Essex Now Winter 2015 by i•creation

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A copy of Essex Now has been printed for

Winter 2015

The magazine for First people in Essex

EVERY EMPLOYEE Please take your copy to keep.

Mike IS ON

the MEND AFTER

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE PAGE THREE

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StreetLites set to shine

New facilities will help to give an even better service By Managing Director

Alex Jones

IT’S been another busy period for everyone at Essex, starting with the opening of our new Quayside depot at Colchester in September where stakeholders and staff toured the new state-of-the-art facilities. The depot will help us provide a better service to our customers through the rationalisation of three small sites into one purpose built facility. We also have the first new Euro 6 Streetlites in service in Colchester with the remainder of the 17 on order being delivered by early December. There is very positive news regarding Driver Mike Birch, seriously injured when his bus was hit by a steam engine. As you will see on the opposite page, he is making a remarkable recovery. Our thoughts and best wishes go to him, his family and our passengers who were affected. I’d like to say a massive thank you to all staff who completed the Your Voice survey. We have had a fantastic response and will ensure you are updated with the results and outcomes over the next few months. This period has seen the down-grading of our Braintree facility as an outstation and I’m delighted we were able to find jobs for everybody. I thank all those involved and hope those affected have settled into their new locations. Service changes aimed at improving reliability using data from the Horizons real time system have been introduced and we are starting to see punctuality improvements. Finally I’d like to welcome new General Manager Steve Leonard, Safety, Environmental and Facilities Manager Simon Dean and Marketing Manager Adam Keeble to the team.

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Driver Sean McCabe with one of the new StreetLites at Colchester depot.

ANOTHER 17 StreetLites are entering service in Essex bringing First's investment in brand new buses this year to £5.28 million. The latest batch, which come complete with leather seats, free WiFi, low floor access and additional space for buggies and wheelchairs, will be based at Colchester. They are already scheduled to run on two busy routes, Service 61 Highwoods to Wivenhoe and Service 65 Stanway to Highwoods. The new vehicles are in addition to 16 single deck StreetLites which were delivered earlier in the year and now operate from Basildon and Hadleigh.

Excellent response rates boost charity OUR Voice survey response rates for First Essex were the second highest for any OpCo in the country after a concerted four-week push to encourage staff to take part. The company achieved an overall 82 per cent rate and was only just pipped to first spot by First Scotland East with 86 per cent. Basildon depot was best in Essex with 85.9 per cent of staff giving their feedback. As a result of the high feedback rate, First Essex raised £1,543 for Prostate Cancer UK as First Bus donated £1 for each paper and £2 for every online response. Further charity donations are being made with Chelmsford UNITE branch giving £476 to the company’s Charity of Choice and Colchester’s response rate of 81 per cent meant the company donated £2,000 to Essex Air Ambulance. During the survey Employee Director Anthony Green and Debbie Knight, Lifelong Learning Programme Project Worker, toured the depots as Your Voice Champions. Anthony said: “The response of First Essex people was excellent and to come second out of all the First operating companies in the UK is a real achievement.”

Employee Director Anthony Green and Lifelong Learning Programme Project Worker Debbie Knight who toured depots encouraging employees to complete the questionnaire.

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Family joy as brave Mike survives horrific accident NSPIRATIONAL Colchester Driver Mike Birch is targeting a return to the job he loves after surviving a crash which would have killed a bigger man when a steam engine crushed his bus. Now at home and facing a one-year recovery, the 44-year-old father of four was driving the Service 67 General Hospital bus in Mersea when the engine on a passing low loader smashed into his cab. “I don’t remember too much but I felt a shunt and came round with my stomach and intestines in my lap. Passengers were screaming and I thought I’m going to die. This is the end,” said Mike, who has been a driver for 15 years. He drifted in and out of consciousness having also broken both shoulders, his forearm and a hand, fingers, hip and pelvis. Shattered glass had also left him with severe lacerations. Mike added: “I told the fire crews getting me out to leave me. I’m not going to make it. Get my passengers off instead but they told me they’d seen worse. I was air lifted to the Royal London Hospital where they put me in a medically induced coma. “They woke me up on my fourth day in intensive care. It was my 44th birthday. I remember talking to my surgeon and he chuckled that I’d been driving to hospital at the time of the crash. “I came home after a month and it’s painful every day but I hope to return to work. It won't be an easy road but it's what I do. I

The scene of devastation after the terrifying accident. Photograph courtesy of Essex Fire & Rescue.

enjoy driving and chuckling with customers. “My wife Gemma has been my rock and my colleagues are the best network of people I’ve ever worked with. They’ve all been phenomenal and really supportive. Customers have been extremely nice too and the reaction

on social media has been tremendous. “Looking back on the incident I can't believe I managed to survive. The only thing I can put it down to is my size. I’m only 5’ 6” and if I’d been any bigger I would have been more trapped than I was.”

Caring colleagues rally round to give support

Mike Birch and wife his Gemma with some of the many cards they have received wishing him a speedy recovery. The cover picture shows Mike with their youngest son, nine-year-old Ayrton.

FIRST colleagues have raised approaching £4,000 already for Mike and his family through charity events and donations. Ipswich came up with £120, Basildon depot raised £1,000 and the Colchester total is already around £2,500. A charity football match staged in Colchester raised £200 which Mike asked to be donated to the air ambulance because he was air lifted to hospital. Mike, who has been in to the depot to see friends, said: “It will help tide us over as I recover so all I can say is a huge thanks to everyone.” Colchester Staff Manager Gerry Mullery and Operations Manager Steve Hartman are keeping in close touch with Mike and regularly visit him at home. Gerry said: “Schumacher, as we call him because of his love of Formula One, is an inspiration. He’s a remarkable character to pull through as quickly as he has.” Steve said: “We’re really pleased that Mike is on the road to recovery and have provided full support for him and his family throughout this difficult time. It’s nice to see colleagues giving him support too.”

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From a family steeped in the bus industry, Clacton Driver Sarah Sayer has a favourite route which takes her through the village where her father was born – so it always bring back memories...

Employees pass long service milestones ANOTHER group of First Essex staff have celebrated long service milestones with 18 of them achieving a total of 465 years. Network Planner David Boyce, Colchester Mechanic Paul Hull, Chelmsford Mechanic George Peck and Colchester Driver Christopher Sayers all clocked up 45 years. Reaching 35 years service were Clacton Driver Alan Hellard and Hadleigh Bodymaker Ian Clark while Hadleigh Controller Redvers Dudman and Colchester Electrician Graham Mellor both completed 30 years. Network Planner Julian Elliott celebrated his 20 year milestone while another nine members of staff passed the 15 year mark – Chelmsford Drivers Paul Newson and Geraldine Baily, Colchester Drivers Louise Gaskin, Raymond Hutchinson and Malcolm Copeland, Basildon Drivers William Foulkes and Darren Hubbard, Hadleigh Driver Derek Nunn and his engineering colleague Bodymaker Gareth Norris.

Discounts are a great way to save money STAFF 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 firstmy rewards.com with your National Insurance Number and get saving straight away.

Sign up to online blog EMPLOYEE Director Anthony Green is urging more employees to sign up to his online blog to find out what he is up to as he carries out his role. He posts updates at antinessex.blogspot.co.uk with his latest blogs covering the Your Voice survey, his attendance at the Employee Director Forum and depot visits he has planned so he can gather feedback.

Ticket revenues double RECORD breaking ticket sales were made during a two week promotion to University of Essex students at the Colchester campus. Discounted annual tickets for freshers raised £262,000 – almost doubling last year’s figure. Marketing Manager Adam Keeble said: “It was a fantastic achievement from all the team involved who worked tirelessly over the two weeks.”

Increasing awareness AN awareness week staged by the Guide Dogs organisation was marked at First Essex with a visit to Chelmsford depot by Sue Forster and her dog Pammy. One of its Community Engagement Officers, Sue regularly advises drivers and staff as part of the company’s commitment to helping visually impaired people use the bus.

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The improved bus wash at the Quayside depot.

Fitter Glen Fisher in the new workshop.

Sarah Sayer with her bus on Service 76.

New depot will help improve

punctuality and reliability OLCHESTER’S new depot has been officially opened and is already winning plaudits from customers and bus staff alike. County Council Chairman Norman Hume carried out the official ceremony with First Essex Managing Director Alex Jones on hand to give him a guided tour. Councillor Hume said: “Essex County Council is investing heavily in transportation in Colchester. This new depot will contribute to our aim of improving the roads in Colchester and is another boost to transport infrastructure in the borough. Alex Jones said: “We’re committed to delivering the best services for our customers and providing the best operating environment for our staff. “Our new centre of operations will help us improve upon our strong punctuality and reliability performance and provide us with an excellent platform to develop our business further.” The new Quayside depot and Travel Shop and learning centre in the centre of town have cost First Essex around £5 million. Quayside houses a new office facility and brand new engineering workshops. New systems have been

Controller Kiran Gurung in the new offices.

Apprentice Mechanic Matt St Claire works on a bus.

MY dad Ben was a bus driver for Eastern National and he met my mum Jean on the buses when she was a clippy. They were married for 54 years. We lost dad recently and I found out then that he’d been born in Weeley, a village I drive through when I’m on the Service 76. It’s a nice little place with a McDonalds and that’s about it. Thinking about it, Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho once took his kids there for a Happy meal so I suppose that he and dad helped put it on the map. The Service 76 route from Clacton to Colchester is about 20 miles long and takes about an hour. You go through some lovely open countryside and is always a bit more relaxing because you don’t have to stop as

often as you would when you’re driving in town. Because the University of Essex is on the route you get a nice variety of passengers too. They tend to be younger unlike the mainly older, retired customers we get in Clacton. It helps keep me young to be honest – I like to keep in with the younger generation. Along the way we go through Elmstead Market which is home to the world famous Beth Chatto Gardens. Then it’s on to Colchester and the university campus which is right next to Wivenhoe Park. That makes me think of my family because the village of Wivenhoe is not far away. My home life is all about Wivenhoe which I also drive through when I’m on the Service 74 bus.

Vehicle Electrician Daniel Robinson in the spacious new facility. introduced to manage bus parts and other material under one roof where they were previously spread across three sites. There are also improved bus

wash facilities and cleaning processes to make sure customers get the very best when they use First Essex vehicles.

The entrance to the world famous Beth Chatto Gardens.

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From a family steeped in the bus industry, Clacton Driver Sarah Sayer has a favourite route which takes her through the village where her father was born – so it always bring back memories...

WINTER 2015

The improved bus wash at the Quayside depot.

Fitter Glen Fisher in the new workshop.

Sarah Sayer with her bus on Service 76.

New depot will help improve

Controller Kiran Gurung in the new offices.

Apprentice Mechanic Matt St Claire works on a bus.

wash facilities and cleaning processes to make sure customers get the very best when they use First Essex vehicles.

The entrance to the world famous Beth Chatto Gardens.

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now 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.”

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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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ETERAN busman Steve Leonard has taken up his role as the new First Essex General Manager with a pledge to build on the achievements of his predecessor. Steve joins the company from Go Ahead London where he was General Manager responsible for service performance. With 27 years experience in the industry, he has previously held top management posts with First London, including two years as Head of Service Delivery.

time

Steve aims to build on successes

Question Marketing Manager ADAM KEEBLE shares his love of football, cooking and animals... and reveals what happened when he raced Mo Farah in last year’s London marathon.

He said: “I started off as a driver in 1987 in London and did that for about 15 months before becoming an inspector. I’ve only ever worked in London so I’m really looking forward to this new challenge and working with the people already established here. I’m aware of all the hard work that’s been done at First Essex and I am keen to build on that.” Married with three grown-up children and seven grand children, Steve plays golf and crown green bowls. Sports fan Adam Keeble with the flag of his beloved Ipswich Town. How long have you worked in the bus industry? I’m a newbie! I’ve only been in my new role as Marketing Manager for a few months having been a senior account handler for National Express c2c Rail for 10 years – so I’ve always been involved in marketing travel. Being from Essex I also have a lot of local knowledge to bring to the role.

Simon Dean, right, has a safety talk with Acting Engineering Manager Jim Parry at Chelmsford depot.

Rising to a new challenge LOAFING is not an option for new Safety, Environmental and Facilities Manager Simon Dean who has plenty on his plate after joining First Essex from Hovis. The 39-year-old based at Chelmsford is busy getting to know his patch while checking policies, procedures and compliance as he tours depots. Essex born and bred and married to Maddy for just over a year, Simon had not been on a bus for years before he used the First Essex V Festival shuttle

service a few years ago. He said: “Crazy as it sounds the health and safety procedures are the same in baking as the bus industry – it’s about getting something safely from A to B. “First impressions are good and my plan is to support the depot management teams in helping them to raise the bar of good safety and environmental management and make Essex the lead operating company for compliance and good practice.”

What are your hobbies and interests? I’m a huge sports fan and massive Ipswich Town fan. I’ve had a season ticket for 15 years and followed them all over the country, often resulting in more disappointment then joy. I mostly stick to home games now. How else do you relax? I like a good film or a box set and I’m eagerly awaiting the next series of Game of Thrones. I also play in a six-a-side football league with a group of friends. We’re called Fiorentina Turner. I also enjoy cooking. What did you want to be when you were growing up? I actually wanted to be a vet! I had lots of animals growing up from cats, dogs, fish, guinea

pigs and would always watch vet TV programmes and shows. Which people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party and why? That’s a tough one. I do enjoy cooking, so Gordon Ramsay would be great, comedian Micky Flanagan has me in stitches plus James Corden, Freddie Flintoff, Jack Whitehall and Jamie Redknapp from Sky TV’s A League Of Their Own would provide the craic. What is the most challenging thing you have ever done? I ran the London Marathon in 2014 after my friend entered me for a laugh. I couldn’t run for five minutes at the time but ended up training in Chelmsford and completing the marathon in five hours and 15 minutes, raising over £1,800 for the NSPCC. The last few miles were tough but I managed to get home only a good three hours after Mo Farah! Best piece of advice you have ever been given? The Adidas “impossible is nothing” campaign resonates with me. Nothing is impossible, when you put your mind to it.

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Living the

good life OLCHESTER Driver Russell Brand lives the good life on a quarter acre plot in an eco-friendly house designed by his architect dad and surrounded by nature. He and partner Teresa Torres share their detached Stanway Green property with 14 chickens, grow their own vegetables, harvest rainwater and generate their own power using 16 solar panels. Heating comes from a wood burner. Last season their bees produced 500 jars of honey – most of which they sell to Russell’s bus and Teresa’s university colleagues. Now 59, Russell, who is also a Trade Union Learning Rep, said: “I’ve always wanted to live a more natural life and was inspired by my father John. The tipping point came on a holiday in North Wales when we got chatting to a small holder. “We thought why can’t we

live like that – so we came home, dug up the front lawn and turned it into a vegetable patch. It sounds a bit like The Good Life doesn’t it. “Our chickens give us between five and 10 eggs a day, we grow salad, lettuce, beetroot, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapes in our polytunnel and we started keeping bees about three years ago. “My plans for next year include plumbing in the rainwater to flush the loo, setting up more natural top bar bee hives so they can make their own combs and changing the draughty front door which isn’t very well insulated. “We love our way of life. We’re leaving only a small footprint on the Earth and the way people presently use the world’s resources and pollute, we’ll all soon embrace a natural lifestyle.”

Russell Brand with a jar of his home produced honey. His eco-friendly house is in the background.

Angels help to promote mTicketing

Mr Fox tries to get free bus ride HADLEIGH Driver Ken Ball has acquired a new skill after an unusual customer leapt on board and took a seat at the back – fox wrangling. Ken, a driver for 19 years, was at the wheel of the Service 21C bus on Canvey Island when the bushy-tailed intruder caused a stir. He said: “I’d stopped at The Windjammer and a lady got on, bought her ticket and went towards the back of the bus. All of a sudden she was back at my

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Mr Fox finds First bus services are the best way to get around town. side saying excuse me but there is a fox on the back seat. “It stayed where it was, watching what was going on – not concerned at all by his surroundings. Some of my customers tried to encourage the fox to move but he seemed determined to hitch a free ride.

“I eventually opened the emergency door which did the trick and he jumped off. I enjoy driving buses mainly because I enjoy interaction with customers. I never thought I’d be using my customer service skills on a fox trying to catch the bus.”

FIRST Essex joined forces with Heart FM to promote its mTicket App during a week long prize giveaway. Two radio station workers, called Heart Angels, joined customers on peak morning services to hand out envelopes – some containing prizes ranging from Love2Shop gift vouchers to First Essex weekly bus passes. An additional online competition was also staged with an Amazon Kindle as the top prize – which attracted more than 1,600 entrants.