You First Aberdeen Summer 2015

You First Aberdeen p1

23/6/15

12:49

Page 1

Summer 2015

The magazine for First people in Aberdeen

MAJOR INVESTMENT IN NEW ECO-FRIENDLY BUSES &TECHNOLOGY See Group News PAGE SIX

relishes of the PAGE SEVEN

Craig scoops Frontline Employee ofthe Year accolade at Scottish PAGE THREE Transport Awards

You First Aberdeen p2

23/6/15

16:02

Page 1

2 NEWS

Promoting engagement with staff and stakeholders Aberdeen Managing Director

David Phillips HELLO and welcome to the latest issue of our staff magazine. It’s been a busy period where the management team at First Aberdeen has been developing a number of initiatives to promote engagement with both employees and stakeholders.

Externally, we have recently been attending local Community Council meetings across the Aberdeen area, and the feedback has been extremely positive. The dialogue is an important way of making us more accessible and giving a voice to local community representatives.

Internally, we are keen to respond to your feedback in the Your Voice survey and we are taking steps to improve staff communication via a Staff Application.

The App is currently in its final stages of development where we now hope to roll out a pilot scheme to a small sample of staff before extending it to the wider workforce.

Our aim is to promote two-way communication with employees – and we would always appreciate your views on how we could develop the content.

We would like the App to provide people with greater accessibility to information that is both timely and relevant and includes such information as schedules and duties.

Very shortly we will be announcing details of those who are shortlisted for our Staff Excellence Awards.

It is important to recognise those who have gone the extra mile and actively promote our visions and values on a daily basis.

Ultimately, whether or not you have been shortlisted, I wanted to say thank you to those who were nominated for your ongoing efforts each and every day as they are very much appreciated.

As a business we rely on the efforts of our staff to deliver a service to our customers and I hope to see many more nominations going forward to ensure the real stars of our business receive the recognition they deserve.

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

Eco-friendly buses added to the fleet EVEN brand new buses costing a total of around £1 million will be added to the fleet later this year – reflecting First Aberdeen’s continued commitment to its customers and stakeholder partners.

The low carbon certified, Euro 6-engined, single deckers – being supplied by Falkirk-based ADL – are among the most fuel-efficient buses on the market and are part of the company’s commitment to improving air quality across the city.

Managing Director David Phillips said: “Our investment in these new vehicles is great news for our customers and underlines our continuing determination to provide ever better bus services in our area and encourage more people to travel by bus. These new vehicles will be among the best and most eco-friendly in the country.

“Passengers can enjoy pleasant, more

S

comfortable journeys and keep connected on the move with our free WiFi, while we support the efforts of our local authority partners to improve air quality for all. We are working hard to provide the best bus service possible for our passengers in Aberdeen and are in close discussion with the city council around ways to improve infrastructure too, which could lead to larger investment by First in the future.”

Test results show that running eight Euro 6 buses produces the same amount of certain exhaust emissions, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, as running one bus with a Euro 5 engine. ● This investment is part of an overall order by First UK Bus of 385 new vehicles worth £77.7 million for delivery in the current financial year.

See Group News on page six.

Employees support Armed Forces Day

Controller John Gordon, who has helped to organise support for Armed Forces Day, is pictured with a rugby shirt from his Royal Engineers days.

EX-SERVICEMEN employed

by First Aberdeen backed a social media campaign to promote the city’s Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Each year Aberdeen celebrates its support for serving and former members of the armed services with a parade through the heart of the city and other events.

City council officials came up with idea of asking people to submit images of themselves holding an Armed Services Day flag to mark the occasion on June 27. The images – known as selfies – are featured on a special Facebook page set up by organisers of the national event to raise awareness of the day.

First Aberdeen’s selfie featured Controller John Gordon, a former Royal Engineer, and Driver Ian Walker who served in the Royal Corps of Signals.

John said: “We have quite a few ex-servicemen at First Aberdeen and it’s good to see the military links being maintained.”

First Aberdeen has another very close link to the armed forces – the company’s King Street headquarters used to be the home of the Gordon Highlanders.

You First Aberdeen p3

23/6/15

12:55

Page 1

NEWS 3

Craig Duthie and his wife Shona with the Superstar of the Year trophy and certificate at the First Aberdeen awards evening.

RIVING Instructor Craig Duthie received a major accolade at the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards for his shining community spirit.

Craig was named Frontline Employee of the Year after organising a surprise birthday trip for 12-year-old bus super fan Logan Coleman and showing great enthusiasm for helping with community events.

His act of kindness had already won him a Superstar of the Year award at First Aberdeen, with a prize of £500 in shopping vouchers.

Runner up Superstar was Driver Shane Mitchell who saved the life of collapsed passenger Allan Mclean by giving him CPR. Shane received £300 in shopping vouchers and The Stirk Trophy – a coveted trophy once awarded to top first aiders by the now defunct Coach and Bus First Aid Association.

Other monthly Superstars nominated during the year, Drivers Rab Evans and Phil Legge, were highly commended for their fantastic customer service.

D

Shane Mitchell is presented with the Superstar of the Year Runner up trophy and certificate by Aberdeen Deputy Provost John Reynolds.

Superstar gains national acclaim A total of 192 staff have received certificates for perfect attendance and 237 drivers were given badges and certificates for achieving ROSCO safe driving standards.

Many of them take the wheel on the Platinum service which was shortlisted at the STAs for the second year in a row for Scotland’s Best Bus Service.

The company’s popular mobile mTicketing initiative was also recognised at the national awards when it made the Excellence in Technology and Innovation category.

Managing Director David Phillips said: “This

was my first opportunity to attend the staff awards event and it was great to be in the presence of the very best of First Aberdeen.

“I was a little bit in awe of the achievements being recognised and am very humbled that I have the opportunity to manage the Aberdeen business.

“And to be shortlisted three times at the Scottish Transport Awards as well is fantastic recognition of the great work being done day in and day out at First Aberdeen to improve services and attract more customers on board.”

Jack is happy to travel by bus again

Jack Connon at the wheel of a bus during his tour of First Aberdeen depot.

WHEN little Jack Connon suffered a bump on the head while travelling on a bus it frightened him so much that he flatly refused to get on one again.

But when staff at First Aberdeen heard about the three-year-old’s plight they invited him into the depot in a bid to overcome his fears.

They arranged for Jack to tour the depot, sit at the wheel of a vintage double decker and allowed him to stay on board as the vehicle was taken through the bus wash.

And the result? Little Jack is no longer scared of buses and is happy to travel on them again. “We were on our way into town on a bus when a car pulled out in front of us and our driver had to brake

suddenly,” said Jack’s gran, Helen Connon. “Jack was thrown forward and hit his head against the seat in front. It was quite a bump and it frightened him.

“Jack had always loved buses, but after that he was scared and refused to get on one again. Then First Aberdeen invited us to bring Jack up to the depot. They took us around and Jack had a great time.

“Now he is happy to go on buses again.

The depot trip really restored his confidence.”

First Aberdeen Training Manager Norman Wood, who organised Jack’s visit, said: “We want Jack and all our other young passengers to grow up knowing that First buses are the best and safest way to travel.”

SUMMER 2015 I YOUFIRST

You First Aberdeen p4-5

23/6/15

16:10

Page 1

4 NEWS

NEWS 5

Free bus tickets to take youngsters to the cinema

Driver Barry Watson with some of the foodbank donations.

Training Manager Norman Wood, right, discusses collision avoidance with Trainee Drivers David Dunbar, left, and Michael Watson.

CFINE (Community Food Initiatives North East) food bank every two or three weeks.

“I’ve been both surprised and delighted at the level of support,” said Ian. “People are bringing stuff in all the time and we’re having to take the boxes down to the food bank more and more often.”

Management have also given their support to the collection initiative and have provided 100 free bus tickets to be given out to people using the CFINE food bank.

avoid collisions

YOUFIRST

I

SUMMER 2015

Gordon, said: “Ian loved his job and made many friends with the families on his regular school run and his beloved Albyn School games buses, which he always claimed for himself.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and was always happiest when winding up his colleagues and wearing his daft hats at holiday times. He will be sorely missed.”

EDICATED training programmes have been introduced aimed at reducing collisions involving First Aberdeen buses.

An initiative called CAT (Collision Avoidance Training) has been designed for all new recruits and to sharpen up the skills of more experienced drivers following a collision. The training includes raising awareness about accident blackspots, reviewing CCTV footage of collisions, road positioning, wing mirror management and entering and exiting bus stops.

Training Manager Norman Wood said: “CAT for new drivers starts midway through their buddy training. We’re always keen to drive the message home that, in the majority of cases, accidents involving our buses can be avoided if drivers think far enough ahead and take the appropriate action.

“For new drivers, CAT allows them to drive the nursery routes that we operate for up to five days under the supervision

D

Richard Nicol shows David Dunbar how to avoid hitting the mirror on a bus stop.

Tributes to popular long serving Driver Ian Pollock TRIBUTES have been paid to long-serving driver Ian Pollock who died earlier this year after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Ian, 69, began his career with the company as a driver in 1976 and clocked up nearly 30 years service before taking early retirement in 2006.

But he refused to give up work entirely and transferred to a new role as a part-time School Bus Driver.

Coaching Manager Tom

them to the movies safely.”

Councillor Angela Taylor, the city council’s Convenor for Education and Children’s Services, said: “It’s great to see a local company supporting our most vulnerable children and I’m sure the youngsters will have a fantastic trip to the cinema.”

Union Square’s General Manager Ryan Mason said: “This is a fantastic initiative and a great opportunity for children who might not normally get the chance to visit the movies.”

Specialist training to

Foodbank donations more than double expectations SUPPORT for a foodbank collection point at First Aberdeen has been so generous that a second box has had to be provided to cope with the number of items being donated.

School bus Driver Ian Hay launched the collection point in the drivers’ Control Room earlier this year with the hope of filling just one box with tins, pasta and other non-perishable foodstuffs each month.

But the initiative has been so successful that two full boxes of items are being passed to Aberdeen’s

Buddy Driver Richard Nicol, right, explains good road positioning to Trainee Driver David Dunbar.

DISADVANTAGED children can enjoy a free trip to the cinema now First Aberdeen has teamed up with Union Square and Aberdeen City Council.

The company has handed over 300 bus tickets so looked-after children can visit the shopping centre where Cineworld is also contributing complimentary tickets.

Managing Director David Phillips said: “I’m delighted we can contribute to a great day out for children in our local area by providing bus tickets to Union Square, taking

Buddy driver Richard Nicol, right, shows trainee driver Michael Watson how he has ended up too far from the kerb at a bus stop for passengers to get on.

of their Buddy Drivers. During that time they learn about accident hotspots along the routes, road positioning and things like how to enter and exit bus stops safely.

“At the end of their first five days buddy training they return to the classroom to learn more about how to avoid collisions. Finally, they have to pass a question and answer session to make sure they have fully understood the information they have been given and know how to put it into practice.

“Then, and only then, are new drivers allowed to rejoin their Buddy drivers and complete their training.”

On the odd occasion when a driver is involved in an avoidable collision, First Aberdeen’s approach is based firmly on education rather than blame.

Richard Nicol shows Michael Watson how to avoid kerb and obstacles.

“Drivers who have been involved in an avoidable collision undergo advanced CAT training which is tailored to that person and to the incident they were involved in,” said Norman. “Drivers sign up to a support plan that includes bespoke training designed to match their individual needs, often based on analysis of CCTV footage of the collision, captured by the cameras fitted onboard our buses.”

The advanced CAT training is also part of an action plan aimed at avoiding further collisions.

“The action plan includes an interview with myself as Training Manager, study of the CAT DVD, a review of Drive Green performance and a Smith System refresh,” said Norman.

Driver Ron Hooper with one of the new hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Ron promotes H-buses on prestigious Euro website RON Hooper thinks it is a real gas to get behind the wheel of one of First Aberdeen’s new hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Now his enthusiasm for the clean, green machines has seen him featured on the website of the prestigious European Hydrogen Association (EHA) which promotes the use and development of fuel cell technology.

EHA officials caught up with Ron in Aberdeen city centre and asked him to

explain why he liked the hydrogen buses so much.

Ron, who has been driving for First Aberdeen since 1999, told them that for him the key advantages were the quiet and smooth driving style and the extra room in the driver’s cab.

He said: “I love the hydro buses and I would happily drive them all the time. They are much nicer to drive than traditional diesel-engined vehicles and even my passengers notice the difference.”

SUMMER 2015 I YOUFIRST

You First Aberdeen p4-5

23/6/15

16:10

Page 1

4 NEWS

NEWS 5

Free bus tickets to take youngsters to the cinema

Driver Barry Watson with some of the foodbank donations.

Training Manager Norman Wood, right, discusses collision avoidance with Trainee Drivers David Dunbar, left, and Michael Watson.

CFINE (Community Food Initiatives North East) food bank every two or three weeks.

“I’ve been both surprised and delighted at the level of support,” said Ian. “People are bringing stuff in all the time and we’re having to take the boxes down to the food bank more and more often.”

Management have also given their support to the collection initiative and have provided 100 free bus tickets to be given out to people using the CFINE food bank.

avoid collisions

YOUFIRST

I

SUMMER 2015

Gordon, said: “Ian loved his job and made many friends with the families on his regular school run and his beloved Albyn School games buses, which he always claimed for himself.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and was always happiest when winding up his colleagues and wearing his daft hats at holiday times. He will be sorely missed.”

EDICATED training programmes have been introduced aimed at reducing collisions involving First Aberdeen buses.

An initiative called CAT (Collision Avoidance Training) has been designed for all new recruits and to sharpen up the skills of more experienced drivers following a collision. The training includes raising awareness about accident blackspots, reviewing CCTV footage of collisions, road positioning, wing mirror management and entering and exiting bus stops.

Training Manager Norman Wood said: “CAT for new drivers starts midway through their buddy training. We’re always keen to drive the message home that, in the majority of cases, accidents involving our buses can be avoided if drivers think far enough ahead and take the appropriate action.

“For new drivers, CAT allows them to drive the nursery routes that we operate for up to five days under the supervision

D

Richard Nicol shows David Dunbar how to avoid hitting the mirror on a bus stop.

Tributes to popular long serving Driver Ian Pollock TRIBUTES have been paid to long-serving driver Ian Pollock who died earlier this year after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Ian, 69, began his career with the company as a driver in 1976 and clocked up nearly 30 years service before taking early retirement in 2006.

But he refused to give up work entirely and transferred to a new role as a part-time School Bus Driver.

Coaching Manager Tom

them to the movies safely.”

Councillor Angela Taylor, the city council’s Convenor for Education and Children’s Services, said: “It’s great to see a local company supporting our most vulnerable children and I’m sure the youngsters will have a fantastic trip to the cinema.”

Union Square’s General Manager Ryan Mason said: “This is a fantastic initiative and a great opportunity for children who might not normally get the chance to visit the movies.”

Specialist training to

Foodbank donations more than double expectations SUPPORT for a foodbank collection point at First Aberdeen has been so generous that a second box has had to be provided to cope with the number of items being donated.

School bus Driver Ian Hay launched the collection point in the drivers’ Control Room earlier this year with the hope of filling just one box with tins, pasta and other non-perishable foodstuffs each month.

But the initiative has been so successful that two full boxes of items are being passed to Aberdeen’s

Buddy Driver Richard Nicol, right, explains good road positioning to Trainee Driver David Dunbar.

DISADVANTAGED children can enjoy a free trip to the cinema now First Aberdeen has teamed up with Union Square and Aberdeen City Council.

The company has handed over 300 bus tickets so looked-after children can visit the shopping centre where Cineworld is also contributing complimentary tickets.

Managing Director David Phillips said: “I’m delighted we can contribute to a great day out for children in our local area by providing bus tickets to Union Square, taking

Buddy driver Richard Nicol, right, shows trainee driver Michael Watson how he has ended up too far from the kerb at a bus stop for passengers to get on.

of their Buddy Drivers. During that time they learn about accident hotspots along the routes, road positioning and things like how to enter and exit bus stops safely.

“At the end of their first five days buddy training they return to the classroom to learn more about how to avoid collisions. Finally, they have to pass a question and answer session to make sure they have fully understood the information they have been given and know how to put it into practice.

“Then, and only then, are new drivers allowed to rejoin their Buddy drivers and complete their training.”

On the odd occasion when a driver is involved in an avoidable collision, First Aberdeen’s approach is based firmly on education rather than blame.

Richard Nicol shows Michael Watson how to avoid kerb and obstacles.

“Drivers who have been involved in an avoidable collision undergo advanced CAT training which is tailored to that person and to the incident they were involved in,” said Norman. “Drivers sign up to a support plan that includes bespoke training designed to match their individual needs, often based on analysis of CCTV footage of the collision, captured by the cameras fitted onboard our buses.”

The advanced CAT training is also part of an action plan aimed at avoiding further collisions.

“The action plan includes an interview with myself as Training Manager, study of the CAT DVD, a review of Drive Green performance and a Smith System refresh,” said Norman.

Driver Ron Hooper with one of the new hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Ron promotes H-buses on prestigious Euro website RON Hooper thinks it is a real gas to get behind the wheel of one of First Aberdeen’s new hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Now his enthusiasm for the clean, green machines has seen him featured on the website of the prestigious European Hydrogen Association (EHA) which promotes the use and development of fuel cell technology.

EHA officials caught up with Ron in Aberdeen city centre and asked him to

explain why he liked the hydrogen buses so much.

Ron, who has been driving for First Aberdeen since 1999, told them that for him the key advantages were the quiet and smooth driving style and the extra room in the driver’s cab.

He said: “I love the hydro buses and I would happily drive them all the time. They are much nicer to drive than traditional diesel-engined vehicles and even my passengers notice the difference.”

SUMMER 2015 I YOUFIRST

You First Aberdeen p6

23/6/15

15:48

Page 1

6 NEWS Checking passengers are safe before pulling away.

New drive reinforces key safety value FIRST UK Bus people are being encouraged to take personal responsibility to make sure they, their colleagues and customers remain safe.

It comes amid an increase in collisions and passenger injuries in most OpCos. There were fewer severe injuries but more minor injuries to passengers boarding and alighting.

There is also concern that slips and trips during in 2013/14 led to an increase in staff lost time injuries.

First UK Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley said: “We need to address these

issues and we are working to encourage colleagues to take personal responsibility for safety.”

A new system is being developed to help identify drivers’ training and support needs in relation to safety.

It aims to provide a consistent approach to analysing driver data across the whole group, and identify the factors that are a risk to employee and customer safety.

This tool will enable colleagues to discuss safety matters more accurately during professional development planning.

Micro Hybrid Streetlite Buses which entered service last year. First has ordered a further 183 of these environmentally-friendly vehicles, which now feature Euro 6 engines.

UR announcement of a £77.7million order for new vehicles is fantastic news. It’s one of our biggest ever orders and reinforces improving performance, increasing passenger numbers and our continuing commitment to deliver our Better Journeys for Life promise.

Investing in our fleet is absolutely key if we are to continue improving our product and attracting new customers.

We should all be proud that we’ve invested almost £385million in vehicles over the last five years, replacing some 2,200 buses, almost a third of our fleet. The new vehicles will all come fitted with leather seats, CCTV and WiFi, providing customers with free internet access.

In addition to the dedicated space for wheelchair users, extra space will be provided for pushchairs and we are trialling the installation of USB charging points on some vehicles. I’m also delighted that more than 90 per cent of the new buses will be fitted with environmentally friendly Euro 6 engines, the biggest investment in Euro 6 buses in the UK to date. To set this in context, Euro 6 engines have eight times less emissions than their predecessors, the Euro 5. As well as travelling in new buses, customers will benefit from improvements in new technology. For example: ● We will soon reveal improvements to our website including real time bus tracking and journey planning, alongside a trial of the same features in the mTicketing app.

O

Investing in future

success

● We’re also looking at new ways of paying for mTickets, including Paypal, and Apple Pay, as well as exploring new technologies to validate mTickets.

Of course, we can only continue to invest by being successful as a business. We need to set the highest YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

By First UK Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley standards in our operational performance whilst offering our customers excellent value.

We are committed to continuing to build a more sustainable business. That means introducing cost efficiencies where possible and increasing revenues underpinned by continuing to grow our customer base.

We know that the most effective way to deliver the best bus services for customers is through operators and local authorities working together in partnership, and we have a great track record of doing just that.

We believe that there is much more that can be done through partnership and that calls by some Local Authorities for regulation of bus services is not necessary.

We have made great progress in strengthening our businesses across the Division but regrettably in some of our towns and cities, particularly where the local economies are suffering, we continue to face significant challenges.

The announcement of this investment, however, demonstrates again our strong commitment to our Better Journeys for Life promise.

VIPs to appear at ceremonies VIP speakers will appear at First UK Bus Excellence Awards ceremonies.

Olympic gold medalist athlete Sally Gunnell is guest of honour at the South England & Wales ceremony in Reading, while Scotland rugby hero Gavin Hastings will address the gathering in Scotland.

North England’s ceremony will be hosted

by Harry Gration, who presents the BBC’s evening news programme Look North.

Over 1,100 nominations have been received from colleagues for the awards launched this year to reward and recognise those staff who best display the company’s values and go the extra mile.

Look out for reports in the next issue of your employee magazine.

You First Aberdeen p7

23/6/15

15:01

Page 1

NEWS 7 Russell McGonigle with his kayak on the banks of the River Don.

5

minutes with

DAVID PHIN, has done a variety of jobs but has been Store Manager at First Aberdeen depot for the past six years. Here he explains why he would invite Gordon Ramsay to dinner and why the 80s was his favourite era...

Tell us about your previous jobs with First or elsewhere?

Before joining First I predominately worked in the franchise sector. I was a parts manager at Mitsubishi and then at Jeep and worked briefly as a Service Advisor for BMW before I came to First.

What is the main challenge of your job?

Trying to maintain a reasonable stock of spares in the restricted space we have available.

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

is training youngsters USTOMER Service Agent Russell McGonigle is a man who knows his bow from his bulkhead and his backwash from his boils.

Those in the know will recognise the words as terms used by adrenaline junkies who indulge in the sport of kayaking – and Russell, aged 37, is certainly a kayak fan.

He likes to get out and about on rivers in the Aberdeen area at least twice a week and is now passing on some of the skills he has learned to youngsters eager to experience the rush of whitewater.

“I got involved in kayaking several years ago because I just fancied having a go,” said Russell, who has been with First Aberdeen for four-and-a-half years. “I really enjoyed that experience and as time has gone

by I’ve got more serious about it.

“Now I’m out two or three times a week, often with my son

C

Jamie and daughter Emma who are both keen paddlers. I enjoy the adrenaline rush I get from kayaking and it’s great physical exercise. I love the challenge of tackling whitewater and rapids.”

Having recently completed his coaching qualifications, Russell is now organising kayak training sessions for young people from deprived areas of Aberdeen.

He said: “I’ve noticed that many of the young people who are already involved in kayaking tend to come from quite well-off families and I want less-privileged youngsters to have the same opportunities. We need to reach out to these young people and get them involved.”

Russell’s regular kayaking activities see him gliding through rapids on the River Dee and on the North Esk at Edzell, but he also goes further afield and last year tackled some challenging whitewater runs on rivers in Spain.

Sir Winston Churchill, John Lennon, Sir Alex Ferguson – I think that would be a good eclectic mix – and Gordon Ramsay, he could cook the dinner.

What has been your proudest achievement?

up in. I enjoyed the nightlife and the music and I could fit my clothes then as well. I would tell myself to make different decisions about some things in my life.

How do you relax?

I like to spend time with my family and I am a season ticket holder at Pittodrie. That can be a challenging experience sometimes, but Aberdeen are on the up so it’s been a more enjoyable experience of late.

What are your favourite films and music?

Films: The Shawshank Redemption, Lord of the Rings, Pulp Fiction, The Stand. Music: Simple Minds, Duran Duran, David Bowie, Japan.

Where do you like to go on holiday?

Getting married.

We enjoy trips to Anglesey but other than that I don't mind.

Anywhere hot will do for me.

If you had a time machine which era would you visit and why?

What is the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?

I would go back to the 1980s as that was the period I grew

If at first you don’t succeed – try, try, try again.

David Phin in the stores at Aberdeen Depot.

SUMMER 2015 I YOUFIRST

You First Aberdeen p8

23/6/15

16:19

Page 1

8 NEWS

Managing Director David Phillips presents commemorative Queen’s Batons to Drivers Andrew Ballantyne, left, and Shane Mitchell.

Baton Bearers get

a surprise gift OMMONWEALTH Games Baton Bearers Andrew Ballantyne and Shane Mitchell thought they had seen the last of their iconic batons until Managing Director David Phillips stepped in.

He had decided they deserved to have them for keeps so he bought two and handed them over in a surprise presentation.

Shane, a First driver for four years who was selected to carry the Queen’s Baton after saving a customers’ life, said: “I had no idea what it was about and my stomach was churning. I honestly thought I was in some sort of trouble. But when Andrew and I walked into

C

reception David just said ‘here you go boys, these are for you’ and handed each of us a box. I was almost speechless.

Fellow Driver Andrew said: “I was a bit concerned when I got the call to go to a meeting with the MD and had no idea what it was about.

But when he presented me with the baton I was really surprised and pleased.

“Being one of the Queen’s Baton bearers was a huge honour and now I’ve got a permanent reminder

of that. It is sitting on a display unit in my dining room and looks great.”

David, who took over as MD at First Aberdeen earlier this year, decided to present the commemorative batons after learning that both drivers had not received anything to mark their roles.

He said: “When someone represents First in such an exceptional way I think they deserve some proper recognition and I am delighted we were able to achieve that in this case.”

Grasshopper ticket set to boost bus travel THE multi-operator Grasshopper ticket can now be used across the whole of Aberdeenshire.

Launched a year ago by First Aberdeen in partnership with Stagecoach and six other transport firms, the ticket was valid for use across zones one to three, covering areas such as Inverurie and Stonehaven, as well as Aberdeen City. Day and weekly Grasshopper tickets are now available for all six zones,

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

covering the whole of the Aberdeenshire region.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird said: “The idea is to allow people to travel across the whole region using just the one ticket so it’s very exciting. We’re confident it’ll open up bus travel to more people especially those who live in rural areas who want to travel into Aberdeen.”

Company support contributes to games success MORE than 1,000 youngsters from across the city took part in a sport spectacular with a little help from First Aberdeen.

The children, from 38 primary schools, were ferried to the Aberdeen Sports Village on buses provided by First as part of the company’s support of the award-winning Aberdeen Youth Games Festival of Sport.

The Festival – which included athletics, hockey, tennis, basketball and badminton – was the culmination of weeks of activity involving second year BSc (Hons) Applied Sports and Exercise Science students from Robert Gordon University providing coaching sessions in the schools.

In addition to free transport, First Aberdeen also provided £3,875 in sponsorship to buy sports equipment for children taking part in the scheme.

David Phillips said: “I’m proud of First getting behind this, as you never know, we could well see some future sports stars come out of this.

“We might be introducing some kids to some sports they have never done before.

In years to come, when we are celebrating their success, we can say that we had a small part in it.”

Every child taking part in the Festival received a special commemorative medal. Games organisers also copied a key feature of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games by staging a baton relay, with the official Festival Baton visiting every school in the run up to the final event.