You First Scotland East Winter 2015 by i•creation

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Winter 2015

The magazine for First people in Scotland East

A copy of youFirst has been printed for

EVERY EMPLOYEE Please take your copy to keep.

Pupils give

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR CLAMPDOWN

TOPMARKS PAGE FOUR

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Magnificent response to important staff survey By Scotland East Managing Director

Paul McGowan

FIRST of all, let me thank all of you who took part in the Your Voice Survey. We had a magnificent response in the depots, which helped to raise hundreds of pounds for Prostate Cancer UK in the process. We are now looking at the results and communicating to everyone what you said and how we will act on that feedback. Multi-million pound investment in the latest buses and improving key services is also very much in the spotlight at the moment and there is a feature in the magazine demonstrating what key initiatives are underway in our area and how this is improving bus travel for our customers. I’m also delighted that we can report back on a number of awards successes. Congratulations must go out to First Borders for scooping a special Creativity Award and First Midland Bluebird as a whole for featuring so prominently in the Falkirk Herald Business Awards. I’m also honoured to have received the Boss of the Year award from the Executive PA magazine. It is testament to the work of our whole team here and demonstrates how we are setting the highest standards. Setting standards is also the crux of our winter safety feature, which looks at two crucial issues – reporting near misses to avoid accidents in the future and staying switched onto hazardous road conditions. Business Director John Gorman has come up with a number of very useful and practical tips which I hope you will read and take on board. Finally, let me wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to working with you in 2016.

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Tartan liveries win creativity accolade YE-CATCHING and bespoke liveries helped First Borders scoop a special business award for creativity. Distinctive tartan vehicles used on the X62 route and colourful buses on the Ridings network played a key role in the win and were singled out by judges at the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. This is the first year that the Application of Creativity award taken home by the OpCo has been included in the ceremony. Ten X95 route vehicles have been branded in the town colours of Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick to celebrate the tradition of Common Ridings, while six on the X62 route were given a tartan makeover. All vehicles are also fitted with a Real Time Information System, which allows passengers to track the actual time of their service. Galashiels Staff Manager Gordon Grant said: “This is the first time we’ve won an external award and been recognised

Controller Brian Lennie holds Business Excellence Award with a Service X62 bus with the tartan livery in the background. locally so everyone’s over the moon. There’s a real sense of pride from all the staff. “Branding the buses is all about giving the routes and vehicles a bit of local identity and drawing attention to the route as well as the benefits Borders has to offer.”

First Borders Managing Director Paul McGowan was equally impressed with the efforts. He said: “Credit really does have to go to our local team in the Borders who’ve worked very hard to make buses a better choice for those travelling around the area.”

Drivers reach accident-free milestones

Livingston Drivers John Veitch, left, and John Gilchrist who are among 11 drivers who have achieved nine years of accident-free driving.

ACCIDENT-FREE drivers were awarded Road Operations Safety Council (ROSCO) certificates at a presentation evening recognising their achievements. A total of 396 drivers were given certificates, while 11 who had totted up nine years of accident-free driving – the length of time First Scotland East has been part of ROSCO – were invited to attend a special presentation by Managing Director Paul McGowan. Letters were sent to a further 24 drivers who had gone eight years without an accident on the road. They also attended depot presentations with their business managers. Livingston Operations Manager Scott Ferguson said: “I’m really proud of all the guys who’ve received awards. It’s great to see so many drivers being recognised for their dedication to helping keep the roads safe and I hope they keep totting up their years of accident-free driving.”

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Charity efforts earn top praise HARITY events at Bannockburn and Balfron raised a fantastic £2,608 for Prostate Cancer UK – earning both depots the admiration of First Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley and a individual who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. An open day at Bannockburn with stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, food and a show of vehicles attracted the support of hundreds of local people and businesses. A free vintage shuttle bus service was provided so more could attend. The day was a huge success and raised £1,558. Fundraising for First's Charity of Choice was boosted by a Balfron depot darts event – leading to a further donation of £1,050. Giles Fearnley said: “A tremendous result. It is great to read this and to see how so many of our people came together to support the cause and, hopefully, have some fun in the process.”

On target for First’s Charity of Choice – Balfron depot darts aces, Drivers Paul Jones, left, and Billy Currie. First Scotland East’s Central Depots Business Manager Jason Hackett entered into the spirit of the Bannockburn open day by sporting tiger face paint for the day. He said: “I was impressed with both depots and the support we had from other First staff which demonstrated our team work ethos. Thank you for pulling together and demonstrating what a remarkable team we truly are. Whilst I was shattered and with sore feet, a man with no links to the buses or staff

came to me with his family and asked why we had staged the open day. I explained about our chosen charity. He placed a lot of money in the tub and told me he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and personally thanked us for what we were doing. I have to say the tiger make-up almost ran off my face. “At a low point this one man revitalised me and made me realise even if we’d only made one person’s day, we have achieved something great.”

Business award for Midland Bluebird MIDLAND Bluebird picked up a prestigious honour at the annual Falkirk Herald Business Awards despite narrowly missing out in all its categories. The company had been shortlisted for four awards – Best Sales and Marketing, Best Green Business, Best Business in the Community and Employer of the Year. But, just as it looked like the firm would be going home empty handed despite coming close in all four, judges handed it the penultimate award of the night – Outstanding Achievement of the Year. First Scotland East

Great way to save money

John Gorman, Paul McGowan and Fleet Engineer Gary West are presented with the Outstanding Achievement of the Year award by Johnston Publishing Managing Director Stephen Plews, left. impressed the judges by “showing the benefits of giving local control to local people”. Business Director John Gorman said: “We are delighted to win this award as it fits with our visions and values, clearly demonstrating that we are putting the

customer at the heart of everything we do. We were noted to be improving in all key areas of the business and it was pleasing to hear the host announce how much the business has improved in the eyes of stakeholders, the community and our customers.”

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.

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Paul is named best UK boss IDLAND Bluebird Managing Director Paul McGowan has been named Boss of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony in London. He picked up the Executive PA magazine award in a category that saw him go head to head with the top manager from Devon Air Ambulance and Badminton England. Paul was nominated by his team at First Scotland East for setting the highest standards across all areas of the business as well as his commitment to excellent customer service and his dedication to safety. He said: “It’s incredibly important

to me that our business continues to deliver for those who rely on us to access work, education, health and leisure facilities each and every day. “I’m flattered to have received this award and hope to continue to deliver success across the business, whether for customers or our employees.” Regional Managing Director for First in Scotland, Dave Alexander said: “This is an accolade that Paul and his team should be extremely proud of and reflects the great team spirit in Scotland East.”

Paul McGowan with his Boss of the Year trophy at the Executive PA magazine awards evening.

Horrible histories on the buses PASSENGERS on Service 17 were treated to First’s own version of Horrible Histories as the company commemorated the 717th anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk. Key facts from the bloody encounter that saw William Wallace lose to the English King Edward 1 were displayed inside buses travelling from Falkirk Bus Station to Limerigg via Lionthorn and Slamannan. They included the now famous speech from Wallace where he told his men: “I have brought you to the ring – now dance if you can.” The history lesson came courtesy of a partnership with Falkirk Community Trust and was the latest in a series of company initiatives designed to celebrate the heritage of the area. Leslie O’Hare, the trust’s Culture and Libraries Manager, said: “We were delighted to be able to partner with Midland Bluebird to inject a little bit of history into people’s daily commute. We are proud of Falkirk’s rich history and culture and take any opportunity we can to recognise it.”

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Lauren Gilvear, aged 11, with the trophy she won for the best anti-vandalism poster, is pictured with Central Depots Business Manager Jason Hackett, left, Balfron Staff Manager Jim Burns and school Head Teacher Theresa O’Hanlon. Jason is holding Lauren’s winning poster design.

Depot staff take message to classrooms COMMUNITY-MINDED Bannockburn and Balfron staff have spoken to a thousand children at four primary schools about antisocial behaviour. Central Depots Business Manager Jason Hackett and Balfron Staff Manager Jim Burns took their message about social responsibility to schools in Bannockburn and Cowie. They staged special presentations before getting the children to design antisocial behaviour posters as part of a competition.

Four winners from each school received £20 High Street shopping vouchers and a certificate. Lauren Gilvear from St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School at Bannockburn was the overall winner for her colourful anti vandalism poster featuring a bus. She was also awarded a glass trophy – as were all the schools who took part. Jason said: “We wanted to help the kids understand how antisocial behaviour affects and impacts on us all within the

community one way or another so we talked about vandalism, smashed windows, hoodies, that sort of thing. “Our smash and dent activity challenged their perception about the effects of throwing things like footballs or bricks. A driver wouldn’t know the difference if they hit his vehicle so both are serious. “We pointed out that it does spill over onto buses and asked how they would feel if their mum or gran was affected. Their reaction was fantastic.”

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Response to survey hits record high ECORD numbers of First Scotland East employees have taken part in the Your Voice survey and are helping to make the business a better place to work. In Larbert, all 336 members of staff filled in the wide-ranging questionnaire which focuses on all aspects of improving the company for customers and colleagues. The depot’s 100 per cent achievement was the best score in the country and helped First Scotland East notch up a grand total of £1,400 for Charity of Choice Prostate Cancer UK. Results of the survey are now being analysed and the details will be fed back to employees over the next few weeks. The idea is to show the kind of things that people have asked for in their depots and to demonstrate how managers are going to act on these ideas. Everything from improved recreational facilities to more communication between

Enjoying refurbished mess room at Larbert depot are, from the left clockwise, Drivers Ross Tulley, Joyce Diamond, Willie Turner and Max Gibb. management and other staff has been requested. First Scotland East Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “The survey is so extremely important because it is helping to shape the future of First Bus and making the business a better place to work. “Suggestions we have received range from improved facilities in the depot to new working practices that could have a positive impact on customers. “We will look at all the suggestions and, where possible and practical, implement them. All the decisions we make will be fed back to the depots and everyone will get to hear how their suggestions are going to be used.”

More job chats have been introduced as a result of the employee survey. Pictured having a job chat at Larbert are Staff Manager Kenny Burt, right, and Driver Pete Garner.

Comments help shape future of the business

Driver Jim Lewis makes the most of new gym facilities at Larbert which were provided as a result of the survey.

THE “You Said, We Did” philosophy behind the Your Voice survey has helped to shape many of the initiatives that employees are now benefiting from. Everything from new social club facilities at Larbert to improved noticeboards at all depots are now in place. Since the First Your Voice Survey in 2010, the list of improvements include: ● Staff and canteen surgeries introduced to engage employees. ● Recreational facilities upgraded in depots and restrooms. ● Route Reps appointed to identify operational issues. ● Drying facilities introduced to benefit presentation staff.

● Suggestion boxes installed in all locations. ● Dozens of new, environmentally-friendly buses added to the fleet. Larbert Operations Manager Jim Brennan said: “The results of the survey have benefited everyone in the company. For instance, here at Larbert £3,500 has been spent on new social club facilities which have gone down really well. “There are also smaller improvements that are equally effective – like better communication through constantly updated noticeboards. “It’s great to see the ideas put forward by colleagues really having an impact and helping to shape the future of the company.”

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Thousands love A dedicated tourism service which took in the key sites of Falkirk carried more than 15,000 passengers during a successful pilot scheme. Funded by Scottish Transport, The Loop supported the area’s major tourism drive and provided a connection between attractions and other road and rail services. The distinctive pink bus service, operated by First, provided an hourly service after it was launched in April. It took in The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk High and Grahamston Stations, Falkirk Town Centre, Falkirk Stadium, Callander Park and The Kelpies, with dedicated bus stop signs featuring VisitFalkirk branding. First Scotland East Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “We were delighted so many people chose to travel on the Loop service. It went from strength to strength and helped to boost tourism in the area too.”

Hiker reaches new heights GLOBETROTTING hiking enthusiast Derek McGlone took his passion to new heights, scaling his tallest peak yet on a trip to South America. The Galashiels driver flew into Santiago before tackling the 4,200 metre High Plateu Lagoons in Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama area. Derek has been a keen walker since joining the Scottish Border Trekkers – a group set up by colleagues Depot Traffic Assistant Gary Inglis and Drivers Ian McCutcheon and Jose Hoyos. They have climbed some of the UK and Europe’s tallest mountains and created the Facebook page “Scottish Borders Trekkers”, encouraging other friends and colleagues to join them.

Dressing up OFFICE staff at Carmuirs House celebrated Halloween by decorating reception and dressing up to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. At least eight took part with four playing witches and one spending the day as Cruella de Ville. A cake and candy sale during the day helped them raise £317.15.

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NEWS 7 Investment of more than £4.2 million in 25 new vehicles has taken services on two First Scotland East routes to another level while new routes and service changes have also been introduced to further improve the customer experience. Here, You First shines the spotlight on the Royal Route, Unilink and Services 60, 62A and 63A.

Higher frequency and more direct buses

Royal Route delivers

majestic service ASSENGERS using the Service 38 Royal Route from Stirling to Edinburgh really are treated like royalty now £3.1 million has been invested in 20 brand new buses. The single decker micro-hybrid vehicles feature striking livery showcasing popular royal landmarks including Stirling and Edinburgh castles as well as Linlithgow Palace – the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. A performer playing the iconic Queen herself attended the launch as the new buses were unveiled. They are among the world’s most fuel-efficient and feature leather seats, free WiFi and extra room for wheelchairs and buggies. Each is equipped with the latest energy saving technology including a braking system like those on racing cars which re-uses the energy generated to power other parts of the bus. Service 38 passes through Falkirk, Linlithgow, Winchburgh, Kirkliston and Newbridge en route from Stirling to Edinburgh with up to four buses an hour in parts. The complementary Service 38A stops off at the Gyle Shopping Centre. First Scotland East Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “We are continuing our drive to improve our services and attract more people on to our buses and I’m delighted to introduce our Royal Route vehicles, which are among the best and most eco-friendly we have. “Passengers can enjoy pleasant, more comfortable and smoother journeys and keep connected on the move with our free WiFi as we call at some of the most iconic locations in Scotland.” Midland Bluebird has invested £10 million in new buses over the past two years with an improved fleet serving Stirling, Falkirk, West Lothian, Edinburgh and the Borders.

Bannockburn Driver Amanda Roderickson with a newly-launched Service 62A bus at the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

The new Royal Route Service, featuring single decker micro hybrid vehicles, was launched with the help of a performer playing Mary, Queen of Scots.

One of the eco-friendly UniLink buses.

UniLink is green travel option BRAND new eco-friendly buses are now benefitting Stirling students thanks to a £1.1 million investment by Midland Bluebird and the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund. It contributed £196,000 towards the fleet of five hybrid buses which now operate the UniLink route every seven to eight minutes between the University of Stirling and the city centre. The vehicles use Flywheel technology to significantly cut emissions and fuel usage. They feature free WiFi and USB ports which allow students to charge their mobile devices.

Scotland’s Minister for Transport Derek Mackay said: “The UniLink bus project is just one example of the ways in which the Scottish Green Bus Fund is delivering real benefits for passengers while encouraging partnerships between Government, local authorities and the bus industry. I hope the students who experience this new service are encouraged to consider greener transport options as a lifestyle choice.” Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university, said: “Both the university and its Students’ Union

work hard to ensure our campus is a green and welcoming environment for our students and staff and this new fleet of buses further complement our commitment to environmental sustainability.” Stirling Students’ Union President Andrew Kinnell said: “The UniLink bus service is highly popular with Stirling students and to know they can commute in comfort on the best buses in Scotland is great. “It’s nice to be able to charge phones and access the WiFi before and after a busy day of studies.”

TWO new services have been launched and a third revamped to provide higher frequency and more direct buses for customers in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Cowie. Another 15 vehicles are joining the Midland Bluebird fleet for the newly launched 62A and 63A services in Stirling. They complement and dovetail existing 62 and 63 buses but cover additional areas and give customers increased frequency services of up to every 10 minutes between Stirling and Tillicoultry. Off peak buses on the new routes run every 20 minutes – 10 minutes after their 62 and 63 counterparts. The new buses particularly benefit customers in the Hillfoots Road area of Stirling – home to the Wallace Monument. The relaunched Service 60 runs as normal from Clackmannan but now services Cowie from Bannockburn, opening up a direct bus for the people of Cowie to Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Forth Valley College, Larbert train station as well as Asda and Stenshousemuir. Jason Hackett, First Scotland East Central Depots Business Manager, said: “Our newly launched and altered services are already making a huge difference to customers. “We have more buses out on the road, giving higher frequency services and in some areas where we haven’t operated for many years. “It’s all part of our commitment to grow our services and provide reliable and comfortable journeys for customers when they need them. “Although there have been several changes to the services we now offer, these have been made in conjunction with our customers who have been consulted at every stage along the way.”

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Higher frequency and more direct buses

Royal Route delivers

Bannockburn Driver Amanda Roderickson with a newly-launched Service 62A bus at the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

The new Royal Route Service, featuring single decker micro hybrid vehicles, was launched with the help of a performer playing Mary, Queen of Scots.

One of the eco-friendly UniLink buses.

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Galashiels Driver Paul Borthwick places a shovel and blanket in his car boot in case of heavy snow. Right Bannnockburn Driver Jim Jenkins with the ‘switched on’ leaflet.

SSENTIAL advice has been issued to help people prepare for adverse conditions over the next few months. A leaflet called Are You Switched On To Winter Conditions? – compiled by Business Director John Gorman – provides sensible ways to beat the freeze. It focuses on simple, but proactive, measures while at work and during the journey to and from home. John said: “Winter is a time to be extra vigilant and be fully aware of the risks this season can bring. It is about being switched on to what’s happening around you and taking sensible measures

Get switched on to

winter hazards and being prepared.” His safety tips include: ● Being switched on at home by allowing more time, listening for weather and traffic warnings, dressing appropriately preferably with layers of clothing, and taking care on pathways and steps when setting off to work. ● Being switched on to your journey by allowing a few extra

minutes to fully clear car windows of ice or snow, topping up on fuel, antifreeze and windscreen wash, and considering placing a blanket and shovel in the vehicle. ● Being switched on at work by being aware of vulnerable passengers and offering assistance if needed, taking time to survey surroundings for potential hazards before

undertaking any task, following winter weather driving safety advice available at the depot and in the latest issue of First Scotland East Safety First. John added: “Together we can all make a difference by thinking ahead and by being prepared in order to prevent accidents or injuries to ourselves, colleagues and customers.”

Near miss reporting is vital to avoid future incidents Livingston Engineer Liam McCallum, right, reports a near miss incident to Supervisor Jamie Taheny.

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DRIVERS, engineers and other frontline operatives are being reminded that near miss reporting is paramount in avoiding future incidents on buses and in depots. Everyone who narrowly avoids an injury, as the result of a close call in the work place or while driving a vehicle, should pass on the details as quickly as possible to a supervisor or manager. All the near misses will then be analysed to help prevent the same thing happening again and to ensure there is not an escalation of the problem. Scotland East Business Director John Gorman said:

“Don’t think that just because an incident was narrowly avoided that nothing needs to be done – getting to the bottom of why there was a near miss in the first place is the key to preventing future accidents that could lead to injury to either an employee or a customer. “This procedure should be followed by all colleagues, whether they are drivers, engineers or members of the presentation teams. “The advice is particularly timely during the winter months when the lack of daylight and often adverse weather conditions have a real bearing.”

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SCOTT FERGUSON, Livingston Operations Manager, lifts the lid on his love of the American lifestyle, his football coaching inspiration and what it means to go back to school after 34 years...

Tell us about your previous jobs with First and elsewhere.

Darren Wilson pictured during filming for Channel First.

Darren is in

limelight EATURING in YouFirst magazine has helped Driver Darren Wilson land a starring role on Channel First and secure his place on a career boosting course. After appearing on the cover of this summer’s issue in relation to his collection of bus memorabilia, Darren caught the eye of managers who put him forward to help present a fundraising episode for the company’s dedicated TV channel. He was the main guest speaker on the programme – which gave an insight into First’s Chosen Charity Prostate Cancer UK – and discussed how different depots were doing their bit for the charity. He was then put forward for a customer service course with colleague Lee Stewart, so he could pass on his knowledge to

help passengers using the company’s buses. The pair spent two days listening to talks on how to deliver good customer service and made a presentation to the rest of the group before receiving their certificates. Darren said: “Getting stuck in to different things around the depot is great fun and doesn’t bother me at all – whether it’s going on courses, mentoring trainee drivers or being in front of the camera. “The course gave me a great insight into the best ways to interact and work with passengers to improve their experience – it was a real learning curve. It’s useful to be able to pass on the knowledge to the trainees and encourage them to boost themselves with extra courses too.”

I’ve worked for First Bus for almost 35 years, starting from the Scottish Bus Group days. I started out at Linlithgow depot before moving to Larbert and finally Livingston. What is the main challenge of your job?

Being in charge of 135 staff and making sure that they’re kept informed of changes while the depot moves forward, and also keeping them motivated and engaged. If you had a time machine which era would you visit and why?

I remember doing a project at school on Rasputin the mad monk and the Russian revolution and loving it – so I’d like to visit late 19th and early 20th century Russia. Which famous people, alive or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?

Sir Alex Ferguson as I’ve always used his coaching drills and philosophy while coaching

football in my local community and Sir Ian Botham. I actually hate cricket but reading his biography and discovering how much time he puts into charity has to inspire anyone. What has been your proudest achievement?

Gaining my Certificate of Professional Competence for Transport Managers. Going back to school for a fortnight’s tuition was a strange feeling having left 34 years ago but I was over the moon to have passed first time. How do you relax?

I’ve been coaching football in my local community for a long time and also enjoy playing golf. Where do you like to go on holiday?

After winning a holiday to San Francisco 27 years ago I got the bug to return to America. Since then, I’ve visited Los Angeles and Florida with family – we never tire of the different lifestyle over there.

Over 200 off to panto show A fleet of six double deckers will transport Larbert staff and their families to Glasgow’s King’s Theatre for their annual pantomime trip. More than 200 people are

set to watch a festive performance of Snow White. Younger family members will also have the chance to enter the Christmas spirit on board a steam train at Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway.

Scott Ferguson at his desk in Livingston depot.

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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.”

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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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Classic coach wows crowds EEPING old Midland Bluebird buses on the road is such a passion for five Larbert pals that they have just expanded their fleet and bought vehicle number two. The 1981 Leyland Leopard coach was decently priced and in pristine condition – and now has been hand painted to get the original livery just right and all the decals have been replaced. It now wows the crowds at vintage vehicle rallies and shows alongside a 1996 578 Scania which was fully restored by the Midland Bluebird Preservation Society when it faced the scrapheap. Formed three years ago, its members are Larbert Drivers John Weaver and Paul Smith, Engineer Sandy MacKay, Staff Manager Kenny Burt and former Driver

Pictured with the classic Leyland Leopard coach are Midland Bluebird Preservation Society members, left to right, Paul Smith, Sandy MacKay and John Weaver. Graeme Fargie. John, the society’s Chairman and Treasurer who has been driving for 35 years, said: “Both our buses were my shift vehicles when they were in service at Larbert. “They’re real buses. When you hear the engines roar it’s not like driving a Hoover. “They’re both cheaper to insure than my

car. We take them to shows and Paul, who is a month younger than our new bus, used the Scania to take his three-year-old son and friends on a family day out to Blair Drummond Safari Park. We’re not just bus drivers, we class ourselves as Midland Bluebird drivers and we’re really proud to say that. We want to keep the name going.”

Life in Boys Brigade is a family affair for David

Boys Brigade volunteer David Hartley.

THE Boys Brigade plays a big part in Larbert Driver David Hartley’s family life – he volunteers, his son attends and one of his two daughters also volunteers. He got involved seven years ago when Josh, now 13, joined the 1st Camelon company near Falkirk. His 16-year-old daughter Amy started helping the worldwide Christian youth organisation two years ago. David, a First driver for 21 years, said: “Josh was six when he first went along and is a Leading Boy in the Senior section now. He’s a quiet kind of boy so it’s helped build his confidence and he really enjoys it. “Amy’s getting fantastic experience from her role helping with the Anchor and Junior section. It’s giving her

experience as she plans university and looks for a job. I used to be a scout myself and was a young leader in Glasgow so I already had the transferrable skills to be a volunteer. “We do crafts and badges, a bit of drill, have days out and go to camp once a year when we do things like archery and climbing. “We’re in an area where the kids don’t have much so it gives them something to do, gives them a structure and discipline and they learn valuable life skills. They only pay £2 a week subs. We meet on a Thursday evening in the church hall in Brown Street. “We’re celebrating our 125th birthday as a company next year and I’m hoping First might let us have a bus to use when we go to camp at the Scout Association’s Meggernie Outdoor Centre in Glenlyon.”

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Cyclists go

up a gear trio of Scotland East employees are shifting their love of cycling up a gear by swapping buses for bikes to ride the scenic 95-mile X95 route in a charity fundraising bid. Galashiels’ Gary Inglis and Gordon Grant will take on the mammoth Edinburgh to Carlisle challenge alongside Livingston and Musselburgh Engineering Manager Paul Branigan – raising money for Help for Heroes along the way. And they are calling on all Scotland East colleagues to saddle up and join them in their fundraising venture. Beginning at Edinburgh bus station, they will travel through Middleton and Stow, taking in the dramatic scenery surrounding the Eildon Hills before crossing the border and heading into Carlisle.

The group have enjoyed occasional weekend rides through the Borders countryside since taking up cycling a couple of years ago, while Gary cycles to work every day from Innerleithen to Galashiels. They participated in their first race – the 56-mile Tour o’ the Borders – earlier this year and hope to complete their latest challenge in around nine hours. Galashiels Depot Traffic Assistant Gary Inglis said: “We’re all really looking forward to taking on the challenge – we’ll be cycling through some of the nicest countryside in Scotland and all for a great cause. “A lot of guys at the depot have been Galashiels involved with the Staff Manager Armed Forces and Gordon Grant we wanted to make with his bike on the X95 a big effort to help a route. charity that supports them and their families.”

Barbara tours America in

Mustang convertible

Barbara Falconer with a souvenir of her American adventure and, inset right, in the red Mustang convertible.

YOUFIRST I WINTER 2015

OPERATIONS Administrator Barbara Falconer is back behind her desk after the trip of a lifetime – a two week road trip through Nevada and California in a red Mustang convertible. The Larbert-based employee flew in to Las Vegas with her husband Dennis, who is a dental technician, before they picked up their iconic hire car. Their whirlwind trip then saw them drive between San Diego, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Hollywood and finally Oceanside where they stayed with friends for the last four days. Barbara, a First employee for 25 years, said: “We’d been planning the trip after making

friends with an American couple Tom and Marilyn Bayer at a wedding in Tralee a couple of years ago. “We saw them again at a second wedding in Ireland last year and decided we had to organise the holiday. “My husband loved the car and while we were over there we visited Disneyland and a winery. We even went to a safari park with Tom and Marilyn where we got up close and personal with giraffes and hippos. “It was a fantastic adventure and the sun was absolutely roasting. We really didn’t want to come home.”