Ein Newyddion – Winter 2013

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Newyddi

Winter 2013

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The magazine for First people in South & West Wales

EE PAGE THR

Bring our Vision and Values to life with First UK Bus Augmented Reality PAGE SEVEN

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£1.8m investment in brand new buses Ready for challenges facing the business

By Managing Director

Justin Davies

WELCOME to the latest issue of Ein Newyddion which carries a complete organisation chart showing the new team now running the business in Wales.

(See centre pages) We are hopeful of filling the post of Finance Business Partner by the end of the year.

We will then have a complete local team running the First Cymru business with a complete focus on the local Wales market and on working closely with all employees.

The big issues for me currently are concessionary fare negotiation which is about how much we will get paid next year for carrying concessionary card holders.

The second is working with the Regional Transport Consortium on the amount of service grant we will get paid next year.

Thirdly is making sure the whole team engages with you – all our staff members – so you are able to contribute to our business and enable us all to be a part of a successful Welsh-based bus service in the months and years ahead.

On a bright note, we are expecting delivery of the next batch of 14 new vehicles before the end of the year.

Next year sees the centenary of the first South Wales transport bus route from Pontardawe to Morriston. We want to celebrate that beginning in many different ways both inside the company and with the larger community.

If you want to get involved and you have some ideas about how we should celebrate, contact Jane Reakes Davies who is pulling a team together which will be tasked with taking the project forward for us.

Finally, I’d like to thank you all for your hard work and wish you all a Happy Christmas and a great New Year.

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ANOTHER 14 brand new buses will enter service before the end of the year – a First Cymru investment of £1.8 million in improved customer comfort and safety.

The fleet of ADL Enviro 200s will ply their trade on Services 21 and 22 out of Bridgend and Services 32 and 36 from Maesteg.

The top-of-the range single decks will come complete with leather seats and free WiFi so customers can use their

smartphones and tablets to stay connected while on the move.

Easily accessibly for people with buggies and prams, the buses are also environmentally friendly and will help First further cut its emissions and lower its carbon footprint.

Managing Director Justin Davies said: “The vehicles will be based at Maesteg – the first time that new vehicles have been allocated to the site for many, many years.

“The Enviro 200s will transform our customers’ experience of services to Bridgend and Swansea.

“Our investment links well to the investment by Bridgend Council in refurbishing the bus station at Maesteg and providing our staff with better crew facilities.”

Colin Morris, Business Manager for East Wales, said: “This is a significant investment in our services from the valleys and into Bridgend.”

Driver David Bray with one of the Cwtch the Bid window stickers.

First proud to back

city culture bid INDOW stickers on hundreds of buses proclaimed First Cymru’s backing for the Swansea Bay bid to become the UK City of Culture 2017.

The entire fleet serving the Swansea area carried the Cwtch the Bid logo while banners were also attached to all First email signatures so external stakeholders knew of the company’s support.

Some drivers also started wearing their very own Cwtch

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T-shirts to work but it was all to no avail as the area narrowly missed out to Hull instead.

First Cymru Managing Director Justin Davies said: “We

were so proud and honoured to back the bid for Swansea Bay. “Swansea has a proud history, amazing people and strong cultural traditions so we were more than willing to help this region try to win the bid.

“It’s a shame the area lost out to Hull but we’ve shown again by backing the bid and reaching out to our customers how community minded we are as a company and how deeply rooted we are in the communities that we serve.”

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Adjust style for winter

Four new apprentice recruits, left to right, Sally-Anne Sheldon, David Davies, Mike Conahan and Jay Edwards.

Opportunity knocks

for apprentices OUR new engineering apprentices have been recruited as First Cymru continues to support young talent in Wales – especially at a time of high youth unemployment.

Settling in at Swansea are 17-year-old Trainee Coachbuilder David Davies, Fitter Jay Edwards, 20, and Electrician Sally-Anne Sheldon, who is 19.

Electrician Michael Conahan, aged 19, is based at Port Talbot.

They fought off strong competition from 441 other applicants to land their four-year apprenticeships, which combine practical on-the-job training with classes at Manchester Business School.

First is particularly pleased that Sally-Anne has joined the team and hopes it encourages more young women to apply for engineering apprenticeships with the company.

She said: “I’ve always been interested and helped

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my dad who worked on his own cars, boats and bikes. I’ve settled in well and do the same job as everyone else. I’d encourage other girls to apply. I’m learning skills I’ll always have. If I break down when I’m driving, I’ll know how to fix it myself.”

Swansea Staff Manager Clare Dalton said: “We were really blown away by the number of applicants and the quality of the candidates. I’m very pleased to welcome all of our new bright and switched-on members of staff.”

Managing Director Justin Davies said: “Youth unemployment is of course a big concern for everyone at the moment and it’s important that young people in Wales be given the right opportunities to develop themselves and their future prospects. Taking on these new recruits is part of the company’s long term aim to involve more young people in the business.”

Student intern lands job SO impressed was First Cymru with the work of summer Intern Aled Williams, pictured right, that he was offered a 10-hours a week role handling the company’s Twitter feed and Facebook page.

The second-year Geography student now works alongside Marketing Manager Phil Trotter as they use social media to keep passengers completely up-to-date about any bus delays.

He said: “During the summer I introduced a system where information is emailed in every two hours on services even if there isn’t a delay and we get that out onto the social media.”

WINTER safety messages are being hammered home at First Cymru depots now the temperature has plummeted and the dark nights are here.

Drivers are being reminded of the need to adjust their driving style to any icy or snowy road conditions and be extra vigilant in gloomy light for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Bus gangways can sometimes be slippier during the winter, making it slightly trickier for customers to get to and from their seats, so drivers should give passengers plenty of time at stops to make sure they stay safe.

Depots, when conditions are icy, present extra slip and trip hazards for both staff and visitors so risk assessments should now have been carried out and plans put in place to check weather forecasts and carry out the appropriate gritting of path and walkways.

Online meet the manager FIRST Cymru has staged its first online Meet the Manager session as customers took to Facebook and Twitter for two hours to ask questions and raise issues.

Business Performance Director Simon Cursio said: “This is another step for us at First as we work to encourage more dialogue and discussions in ways that are convenient for the customer.”

A face-to-face Meet the Manager session was staged at Bridgend Bus Station to coincide with National Customer Service Week.

Best driver in Wales FIRST Cymru Driver Martin Sleeman is the best bus driver in Wales – and that’s official.

The 52-year-old, who is based at Carmarthen, out scored all other competitors from Welsh depots at the 2013 Bus Driver of the Year competition in Blackpool to scoop the Donald Macdonald Memorial Shield and £50 in cash.

WINTER 2013

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First Cymru – organisational management structure First Cymru buses Ltd Managing Director

Introducing the Executive Management Board with the Service Delivery and Engineering teams.

Justin Davies

Business Performance Director Simon Cursio

Fleet Engineer Paul Davies

Business Manager (Swansea & West) Owen Williams

Service Delivery Manager & Deputy Business Manager (Swansea & West)

HR Business Partner Jane Reakes Davies

Business Manager (East)

Coaching Manager

Colin Morris

Steve Davies

Peter Tinsley

Depot Supervisor (Cardiff)

Training Manager

Colin Fox

Commercial Manager

Amanda Thompson

Coaching Supervisor (Swansea)

Joe Grima

Senior Finance Business Partner VACANT

Finance Business Partner

Andrew Thomas

Sarah Burns

FTR Lead Host Debra Hyde, left, and Administrator Anne-Marie Edwards.

Calendar is already raising charity cash RACY snaps of First Cymru staff are not just raising a titter – they are raising thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support too.

A calendar of ‘buff looking’ volunteers is now on sale thanks to a successful one-off fundraising night, which paid for 300 copies to be printed.

Swansea Driver Deborah Fleming, who cajoled colleagues to take part, said: “The fundraising night at The Countryman pub was brilliant and thanks to everyone’s support we managed to make £1,140.

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“The calendar cost £700 to print so we’ve already got £440 for Macmillan. We’ve been taking pre-orders and it’s selling for £6.99 each so we’ll raise another £2,097 if it sells out.

“We can do a re-print and produce more copies if there’s enough interest.

We’re selling it at the depot and The Quadrant and I’ve been talking to a supermarket about setting a stall up outside too.

“I’m just relieved we’re at this stage. The support we’ve had from everyone who has taken part has been fantastic.”

Operations Manager (Swansea) Lyn Harvey

Staff Operations Manager (West)

Engineering Manager (West)

Network Planner

Tony Nelson

Ron Morton

Paul Taylor

Staff Manager (Swansea) Clare Dalton

Engineering Manager (Swansea)

Business Analyst Jamie Slee

Staff Operations Manager (Port Talbot & Pontardawe)

Staff Operations Manager (Bridgend & Maesteg)

Engineering Manager (East)

David Cooksley

Mark Jacobs

Keith Davies

Paul Williams

Marketing Officer Phil Trotter

Assistant Engineering Manager (Swansea & West) David Tyler

New buses take a bow

Training to help support blind and partially sighted people

TWO eco-friendly buses have been put through their paces in Swansea as First Cymru weighs up the benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles. Stakeholders and partners were invited along to Ravenhill depot for demonstrations of an Optare-built Solo EV and Volvo’s 7900 hybrid diesel-electric.

Councillors, council officers, MPs, Welsh Assembly Members and representatives of the regions universities joined First staff for trips along a mixed route including dual carriages and steep inclines. Both vehicles are said to have performed well with stakeholders surprised at how effective they were.

TRAINING is being rolled out across First Cymru specifically designed to help drivers better support blind or partially sighted customers when they use the bus. The company has worked closely on the bespoke packages with leading charity Guide Dogs, who provide the My Guide sighted guiding scheme.

Drivers will be encouraged to either

WINTER 2013

Driver Ray Batsford swaps roles with Peggy Walters – Trustee of Vision Impaired West Glamorgan and a member of RNIB Cymru.

verbally guide of physically assist customers who may have problems with their sight to their seats. They will also be urged to alert customers when their stop is approaching.

First Cymru has already been training drivers through Swap with Me events, staged in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). A recent event at the

Ravenhill depot in Swansea saw drivers use blackout spectacles designed to simulate sight impairment.

Regional Customer Services Manager for First Cymru Natacha Tagholm said: “Everyone had a lot of fun at our Swansea Swap with Me event. The drivers really appreciated using the SIM specs while trying to

board the bus and find a seat. Our customers with sight loss got to experience how difficult it can be to hear from the drivers’ seat, so some great lessons were shared on both sides.”

Ceri Jackson, Director of RNIB Cymru, said: “We want operators to remember one simple principle – Stop for Me, Speak to Me.”

WINTER 2013

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First Cymru – organisational management structure First Cymru buses Ltd Managing Director

Introducing the Executive Management Board with the Service Delivery and Engineering teams.

Justin Davies

Business Performance Director Simon Cursio

Fleet Engineer Paul Davies

Business Manager (Swansea & West) Owen Williams

Service Delivery Manager & Deputy Business Manager (Swansea & West)

HR Business Partner Jane Reakes Davies

Business Manager (East)

Coaching Manager

Colin Morris

Steve Davies

Peter Tinsley

Depot Supervisor (Cardiff)

Training Manager

Colin Fox

Commercial Manager

Amanda Thompson

Coaching Supervisor (Swansea)

Joe Grima

Senior Finance Business Partner VACANT

Finance Business Partner

Andrew Thomas

Sarah Burns

FTR Lead Host Debra Hyde, left, and Administrator Anne-Marie Edwards.

Calendar is already raising charity cash RACY snaps of First Cymru staff are not just raising a titter – they are raising thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support too.

A calendar of ‘buff looking’ volunteers is now on sale thanks to a successful one-off fundraising night, which paid for 300 copies to be printed.

Swansea Driver Deborah Fleming, who cajoled colleagues to take part, said: “The fundraising night at The Countryman pub was brilliant and thanks to everyone’s support we managed to make £1,140.

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“The calendar cost £700 to print so we’ve already got £440 for Macmillan. We’ve been taking pre-orders and it’s selling for £6.99 each so we’ll raise another £2,097 if it sells out.

“We can do a re-print and produce more copies if there’s enough interest.

We’re selling it at the depot and The Quadrant and I’ve been talking to a supermarket about setting a stall up outside too.

“I’m just relieved we’re at this stage. The support we’ve had from everyone who has taken part has been fantastic.”

Operations Manager (Swansea) Lyn Harvey

Staff Operations Manager (West)

Engineering Manager (West)

Network Planner

Tony Nelson

Ron Morton

Paul Taylor

Staff Manager (Swansea) Clare Dalton

Engineering Manager (Swansea)

Business Analyst Jamie Slee

Staff Operations Manager (Port Talbot & Pontardawe)

Staff Operations Manager (Bridgend & Maesteg)

Engineering Manager (East)

David Cooksley

Mark Jacobs

Keith Davies

Paul Williams

Marketing Officer Phil Trotter

Assistant Engineering Manager (Swansea & West) David Tyler

New buses take a bow

Training to help support blind and partially sighted people

TWO eco-friendly buses have been put through their paces in Swansea as First Cymru weighs up the benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles. Stakeholders and partners were invited along to Ravenhill depot for demonstrations of an Optare-built Solo EV and Volvo’s 7900 hybrid diesel-electric.

Councillors, council officers, MPs, Welsh Assembly Members and representatives of the regions universities joined First staff for trips along a mixed route including dual carriages and steep inclines. Both vehicles are said to have performed well with stakeholders surprised at how effective they were.

TRAINING is being rolled out across First Cymru specifically designed to help drivers better support blind or partially sighted customers when they use the bus. The company has worked closely on the bespoke packages with leading charity Guide Dogs, who provide the My Guide sighted guiding scheme.

Drivers will be encouraged to either

WINTER 2013

Driver Ray Batsford swaps roles with Peggy Walters – Trustee of Vision Impaired West Glamorgan and a member of RNIB Cymru.

verbally guide of physically assist customers who may have problems with their sight to their seats. They will also be urged to alert customers when their stop is approaching.

First Cymru has already been training drivers through Swap with Me events, staged in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). A recent event at the

Ravenhill depot in Swansea saw drivers use blackout spectacles designed to simulate sight impairment.

Regional Customer Services Manager for First Cymru Natacha Tagholm said: “Everyone had a lot of fun at our Swansea Swap with Me event. The drivers really appreciated using the SIM specs while trying to

board the bus and find a seat. Our customers with sight loss got to experience how difficult it can be to hear from the drivers’ seat, so some great lessons were shared on both sides.”

Ceri Jackson, Director of RNIB Cymru, said: “We want operators to remember one simple principle – Stop for Me, Speak to Me.”

WINTER 2013

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JANE REAKES DAVIES is the First Cymru Human Resources Business Partner. Here, Jane tells of her love of baking and her new-found interest in football in general and Swansea City in particular.

time

Question

First Cymru’s

got talent ALENT spotting is set to continue at First Cymru as the employees who performed well during the first selection process settle into their newly won roles.

And those successful candidates are now urging colleagues to sign up for the next phase of the Talent Programme if they want to advance their careers.

Former Swansea Engineering Administrator Jamie Slee, who took up his new appointment as a Business Administrator at the beginning of September, said: “As a result of going through the Talent Programme, I have seen career development which I could not have imagined happening for a good few years otherwise.

“The scheme has given me the opportunity to advance myself and I would recommend anyone who has the ambition to progress to apply.”

Bridgend Driver Derek Wright is now rolling out Job Chats as part of a six-month project – all tied in to his longer-term career aspirations.

He said: “I felt the whole process was very worthwhile as it not only tested my knowledge and ability intensely but was very enjoyable. It also gave me more of an understanding of what my strong points are and what I need to improve to

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Jane Reakes Davies outside Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium.

How long have you worked in the bus industry?

Since September this year. In the few weeks before I started I had turned into a real bus spotter and now I get to hear about the buses on a daily basis.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

This changed throughout my childhood from hairdresser to nurse. The common theme was working with people. I had been put off being a hairdresser by cutting my own fringe off, having a fear of needles wasn’t going to bode well as a nurse. Somehow HR found me and I never looked back.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I enjoy baking and trying new things to cook. I enjoy travelling and seeing new places. I love spending time with family and friends. I am trying hard to enjoy going to the gym and playing tennis, which is still a challenge.

A late comer to football, I now follow Swansea City.

How else do you relax?

I am not a natural at relaxing unless I’ve got on a plane.

However I took up card making a few years ago, which I thoroughly enjoy, although finding the time, is a challenge.

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Which people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Coco Channel for style tips, Bono to sing my favourite U2 songs, comedian Hugh Dennis who does satire well. It would also help to have someone who could cook, like Rick Stein, and Martin Luther King to share with us some wise words. Finally my gran who filled my sister and I with a strong work ethic but never got to see the fruits of her labour!

progress further in my career.

“If anyone has thoughts of progressing within the company, I would recommend this process whole heartedly.”

Human Resources Business Partner Jane Reakes Davies said: “Congratulations to all of the people who got through the rigorous selection process to earn their place at our Talent Assessment Centres because that in itself was a great achievement.

“Everyone said that although it was tough, they all enjoyed the process and felt a real sense of achievement afterwards.

“It is important that all our people are aware of the opportunities that the Talent Programme can open up for them. This is not a one-off process. We aim to make it an on-going programme.”

Anyone interested in the Talent Programme should email jane.r.davies1@firstgroup.com or write to her at First Cymru Buses Limited, Heol Gwyrosydd, Penlan, Swansea, SA5 7BN.

What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?

A number of years ago I did a fundraising 10k cross country walk, some of the time was undertaken either blindfolded or in three leg formation with three others, whilst in fancy dress. This was all done in the Sirhowy Country Park on a cold and wet February day. This was a difficult day until we came across a field of auburn haired pigs and one of my colleagues said: “They must be the Smoky Bacon Pigs.”

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Treat people the way you wish to be treated yourself. This has been my motto, particularly when having difficult conversations.

Business Administrator Jamie Slee who has benefited from the Talent Programme.

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Passenger numbers rise on Sunday services

Big Picture helps everyone play part IRST UK Bus has set out a Big Picture to help each and every member of the team understand the important part they all play in taking the company to where it needs to be.

Management and supervisory teams across the UK have been meeting to understand where the company is as a business, agree where it is heading and map out what everyone needs to do to improve the way things are done.

The Big Picture shows the impact each depot has on people’s lives and the important part First Bus plays in keeping communities moving. Leaflets delivered to everyone’s home and posters around depots explain how the company can deliver its Vision and Values and bring the Better Journeys for Life promise to life. Anyone who wants to learn more can speak to their manager or supervisor, visit betterjourneysforlife.com, or download the First UK Bus AR app to their mobile device and scan images marked with the orange logo (see below).

First UK Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley said:

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Welcome to

“Our promise – Better Journeys for Life – is about a new way of doing things, and each and every one of us is a part of it.”

Colleagues can hear more from Giles by watching the first episode of Channel First, a new and exciting way of connecting with everything about First Bus.

Augmented Reality (AR)

By downloading a free app to your smartphone or tablet you can bring photographs or graphics to life using the power of a new technology called Augmented Reality (AR).

To access bonus content in our publications simply follow the easy 1-2-3 steps:

1

3

2

Download the First UK Bus AR app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

SUNDAY buses to the Gower Peninsula will run for a fourth year because First’s services have been so successful.

Passenger numbers went up 21 per cent in the 2013 summer season, prompting the Rural Development Partnership to extend its three-year project.

First Cymru Managing Director Justin Davies said: “Our team of drivers deliver an excellent service and the rise in customer numbers is a credit to everybody concerned with the Gower Sunday service operation.”

Surveys revealed that more than 30 per cent of the customers on this year’s Sunday Explorer buses were overseas visitors. The top destinations were Three Cliffs Bay and Rhossili Bay and it has been estimated that Sunday bus customers spent more than £50,000 on food, drink and gifts during the season.

John Davies, the Project Officer for sustainable transport partnership BayTrans, said: “I’m delighted with the continuing growth in users and eagerly look forward to another successful season next year.”

Services are expected to resume in Easter 2014 and continue through until 28 September.

Open the app with a simple tap.

Scan the graphic wherever you see this icon.

Point your device at the graphics on this page where you see the AR content logo pictured above – and wait for the surprise. Double tap for a full-screen image.

Augmented reality services by WINTER 2013

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Network changes are good news for customers

Kyle Tierney chats with Driver Craig Howells during a visit to Bridgend bus station.

Inset, Kyle at the wheel of a bus.

Bus fan Kyle gets US fan Kyle Tierney enjoyed a behind the scenes visit to Bridgend bus station after his mum Hannah Lewis went straight to the top and emailed First Group Chief Executive Tim O’Toole.

She leapt into action when six-year-old Kyle, who has severe autism, asked her for a model of a First Cymru bus for his birthday.

She said: “He’s been obsessed with buses since he was about three. He knows all the bus numbers and bus times and has

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a Flickr site for the pictures he takes on his iPod. We live about 15 minutes from Bridgend bus station and we’re on the Service 13 route. Kyle looks out of the window and knows exactly when a bus is coming.

“When he asked for the model, I found Tim’s name on the internet and sent an email telling him all about Kyle. I didn’t really know who Tim was at the time but he replied in a week and sent Kyle a goody pack.”

The best was yet to come

though as First Cymru sent a bus to Kyle’s home to pick him and his family up for a trip to the bus station.

First Cymru Commercial Manager Peter Tinsley said: “Kyle got to sit in the cab and had a lovely time. It’s the least we could do for probably our biggest fan.”

Kyle’s mum added: “He loved it. It was really amazing and I can’t believe how generous and kind First Cymru were. It was just an email and I really didn’t think all this would come of it.”

Driver celebrates personal milestones TYCROES Driver Dean Cherrington has celebrated two life-changing milestones – the birth of his daughter and achieving his personal goal for blood and blood platelet donation.

Little Amelia arrived in the world earlier this year as the 29-year-old was receiving a special award from the Welsh Blood Service in recognition of his 50th donation.

Dean is determined to keep going as he and his wife Alexe also devote their time, as foster parents, to two teenagers.

The 29-year-old said: “I was really

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pleased to get my certificate and I’m now up to 65 donations.

“The sad news is that only five per cent of people in Wales regularly give blood and bone marrow is in very short supply.

“My message to colleagues is the more who give, the better – so I’d encourage everyone to give it a go. You could be saving someone’s life.”

The Welsh Blood Service stages community collection clinics where no bookings are needed.

To find out when and where the clinics are staged please visit www.welsh-blood.org.uk

NETWORK improvements in South Wales are up and running – including the reintroduction, on a commercial basis, of some Sunday services.

Operating between Swansea and Gowerton and between Llandeilo, Ammanford, Pontarddulais and Swansea, they have been welcomed by customers as have enhanced frequencies or additional journeys on other routes.

Business Performance Director Simon Cursio said: “The changes being made are overwhelmingly positive and further underline the investment that we are making in the area.”

Some frequencies have been reduced slightly as First matches resources and demand but Simon said the changes were good news for customers.

“The reintroduction of Sunday services on a commercial basis in some places is a significant step in the right direction, as is the creation of a new, fast and direct link between Swansea and the Sandfields area of Port Talbot.”

Ideas for centenary IDEAS are already coming in for celebrations and events to mark the 100th birthday next year of First Cymru’s predecessor South Wales Transport.

Suggestions include an outdoor exhibition of old photographs which also showcases the very latest in new buses and a vehicle rally. Please forward your ideas to jane.r.davies1@ firstgroup.com or phillip.trotter@firstgroup.com

Greyhound success First Cymru’s Greyhound coach service, providing frequent services between Swansea Bus Station and Bristol Airport, was highly commended in the Top Express Coach Operation category at the prestigious UK Bus Awards.