Bus Talk issue 42 October 2016

Issue 42 • October 2016

Switched on to the capital's transport needs

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In this issue

Switched on to the capital's transport needs

Pawel wins this year's Eco Challenge Pages 6-7 From left, TfL MD Surface Transport Leon Daniels, BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport Val Shawcross, Go-Ahead London MD John Trayner and BYD MD Europe Isbrand Ho.

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iBus hub makes a move to River Road Page 8

HOST of dignitaries joined Go-Ahead London employees at the official launch of two fully-electric bus routes at Waterloo garage on September 9.

By the end of the year, routes 507 (Waterloo to Victoria) and 521 (Waterloo to London Bridge) will run exclusively with 51 12-metre Enviro200EV electric single-deck buses.

The buses bring together the design and build expertise of British manufacturer ADL (Alexander Dennis Limited) and the battery and electric technology of Chinese manufacturer BYD. Trials of the buses at Waterloo garage have shown they can run consistently on a 16-hour shift without a recharge. BYD charging posts are installed at the garage to re-charge the batteries when the buses are not in use.

In one of his last tasks before retirement, Waterloo General Manager Pat Mahon hosted the launch along with Go-Ahead London Managing Director John Trayner and other senior managers.

Deputy Mayor of London for Transport Val Shawcross gave an opening address to the guests, including TfL Managing Director Leon Daniels, ADL CEO Colin Robertson, BYD Managing Director Isbrand Ho and the Mayor of

Shenzhen, Xu Qin. Earlier in the day at City Hall, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan met with the Mayor of Shenzhen to mark the bus launch day and discuss approaches to tackling air pollution. He said: “I’ve set out a comprehensive plan to improve our air, and the transformation of London’s bus fleet will play a key role in making our transport cleaner and healthier.”

Deputy Mayor Val Shawcross gets behind the wheel.

TfL’s Leon Daniels added: “These are the first two electric routes that travel through the heart of the capital. They will mean better air quality and better journeys for customers – with less noise and vibration than traditional buses.

Today is a real game-changer in the drive to make the capital’s network greener.”

I spy... Route 68 Page 10 One of many charging points at the garage.

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Routes 521 and 507, now all electric.

Long-serving employee retires after nearly half a century in bus industry

We salute Pat Mahon's 48 years of loyal service

mer colleagues.

Pat with some of his for

ad Group CEO. Keith Ludeman, former Go-Ahe IT’S 1968, Harold Wilson is Prime Minister, the Ford Escort has replaced the Anglia, the Kray twins have been arrested, the Beatles film, Yellow Submarine, is in cinemas – and Pat Mahon has just joined London Transport as a bus conductor.

Fast forward to 2016, and, after a remarkable 48 years in the bus industry, Waterloo General Manager and General Manager (Operations) Pat Mahon retired on September 30.

Pat left his native Ireland at the age of 18 and joined Wood Green garage as a conductor, working on route 223, which ran between Northumberland Park and Finsbury Park. He went on to work at Highgate and Holloway Road garages, then in 1970 went to Chiswick to

David Brown, Go-Ahead

Pat Mahon and Sindy Yeo who worked together for a number of years.

train as a driver.

After passing his test, he returned to Holloway garage and also took on the role of trade union garage representative. In the 1980s, as well as continuing as a bus driver, Pat was appointed as the official central London convenor.

In 1989, Pat became a fulltime trade union official for the Transport and General Workers Union, where he worked with union General Secretary Bill Morris.

Pat’s union work brought him into contact with David Brown, who was Managing Director at London General and Central at the time. David eventually asked Pat to come and work with him and, in January 2000, Pat decided to take up the offer.

He was appointed General

Group CEO.

Pat says farewell to MD John Trayner.

Manager Operations, based at Raleigh Gardens, Mitcham, which was then the company’s head office.

Mitcham later closed and the head office re-located to its present site in Merton. Pat was also General Manager at Waterloo garage and divided his time between the two places.

During his time at Waterloo, Pat trained numerous new managers to prepare them for the challenges of running their own garages. He also took on responsibility for industrial relations and dealt with appeals against dismissals.

Pat said: “I enjoyed the job enormously as it was constantly changing and there were always new challenges. The most satisfying part of my job was

improving performance and making it a better place for everyone to work.

“I have bought a fourbedroom bungalow in Ireland where I plan to spend most of my time in retirement. Sadly, my wife Nuala died in 2010 but I will be spending time with my son Joseph, who lives in Ireland.”

Pat is also looking forward to coming back to London regularly to visit his daughter Gillian, who is a bio-medical scientist at St Thomas’ Hospital, and his seven-yearold granddaughter Niamh.

“I will really miss all the great people I have worked with, including David Brown, John Trayner and David Cutts,” said Pat. “And I’m sorry I won’t be there to help them with all the challenges in the future.”

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Luke's decade of progression NEW Bexleyheath Workshop Manager Luke Wood has come a long way in ten years.

He started as an Apprentice at Stockwell garage in 2006 before taking on the role of Senior Vehicle Engineer at Peckham in 2009.

In 2012, he signed up for the Management Development programme and went on to cover the role of Satellite Manager at Bexleyheath.

“The Management Development programme was a great opportunity for me,” said Luke. “I was able to go on different training courses, which equipped me with the skills I needed for any job

opportunities that became available.”

Luke’s next opportunity came in the form of Satellite Manager at Northumberland Park in 2014. Two years later, he was promoted to Workshop Manager at Bexleyheath.

“I’m delighted to be taking over from Gerry May at Bexleyheath and look forward to continuing his good work,” said Luke.

“I would like to thank all the people who have helped me progress during my career and believe that what you put in is what you get out.”

In his spare time, Luke enjoys running around after his four children, Connor, Lily, Emma and Hannah.

New Bexleyheath Workshop Manager Luke Wood.

Docklands garage "a much more streamlined operation" DOCKLANDS garage engineering team is enjoying improved performance and Engineering Manager Chris Burke is looking forward to seeing it continue.

“Docklands used to be on the radar for the wrong reasons, but now that has changed,” said Chris.

“Our mechanical KPIs, including lost mileage, are going in the right direction, which is being mirrored in the operating KPIs. “The routes are performing well in the TfL league tables and we also have a 75 per cent reduction in the use of contractors, which is excellent

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for stability.”

The garage welcomed Supervisor Jon Edwards in January, who Chris says is a welcome addition to the team. “Jon is a likeable, longstanding member of staff, whose knowledge is invaluable for the day-to-day running of the garage.

“The working conditions and housekeeping have also improved, which makes for a far nicer working environment.”

Chris, who manages Docklands and River Road engineering teams, says the next challenge for the garage is

the conversion of the D8 service from single to double-deck vehicles.

“The D8 runs from Crossharbour to Stratford. It will be a big challenge, but one that we are ready for,” he said.

“I would like to thank everyone from the engineering and engineering administration teams for their hard work. We are becoming a much more streamlined operation and I’m really pleased with the results.”

PICTURED ABOVE: From left, Workshop Manager Kelton Hurst, Engineering Manager Chris Burke and Supervisor Jon Edwards.

News across the Group In this column, we highlight business news from around the Go-Ahead Group.

Happy birthday IT service desk

Plymouth Citybus stay one step ahead PCB has ventured into TV advertising through an innovative service offered by Sky TV. Promoting PCB's summer campaign ‘Add a Kid for a Quid’, the new service – Sky Adsmart – enables advertisers to target specific people and locations, meaning the ad gets viewed by only those who you want it to be seen by. Watch the advert here: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0zV0_tXBY

The IT service desk is celebrating its twoyear anniversary this September.

In the beginning, the team provided front-line IT support to only Govia. Now the majority of companies in the Go-Ahead Group get 24/7 support, 364 days a year.

Just this year, the team received more than 91,000 calls, with 68 per cent of issues getting resolved at service desk level – impressive stuff for a twoyear-old!

Happy birthday service desk.

Store Keepers take opportunity to gain professional qualification STORE Keepers at GoAhead London have taken the opportunity to improve their skills and gain a professional qualification in the process.

Following 12 months of assessments and formal examinations, the candidates have gained the nationally recognised NVQ level 2 diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence.

Procurement Manager Jenny Turner said: “We usually take on a stores apprentice each year within the company and, as well as on-the-job learning, they go to college and take the NVQ level 2.

“We decided we should also offer existing staff the opportunity to obtain the same qualification to assist with their jobs, broaden

Congratulations

The Store Keepers proudly show their NVQ certificates. their understanding and enable them to look at things differently.”

Go-Ahead Group CEO David Brown, Engineering Director Richard Harrington and Chief Engineer Chris McKeown

presented certificates to the successful candidates.

Eight stores personnel have now signed up for the next course, which started in September, to gain NVQ level 3.

to the following Store Keepers (and one Store Supervisor) who received their diploma: n John Devlin n Scott Manley n Phillip Pickard n Ibrahim Yenil n Julien Brock n Michael Winch n Jolanta Gut-Nidecka n Tom Castle n Alan Merchant n Tony Parsons n Paul Robinson n Nathan Wood (Stores Supervisor).

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OUR TOP DRIVERS G

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BRAND new Fiat 500 car was the fantastic prize for one of GoAhead London’s greenest drivers at the eighth annual Eco Challenge.

On September 14, the 20 drivers with the best RAG (Red, Amber and Green) scores over the last six months were invited to drive some of the world’s most exciting supercars and take on a rally car challenge at the Vision Motorsport circuit in Oxfordshire.

Supercar heaven!

In the morning session, experienced instructors guided drivers around the course to help them gain maximum speed over three laps of the circuit in each of the five supercars. And their verdicts...

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Christopher Morris, Orpington: “Driving to performance limits was quite exhilarating and somewhat different from what we do on a daily basis. It was an experience which won't be forgotten.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Charlambos Shoukris, Northumberland Park: Describing the Lamborghini,

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Charalambos said: "Are there any words to describe it? Beautiful!"

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Damian Jattan, Stockwell: "The Audi R8 was nice, real nice. Handled corners well and stuck to the road like glue!"

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Yasin Khan, Waterloo: "I really liked the Audi R8 – I managed to control it well."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Saverio Santulli, Putney: “All the finalists were ready for a laugh and made me feel like we were all from the same garage.

The day was awesome – now I know what it means to drive a supercar. The rally was crazy and out of control but so much fun.

“The best thing is that I've earned all this just doing my job.

I love it.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Juan Canelo, Peckham: "I liked the Ferrari but preferred the Porsche. It felt faster and gave me a better and more confident drive. It was more powerful."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Lai man, Camberwell: "The Aston Martin was manual and I liked it better than the Ferrari although the Ferrari felt much faster."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Ian Jarrett, Belvedere: The Audi R8 was absolutely amazing. It behaved itself more than the Lamborghini. The R8 felt

great – like a really fast streetcar.

It was more forgiving than the Lamborghini."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Roman Pieniazek, Mandela Way: "My favourite car was the Aston Martin. It was like a sports car with the handling of a road car. It was very nice to drive."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Laurentiu Verdes, Sutton: "I really enjoyed driving the Porsche because it was very smooth. The Ferrari was really fast and nice to drive too."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Stephen Lwere, River Road: "I really enjoyed driving the Lamborghini and Audi R8. They

AL SPECIURE

Garage FEAT O HEAD TO HEAD!

The rally drive decides!

In the afternoon, the drivers took the challenge to decide who would win the top prize by attempting the fastest rally drive in a 1.7 litre Ford Puma.

After six practice laps, each driver was timed on one last qualifying lap. After the final scores were tallied up, New Cross driver Pawel Ochocki was announced the winner.

Managing Director John Trayner was on hand to present Pawel with the keys to his

The 2016 Winners

amazing prize – a shiny new Fiat 500.

Pawel said: "Being able to experience the feel and drive of some of the fastest and most expensive supercars in the world was truly amazing and breathtaking.

“Winning the top prize was not only completely unbelievable but also not expected at all.

It shows that it is definitely worth watching your speed and predicting correctly those 4th Laurentiu Verdes

situations that would otherwise require harsh braking on a daily basis – it does pay off."

Runner-up was Damien Jattan from Stockwell, who won £500 pounds worth of shopping vouchers, and third placed was Christopher Morris from Orpington, who was presented with an iPad Air. Bottles of Champagne went to Laurentiu Verdes from Sutton, who came fourth, and Merton’s Keith Greenwood, who was fifth.

5th Keith Greenwood

Congratulations to all our winners and to everyone who took part in this actionpacked day to remember. both drove like normal road cars apart from being really fast.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Mohammad Haque, Silvertown: "The Lamborghini was my favourite because it was more comfortable to drive and it had a lot of power."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• n Neale Robinson, Stockwell: "Wow! What a day... I've always wanted to drive a red Ferrari and can now cross that off my bucket list. I drove an £80k Ferrari 360, which even had the paddle shift change – great stuff.

“I also rode as a passenger in an Ariel Atom for two laps, which can best be described as a whiteknuckle ride! So glad it was BEFORE lunch!”

Pawel Ochocki Damien Jattan Christopher Morris

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The iBus Team, from left, Andrew Winton, Alan Robson, Masoud Rawahy, Burton Olgachan (front), Peter Eccleston, Ferkan Shevki, Adrian Zimny, Mohammed Fayaz (front), Mustafa Rashid, Mark Kain, Michelle Davidson, David Tumber and Lyndon McDonald.

iBus move completes River Road garage operations THE iBus hub has moved from Rainham to River Road and Area General Manager Gavin Smith is pleased to have been part of such an exciting project.

The move was completed on September 6 and is the last piece of the jigsaw for the new garage, which was officially opened in July.

Gavin said: “The iBus hub joins the operations and engineering team already in place at River Road.

“We’re really pleased to be part of such an exciting opportunity and I would like

to thank all our staff who have done a brilliant job of maintaining an excellent performance and professional approach to their work during the transition.”

The Performance Managers for the iBus are Alan Robson and Michelle Davidson.

Alan said: “The new hub is a much improved working environment, which allows more room, natural light, integrated management offices, administration space and a more structured set-up to allow for better team working.

iBus Performance Manager Michelle Davidson with Controller Peter Eccleston.

River Road garage is a fantastic addition to GoAhead London.

iBus Controller Ferkan Shevki.

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“There is also a new voice recording and conference calling facility, which allows drivers to speak to engineers, allocation and controllers at the same time, being added to the hub soon.”

The iBus controls all routes

associated with Northumberland Park, River Road and Silvertown, which consists of 35 day routes, two night routes and 17 school routes – 450 buses PVR (peak vehicle requirement) in total.

Gavin said: “We are also looking forward to welcoming routes EL3 and 76 to the hub after recent tender wins.

“River Road garage is a fantastic addition to Go-Ahead London and we would like to welcome drivers to come and visit the new hub. Please see your managers to arrange a convenient time.”

Stephen is top Go-Ahead London driver in finals this year was Stephen Appiah from Merton garage, who ranked a very credible 25 out of a total 114 competitors. This was up from last year when he was ranked 36.

The other three GAL drivers who took part in the competition were: Barry Thorne from Orpington, who has entered before, plus Abdul Rouf from Docklands and Raj Viswanathan from Croydon, who both competed for the first time.

Training and Development Manager Eric Dale was at the event and said: “I am very pleased for Stephen. Having entered a number of times before, he has at last come back with a substantial monetary prize and a trophy for being the second best London bus driver. The others also did extremely well in a number of the tests – well done to them all.”

THE 50th UK Bus Driver of the Year competition took place in Blackpool on the weekend of September 3 and 4, with four GoAhead London drivers taking on the challenge.

The best bus drivers from operating companies around the UK came together to take on 10 challenging tests, including positioning at bus stops, judgement of width and length and driving in traffic.

Marshals assess the manoeuvres and impose penalty points for the smallest of errors.

Drivers also have to complete a two-part theory test to ensure they have a professional knowledge of the Highway Code and Driver CPC. Claiming the prize for second best London bus driver and highest placed Go-Ahead London driver

Garage opens its doors for fun day WATCH out for the results of our second employee engagement survey, which took place last month (September).

A summary of the findings will be published in a Bus Talk engagement survey special in November.

Go-Ahead London worked with HR consultancy and technology provider ETS to conduct a survey of all employees to seek their views and help measure and improve employee engagement.

The on-line survey is completely confidential, meaning no one will know who said what.

We hope the results will show improvements in employee engagement since last year’s survey and highlight areas which require attention.

Go-Ahead London is committed to creating a happier and more satisfied workforce by improving communication and engagement between employees and management.

DON’T forget Stockwell bus garage will be opening its doors for a day of family fun on Saturday October 15 from 11am to 4pm.

There will be an array of attractions on offer, including heritage buses, face painting, a bouncy castle, trade stalls, a horse-drawn bus and a GoAhead London recruitment stand for any budding bus drivers.

A surprise unveiling of a new heritage livery on one of Go-Ahead

London’s buses will also take place on the day. The existing heritage bus, LT60, will be there and Oxford diecast N scale models of LT60 will be on sale at a very competitive price.

All funds raised from the open day will be donated to the Missing People charity.

See you there!

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FACE 2 ROUTE

FACE HISTORY...

“QUEEN of buses” is how one journalist described the 68 service and, even more intriguingly, two spies once travelled on the route to an assignation with a KGB agent!

The journalist and author Simon Jenkins gave the route the regal title on account of its “stately progress through the bustling shopping streets of South London”.

The two spies in question were Harry Houghton and Ethel Gee. Harry was a civil servant and Ethel worked for the Admiral Underwater Weapons Establishment at Portland in Dorset.

IN OUR Face 2 Face column, we chat to Senior Vehicle Engineer Lewis Margrave, who has worked for the company for four years. We ask Lewis a series of light-hearted questions.

Q: Where would you like to go for a dream holiday?

A: I'd like to travel the world, given the opportunity.

Q: What would be your ultimate car if money were no object?

A: A Ferrari F40 or an AC Cobra – I can't decide.

Q: What was your favourite subject at school?

A: Home time – can I say that?

Geography was my best, so we'll go with that.

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

A: It would be Oasis but they're no longer together.

Q: What was the last film you went to see?

A: I think it was Focus, although to be honest I can't remember the last time I went to the cinema.

Q: Who is your favourite comedian?

A: Jimmy Carr or Jim Jeffries.

Q: What new hobby or skill would you like to try?

A: I enjoy racing, so I'd like to go on some more track days.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence in life and why?

A: My dad (former Go-Ahead Group Engineering Director Phil Margrave), as he's an inspiration to me. I'd like to one day achieve the level he reached in his career.

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An original Routemaster on Route 68.

The 68 route converted to New Routemasters on February 5 this year. They now have an eight-mile run between West Norwood and Euston bus station, Spies Harry Houghton and Ethel Gee. with a PVR They were trailed by a Special Branch agent of 23. on a route 68 bus between Waterloo Road The parallel and Walworth Road, on the way to meet a peak-hour Russian KGB agent. In 1961, they were both express sentenced to 15 years in prison for passing service X68 classified information to the Russians.

(PVR 8) The route was first active around the start operates of World War II. In 1952, it was operating a between 15-mile journey between South Croydon and West Chalk Farm station.

Croydon London Central’s Camberwell garage took and Russell Route 68 driver Michael Webber. over the three routes in the 68 family (68, Square. This X68 and N68) from Arriva London, with the is one of only three express bus services contract starting on April 1, 2006. provided by TfL. The N68 night bus (PVR 11) operates between Old Coulsdon and Tottenham Court Road station.

We asked Camberwell driver Michael Webber, pictured above, to tell us what he enjoys about working on this service.

He said: "I have driven the 68 for four years now and I like the route due to the diverse areas which it travels along.

The passengers are great and friendly and I always look forward to New Routemasters began on Route 68 this year. a shift on the 68s."

Rewind 10 years...

2006

September 2006

TEN years ago saw In General and The Clipper announce the appointment of John Trayner as Managing Director of London General and London Central.

e l b a t p o t e h t t a How we stay spaper

London General's staff new

September 2006

s would all play mystery traveller report der process in ten ’s a greater part in TfL the for es go she as IT’S STEADY future.

London General/ uld assume far foreseeable future, but Environmental issues wo has or ect Dir ing nag Ma new ndon General/ al’s Lo ntr Ce greater importance and of the company at y a leading pla to e taken over stewardship tinu Central would con industry an in re ssu pre ing unt of new types of a time of mo role in pioneering the use every day. s nd ma de new are re where the buses and cleaner fuels. appointment wanted to see John Trayner took up his In the workplace John inclusivity, ial on August 1. soc more progress on decessor, David yment of plo Paying tribute to his pre em the h wit particularly no doubt ’s ere “Th d: sai n Joh , Brown women. to follow, having rd significantly,” David will be a hard act “We have moved forwa sful company h the support of wit built up a highly succes lly cia said John, “espe ord of rec nt elle exc an ed tain l we should be that has sus the trade unions, but I fee ard. bo the oss acr ent em e women to join achiev doing more to encourag certain the “My job will be to make the industry.” team settles ted his new senior management er. yn In conclusion John reitera re Tra pa hn pre MD Jo ble to wardship of ste his t down as quickly as possi tha ff sta message to as more velopment d, de sai r he the e, fur titiv for pe ny pa com “m g ore of the the com increasingly the company would brin to meet new ing and dy and rea exp are an we d ere ure ent ens s tor and opera same.” . m of people challenges that lie ahead iving arena. thr “We have an excellent tea be l wil ng for alo red e pa com pre t be tha st es mu se at the “Any chang The company working for us, from tho to revolutionary se of us in en Transport for London tho wh to e evolutionary as opposed ne tim a ntli fro al tion rt of our ongoing ich it awarded opera pa wh as for de eria ma crit be l that you can the e wil ed liev and expand offices, but I firmly be . We also have added. matter how he ’t , esn cts process of improvement do tra It con always do more. ickly to the qu for y nd pa po to res red can pa we pre t is always be room for to ensure tha “The price TfL good we are, there will the demands be a key and ays t alw rke l wil ma te the rou in a es of e, however small. chang operation improvement somewher ry.” ng process, aki -m ion cis de becomes more its ce in nt tpla made of us as an indust eleme d as the marke “An few t nex at y the t sel tha clo re ed mo liev k have to maintain John said he be but I believe it will loo and more competitive we .” llenges ure fut cha r nse nea me the in “im g ues brin iss areas where years would other qualitative our lead by finding those ndards, of operations, sta ms up ter in ing es” driv t niti tha rtu po ted de.” and op He indica improvements can be ma workplace. opinion and er tom cus , ion tat sen the environment and the bus pre become The marketplace would

S R A E Y 0 3 R E V O E C N IE WEALTH OF EXPER rked in London’s JOHN TRAYNER has wo rs. bus industry for 30 yea nce in He has enormous experie ry, including ust ind the of different aspects l development and engineering, commercia regulated operations. at Chiswick John began his career as an engineer. ed alifi qu Works where he on Underground He worked for both Lond e joining Leaside and London Buses befor

es and Services District in 1986 as Premis came the be n Manager. In 1988, Joh locations in s iou var of General Manager responsible for north and east London t the capital. running buses throughou pleted his com During this period he ort exams nsp Tra of te Chartered Institu degree in r’s ste ma a ed iev and later ach em nag ent.

Transport Policy and Ma d Commercial inte In 1998 he was appo

on, responsible for Manager for Arriva Lond nning. John joined pla e vic tendering and ser Operations Director the Go-Ahead Group as London Central in for London General and 2002. cutive Chris Former Group Chief Exe yed a significant pla has hn “Jo Moyes said: neral and London role in helping London Ge ality standards qu h Central deliver the hig demands.” on nd Lo that Transport for

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Simon takes gardening to another level PUTNEY driver Simon Yeomans has an enterprising way of getting his five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables – he’s growing some on the roof terrace at Putney garage!

The greenfingered driver has brightened up the roof terrace with an impressive array of vegetables and flowers.

Simon has worked at Simon Putney for Yeomans. 16 years in

Tender NEWS from across the capital IN OUR regular column, we highlight recent announcements made by Transport for London.

All are retentions unless stated otherwise.

Blue Triangle n Route EL1 (Ilford to Barking Riverside), using New Routemasters (17 PVR). Contract begins on February 18, 2017. n Route EL2 (Becontree Heath to Dagenham Dock), using New Routemasters (15 PVR). Contract begins on February 18, 2017. n Route EL3 (Little Heath to Barking Riverside), won from Stagecoach East London, using New Routemasters (14 PVR). Contract begins on February 18, 2017. This replaces existing route 387.

London Central n Route 360 (Elephant & Castle to Kensington), using existing electric single-decks initially, replaced by new full-electric single-decks later in the year (12 PVR). Contract begins on January 21, 2017. n Route 624/658 (624 Grove Park to Welling Corner, 658 Woolwich to Avery Hill) using existing diesel double-decks (4 PVR). Contract

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total, with a five-year gap between 2002 and 2007. He drives mainly on route 22 but also covers some commercial work such as rail replacement and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

About four or five years ago, Simon saw the unused space on the roof at Putney and decided to try growing some tomatoes. He bought six grow bags and planted the tomatoes, which did very well.

He then decided to branch out and grow flowers and other vegetables, including cucumbers, courgettes and green beans. As it ripens, Simon shares out the produce with garage staff.

“I also grow lilies, fuchsias and tomatoes on my balcony at home,” said Simon. “It’s on the 10th floor though, so there’s a danger of altitude sickness!

begins on December 3, 2016. n Route 625 (Plumstead Common to Chislehurst) using existing diesel double-decks (2 PVR). Contract begins on December 3, 2016.

Metrobus n Route 455 (Wallington to Purley, Old Lodge Lane), won from Abellio London, using existing diesel single-decks (11 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017.

Arriva London North n Route 48 (London Bridge to Walthamstow Central), won from Stagecoach East London, using New Routemasters (22 PVR). Contract begins on February 25, 2017. n Route 242/N242 (Tottenham Court Road Station to Homerton Hospital), using new battery hybrid double-decks (20 PVR). Contract begins on February 25, 2017. n Route 325 (Prince Regent Station to East Beckton), using existing diesel single-decks (12 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017.

Arriva London South n Route 2/N2 (Marylebone to West Norwood) using new battery hybrid double-decks (26 PVR), Contract begins on April 1, 2017. n Route 19/N19 (Finsbury Park to Battersea Bridge/N19 to Clapham Junction), won from London General, using new battery hybrid double-decks (28 PVR). Contract begins on April 1, 2017. n Route 249 (Anerley to Clapham Common), won from London General, using new battery hybrid double-decks (13 PVR). Contract begins on April 1, 2017.

Simon's handwork; the roof garden at Putney.

“The roof garden at Putney is going really well and next year I’m hoping it’s going to be even bigger and better.”

CT Plus n Route 309 (Canning Town to Bethnal Green), using new and existing diesel single-decks (9 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route 388 (Stratford to Blackfriars), using new battery hybrid double-decks (15 PVR). Contract begins on January 21, 2017. n Route W11 (Walthamstow to Chingford Hall Estate), won from Arriva London North, using new diesel singledecks (10 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route W12 (Coppermill Lane to Wanstead), using existing diesel double-decks (7 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route W13 (Leytonstone to Woodford Wells), using new diesel single-decks, (7 PVR). Contract begins on March 11, 2017. n Route W16 (Chingford to Leytonstone), won from London General, using new diesel single-decks (5 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017.

Metroline n Route 113/N113 (Edgware to Marble Arch/N113 to Trafalgar Square), using existing diesel double-decks (28 PVR). Contract begins on April 1, 2017.

Stagecoach East London n Route 97 (Stratford to Chingford), using existing diesel double-decks (22 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route 215 (Walthamstow Central to Yardley Lane Estate), using existing diesel double-decks (5 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route 277 (Highbury & Islington

to Crossharbour), using new battery hybrid double-decks (25 PVR).

Contract begins on February 25, 2017.

Stagecoach Selkent n Route 273 (Lewisham to Petts Wood) using new diesel single-decks (9 PVR). Contract begins on January 14, 2017. n Route 380 (Lewisham to Belmarsh Prison), using new diesel single-decks (14 PVR). Contract begins on January 21, 2017.

Sullivan Buses n Route 298 (Arnos Grove to Potters Bar), using existing diesel doubledecks (6 PVR). Contract begins on February 4, 2017. n Route W9 (Southgate to Chase Farm Hospital), won from Metroline, using new diesel single-decks (7 PVR).

Contract begins on February 4, 2017.

Tower Transit n Route 58 (East Ham to Walthamstow Central), using existing diesel double-decks (17 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route 82/N82 (North Finchley to Victoria), won from Metroline, using new battery hybrid double-decks (31 PVR). Contract begins on April 1, 2017. n Route 308 (Clapton to Wanstead), using new battery hybrid double-decks (13 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017. n Route W14 (Leyton to Woodford Bridge), using existing diesel singledecks (10 PVR). Contract begins on February 25, 2017. n Route W15 (Hackney to Cogan Avenue), using existing diesel singledecks (21 PVR). Contract begins on March 4, 2017.

Employee Commendations BEXLEYHEATH n “INCREDIBLY cheery and friendly” driver David Richardson has been commended for his customer service on a route B14 bus. n KENNETH Rutherford has been commended for reuniting a customer with his insulin, medical exemption certificate, wallet and mobile phone, which he had left on a 132 bus. “He saved my life – outstanding customer service!” n ROUTE 132 driver Richard Waterman has been recognised for keeping customers informed through the PA system. “He did a great job.” n A VERY relieved customer has thanked route 89 driver Jacob Ossai for reuniting her with her wallet, which she had left on the bus. n “YOUR driver provided great customer service to a passenger in visible distress,” said a customer. Thomas Allen twice offered to call an ambulance for the lady who had a cut on her face, which was bleeding. When she declined, he gave her some tissues. “He was such a gentleman and a great driver too.”

CAMBERWELL n ROUTE 468 driver Shivorn BuckleWright has been thanked for assisting a customer with directions. “Her reassurance made me feel safe.” n TERRY Hallahan has been praised for dealing with a disruptive passenger on a route 185 bus. “He handled a difficult situation tactfully and competently.” n A VERY impressed customer has thanked route P5 driver Sheila MullinsCarter for her warm and welcoming attitude. n A VERY relieved customer has thanked Jesse Weldon, a controller based at The Oval, for reuniting her with a folder containing important documents, which she had left on the bus. “I would like to thank him for his professional approach and quick-thinking.”

CROYDON n PHILLIP Izard has been recognised for his attitude and “brilliant performance” on a route 119 bus. n ROUTE 127 driver Louis Abraham has been praised for his friendly and considerate attitude and smooth driving.

“He is one of the best.” n ROUTE 119 driver Charelle Gray has been commended for her “quick-thinking

and observation” following an incident on the bus.

MERTON n RICHARD Higgins has been recognised for his polite and friendly attitude on a route 57 bus. “One of the nicest bus drivers ever!” n MICHAEL Pierre has been commended for waiting for an elderly passenger to board a 44 bus. n “VERY good driver” Muhammad Nadeem has been thanked by a customer for waiting for her to board a 57 bus.

NEW CROSS n KAREN Moody has been praised for advising a customer on route 21. “I was very grateful and appreciative.” n ROUTE 108 driver Andrew Mustoe has been thanked for waiting for a customer to board the bus. n A VERY grateful customer has commended route 436 driver Oneal Powell for his excellent customer service. “He could not have been more helpful!” n “SUPERB driver” Dan Nikloff impressed a customer on route 171. “I couldn’t fault him.”

NORTHUMBERLAND PARK n “ABSOLUTELY brilliant” driver Fikret Esensel has been commended for his helpful attitude on route 327.

ORPINGTON n ROUTE R4 driver David Flett has been praised for his courteous and friendly attitude. “An all-round good chap.” n “SKILFUL driver” Loraine Goldsmith has been recognised for her great performance and customer service on a route R3 bus. n DARREN Lewis has been thanked by a customer for helping her with her wheelchair on a route R2 bus. “He was so helpful and made my journey run smoothly.”

PECKHAM n “CARING” driver Charlene Johnson has been recognised for helping a disabled customer on a route 63 bus.

“The best bus driver I have seen.” n “OUTSTANDING” driver Julie Morris has been commended for helping a passenger who became ill on a route 63 bus. “I was so grateful for her kindness.”

n THE Good Deed Feed in the Metro newspaper included thanks from Fraser who said: “A Big-up to Brenda Lee at Peckham bus garage, the controller and the driver on bus no. 63 for finding my lost phone.”

PUTNEY n ROUTE 337 driver Beresford Bentley has been praised for his excellent customer service. n GARY Miller has been commended for his “outstanding customer service” on a route 14 bus. n ERIC Vardon-Odonkor has been recognised for waiting for an elderly lady to board a 430 bus. “He deserves a pat on the back.” n A VISION-impaired customer was very relieved when driver Bazlul Alam answered her phone, which she had lost on his bus. He arranged to meet her on his return journey to hand it back. “It felt like a great gift, as it would have caused me a lot of difficulties otherwise,” said the customer.

STOCKWELL n A VERY relieved customer thanked route 170 driver Natresha Lewis for reuniting her with her wallet, which she had left on the bus. n ROUTE 196 driver Dane Wellington has been commended for going “out of his way” to help an elderly passenger and a lady with a pushchair. n ROUTE 315 driver Jason Partington has been praised for helping a passenger who had got on the wrong bus. “Great customer service!” n A PASSENGER expressed appreciation at the calm and professional way driver Ionut Niculae dealt with two girls who were smoking on the upper deck. “He politely but firmly asked them to leave and then drove very safely and calmly as if nothing had happened,” said the customer.

SUTTON n A VERY relieved customer has thanked route 155 driver Derek Brand for reuniting her with her handbag, which she had left on his bus.

WATERSIDE WAY n ADRIAN Ciordas has been thanked for helping a customer with directions on a route 493 bus. n “SUPER kind driver” Simon Daniels has been praised by a customer on a route G1 bus.

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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Kevin reaches new heights

Retirements n Gerry May, Workshop Manager, Bexleyheath.

BEXLEYHEATH Workshop Manager Gerry May retired in September after an incredible 41 years of service.

During a career which he has “enjoyed immensely”, Gerry ran the first Midibus network in London, supervised the iBus project for London General and London Central and oversaw the £4million rebuild of the workshop at Camberwell.

“It seems like only yesterday that I started as a garage trainee at South Croydon,” said Gerry.

“I worked my way up to supervise the running of the Roundabout Midibus network in Orpington in the mid-eighties before becoming a Workshop Manager at Peckham in 1992.”

After spells at Camberwell and New Cross garages, Gerry became the Workshop Manager at Bexleyheath in 2013.

“I’m proud of my achievements, particularly the 2005 iBus project, in which I was responsible for overseeing the roll-out of the system to the fleet,” he said. n Rajnikant Thakore, driver, Merton.

ONE of the longest-serving drivers at Merton retired on September 30 after 38 years and six months of continuous service.

Rajnikant Thakore started at the Chiswick training school on March 31, 1978, and then worked at Wandsworth garage.

While at Wandsworth, he drove on route 44 along with Amanullah Khan, the father of Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London. Rajnikant would often give Amanullah a lift to his home at Tooting Bec at the end of their shift.

When Wandsworth garage closed in 1987, Rajnikant moved to Merton garage where he remained until his retirement.

Rajnikant is looking forward to spending more time with his family. His wife, Meena, was a registered childminder

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Workshop Manager Gerry May. Now that he is retired, Gerry is looking forward to going travelling with his wife, Diane. “I’d like to see more of Europe and I’d love to go on a cruise – it’s such a good way of seeing the world,” he said.

“I have met some wonderful colleagues throughout my career, many of whom are no longer with us.

“I would like to thank everyone I have worked with for their hard work and dedication and believe that if you enjoy being part of a team and listen to your staff, there is no reason why you can’t have a long and successful career in the bus industry.”

STOCKWELL driver Kevin Mallon was in peak condition when he climbed three mountains in 12 hours for charity in July.

Kevin completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge when he took on Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and raised more than £124 for Street Child in the process.

The route is 24 miles long and includes 7,000 feet of total climb. The peaks form part of the Pennine range in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Kevin said: “I wanted to raise money for Street Child who work in Sierra Leone and Liberia, particularly around children’s education and health issues. People can donate via the Virgin Money fundraising page on the internet – just type my name in the box marked ‘friend’s name’ and it will bring up all the details.”

Kevin Mallon during the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

Driver Rajnikant Thakore. in Wandsworth until her retirement five years ago.

Their eldest daughter has two boys and a girl, their second daughter has two boys and they have a son, who is getting married next April.

Rajnikant has one more plan for retirement, which should help him keep up with his grandchildren: “I’m going to go to the gym and learn how to swim,” he said!

n Barry King, union convenor, New Cross.

LONDON Central’s longestserving union convenor, Barry King, retired on September 30 after 42 years in the bus industry.

Barry joined London Transport as a driver in 1974, when crewoperated buses were still the norm. He was based at New Cross garage, where he remained throughout his career.

In the late ‘70s he joined the union committee and, in the early ‘80s, he became branch chairman.

In 1986, he was appointed as union convenor, and was successfully voted back in to the position by his colleagues every two years until his retirement.

Barry said: “I enjoyed the role as it’s been so interesting. I’ve been

Union convenor Barry King. involved in negotiating at pay talks and I’ve represented people who’ve been dismissed.

“I’m now looking forward to watching more horse racing and spending time with my 13 grandchildren. Also, I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise with my wife.”