Route 14 is in our blood SOME services have a very long history at London General and route 14 is certainly one of them – the company has been operating it since it started. The origins of the route go back to before the First World War when a number 14 service to Putney was operated by the London General Omnibus Company. From 1934 to 1971, route 14 ran from Hornsey Rise to Kingston via Putney. It was also extended to Hampton Court Palace during summer month weekends. In 1971, the service was shortened to finish at Putney. The route has operated from the current Putney garage site since 1958 when it moved from Putney Bridge garage, which closed down. The current 24-hour service runs every 6-10 minutes from Warren Street station to Putney Heath via Fulham Road, South Kensington and Piccadilly Circus. It’s a popular route with drivers, including Roger Tanner who has driven it on and off for just under three years. Roger said:
RM670 on Route 14 at Wood Street Stand, Kingston in January 1966.
Drivers Roger Tanner, above, and Mostafa Zaadane, below.
“I enjoy the number 14 as it’s a very historical route and goes through key areas of central London such as Piccadilly and Knightsbridge, which are well known around the world.” Putney driver Mostafa Zaadane is also a fan and has driven on the route for around
20 years. He said: “I think it’s one of the nicest routes because the passengers are very friendly. It goes to places like Piccadilly Circus, the V&A, Knightsbridge and South Kensington, so you get a lot of tourists. I speak a few different languages, so I enjoy talking to
them and because they’re on holiday they’re very happy!” The route is currently up for tender with the new contract due to be announced by early March. Putney garage employees very much hope their guardianship of this historic service will continue.
Meet the new faces in the team BRUNO joined Go-Ahead u BRUNO SILVA London on January 2, moving Performance Manager from Abellio London where Stockwell Control Centre he was also a Performance Manager. In the last three months of 2015, he was covering as Network Performance Manager. “Go-Ahead London looks like a good and friendly operator to work for,” said Bruno. “My priorities will be making Go-Ahead London the number one operator in TfL performance league tables by coaching, educating and guiding our performance team. With new controlling techniques, I aim to get the best EWT results and improve our performance across the board. “My first goal is to be successful in my present role and build a Outside work, Bruno enjoys team spirit where we can work as playing football, practising martial one with everyone running in the same direction in order to achieve arts and spending time with his family. success as a bus operator.”
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MUHID was appointed Assistant Operating Manager at Camberwell in January, having previously worked for Abellio London as a Duty Manager. He hopes to work together with drivers to improve performance in areas such as Driver Quality Monitoring and Mystery Traveller Survey scores. He also wants to reduce accidents, sickness and absence. “I want to use my knowledge and experience and work with everyone at the garage to move the company in the right direction,” said Muhid. Outside work, Muhid tries to get to the gym every day, where his regime includes running, weight training, swimming and relaxing in the sauna. This gives him a good excuse to enjoy his other passion – eating out!
u MUHID UDDIN Assistant Operating Manager Camberwell