Ein Newyddion – Spring 2014

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Newyddi

Spring 2014

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The magazine for First people in South & West Wales

g n o l e f Li g n i n r lea s with n e p o e r t n ce O New hi-tech PAGE TW s e s r u o c e of a wide rang

Crucial Survey

View interactive video content PAGE SEVEN

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Dedication to safety is a vital part of Vision and Values

By Managing Director

Justin Davies AN important part of our Vision and Values under Better Journeys for Life is our dedication to safety.

Safety should always be at the front of our minds and it should be our way of life. The key to good safety performance is looking after each other, looking after the place where we work, following the rules and regulations around using any equipment or tools in the work place and reporting any issues that take place so the lessons can always be learned.

So far, this financial year, we have managed to reduce the number of staff being injured in our business but unfortunately passenger injuries have risen.

Many of our customers are elderly and have mobility difficulties or suffer from a medical condition.

Therefore, they really need looking after and that is as simple as giving them plenty of time to sit down on the bus before moving off, watching when they are walking on a moving vehicle and getting as close to the kerb as is possible to set them down and pick them up.

It is important that we keep the energy and activity in our workshops, offices and bus stations focussed on working in a safe way with a constant eye to avoiding injury and accidents.

That means keeping walkways clear, wiping up spills to avoid slip and trip injuries, and making sure that PPE equipment is used properly – for example, wear safety glasses in the workshop, gloves to avoid oil contamination on hands and safety boots to protect feet and ankles.

Safety is all our responsibility. We only get the safety we work for.

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Courses for all at ‘fantastic’ centre IGN language, computer courses and how to speak Welsh – just a few of the courses likely to be on offer at the new Lifelong Learning Centre recently launched at Swansea's central bus station.

Previously, courses such as health and safety training had been staged at a variety of unsuitable locations, but the new centre – jointly funded by First, Unite and the Wales Union Learning Fund – provides a dedicated learning space complete with laptop computers and other equipment.

Officially opened in January, the centre is run by Learning Rep Ray Batsford with support from long-serving Driver Deborah Fleming.

She said: “In the past we've struggled to find premises that were really suitable for a

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Learning Centre but what we’ve got now is absolutely fantastic.

It’s a nice big space with eight laptops, a whiteboard, a projector and loads of books.

“We are currently getting posters and leaflets out to make sure everyone is aware of the learning centre and what it can offer.

“We are also carrying out a survey asking people what they are interested in and what courses they would like to see.

“There's lots of interest in sign language – many of our drivers are keen to learn it so they can help deaf passengers better.

And lots of people want to learn to speak Welsh. Digital photography and computer courses also very popular.

“These are the ones we will probably be starting off with at the new centre, but we’ve also had requests for courses on

bricklaying, cookery and floristry.

So it's not just academic courses – people want to learn practical skills as well.”

FirstGroup’s Head of Learning Linda Guthrie said 85 per cent of First staff across the UK now have access to Lifelong Learning Centres.

She added: “With our partners Unite we’ve invested significantly in these facilities – providing our employees with the opportunity of improving their skills and helping them reach their potential is a key business objective for First.”

Meanwhile, David Pugh, National Education Coordinator from Unite the Union, said: “This investment will encourage more bus drivers, cleaners, engineers, mechanics and indeed all employees to use the Lifelong Learning Centres and improve their skill sets.”

Park and Ride Driver Russell Casey with a selection of books in the new Lifelong Learning Centre at Swansea.

Our cover picture shows Learning Rep Ray Batsford, standing, with Driver Neil Halliday in the centre.

Award winning First Bus App to be updated UPDATES are now planned to the award-winning First Bus App, which helps First Cymru customers get about more easily. Named Best Mobile Application at the Herald Digital

Business Awards, the app’s Global Positioning System (GPS) helps users find bus stops and bus route maps while also giving service updates and real-time bus departure

information where available.

Customers can save bus stops to their favourites list and a new Stop Alert tells them when they are approaching their chosen stop.

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Big hearted campaign FIRST Cymru backed the Big Heart of Swansea campaign – an initiative designed to encourage people to come into the city centre and support local businesses.

The company offered discounted unlimited weekly travel for those with campaign loyalty cards and printed 10,000 posters to publicise the deal. It also used its own website and Facebook page for further promotion.

Business Performance Director Simon Cursio said: “Our offer was significant because as well as offering people a saving on their travel costs, it also made it easier for people to support the other local businesses taking part.”

Significant fares cuts Managing Director Justin Davies talks with Training Manager Amanda Thompson about CPC records at Ravenhill depot which has now been established as the headquarters for First Cymru.

Company gears up to

grow business ORE new buses and a growing local focus are set to give First Cymru a real boost this year as the company builds on the independence of 2013.

Several key objectives to establish the independently managed company have already been achieved, including appointments to the Senior Management Team and the re-opening of Ravenhill as a proper home and base for the business.

The commercial department was re-established, joining the finance team and engineering staff, while the First UK Bus Better Journeys for Life image and comprehensive business package was launched.

The new team took delivery of 41 new buses in the year, all in the new First UK Bus livery. New buses were delivered to the depots in Bridgend and Maesteg, the first new vehicles since the mid 1990s. Yet more new vehicles arrived for the Park and Ride contract in Swansea allowing existing stock to be transferred to the key inter urban operations in West Wales.

The Greyhound Coach Service was extended

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to Bristol Airport producing for the very first time a direct public transport link to the airport from South Wales. Joining that service was the T9 operation to Cardiff Airport operated on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Managing Director Justin Davies is confident of still more improvement as the company looks ahead to 2014 and celebrates the milestone of 100 years of operation.

He said: “The year will see more new buses being delivered – some for Swansea, some for the services towards Llanelli and some for East Wales and the inter urban operations.

“We will launch a new inter urban brand to bring together the family of express bus services across the business into a single identity and product for our customers.

“Our Senior Management Team has just been joined by the Finance Business Partner and a new Fleet Engineer will complete the team soon.

“All in all, our team is set up to give us a real local focus. Our managerial expertise together with the hard work of everyone across the First Cymru team will help us to grow this year.”

MANY First Cymru customers are benefiting from cheaper tickets after a fares review by the company. Introduced at the start of the year, there were slight reductions in 28 per cent of cases while existing prices were held for 21 per cent of fares. Some single and return fares as well as season ticket prices were increased slightly.

Managing Director Justin Davies said: “The positive changes and the reductions should not be underestimated. They are significant and underline our efforts to get people back on the buses.”

Jeff wins iPad prize SWANSEA Driver Jeff Darracott is the proud owner of a new iPad – won in a UK-wide FirstGroup prize draw as part of the Big Picture story in the last issue of Ein Newyddion.

Jeff filled out a survey after watching an interview with First UK Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley on Channel First. The video has already been watched hundreds of times on the Better Journeys for Life website and well over 10,000 times via the First UK Bus Augmented Reality (AR) app.

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X11 and services X13 GoldX13 Service putsput the glitter into BUS TRAVEL T

Free WiFi like that available on the X2 service has drawn praise from Twitter followers.

Customer Twitter praise CUSTOMERS are increasingly using the First Cymru Twitter account to give praise where it is due and not just complain about delayed or missing services.

Free WiFi on some routes has attracted favourable comment with one customer Chris PJ Martin tweeting: “Since when did the bus have free WiFi? Nice One!” Another called Paul Harvey wrote: “Using the free WiFi on your X2 Cardiff to Porthcawl service. It’s excellent.”

Passengers do notice and appreciate first-class customer service. Chloe Webber took to Twitter to report: “Bus driver on the 43 to Morriston Hospital today helping an elderly person on and off the bus. Lovely man!” First Cymru responded:

HERE’S gold in them thar valleys... or at least, there’s gold on some services following the introduction of plush replacement vehicles decked out in striking new livery.

The new X11 Swansea to Carmarthen and X13 Ammanford to Swansea services are the first in a rolling programme of improvements aimed at raising standards of customer care – including free onboard WiFi for passengers who like to keep up to date with the latest news or what's happening on Twitter and Facebook.

Owen Williams, Business Manager for Swansea and West Wales, said feedback from customers using the newly upgraded services had been extremely positive.

He said: “The aim is to establish a new product – almost a new brand – by significantly raising the standard of service we offer to our customers.

“These vehicles are refurbished to a very high level and have been kitted out with the latest features including WiFi. “They also have also been painted in eye-catching new livery of blue with gold stripes and gold lettering with a dragon on each

“Thanks for the tweet Chloe. I will pass on your kind comment to the driver’s manager.”

Efforts to improve the on-board experience for all has meant the introduction of First Cymru signs and messages designed to encourage harmony and a little less antisocial behaviour.

One reads: “We love a bit of dirty Dubstep but not everyone does. So can you turn your fresh beats down a little please? Nice one.”

Ian Rees, who works as a Marketing Officer in Swansea, picked up on them in his tweet: “Great in-bus comms.” First Cymru responded: “We’re very happy with them Ian. Thanks for your feedback. Have a good weekend.”

Driver Peter Price with one of the buses on the X13 service with its striking livery.

Showing off the new Better Journey and Safe Journey cards are First Regional Customer Services Manager for the South West and Wales Natacha Tagholm, centre, and from Bus Users UK Barclay Davies and Margaret Everson.

Investment in routes at Bridgend and Porthcawl

side. They really stand out from other buses on the road.”

Owen said that following the success of the services, similar vehicles were also being introduced elsewhere over the next few months.

He added: “We started with the X11 and X13 services because they are some of our busiest and we want to keep our customers happy.

“The reaction so far has

been really good, so much so that we plan to increase the service frequency from one every 30 minutes to one every 20 minutes and we are also looking at the fares structure to see if we can provide an even better deal.”

New buses boost Park and Ride service

A 274 Streetlite Micro Hybrid.

Group places £70m order FIRSTGROUP has placed a £70 million order for 425 vehicles for delivery in 2014/15.

It is the biggest ever investment in new buses in the UK for services outside London and brings the company investment in 2,000 new vehicles over the last four years to £310 million. All but six will be manufactured in the UK and include 274 Streetlite Micro

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SPRING 2014

Hybrids – the world’s most fuel-efficient bus.

First will be the first company to operate these new diesel vehicles incorporating an innovative onboard system, which improves fuel efficiency by 10 per cent. The rest of the order is for 60 Enviro 400s, 37 Enviro 200s, 15 Optare Solos, six Optare Versas, six Volvo Plaxtons and 27 Streetlites.

Driver Kevin Hutchinson with one of the state-of-the-art Enviro 300 buses on the Swansea Park and Ride service.

CUSTOMERS and partners have welcomed the £1.28 million First Cymru investment in eight new Park and Ride buses for Swansea.

The Enviro 300s feature leather seats as well as improved audio in and around the cab to make it easier for drivers and passengers to communicate. The 45-seaters come complete with free WiFi. Owen Williams, Business Manager for Swansea and West Wales, said: “The new buses have made a big difference to the standard of service on our Park and Ride services.

“Feedback from passengers has been very positive – they like the comfort and all the extras like the WiFi and leather seats.

The drivers are happy as well –

it’s always nice for them to get their hands on a new vehicle.”

First Cymru operates the services on behalf of the City and County of Swansea Council.

Councillor June Burtonshaw, the Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We have three Park and Ride services, which all contribute to reducing car-related congestion in the city centre.

“The investment shows the commitment of First and the council in the continued provision of this service.”

Park and Ride in Swansea costs just £2.50 for all day parking and travel to and from the city centre for four people.

Regular users can make additional savings by booking vouchers for 12 days’ parking and travel for just £25.

POLITICIANS, bus user groups and the Guide Dogs charity attended the official launch of brand new buses for Bridgend and Porthcawl.

Three vehicles, two Optare Versas and an ADL Enviro 200, were put on display for Welsh Assembly Member Carwyn Jones and Bridgend County Borough Council Leader Councillor Mel Nott to check out.

Speaking about First’s overall investment of £4.56 million in 31 new vehicles, Carywn Jones said: “This is a significant investment from First Cymru which I am sure will greatly benefit the passengers using the service.”

Councillor Nott said: “This is good news for communities throughout the Llynfi Valley and I am pleased to see First Cymru delivering such significant investment into Bridgend County Borough’s public transport network.”

The event was further used to promote the Better Journey and Safe Journey cards for older

and disabled people to help them use buses more easily and with greater peace of mind.

The Safe Journey Card was originally unveiled in 2009 but has now been improved. It was developed in association with, and in response to, a charity awareness day, which focused on falls in transport. It allows older people to indicate to drivers that they need more time to reach their seat before the bus pulls away, or for the driver to speak up because the customer is hard of hearing.

The Better Journey card is a brand new product. It contains 10 messages ranging from “Please help me find a seat” and “Please count out my change with me” to “Please face me and speak clearly, I lip read” and “Please be patient, I have a hidden disability”.

■ Safe Journey and Better Journey cards are available to download for free from the First website firstgroup.com/ safejourney and firstgroup.com/betterjourney.

Centenary celebration event STAFF, charities and voluntary organisations are being urged to take part in a centenary celebration event at Swansea Bus Museum on May 18. They can, for free, set up stalls and fundraising booths as part of the event being stage to mark 100 years of public transport in south Wales.

To book a place please email the marketing department at phillip.trotter@firstgroup. com.

SPRING 2014

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X11 and services X13 GoldX13 Service putsput the glitter into BUS TRAVEL T

Free WiFi like that available on the X2 service has drawn praise from Twitter followers.

Customer Twitter praise CUSTOMERS are increasingly using the First Cymru Twitter account to give praise where it is due and not just complain about delayed or missing services.

Free WiFi on some routes has attracted favourable comment with one customer Chris PJ Martin tweeting: “Since when did the bus have free WiFi? Nice One!” Another called Paul Harvey wrote: “Using the free WiFi on your X2 Cardiff to Porthcawl service. It’s excellent.”

Passengers do notice and appreciate first-class customer service. Chloe Webber took to Twitter to report: “Bus driver on the 43 to Morriston Hospital today helping an elderly person on and off the bus. Lovely man!” First Cymru responded:

HERE’S gold in them thar valleys... or at least, there’s gold on some services following the introduction of plush replacement vehicles decked out in striking new livery.

The new X11 Swansea to Carmarthen and X13 Ammanford to Swansea services are the first in a rolling programme of improvements aimed at raising standards of customer care – including free onboard WiFi for passengers who like to keep up to date with the latest news or what's happening on Twitter and Facebook.

Owen Williams, Business Manager for Swansea and West Wales, said feedback from customers using the newly upgraded services had been extremely positive.

He said: “The aim is to establish a new product – almost a new brand – by significantly raising the standard of service we offer to our customers.

“These vehicles are refurbished to a very high level and have been kitted out with the latest features including WiFi. “They also have also been painted in eye-catching new livery of blue with gold stripes and gold lettering with a dragon on each

“Thanks for the tweet Chloe. I will pass on your kind comment to the driver’s manager.”

Efforts to improve the on-board experience for all has meant the introduction of First Cymru signs and messages designed to encourage harmony and a little less antisocial behaviour.

One reads: “We love a bit of dirty Dubstep but not everyone does. So can you turn your fresh beats down a little please? Nice one.”

Ian Rees, who works as a Marketing Officer in Swansea, picked up on them in his tweet: “Great in-bus comms.” First Cymru responded: “We’re very happy with them Ian. Thanks for your feedback. Have a good weekend.”

Driver Peter Price with one of the buses on the X13 service with its striking livery.

Showing off the new Better Journey and Safe Journey cards are First Regional Customer Services Manager for the South West and Wales Natacha Tagholm, centre, and from Bus Users UK Barclay Davies and Margaret Everson.

Investment in routes at Bridgend and Porthcawl

side. They really stand out from other buses on the road.”

Owen said that following the success of the services, similar vehicles were also being introduced elsewhere over the next few months.

He added: “We started with the X11 and X13 services because they are some of our busiest and we want to keep our customers happy.

“The reaction so far has

been really good, so much so that we plan to increase the service frequency from one every 30 minutes to one every 20 minutes and we are also looking at the fares structure to see if we can provide an even better deal.”

New buses boost Park and Ride service

A 274 Streetlite Micro Hybrid.

Group places £70m order FIRSTGROUP has placed a £70 million order for 425 vehicles for delivery in 2014/15.

It is the biggest ever investment in new buses in the UK for services outside London and brings the company investment in 2,000 new vehicles over the last four years to £310 million. All but six will be manufactured in the UK and include 274 Streetlite Micro

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SPRING 2014

Hybrids – the world’s most fuel-efficient bus.

First will be the first company to operate these new diesel vehicles incorporating an innovative onboard system, which improves fuel efficiency by 10 per cent. The rest of the order is for 60 Enviro 400s, 37 Enviro 200s, 15 Optare Solos, six Optare Versas, six Volvo Plaxtons and 27 Streetlites.

Driver Kevin Hutchinson with one of the state-of-the-art Enviro 300 buses on the Swansea Park and Ride service.

CUSTOMERS and partners have welcomed the £1.28 million First Cymru investment in eight new Park and Ride buses for Swansea.

The Enviro 300s feature leather seats as well as improved audio in and around the cab to make it easier for drivers and passengers to communicate. The 45-seaters come complete with free WiFi. Owen Williams, Business Manager for Swansea and West Wales, said: “The new buses have made a big difference to the standard of service on our Park and Ride services.

“Feedback from passengers has been very positive – they like the comfort and all the extras like the WiFi and leather seats.

The drivers are happy as well –

it’s always nice for them to get their hands on a new vehicle.”

First Cymru operates the services on behalf of the City and County of Swansea Council.

Councillor June Burtonshaw, the Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We have three Park and Ride services, which all contribute to reducing car-related congestion in the city centre.

“The investment shows the commitment of First and the council in the continued provision of this service.”

Park and Ride in Swansea costs just £2.50 for all day parking and travel to and from the city centre for four people.

Regular users can make additional savings by booking vouchers for 12 days’ parking and travel for just £25.

POLITICIANS, bus user groups and the Guide Dogs charity attended the official launch of brand new buses for Bridgend and Porthcawl.

Three vehicles, two Optare Versas and an ADL Enviro 200, were put on display for Welsh Assembly Member Carwyn Jones and Bridgend County Borough Council Leader Councillor Mel Nott to check out.

Speaking about First’s overall investment of £4.56 million in 31 new vehicles, Carywn Jones said: “This is a significant investment from First Cymru which I am sure will greatly benefit the passengers using the service.”

Councillor Nott said: “This is good news for communities throughout the Llynfi Valley and I am pleased to see First Cymru delivering such significant investment into Bridgend County Borough’s public transport network.”

The event was further used to promote the Better Journey and Safe Journey cards for older

and disabled people to help them use buses more easily and with greater peace of mind.

The Safe Journey Card was originally unveiled in 2009 but has now been improved. It was developed in association with, and in response to, a charity awareness day, which focused on falls in transport. It allows older people to indicate to drivers that they need more time to reach their seat before the bus pulls away, or for the driver to speak up because the customer is hard of hearing.

The Better Journey card is a brand new product. It contains 10 messages ranging from “Please help me find a seat” and “Please count out my change with me” to “Please face me and speak clearly, I lip read” and “Please be patient, I have a hidden disability”.

■ Safe Journey and Better Journey cards are available to download for free from the First website firstgroup.com/ safejourney and firstgroup.com/betterjourney.

Centenary celebration event STAFF, charities and voluntary organisations are being urged to take part in a centenary celebration event at Swansea Bus Museum on May 18. They can, for free, set up stalls and fundraising booths as part of the event being stage to mark 100 years of public transport in south Wales.

To book a place please email the marketing department at phillip.trotter@firstgroup. com.

SPRING 2014

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COLIN MORRIS, Cymru East Business Manager, is back in Wales where he started his bus industry career 26 years ago. Here, he shares his love of Arsenal Football Club, golf and Elvis.

time

Question

Colin Morris pictured at Port Talbot depot.

How long have you worked in the bus industry?

Since August 3, 1987, when I started in Port Talbot as a bus driver. I have worked my way through the ranks and I’ve just returned to the depot as Business Manager for Cymru East.

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

I always wanted to be a fireman but unfortunately it was a difficult recruitment process and I was unsuccessful when I got to the third and final selection assessment.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I enjoy watching football and I play both golf and snooker from time to time when work commitments allow. I am an avid Arsenal supporter.

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OMMUNITY ambassadors are being sought to help drive forward fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support in the depots.

The rallying call is aimed at every employee but is ideal for people who are already active charity campaigners or volunteers.

First Group Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Manager Katie Smart said: “The aim is to build a network of ambassadors across First Cymru who will inspire and encourage other employees to fundraise.

Anyone up for this exciting challenge should contact me directly.”

The call goes out just as the total raised for Macmillan from FirstGroup topped £700,000 in just 18 months. This includes £73,000 raised in and around the depots.

In addition, the company has announced a new bus advertising

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space initiative to support its charity partner, worth £79,500.

Adverts have been placed on vehicles across the whole fleet promoting the Not Alone Campaign.

Katie added: “We hope the advertising on our buses will mean that more people can be signposted to Macmillan’s fantastic services and therefore don’t have to face cancer alone.”

Employees can also donate their own money to charity through a payroll giving scheme which is due to be relaunched this spring.

The scheme is going live throughout FirstGroup with the help of fundraising experts Payroll Giving in Action. Representatives from the organisation will be visiting depots over the next few months.

For more details or to sign up as a community ambassador contact Katie by emailing Katie.smart@firstgroup.com

peaceful surroundings of the island.

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

Arsene Wenger as he is an inspirational manager and I would imagine him to be very interesting and an intelligent person to hold a conversation with, comedian Dave Allen for his sense of humour, Elvis for musical entertainment and my fiancée, to cook the dinner.

What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?

I cannot recall anything specific but I see every day more challenging than the previous day as I strive to achieve the best I can in all that I do.

How else do you relax?

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

I find it difficult to relax but I have recently “discovered” the island of Tenerife where I tend to relax easily and enjoy the

Always treat people fairly and with respect whilst sticking to your beliefs and they will respect you in return.

SPRING 2014

Call to drive fundraising

CHAMPIONING MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT: FirstGroup Banking Services Team Member Karen Shiels backs the appeal for employees to volunteer as community ambassadors.

Donation boosts cancer charity CANCER charity Maggie’s has been given an £800 boost courtesy of the First Charity and Sponsorship Committee.

The money was donated to retired local government official David Whitehead, who had completed a gruelling

Paris to Barcelona cycle ride.

First Cymru MD Justin Davies personally backed the application of the 65-year-old.

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Improving performance at all levels SPECIAL training is being rolled out across the entire FirstGroup to take it from being a big company to a great company by improving performance at all levels.

It will help UK Bus deliver on its promise of Better Journeys for Life.

Senior leaders and managers will be better equipped with the skills to work with team members to improve

MPLOYEES throughout FirstGroup are being urged to have their say in Your Voice – a comprehensive survey of how the business is run and how it could be improved.

Launching the call for feedback from all staff, UK Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley said the survey would allow senior management to measure whether the actions they had taken over the past few years had made First a better place to work and help identify areas where greater focus was required.

“At First we really are always trying to improve things for our employees and that can only be done with their feedback,” said Giles.

“We place our people at the very heart of everything we do.

They are the driving force behind this company and without them we would have no business.

“We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable workplace for everyone – an atmosphere of support and collaboration rather than intimidation or fear.

“I’m confident that if we can get it right for our employees, we

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Volunteers needed for focus groups VOLUNTEERS are invited to join focus groups to give views on diversity in the workplace.

Confidential sessions run by independent experts aim to identify what it is like to work for First. Employees from diverse backgrounds (e.g. gender, race, disability and sexual orientation) are particularly welcome.

To take part please email DiversityAtFirstGroup@uk.ibm. com with your company, role and diversity area of interest.

performance. Reaction to the performance programme around the UK has been positive.

To find out more watch episode five of CHANNELFirst (available from April 8), follow the instructions at the foot of the page to watch the latest episode of CHANNELFirst by scanning the graphic on the left with your smartphone or tablet.

Your Voice helps shape our future can do the same for our customers, communities, partners and shareholders.”

Referring to some of the changes that had been introduced following feedback from previous surveys, Giles listed the FirstXclusives scheme, investment in leadership development, the continued move from central direction to local leadership and the development of a new employee online portal which will launch later this year.

The Your Voice survey runs between April 28 and May 23 online and in paper versions in all depots.

Handled by analysts Towers Watson, it is completely confidential and no one from First will be able to access specific individual results at any time.

Giles added: “I would like to

UK Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley, left, talks to Internal Communications Manager Alex Fenwick ask all staff to spend just a few minutes to provide me with their feedback in this year’s survey. It will take a few months for Towers

Welcome to

Watson to analyse the results but rest assured, we will provide everyone with comprehensive results as soon as we can.”

Augmented Reality

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).

Open the app with a simple tap.

Scan the photo or graphic wherever you see this icon.

Point your device at the photo or graphic where you see the AR content logo pictured above – and bring this magazine to life. Double tap for a full-screen image.

Augmented reality services by SPRING 2014

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Rescue hero given top award IRST Cymru has honoured former Driver John Noctor with its highest award for his heroics in rescuing a child from underneath a train in London.

He was working as a Cardiff Park and Ride driver at the time but was off-duty and on his way to see his beloved Cardiff City face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Bluebirds fan leapt into action at Gospel Oak station when a child fell from a buggy onto the track as a young mum struggled to board a stationary train.

John said: “I could see through the window a woman struggling to get the buggy on and went to lend a hand but by

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Cardiff City fan John Noctor who saved the life of a young child when on his way to watch the Bluebirds play Arsenal.

the time I got there it was empty.

“I looked around the platform and couldn’t see anything. Then I heard crying from underneath the train.”

Quick-thinking John carefully lowered himself down and added: “As I got there, I could hear the doors beeping as the driver was about to move off. But at the time what that meant hadn’t really sunk in. I was more bothered about reaching the kid.

“I found out afterwards my nephew had jammed the train doors and hit the alarm otherwise it would have moved off. Thank God the kid reached up just as I was bending down so I was able to heave them

up onto the platform.”

Asked if he saw himself as a hero, John said: “I just saw it happen and did what anyone else would have done.”

He has since left the company after six years’ service but not before colleagues joined him for a special ceremony in Cardiff.

Managing Director Justin Davies presented him with a Silver Dragon certificate and lapel badge – only the second time First Cymru has bestowed the award.

Coaching Manager Steve Davies said: “He’s very humble with it all. He acted quickly, saved a child’s life and put his own in danger. We’re all very proud of him.”

Driver took prompt action to tackle car blaze

Sharon Brown back in Pentregethin Road – the scene of the car fire drama.

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SPRING 2014

LONG-SERVING Swansea Driver Sharon Brown thought nothing of her own safety when she leapt into action after spotting a blazing car on a driveway.

The 46-year-old who has been with First Cymru for 15 years was taking out one of the last buses of the day at the time but knew she had to act.

Sharon, who gets married this month, said: ”I saw a puff of smoke coming from the car next to a caravan on Pentregethin Road. I didn’t have any passengers on-board so I pulled up and had to jump the garden wall to get past.

“I tried to alert the householder and other neighbours while calling the fire brigade. When the householder appeared at his door he was a bit shocked. It was all over in 15 minutes and wasn’t as bad as it first seemed.”

Swansea Staff Manager Clare Dalton said: “Sharon is accident prone and could trip over a pencil so I joked with her that stopping was asking for trouble.

“But she’s a wonderful member of staff and an absolute star. We’re all so proud of her. I’ll be nominating her for the Silver Dragon Award.”