You First South Yorkshire Winter 2017

You First South Yorkshire p1

18/1/17

12:29

Page 1

Winter 2017

The magazine for First people in South Yorkshire

DRIVER CLIMBS BEN NEVISTOHIT

CHARITY FUNDRAISING HEIGHT PAGE THREE

Get set for crucial

survey PAGE FOUR

You First South Yorkshire p2

18/1/17

16:53

Page 1

2 NEWS Sheffield Engineering Manager Alan Barstow, right, talks with Fitter Nigel Hamilton about the installation of new electric cooling fans on the Volvo B9TL buses.

Move aims to increase business stability

By First South Yorkshire Managing Director

Kevin Belfield IN a few weeks’ time our drivers, engineering, cleaning and support staff will be transferring from Rotherham to Doncaster or Sheffield as our depot relocation enters its final stage.

The move away from Rotherham is designed to create stability in our South Yorkshire business, ensuring the future sustainability of our operations.

All businesses have to continually re-evaluate and for a while the total number of buses operating in South Yorkshire has not matched up to the capacity of our depots.

We do appreciate how difficult it is for people who are moving from the place where they have worked for many years.

That is why we have worked with the Trade Union and directly with employees to ensure there are a range of duties with local parking options to help minimise personal travel time.

We are also keen that the Rotherham team ethos is preserved for relocating drivers.

Rotherham drivers were also given the option of permanently moving to Doncaster to help staff the X78 service which is moving there.

The Rotherham relocation represents a significant challenge but our “one vision for South Yorkshire” is paving the way for a sustainable future.

Having two locations operating at greater capacity is better than running our buses from three sites. Moving the X78 to Doncaster also means that the portfolio of our services is re-balanced across our business.

I would like to pay tribute to the great work of our colleagues in the commercial unit at Rotherham which unfortunately is being disbanded.

They have been loyal members of the workforce and made a significant contribution over the years.

youFirst I WINTER 2017

New technology cuts emissions N environmentally-friendly project to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from First South Yorkshire buses in Sheffield has been successfully completed.

A total of 25 vehicles serving key routes in the city have been retro-fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction technology.

This involves the injection of AdBlue reduction agent into the exhaust system, causing a chemical reaction in the exhaust fumes and converting the pollutant into water. The project was launched in the Engineering Department at Olive Grove following the award of £500,000 Department for Transport funding via the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

A

A key element of the project is the installation of electric cooling fans in the buses, providing more power for the engine by replacing the hydraulic system and thus offsetting the cost of the state-of-the-art technology.

The retro-fitment has transformed the Volvo B9TL vehicles, which cover some of the busiest routes in Sheffield city centre, from Euro 4 to Euro 6 standard.

“We worked in partnership with the PTE to deliver the project which is consistent with FirstGroup’s environmental targets and reduces emissions in the high-pollution zone at the centre of one of England’s most polluted cities,” said Alan Barstow, Engineering Manager.

Pride in 25 years of achievements SADNESS at the end of an era – but pride in the achievements of nearly a quarter of a century. Those are the mixed feelings being experienced by Workshop Supervisor Stuart Lee following the disbanding of the Commercial Unit at Rotherham.

The unit was originally set up under South Yorkshire Transport to refurbish London-based Routemasters, but as part of FirstGroup it became a central bodyshop refurbishing not only-in-house buses but also doing contract work for a wide range of organisations.

“Our dedicated team which was 44-strong

at one time carried out refurbishments, collision repairs, door modifications and changes to make buses Disability Discrimination Act-compliant,” said Stuart, who joined the unit 20 years ago as a vehicle builder.

“I am obviously sad that the usefulness of the unit has come to an end. There’s no doubt that it added value to the company – a lot of talent is now moving on to benefit other companies. Everyone who worked in the unit had a sense of pride in what they did.”

The unit’s last job was to refurbish a trolley bus for Sandtoft museum at Doncaster.

You First South Yorkshire p3

18/1/17

16:54

Page 1

NEWS 3

avoid injuries renewed focus on safe procedure when buses pull away from stops is being launched at First South Yorkshire.

The PAWS (Pull Away When Safe) initiative encourages drivers to make sure that vulnerable customers are seated or in safe positions, holding on, before they move forward.

Members of the South Yorkshire Training Team are emphasising to drivers that it is vital to check in the mirrors that this is the case before setting off.

First South Yorkshire has worked hard to reduce customer injuries and even greater vigilance is required to reduce incidents still further because one injury to a person is too many.

Highlighting safety behaviours is a key element of the BeSafe campaign.

Safety Touchpoints, where managers and supervisors carry out encouraging conversations with employees, are being held.

Touchpoints aim to influence and change behaviour through positive reinforcement.

Drivers are being reminded to Drive Green to ensure a smooth ride and observe the Smith System’s Five Keys: Aim High in Steering, Get the Big Picture, Keep Your Eyes Moving, Leave Yourself an Out and Make Sure They See You.

A

Driver Brendan Corks checks his mirrors before pulling away from a bus stop.

Drivers consulted over relocation A wide-reaching consultation exercise was held with drivers in the run-up to the Rotherham relocation. A questionnaire was circulated informing them of a different way of setting out duties to assist with travel times.

They were given three options: to work right-ended shifts starting and finishing at Sheffield, to work wrong-ended shifts starting at Sheffield and finishing at Rotherham or vice versa (which would be facilitated by the purchase of a 100-space staff car park at Rotherham interchange) or to move to Doncaster.

“There was a lot of discussion during the consultation process over the pattern of duties, where it was originally believed that Sheffield starts and finishes was the preferred option,”

said Head of Commercial Allan Riggall. “We finally ended up with the majority of duties wrong-ended, with starts or finishes at Rotherham due to the car parking provision at Rotherham interchange.”

Thirty Rotherham drivers who have decided to move to Doncaster will help to operate the X78 service which has been transferred there, as well as covering other routes.

“I would like to welcome Rotherham drivers and we are doing our utmost to help them settle in,” said Operations Manager Daryll Broadhead.

Engineering Manager Dean Robinson said: “We are also consulting with our engineering staff over shift patterns available in their new depots.”

Patrick rises to mountain challenge PATRICK Walsh is one of First South Yorkshire’s safest drivers – but in his spare time he likes to challenge himself with tough mountain climbs.

The intrepid Rotherham Driver has scaled the North Face of Ben Nevis to raise money for charity. He also traversed the narrowest ridge on the British mainland during an epic two-day climbing mission.

Patrick braved difficult conditions, with visibility down to 20 feet, as he battled through low cloud to ascend Scotland’s highest mountain.

The day before, on Aonach Eagach, he had been hauling himself up by two rocks when one of them came loose and cascaded down the mountain side.

“My heart skipped 20 beats,” said Patrick, who raised £1,038 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. “But I like an element of danger and I seek out challenges that test my climbing skills.”

Over the past two years Patrick has also climbed Scafell and Snowdon.

Previously he has raised more than £10,000 for charities including Rotherham Hospice.

COVER STORY

Mirror check vital to

Impressive performance FIRST South Yorkshire’s bus operations are moving into 2017 with an impressive performance record which puts them high in First’s North region Key Performance Indicator league table.

During the last period (P9) there were year-on-year improvements in many key areas including punctuality (six per cent better) and lost mileage (seven per cent) with a reduction in complaints by almost half of last year’s number.

“As we make the transition into a two-depot Operating Company can I thank everyone for maintaining and improving our performance levels,” said Andy Simpson, Head of Business Performance.

WINTER 2017 I youFirst

You First South Yorkshire p4-5

20/1/17

12:08

Page 1

4 NEWS

NEWS 5

Investing in drivers to boost

Technology and people are key to great services

customer service D

By GILES FEARNLEY, Managing Director, First Bus

SCAN GRAPHIC

NEW technology and a TO SEE VIDEO commitment to provide the very best bus services will be the cornerstone of 2017. New ticket machines, contactless payment and an exciting new app will all enable us a step change in the customer experience. But our people are vital in providing punctual, reliable services, which is also so vital to growing passenger numbers. I urge everyone to play their part.

Much was achieved in 2016 despite very challenging conditions around the economy, congestion and low fuel prices which encourage some people to use their car. Manchester’s Vantage guided busway, which has seen passenger numbers increase by over 75 per cent in eight months, and the Leeds Partnership, a £180 million strategy to double customer numbers over 10 years, are excellent examples of us working successfully with local authorities.

This is so crucial in unlocking the full potential of our bus services. I’m so pleased too that last year we saw continued investment in new vehicles.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done in 2016 has really benefitted our customers.

We still, however, face the same challenges going into 2017, so everyone must focus on enabling us to make great strides in punctuality and reliability. This will be the year when we transform the technology we offer. But while technology

Complete it online from February 6!

www.yourvoice survey.com

“”

Password: BUS2017 is vital, people doing their jobs well is most important to deliver great bus services.

I would urge all colleagues to complete the Your Voice survey in February to help improve our business this year. The 2015 survey has led to many local initiatives, but also to nationwide improvements like BeSafe and the Excellence Awards, projects on staff development, wellbeing and uniforms.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done has really benefitted our customers.

We will continue to react to our local marketplaces to make sure we have strong foundations to operate successfully in our towns and cities.

I know I can rely on all colleagues to meet these challenges, deliver great services and a successful 2017.

with the First Bus and First Scotland AR apps Download the First AR app or the First Scotland AR app from App Store or Google Play.

Scan the photo on the pages where you see this AR icon.

SCAN PHOTO

TO SEE VIDEO

youFirst I WINTER 2017

■ New, informal job chats for drivers with their managers, based on what drivers want to talk about. The emphasis will be on responding to issues raised and making sure they feel heard and valued.

■ Allocating drivers to fixed routes to increase team spirit and ownership of route performance. Having regular drivers on a route also helps them build relationships with their customers.

Other colleagues are included in the initiative. A special ‘Journey Makers’ training programme is being designed and will also be piloted in Bristol and York to help everyone (including non-driving colleagues) understand what customers need and and how everyone has a responsibility to do their bit to deliver the best customer service.

Drivers are out on the roads every day, dealing with customers, and everyone can help make it easier for them to provide great service.

The Journey Makers programme will be rolled out across all OpCos from April.

Mel Rees, Interim Head of Customer Experience, said: “There’s no doubt driving buses is a difficult job, and it’s easy for our drivers to feel isolated. So we will be working hard to make sure

Informal job chats are part of supporting drivers in doing their jobs. Southampton Supervisor Jimi Kazi, left, talks with Driver Robbie Symms over a cuppa in the Empress Road depot canteen. colleagues understand the pressures they are under and how to support them.

“I want our drivers to feel they have an army of people behind them when they go out on the road – so we will be working with all teams who can have an impact on this, from engineers to staff managers and radio operators, so we all become Journey Makers for our customers.”

Drivers are supported by colleagues in many ways.

Here Aberdeen Incident Investigator Steve Gordon uses a model to help drivers avoid tailswing.

EXPERIENCE MORE...

By downloading either of these two FREE apps on to your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) you can bring photographs in this magazine to life using the power of the augmented reality (AR) technology. To access the bonus video content with an innovative twist, simply follow the three easy steps:

RIVERS are at the heart of an exciting initiative to improve customers’ experience and attract more people to travel with First Bus. Significant pressures are faced by drivers every day, so the company has launched pilot initiatives in Bristol and York aimed at improving their experience and making them feel better supported.

All of this will contribute to the company’s commitment to maintain and grow the business by addressing three key “pain points” experienced by customers.

Research identified these as a lack of belief in the reliability of services; complexity in understanding ticketing; fares; payments and routes; and a lack of customer relationship.

The principle is that by providing more support for drivers and making it easier to do their job, customer service will naturally improve. Moves are also underway to improve communications and technology to address the three “pain points”.

Some of the changes proposed to improve the way drivers feel about their work are simple but should have a significant impact.

These include: ■ Improving canteens to provide a better rest environment.

When the video starts double tap your screen for a full-screen view.

Hi-tech makes bus less fuss A huge advertising campaign has been launched to show customers how First Bus’s technology makes it easier to use the bus.

It promotes the mTickets app, travel app, website and free WiFi on buses as tech that makes the bus less fuss.

A video ad shows how a new animated character, called Ben, even gets an extra 10 minutes in bed by using tech to catch his bus.

Around 35 million adverts will go out in the four month online and social media campaign.

The ads all show the reasons why people don’t use the bus and counter this with a positive reason why they can, using the latest tech.

Marketing Projects Manager Judy Giles said: “By encouraging the use of the tech there’s less fuss on the bus. Boarding is quicker, there’s not so much cash to handle, fewer change vouchers and it’s easier to check to counterfeit notes and tickets.”

The video featuring Ben can be viewed at bit.do/getthebus withlessfuss

WINTER 2017 I youFirst

You First Glasgow p4-5

19/1/17

17:24

Page 1

4 NEWS

NEWS 5

Investing in drivers to boost

Technology and people are key to great services

customer service D

By GILES FEARNLEY, Managing Director, First Bus

SCAN GRAPHIC

NEW technology and a TO SEE VIDEO commitment to provide the very best bus services will be the cornerstone of 2017. New ticket machines, contactless payment and an exciting new app will all enable us a step change in the customer experience. But our people are vital in providing punctual, reliable services, which is also so vital to growing passenger numbers. I urge everyone to play their part.

Much was achieved in 2016 despite very challenging conditions around the economy, congestion and low fuel prices which encourage some people to use their car. Manchester’s Vantage guided busway, which has seen passenger numbers increase by over 75 per cent in eight months, and the Leeds Partnership, a £180 million strategy to double customer numbers over ten years, are excellent examples of us working successfully with local authorities.

This is so crucial in unlocking the full potential of our bus services. I’m so pleased too that last year we saw continued investment in new vehicles.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done in 2016 has really benefitted our customers.

We still however face the same challenges going into 2017, so everyone must focus on enabling us to make great strides in punctuality and reliability. This will be the year when we transform the technology we offer. But while technology

Complete it online from February 6!

www.yourvoice survey.com

“”

Password: BUS2017 is vital, people doing their jobs well is most important to deliver great bus services.

I would urge all colleagues to complete the Your Voice survey in February to help improve our business this year. The 2015 survey has led to many local initiatives, but also to nationwide improvements like BeSafe and the Excellence Awards, projects on staff development, wellbeing and uniforms.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done has really benefitted our customers.

We will continue to react to our local marketplaces to make sure we have strong foundation to operate successfully in our towns and cities. I know I can rely on all colleagues to meet these challenges, deliver great services and a successful 2017.

with the First Bus and First Scotland AR apps Download the First AR app or the First Scotland AR app from App Store or Google Play.

Scan the photo on the pages where you see this AR icon.

SCAN PHOTO

TO SEE VIDEO

youFirst I WINTER 2017

■ New, informal job chats for drivers with their managers, based on what drivers want to talk about. The emphasis will be on responding to issues raised and making sure they feel heard and valued.

■ Allocating drivers to fixed routes to increase team spirit and ownership of route performance. Having regular drivers on a route also helps them build relationships with their customers.

Other colleagues are included in the initiative. A special ‘Journey Makers’ training programme is being designed and will also be piloted in Bristol and York to help everyone (including non-driving colleagues) understand what customers need and and how everyone has a responsibility to do their bit to deliver the best customer service.

Drivers are out on the roads every day, dealing with customers, and everyone can help make it easier for them to provide great service.

The Journey Makers programme will be rolled out across all OpCos from April.

Mel Rees, Interim Head of Customer Experience, said: “There’s no doubt driving buses is a difficult job, and it’s easy for our drivers to feel isolated. So we will be working hard to make sure

Informal job chats are part of supporting drivers in doing their jobs. Southampton Supervisor Jimi Kazi, left, talks with Driver Robbie Symms over a cuppa in the Empress Road depot canteen. colleagues understand the pressures they are under and how to support them.

“I want our drivers to feel they have an army of people behind them when they go out on the road – so we will be working with all teams who can have an impact on this, from engineers to staff managers and radio operators, so we all become Journey Makers for our customers.”

Drivers are supported by colleagues in many ways.

Here Aberdeen Incident Investigator Steve Gordon uses a model to help drivers avoid tailswing.

EXPERIENCE MORE...

By downloading either of these two FREE apps on to your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) you can bring photographs in this magazine to life using the power of the augmented reality (AR) technology. To access the bonus video content with an innovative twist, simply follow the three easy steps:

RIVERS are at the heart of an exciting initiative to improve customers’ experience and attract more people to travel with First Bus. Significant pressures are faced by drivers every day, so the company has launched pilot initiatives in Bristol and York aimed at improving their experience and making them feel better supported.

All of this will contribute to the company’s commitment to maintain and grow the business by addressing three key “pain points” experienced by customers.

Research identified these as a lack of belief in the reliability of services; complexity in understanding ticketing; fares; payments and routes; and a lack of customer relationship.

The principle is that by providing more support for drivers and making it easier to do their job, customer service will naturally improve. Moves are also underway to improve communications and technology to address the three “pain points”.

Some of the changes proposed to improve the way drivers feel about their work are simple but should have a significant impact.

These include: ■ Improving canteens to provide a better rest environment.

When the video starts double tap your screen for a full-screen view.

Hi-tech makes bus less fuss A huge advertising campaign has been launched to show customers how First Bus’s technology makes it easier to use the bus.

It promotes the mTickets app, travel app, website and free WiFi on buses as tech that makes the bus less fuss.

A video ad shows how a new animated character, called Ben, even gets an extra 10 minutes in bed by using tech to catch his bus.

Around 35 million adverts will go out in the four month online and social media campaign.

The ads all show the reasons why people don’t use the bus and counter this with a positive reason why they can, using the latest tech.

Marketing Projects Manager Judy Giles said: “By encouraging the use of the tech there’s less fuss on the bus. Boarding is quicker, there’s not so much cash to handle, fewer change vouchers and it’s easier to check to counterfeit notes and tickets.”

The video featuring Ben can be viewed at bit.do/getthebus withlessfuss

WINTER 2017 I youFirst

You First South Yorkshire p6-7

20/1/17

16:24

Page 1

6 NEWS

THUMBS UP ON SAFETY: Swansea Operations Manager Mark Jacobs, left, has a Touchpoint conversation with Driver Brian Gorvett at the city’s bus station.

New mobile app will help drive more customers to mTickets FIRST Bus is set to launch a new mobile app bringing together its journey planning and mTicketing and significantly improving customer experience.

The new app, which is on schedule to be trialled and launched between March and July this year, will offer a Google Maps-based journey planning and vehicle tracking service – complete with places of interest – with an option to buy tickets always on offer.

The aim is to drive more and more customers to the mTicketing platform, which is already saving hundreds of hours a week in boarding time across the UK and makes operating the bus much more straightforward for the driver.

First Bus Retail Development Director James Timperley said: “mTicketing significantly reduces boarding time and the amount of cash onboard a bus, so it improves journey times and makes life easier for drivers.

“We are achieving revenues of £1 million a week through mTicketing and in some areas it accounts for 20 per cent of all ticketing sales. We expect the new app to significantly increase these numbers.”

Confidential support FREE 24-hour confidential advice and support is available to all First Bus colleagues through the company’s Employee Assistance Programme.

Anyone with a problem at home or work can contact the team by calling freephone 0800 015 5630.

Trained operators are there to help with issues from legal and financial enquiries to debt management and wellbeing.

youFirst I WINTER 2017

Positive messages in the workplace ORE than 1,400 supervisors and managers have completed a two-day training course on BeSafe principals and how to put them into practice in the workplace.

Since BeSafe was launched a year ago, each OpCo has selected dedicated champions who are there to provide help, with access to a library of materials and a dedicated training/support and quality assurance team.

BeSafe is all about recognising when colleagues are working safely, positively reinforcing these safe behaviours so they continue

M

and happen more often. It encourages everyone to have conversations (touchpoints) about safety, making safety a personal core value and helping us all to reach the goal of zero harm.

Norman Wood, Divisional

Health and Safety Project Manager, said: “We want to recognise, praise and positively reinforce our safe behaviours.

This can be as simple as saying well done when someone is doing the right thing.

“BeSafe also allows us all to constructively challenge someone if they are working unsafe. Rather than just telling them off, we want colleagues to understand why it is unsafe and be able to self-correct and to work safely in the future.”

All safety leaders have learned about techniques to support colleagues by having BeSafe conversations in a natural way.

Brew and bake for chosen charity TEA and cake events will be staged throughout First Bus in February to raise money for our employee-voted charity of choice, Prostate Cancer UK. Packs including posters, bunting and labels are available for colleagues organising Brew and Bake sessions between February 13-19.

Group Partnerships and Events Manager Kirstin Aram said: “We’re urging colleagues to

get the kettle on, bake a cake and help beat the most common cancer in men.”

Colleagues can order Brew and Bake packs by contacting: firstgroup@prostatecanceruk.org or telephone 020 3310 7061.

Since the start of the partnership in April 2015, FirstGroup has donated in excess of £400,000 in employee fundraising, corporate donations and Gift in Kind advertising.

You First Glasgow p6-7

19/1/17

17:23

Page 2

NEWS 7

Stylish new uniforms set to be rolled out EW uniforms will be rolled out to thousands of First Bus drivers starting at the end of February.

Colleagues are advised to keep an eye on notice boards for local timings of the introduction which will see drivers and supervisors receiving 22 items of clothing for work. Updates include: ■ Men’s shirts in a classic or tailored fit.

■ Women’s blouses fitted with modesty buttons.

■ Slimmer ties and more delicate women’s scarves.

■ Trousers with an elastic waistband for extra comfort.

■ Redesigned outdoor jackets which are more practical for all types of weather.

N

Two new items have been added to the uniform range to provide even more flexibility.

The sholo is a cross between a shirt and a polo and is available to all drivers.

The shirt-style front looks smart and means drivers can wear a tie or scarf, but the back is made of polo material making it breathable and flexible on warm days.

There is also a bodywarmer which provides an extra option on cool days.

Carol Jones, Head of Indirect Procurement and Project Lead, said: “We trialled the uniform in five depots across the business in the summer, and made changes based on the feedback we received to make sure we made the final designs work for everyone.”

Bradford Supervisor Jodie Warburton and Manchester Supervisor Chris Bradbury model the stylish new uniforms.

Supreme Court ruling clarifies law on wheelchair space priority use THE Supreme Court in London has made a ruling on the long-running court case involving the priority use of the wheelchair space onboard buses.

The case dates back to 2012 when customer and wheelchair user Doug Paulley could not get on a bus in West Yorkshire because a pushchair user refused to give up the wheelchair space – despite being asked to move by the driver.

First Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley explained: “We are currently awaiting further details from the Supreme Court which will help us interpret the decision and make any necessary changes. However, I’m pleased to report that drivers will not be required to remove customers from vehicles. This is really important. Throughout the legal process we fought hard to ensure drivers would not be

required to remove passengers from the bus.

From what we understand drivers can verbally be more forceful and advise customers they are ‘required’ to move. We will alert all drivers and other relevant colleagues to any changes as soon as we can.

“In the meantime, I’d ask drivers to please continue to adhere to our current policy around the use of the wheelchair space. Our policy makes clear that in the event of a wheelchair user wanting to board, and if the space is already occupied by other passengers, our drivers should request firmly, but politely, customers using that space to vacate it.

“If a customer refuses to, or cannot, move from the wheelchair space, the driver should apologise to the wheelchair user, ask them to wait for the next bus and call Control so they

are aware. The driver should also complete a ‘failure to uplift a wheelchair’ form.”

The Supreme Court judgment is attracting a lot of interest from national and local media. In the unlikely event that a First Bus employee is approached by a member of the media they should decline to comment and refer them to the First Group media team on 0207 725 3354. If a customer wishes to discuss the ruling, employees should apologise and explain that they are unable to discuss the case.

Giles added: “Please rest assured that First Bus remains committed to supporting vulnerable customers, and our work with a range of agencies – including Disability Action Alliance, the RNIB and Age UK – to find ways of supporting customers’ access to our services will continue.”

WINTER 2017 I youFirst

You First South Yorkshire p8

18/1/17

16:55

Page 1

8 NEWS

Depot visit supports safe travel SHEFFIELD Olive Grove welcomed a visit from the Centre for Independent Living during which people with learning disabilities were shown around the depot.

Olive Grove has a close relationship with the organisation, based not far away at Rockingham Lane, which is committed to a “social” approach to disability.

People from the Centre took part in a 20-minute chat which included a discussion of how to safely get on the bus. They were given leaflets containing safety information.

“The visit was arranged as part of their independent living course which is delivered in partnership with Sheffield City Council and carers,” said Ray Satur, First South Yorkshire’s Project Worker and Communications Champion.

Fitter Scott Jackson is at the wheel of Olive Grove’s soapbox racing vehicle, pushed by, left to right, Apprentice Alex Gregory, Supervisor Karl Valentine and Body Engineer Adam Porter.

Thirteen is lucky for

soapbox racers team from Sheffield Olive Grove Engineering had a “groovy” time at a Soapbox Derby in aid of charity.

Calling themselves the Olive Groovers the three-man outfit stormed to joint fifth position in the race at Clifton Park, Rotherham. With their car sporting FirstGroup colours, Body Engineer Adam Porter, Fitter Scott Jackson and Apprentice Body Engineer Alex Gregory

A

raised £250 for the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield. They had built the soapbox vehicle in their spare time over two months at Olive Grove, helped by engineers from their shift.

“For the chassis we used old bus hand-poles and the main body was a modified floor scrubbing machine,” said Scott.

“Designing the car we had a really top team with everyone

coming up with different ideas.”

Adam said: “We had a brilliant time on the day, reaching 16 mph with myself and Alex pushing as Scott drove. We put the number 13 on the car because that was how we were listed and it proved lucky for us, with many of the other 40 cars suffering mishaps along the way.”

First South Yorkshire sponsored the Olive Groovers by paying the £100 entry fee.

Going the extra mile for good causes BIG-HEARTED employees at First South Yorkshire have gone the extra mile to raise money for a range of worthy charities.

Staff at Doncaster depot have donated almost £2,000 to Prostate Cancer UK over the past year. Driver Pauline Hooper spearheaded the fundraising with a series of coffee mornings and cakes sales in support of

youFirst I WINTER 2017

FirstGroup’s Charity of Choice. A group of managers, drivers, inspectors and ex-drivers at Rotherham completed a Three Peaks Challenge in challenging conditions.

Their courageous effort to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon within 24 hours raised £1,751 for Rotherham Hospice which recently supported two drivers who have sadly died.

Exemplary action by employees THREE Sheffield employees have been commended for their heroics when facing emergency situations.

Relief Supervisor Paul Carr made a dash to assist his colleague after being alerted by Driver Gary Bingham that Driver Alan Davies had collapsed with an apparent heart attack at the bus interchange.

Paul and Gary saved his life by giving CPR until the paramedics arrived. Alan is now recovering at home and the duo have been awarded Bronze Extra Mile Awards.

Driver Andy Pywell went to the assistance of a 34-year-old female who collapsed with a heart attack in her car by giving her CPR. He kept her alive until paramedics arrived, although she sadly died a few days later. Andy, who has been thanked by her family, has received a Bronze award.