Ein Newyddion Winter 2015 by i•creation

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Newyddi

Winter 2015

The magazine for First people in South & West Wales

why

huskies AREthe Massive rise in survey response rates

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TOP DOGS for Gregg PAGE THREE

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Actions set to be taken on survey findings By Managing Director

Justin Davies

A huge thank you to everybody who helped to raise more than £1,100 for First’s Charity of Choice, Prostate Cancer UK, by taking part in this year’s Your Voice survey. By the end of December, communication of the results to all our depots will have been completed and actions underway to respond to the survey results. There will also be depot newsletters and feedback sessions so that you can get to hear about the collective comments. I’m very pleased to welcome Mike Gibbons to the bus company as our new Health and Safety Manager. Mike joins us from Tata Steel in Port Talbot and has a wealth of experience, which will be of immense benefit to our business. In addition, I’m very grateful to Mike Mellor for having acted as our Health and Safety Manager in recent months. Mike has done a great job and we wish him well with his continuing retirement. David Tyler has been appointed to the role of Fleet Engineer, replacing Richard Noble who has moved on to take up a new role with the First Bus central team. David has worked at First Cymru for many years and has made a significant contribution to the engineering team during that time and I look forward to his future success with us. As Christmas approaches I do hope you have a very happy, peaceful and enjoyable time. Let us all look forward to what the New Year, and 2016 as a whole, will bring.

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Response rate rises 43 per cent ESPONSE to the Your Voice survey is up massively across First Cymru with every single person at four depots giving their views. Bridgend, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Llanelli achieved 100 per cent response rates – they were among only five of 47 First Bus sites across Wales and south England to hit that target. A total of 552 First Cymru staff responded, up 43 per cent on last year. It gave the company an overall response

rate of 70 per cent – matching the national figure. That triggered payment of more than £1,100 to the company’s Charity of Choice Prostate Cancer UK as First Bus had agreed to pay £1 for paper

responses and £2 for online submissions. Survey results are now being collated as part of First’s Visions and Values pledge to make sure all colleagues’ views are heard so they can be acted on. Human Resources Business Partner Jane Reakes Davies said: “We’re really pleased with our response rate, especially since it’s up 43 per cent on the 2014 figure. A giant well done to everyone for giving us your views and raising so much for charity at the same time.”

Staff sign up for charity cycle rides Controller Huw Morris who is organising two charity rides.

KEEN cyclist Huw Morris is busy organising two charity rides through East Carmarthenshire to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. The Ammanford Controller has finalised routes for a 15-mile fun ride mainly along the Amman Valley Cycle Way and a more challenging 45-miler from Ammanford over the Black Mountain to Llangadog and back via Paxtons Tower. Around 40 First Cymru staff have already signed up with another 60 spaces available between now and when the event takes place on 15 May next year. Entrance fee is £10 for the short ride and £15 for the tougher one. Huw, a First Cymru employee for 18 years, said: “I got into cycling about five or six years ago through my wife. She’s obsessed with it and we ride every weekend. She takes it very seriously. “Seventy miles is about my max. Last year my brother-in-law died from prostate cancer and since its our Charity of Choice I thought it would be a good idea to raise money for a great cause. “I’d urge people to sign up when I put up posters at depots soon. Cycling is great fun and you’ll get to see a lot of beautiful East Carmarthenshire.” Follow the latest on the rides by signing up to Huw’s blog at www.jumpedup telephonist.wordpress.com

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Drivers commended for great service TWO Swansea employees have received commendations for going the extra mile and providing great customer service. Jeff Darracott and Richard Austin were praised by passengers who took the time to ring the depot and thank them for their friendly approach. Firstly a call came in from a customer who catches Driver Jeff’s Service 15 bus. The person said: “I would like to commend the driver. He is wonderful, polite and always has a

smile.” Then a man who caught the wrong bus because he was colour blind rang in to thank controller Richard for his help in getting back across the city to his car at the Fabian Way Park and Ride site. He said: “This gentleman went above and beyond to make sure I got there in time. I’m new to Swansea and he really put me at my ease.”

Gregg John with three of his four huskies, left to right, Myshka, Indie and Diesel. Gregg is featured on the magazine front cover with Myshka.

National accolade ASSISTANT Staff Manager Christian Horn has been highly commended at a national awards ceremony in London. He was nominated for Frontline Employee of the Year at the prestigious National Transport Awards in a year that also saw him named runner up for Outstanding Contribution at the Welsh awards staged by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Now covering Bridgend Port Talbot and Maesteg, Christian said: “Looks like I’m destined to always be the bridesmaid and never the bride. “Seriously though it was a real honour to be nominated for an award again and fly the flag for First Cymru and it’s brilliant staff.”

Top of the post league PROLIFIC is what First Cymru staff are where the Better Journeys for Life website is concerned – they have more posts that any other OpCo in First Bus. Where hot topics are concerned they are around 500 clear of their nearest rivals at First North and way ahead of third placed Bristol and Avon as they share views on everything from safety and salaries to charity events and timetables.

Driver gives home to

rescue huskies USKY fan Gregg John and his partner Nerys love the breed so much that they live with four of them in their terraced cottage. The Bridgend Driver/Relief Driver Trainer fell for them as a boy when his parents gave him two pets – a husky he called Bruno and Simba the German Shepherd. “I’ve loved dogs since I was a nipper and those dogs were my childhood,” said Gregg. “They’re both gone now but I never forgot

Bruno and returned to the breed in 2005 when we got husky Libby from the Dogs Trust.” He has given a home to other rescue huskies since and now has four – Diesel, Myshka, Indie and the latest arrival this year, Wookie. Gregg, a First Cymru employee for a total of 10 years during two stints, said: “They all get on fantastic with each other and with our cats Sukie and Buffy. “They have a loving approach and are always attentive but don’t

make good house dogs. We work them on a scooter up in the mountains but we mainly like to go hiking with them. I have one belt around my waist with four leads attached. “They moult their coats – husky owners call it blowing – so there’s a snowstorm of hair in the house twice a year which is fun. “They need a lot of dedication and time. They’re beautiful but a handful so I’d advise anyone considering having one to research the breed first.”

Rebranded GREYHOUND services between Swansea and Cardiff have been rebranded as First Cymru X10 with a new simplified timetable and some extended services. There are up to 12 departures in each direction from Monday to Saturdays and six journeys between the two cities on a Sunday.

Promoted TEAM East has a new Assistant Operations Manager now Marie Cronin has been promoted. The award winning staff member was recognised at the First Bus Excellence Awards and this year’s CILT Wales Awards for her commitment to safety.

WINTER 2015

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Question time It’s a great way to save money EMPLOYEES can make big savings on everything from the weekly shop, cinema tickets and even holidays thanks to the First Bus My Rewards scheme. Partners offering discounts as well as exclusive deals already include Thomas Cook, Expedia, Toys R Us, M&S, Currys and PC World as well as Asda, Sainsbury’s, Boots, B&Q, Argos and Pizza Express. The scheme, designed to help staff squeeze value out of every pound in their pay packet, also offers free UK bus travel, money off rail fares and useful information on pay and pensions. Signing up is simple – just log on at firstmyrewards.com with your National Insurance Number and get saving straight away.

Groups aim for better feedback TWO staff member focus groups are helping First Cymru improve the business through better shopfloor feedback. Skayn Sefton, Daniel Temple, Sian Hawker and Mike Humphreys are the staff reps on one group which concentrates on commercial activity. Led by General Manager Simon Cursio, it looks at issues surrounding, rotas, schedules, ticket machines, fares and how to improve the service. The communication and new starters group of Jason Salkeld, Jon Westwood, Jeff Darracott, Chris Baglole, David Begley and Paul Williams is looking at how the company can communicate better as well as the issue of staff turnover.

Extra care during winter weather STAFF notices have been issued as a reminder about safe driving now winter is here. Low sunshine can be an issue before darkness falls so drivers have been asked to counteract the glare by reducing speed, keeping both the inside and outside of their screens clean and making sure they only wear sunglasses at the appropriate time. They are also being urged to get eye tests if necessary while paying attention to cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, particularly near schools and in residential areas.

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Swansea Buddy Driver STEVEN CLEMENT shares his love of family, volunteering for the community and doing his Duke of Edinburgh Awards...

Pink ladies at Swansea depot, left to right, Engineering Administrator Julie Waters, Driver Debbie Flemming and Engineering Administrator Nichola Mallett.

Marvellous moustaches for Movember – back left to right, General Manager Simon Cursio, Driver Jason Grinter and Employee Director Phil O’Connor. Front left to right, Scheduler Mark Dorsett, Staff Manager Mark Jacobs and Assistant Staff Manager Christian Horn.

Buddy Driver Steven Clement.

Staff pull out all stops for

a charity bonanza IND hearted First Cymru staff have been pulling out all the stops to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and other charities. Colourful, hairy and happy – staff have taken part in a series of events so far with yet more planned to add hundreds of pounds to the £1,100 raised simply because they completed the Your Voice Survey. November turned into Movember as previously clean shaven staff members grew moustaches and beards to raise cash specifically for prostate and testicular cancer charities. Even buses sprouted hair as Bridgend giant moustaches were stuck Driver Dan Noble on the front. was one of many Wales shirts were worn with who wore a Welsh pride during the Rugby World rugby shirt with pride during the World Cup Cup and that saw the Swansea and West Wales Teams raise £141 – and raised money for charity. over two weeks. Swansea Driver Stephen Roberts was challenged by challenge and with matched colleague David Begley on the Better Journeys for Life website to funding from the Group raised more than £200. be happy and keep smiling for a David said: “This is what we can week – which really fired achieve when we all come together everyone's imagination. and support each other. Team Stephen completed the

How long have you worked in the bus industry? I originally started at South Wales Transport in September 1994. Family needs meant I left First in 2002 but came back to bus driving in September 2009 so it’s 21 years with around an eight year gap. What did you want to be when you were growing up? I trained to become a chef and was thinking of joining the Navy. What are your hobbies and interests? My biggest interest is doing volunteer work for Montana Park Community Centre were I am now Chairperson. As I’m also a Buddy with First, its become a little harder to cover the day to day stuff but I do get to have a bit of fun by setting off the fire alarms to do a fire drill.

work at its best.” Lifelong Learning Rep Debbie Fleming organised a Pink Friday to raise money for breast cancer research – that pulled in more than £188.54p, up £60 on the previous year.

What is the most challenging thing you have every done? Last year as Chairperson for the centre I had to do a speech for our 25th Anniversary in front of around 150 people including councillors and the Lord Mayor

of the City and County of Swansea. Doing my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Silver and Gold awards in my teens was really challenging. It’s also when I got my first taste of doing voluntary work as it was part of my Gold Award. How else do you relax? As I am now divorced, I look forward to spending time with my children. It’s even better when my daughter is home from Liverpool University when the three of them are together. Which people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party and why? Besides my mother and father who have both passed away, it would be Professor Stephen Hawking. He is a great role model not to let any disability stop you. What era would you go back to if you had a time machine and why? It’s got to be back to the 1950s to see the Busby Babes. Best piece of advice you have ever been given? Never take anything or anyone for granted.

GRIN AND BEAR IT – Swansea Driver Stephen Roberts was sponsored by colleagues to be happy and keeping smiling for a week. WINTER 2015

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WINTER 2015

Swansea Buddy Driver STEVEN CLEMENT shares his love of family, volunteering for the community and doing his Duke of Edinburgh Awards...

Pink ladies at Swansea depot, left to right, Engineering Administrator Julie Waters, Driver Debbie Flemming and Engineering Administrator Nichola Mallett.

Buddy Driver Steven Clement.

Staff pull out all stops for

work at its best.” Lifelong Learning Rep Debbie Fleming organised a Pink Friday to raise money for breast cancer research – that pulled in more than £188.54p, up £60 on the previous year.

GRIN AND BEAR IT – Swansea Driver Stephen Roberts was sponsored by colleagues to be happy and keeping smiling for a week. WINTER 2015

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Moving safety performance to the next level A major campaign to engage colleagues around the country in moving safety performance to the next level will be rolled out early in 2016. The aim is to focus on safety and involve all employees in eliminating serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace by reinforcing and developing positive behaviour. New Head of Safety Angus Glasby said: “I have spent time visiting different sites.

“It is clear there is an enthusiasm and commitment to safety at all levels. “I am keen to build on this and over the coming months everyone will see a greater emphasis on changing workplace behaviours. The aim is for us all to take ownership of our own safety and others’ to enable everyone to ‘Be Safe’.” ● Look out for more news of ‘Be Safe’ in the months to come.

Celebrations of success mark a

busy year T’S been another fast-paced but thoroughly enjoyable year. We’ve overcome many challenges, and have more to face, but it’s been a year which has seen lots achieved! Firstly, I am delighted so many colleagues felt inspired and engaged to have their say in the Your Voice survey and on what we need to do to improve the business. We are currently

12,057 respond to staff survey SEVEN out of every ten First Bus employees took part in this year’s Your Voice survey... the biggest response ever. More than 12,000 colleagues took time to give the company their feedback, and a response of this size helps First Bus address areas where employees said improvements were needed. As a result of the fantastic 70 per cent response £22,715 has been donated to Prostate Cancer UK. Now the results are being analysed – they will be reported back and action to address some key issues will begin soon. First Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley said: “Feedback really does matter and will help us create a better business for everyone.”

WINTER 2015

By First Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley Pat Bennett, Worcester Depot Garage Liaison Officer for Unite the Union, with one of the posters promoting the Your Voice survey. working through all the responses we have received. Celebrating success at the inaugural First Bus Excellence Awards was undoubtedly one of the highlights of 2015. We received more than 1,100 nominations for outstanding individuals and teams. All of them deserve thanks and recognition. It was an honour to attend the ceremonies and the winners all now go forward to represent First Bus in the Group’s Be First awards in January. We’ve also celebrated a number of industry award wins in 2015, demonstrating our commitment to the business, our

people and our customers. We are all proud that colleagues’ actions so strongly embody the company’s vision and values: being committed to our customers, accountable for performance, dedicated to safety, supportive of each other and setting the highest standards. Within every one of our businesses, much has been achieved in 2015. We have seen very significant investment (not just in buses!), network changes designed to encourage more people to travel with us, greater use of mobile tickets and in some areas, smart ticketing – amongst

many other things. We have continued to work hard to strengthen the all important relationships we have with our local authority partners. It has been a good year. We do however have much more to do as we strive to our goal of delivering excellent customer service – always. I promise therefore that 2016 will be another busy year! I want to thank everyone for their great contribution through the year and hope all colleagues have a relaxing, enjoyable Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

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Charter sets out quality promise HE new Customer Charter setting out what First Cymru passengers can expect from their bus service has been launched during a ceremony at Swansea bus station. Available in both English and Welsh, the document was compiled with input from Bus Users Cymru, the Welsh Government and other organisations who drive up standards on buses across Wales. It sets out clearly the expectations of the company so customers know what to expect and on the rare occasions when something goes wrong, what the firm will do to put it right. The charter includes information ranging from how to buy a ticket to whether customers can travel on a bus with a surfboard. Managing Director Justin Davies said: “We are pleased to launch the refreshed Customer Charter which sets out a series of promises

Assistant Staff Manager Christian Horn talks with customer Paul Weimers about the new charter at Swansea bus station.

that we take very seriously. Customers are at the heart of our business. Without them we simply wouldn’t exist and this is why we remain absolutely committed to them. “The charter also helps people that aren’t seasoned bus users as it gives all the

information anybody would need to catch a First Cymru bus. It also includes details of what to do if the service isn’t up to scratch. Feedback either positive or negative is really important as it allows us to learn lessons for next time.”

Drivers come to rescue of elderly crash victim

Driver Wayne Pontin, right, is commended by Operations Manager David Cooksley.

TWO Port Talbot drivers with a track record of helping collapsed passengers have been at it again – this time coming to the rescue of an elderly crash victim in her overturned car. Wayne Pontin leapt into action at the scene, comforting the 85-year-old woman driver of the car while alerting the emergency services. He was helped by colleague Peter Stanley who helped divert traffic. Wayne said: “I’d stopped at a junction and watched the car go past, hit a white car and topple over. I could see it upside down in the road but it just didn't sink in. I quickly parked up, put my hazards on and told my passengers I couldn’t leave the scene. As I called 999 I was reassuring the lady in the car. She seemed fine and was walking when the emergency services got her out. “Her husband turned up as they were checking her over in the ambulance and I told him she was fine. “She even refused to go to hospital. I don’t know what it is but I always seem to be in the

right place at the right time.” Operations Manager David Cooksley said: “Wayne was first on the scene and took control until the emergency services arrived. The lady involved was in suspended animation – she was hanging upside down. “Peter arrived and helped out so fair play to them both. They responded really well so a big thank you to both of them.” Both men have been highly commended already this year. Wayne gave a passenger CPR after she suffered a stroke while Peter helped a man who had collapsed at a bus stop.

Wrong turn IN the last issue of Ein Newyddion we carried the wrong photograph when we reported that Carmarthen Driver Martin Sleeman had become Best Driver in Wales at the UK Bus Driver of the Year competition. We have already telephoned him to apologise.

WINTER 2015

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New Unibus service gets top marks

ON THE BALL: former basketball professional John Sousa. Below, John pictured during his playing days in Portugal

Driver is a former

basketball ace WANSEA Driver John Sousa is First Cymru’s very own Harlem Globetrotter – a former professional basketball player whose career took him across the world. A Canadian with Portuguese parents, John moved to Portugal when he was about 18 to play for a top league side there after being scouted playing high school basketball in Toronto. He played for Illiabum Clube in Ilhavo for three years and had a short stint in Belgium before knee problems forced him to retire. He ended up in Wales after backpacking through Belgium, France, Spain and Gran Canaria. Now married to Wendy and a dad to stepchildren Charlotte, 23 and 17-year-old Oliver, John is happily settled in the valleys and has fond memories of his sporting past. The 47-year-old, a driver with First Cymru for nine years, said: “I do miss basketball but have no regrets. It was a big adventure and my dad had moved back to Portugal before I went over so he was chuffed. “I had dual nationality so while I was there I was drafted into the Portuguese Army to do national service. That lasted six months until they accepted I was there to play basketball and that I was Canadian. I love my life in Wales now. It’s a beautiful country – the mountains and the green valleys. It’s nothing like Ontario which is completely flat.”

WINTER 2015

THE new Unibus service is such a hit with Swansea University students that three extra drivers have been hired and more buses laid on to cope with demand. First launched with five brand new Enviro 200s, so many students used the service to and from the Bay Campus that another four Volvo B7s had to be drafted in. An FTR bus and 70-seat coaches are also helping absorb capacity while timetables have been tweaked to deliver more journeys. There are plans to increase the frequency of Services 8 and 4. With standing room only on some of the distinctive buses painted with Swansea University blue fronts, staff took to the streets on launch day to direct students and keep them moving, sell tickets using hand-held machines and speed up boarding times. Staff Manager Mark Jacobs said: “We have a revised timetable in place and we have effectively doubled the running time between West Way and the Bay Campus, easing some of the pressure on the drivers that were operating the service. Whilst we have been dealing with operational issues, our staff have been truly amazing and the level of dedication that has been shown is an inspiration as to what we can achieve.”

Service is excellent MAESTEG Depot Supervisor Mick Twigg has given his team a pat on the back for their excellent customer service. He particularly highlighted Driver Clive Purnell who waited for a woman customer running for the bus at Caerau. It was unsafe to stop safely where she was so he waited at the next stop. Driver Sian Hawker was also picked out for praise after a customer rang the bell late as she was going past her stop so Sian drove round a roundabout and back to the stop to drop her off. Mick said simply: “Brilliant work team.”