ee 40-plus engin . helped gain ISO 9002 r Vehicle nio Se n rto Me E: OV AB es cosmetic giv ly Engineer Paul Da Metros. the of e on attention to

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Recruitment moves with the times A NEW state-of-the-art online recruitment system for drivers went live on July 6.

Rather than filling in a handwritten form and posting it, potential employees now complete their details, including driving licence check, via an internet-based application process on our website.

The facility has been configured and set up in-house by the IT Department, with Carice Welch, Projects Administrator, taking the lead.

Carice, who evaluated options, specified requirements and trained staff, said: “Technology is everywhere and is part of our everyday lives. People interested in becoming a bus driver will benefit from the process being faster as well as receiving messages as their

Tender NEWS

application progresses.

“It’s a really simple system and the team at Camberwell Recruitment Centre have learned to use it quickly.”

Anybody interested in joining us can apply via www.goaheadlondon. com and select ‘join our team’. Staff who successfully recommend a new employee receive £500 if the person is a PCV holder and £200 if full training is required once the candidate is successfully passed to the garage.

The money is paid in two instalments.

Keith Wood, Resources Manager, said: “We have transformed how we manage new applicants by developing a simple, easy to administer and quick process. Communication is more effective as we no longer need to wait for responses to be sent by post”.

Projects Administrator Carice Welch.

Flywheel vehicles (11 PVR). Contract begins on March 19, 2016. n Route 163 (Wimbledon to Morden), using existing diesel single-deck vehicles with one double-deck (14 PVR). Contract begins on December 5, 2015. n Route 164 (Wimbledon to Sutton), from across using new flywheel hybrid single-deck the capital vehicles (12 PVR). Contract begins on December 5, 2015.

IN OUR regular column, we highlight recent announcements n Route 507 (Waterloo to Victoria), using new electric single-deck vehicles made by Transport for (15 PVR). Contract begins on August London. All are retentions unless stated otherwise.

27, 2016. n Route 521 (Waterloo to London London General Bridge), using new electric single-deck n Route 80 (Hackbridge to Belmont), vehicles (32 PVR). Contract begins on using existing diesel single-deck August 27, 2016. vehicles (16 PVR). Contract begins on n Route 616 (Winchmore Hill to December 5, 2015.

Edmonton Green, school service), using n Route 93/N93 (Putney Bridge existing diesel double-deck vehicles to North Cheam), using 20 existing (2 PVR). Contract begins on February diesel and 7 new hybrid double-deck 6, 2016. vehicles (27 PVR). Contract begins on n Route W10 (Enfield to Crews Hill), December 5, 2015. using existing diesel single-deck n Route 151 (Wallington to Worcester vehicles. Contract begins on February Park), using existing diesel double6, 2016. deck vehicles (14 PVR). Contract Metrobus begins on December 5, 2015. n Route 353 (Ramsden Estate to n Route 154 (West Croydon to Forestdale), using existing diesel Morden), using existing diesel double- double-deck vehicles (8 PVR). Contract deck vehicles (14 PVR). Contract begins on October 24, 2015. begins on December 5, 2015. n Route 359 (Addington Village to n Route 155/N155 (Aldwich/Elephant Purley), using existing diesel singleand Castle to Tooting/Morden), using deck vehicles (3 PVR). Contract begins new hybrid double-deck vehicles (21 on October 24, 2015.

PVR). Contract begins on December n Route 654 (Ramsden Estate to 12, 2015.

Addington Village, school service), n Route 162 (Eltham Station to using existing diesel double-deck Beckenham Junction Station), using vehicle (1 PVR). Contract begins on existing diesel single-deck and new October 24, 2015.

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Abellio n Route 367 (Bromley North Station to West Croydon), won from London General, using new diesel single-deck vehicles (9 PVR). Contract begins on March 19, 2016. n Route C10 (Victoria to Canada Water), using new diesel single-deck vehicles (19 PVR). Contract begins on March 19, 2016.

Arriva Kent Thameside n Route 229 (Thamesmead to Sidcup), won from London Central, using double-deck vehicles, type TBC (20 PVR). Contract begins on January 23, 2016. n Route 469 (Woolwich Common to Erith), won from Stagecoach Selkent, using new diesel single-deck vehicles (8 PVR). Contract begins on January 23, 2016. n Route 492 (Sidcup to Bluewater), using double-deck vehicles, type TBC (7 PVR). Contract begins on January 23, 2016. n Route B12 (Erith to Bexley Park), using existing diesel single-deck vehicles (7 PVR). Contract begins on January 23, 2016. n Route B13 (Bexleyheath to New Eltham), using new diesel single-deck vehicles (6 PVR). Contract begins on January 23, 2016.

Arriva London North n Route 184 (Turnpike Lane Station to Barnet), using existing diesel singledeck with one double-deck vehicle (20 PVR). Contract begins on February 6, 2016.

Arriva London South n Route 159/N159 (Streatham Station to Marble Arch), using New

Routemaster vehicles (34 PVR). Contract begins on December 12, 2015.

Metroline n Route 91/N91 (Trafalgar Square to Crouch End/Cockfosters), using New Routemaster vehicles (21 PVR). Contract begins on February 6, 2016. n Route 263 (Holloway to Barnet Hospital), using existing diesel doubledeck vehicles (18 PVR). Contract begins on February 6, 2016. n Route 307 (Brimsdown to Barnet Hospital), won from Arriva London North, using existing diesel double-deck vehicles (15 PVR). Contract begins on December 12, 2015.

Metroline West n Route 187 (Central Middlesex Hospital to Finchley Road), using existing diesel single-deck vehicles (15 PVR). Contract begins on March 5, 2016. n Route 487 (South Harrow to Willesden Junction), using new flywheel hybrid single-deck vehicles (11 PVR).

Contract begins on March 5, 2016.

Stagecoach East London n Route 15H (Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill), using original Routemaster vehicles (5 PVR). Contract begins on November 14, 2015.

Stagecoach Selkent n Route 47/N47 (Shoreditch to Bellingham), using new hybrid doubledeck vehicles (19 PVR). Contract begins on January 23, 2016.

Tower Transit n Route N97 (Trafalgar Square to Hammersmith), won from London United, using existing hybrid doubledeck vehicles. Contract begins on March 5, 2016.

Employee Commendations PECKHAM n “THE driver was the most cheery, welcoming, friendly London bus driver I have ever seen – and that includes myself! A real credit to Go-Ahead,” said Mr Curran, describing driver Lisa Bamgbose.

BEXLEYHEATH n MR Chan caught his flight from Stansted in good time, thanks to driver Gregory Wren. “The driver saw me running towards the bus stop and waited so I could get on,” said Mr Chan. “I could have missed my flight if he’d just left.” n DRIVER Alex Burrows received a commendation from Ms Doolan who said: “His customer service was impeccable, he spoke to the passengers and asked everyone to hold tight before he pulled away.

He wished everyone on board a good day and good weekend, which made everyone smile and feel better about going to work.”

BLUE TRIANGLE n AFTER many years travelling with driver Anoushka Waters, customer Mrs Ollodo said: “This driver is always very nice, helpful, polite, and she comes across as really patient, very considerate and always willing to provide extra A commendation for his 'extreme patience' was support to the less able.” received by Sutton driver Nathaniel Ellis. n MR Green wished to commend driver Stuart Brooke, saying: stop. She checked for passengers “The driver was an absolute gentleman, at every stop as they were following very helpful and very good customer another bus and it wasn’t always easy service.” see if anyone was waiting.

CROYDON n MR Sales thanked driver Annette Standen for handing in his son’s iPhone, which he had left on her bus. n DRIVER Margaret Baker received a commendation from Mr Vlad, who wished to thank her for her “great customer service”.

MERTON n “THANK you for being friendly and smiling and nodding at people when they got on,” said Miss Hunt after travelling with Mansour Belarabi. “We need more drivers like him,” she added.

NEW CROSS n “I’D LIKE all my bus journeys to be that smooth,” said Mr Leach after travelling with driver Gemma Evans.

He added that Gemma was very considerate and waited for him at the

NORTHUMBERLAND PARK n SHAUN Farrant was decribed as “one of the nicest drivers I have ever come across” by customer Ms Ocampo.

She said: “He greeted everyone who boarded the bus with a 'good morning' and thanked us when we tapped our oyster cards on the reader. It started my day off very positively. Please thank the driver for a very pleasant journey, as not only was he polite, he drove the bus very smoothly and was especially careful with cyclists.” n “MY son and his friends were being bullied at the bus stop by a group of youths,” said Mrs Richards, who thanked driver Bekir Bekir for intervening and putting a stop to the situation. “My son, who was actually punched, said if it wasn't for the driver, things may have got somewhat more serious,” she added.

STOCKWELL n “FANTASTIC driver,” said customer Mr Hughes after travelling with Harold Londono.

“He is one of the best I’ve seen in ages. Considerate in not blocking junctions, not jerky or heavy on the brakes and he read the road well.” n WHEELCHAIR-USER Mr Andrats would like to thank driver Thomas Reynolds for his “kindness, friendliness, patience and courtesy” when deploying the bus ramp to allow him to board. n “LOVELY bus driver on the 88,” said customer Miss Davidovic.

“He was very polite and helpful when I was lost in London.” Driver Olatunbosun Adanlawo told Miss Davidovic where to get off the bus and which bus she should take to get to Kingston.

SUTTON n NATHANIEL Ellis received a commendation from Mrs Brion, who was at the bus stop with a large group waiting to get the bus to work. She said: “The driver showed extreme patience with everyone while he gently persuaded people to go upstairs (as there were seats) and move down the bus. He did this at all the stops between The George and Morden station, making sure that if there was space, people travelled.” n CUSTOMER Mrs Hawkins sent “a big thank you for the driver’s understanding with my disabled husband” to driver Gabor Pungor.

WATERSIDE WAY n “I HAD got on the wrong bus and was running late,” said Ms Craig. Driver Ryan Wilson-Meghie took the trouble to get off his bus, which had terminated, and direct Ms Craig to the stop where she could get another bus. “Ryan was incredibly helpful,” she said.

You can see the latest driver commendations on Go-Ahead London’s Twitter account (Go_Ahead_London) or by searching for #GoodGALbusdriver

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Drivers put their hearts into cycle ride for charity Camberwell bus garage open day is fast approaching and final arrangements are in place to make it as successful as our previous open days held at Stockwell and Merton.

The event, which is being held on Saturday September 5, 11am to 5pm, will feature all of the favourites, including a vast bus display, food and refreshments, heritage bus journeys through London, bus wash trips and stalls selling bus memorabilia comprising timetables, models, books and clothing.

There will also be face-painting to entertain our younger visitors – and not forgetting the ice cream man to tempt us all with a cooling treat!

All funds raised on the day will be donated to Trinity Hospice.

Make the time to join the public for a family fun day out at Camberwell’s open day on September 5!

NEW Cross drivers took to their bikes again in June to complete the 68-mile London to Brighton charity cycle ride and raise more money for the British Heart Foundation.

The event took place on June 21, a nice sunny day but rather warm for cycling. The support bus was driven by Chris Jeffrey who picked up the cyclists and their bikes at New Cross garage and took them to the starting point at Clapham Common.

Chris then followed the team to Brighton ready to gather up the tired cyclists with their

bikes and bring them back home.

“We’ve been doing the event for eight years now,” said Chris. “We’ve raised hundreds of pounds for the British Heart Foundation over the years.”

“The trip took anything between five and six hours, depending on whether or not people got punctures but thankfully there were no injuries.”

Those taking part this year included drivers Andy Curley, Owen Stanley, Kenny Massee, Martin Teeluckdharry, Lee Curley and Anthony McFarlane.

Zeni's bike ride raises an Eiffel lot for charity C

YCLING 300 miles from London to Paris over four days was the challenge Belvedere driver Zeni Osborne set herself in July to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Keen cyclist Zeni set off with friend and fellow cyclist Peter Glendenning on July 15 for the first leg of the tour to Dover.

After taking the ferry to Calais, they continued towards Paris via Abbeville and Beauvais.

After a day in Paris, the cyclists returned to the UK on Eurostar with the support vehicles taking their bikes back on the ferry.

Zeni self-funded the £750 costs of the trip and raised another £750 for the charity from donations. She chose Macmillan Cancer Support after losing her grandmother

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and both parents to cancer. They all received great support from the charity.

She first joined Go-Ahead London in 2000, starting at Bexleyheath garage where she worked for a year.

She then had a two-year break to join Battersea Park police but decided she preferred bus driving, so went back to work at Putney garage.

Zeni worked at Putney garage for five years and used to cycle the 38-mile round trip to work every day before moving to Belvedere garage in June this year.

“I cycled from London to Belgium in October last year,” said Zeni.

“So I was confident I could manage the trip to Paris.

“I really enjoy these events as you get to make lots of friends and it’s good fun!”