You First Glasgow Summer 2015

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Summer 2015

The magazine for First people in Glasgow

AWARDS SUCCESSES PAGE FOUR

VEHICLE REPAIR HUB is packed with

EXPERTISE CENTRE PAGES

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

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2 NEWS

It’s crucial we keep to our safety plan in the year ahead

By First Glasgow Managing Director

Fiona Kerr IT’S been another great period for us here at First Glasgow. I’m pleased to say that we have now finalised our 2015-16 safety plan, based on our three key principles of safe leadership, safe process and safe people.

It’s incredibly important we stick to that plan this year, and that each of us takes personal responsibility not just for our own safety but everyone around us too. So please keep ‘Beeing safe’ and highlighting and applauding all of the safe ‘Beehaviours’ that we display every day!

Our winning streak continues, with our very own Jean Scott, Lost Property Assistant, being highly commended as Frontline Employee of the Year at the Scottish Transport Awards.

And of course we won the big one – Public Transport Operator of the Year, acknowledging our key role in the Commonwealth Games, our £25 million new Caledonia depot and our investment in 226 buses worth £37 million over the last three years.

I really hope you’re extremely proud of your award – it’s a fantastic achievement for our whole team to be recognised as the best of the best in the industry.

It also shows that we’re well on our way to being not just the best bus business, but the best business in any industry.

So thank you for all your hard work and effort – I hope you all managed to sample a piece of the celebratory cakes too!

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special fleet of 12 dedicated buses is providing links from the city centre and the west end to the new South Glasgow University Hospital.

Buses on the new Hospital Connect service are fitted with leather seats, free onboard WiFi and extra room for buggies and wheelchairs.

The vehicles on Service 77, all specifically branded Hospital Connect, have been running to the hospital and onwards to Braehead shopping centre since they were launched on May 10.

The new service is being welcomed by visitors and staff travelling on public transport to the hospital, which is the largest critical care complex in the UK. South Glasgow University Hospital has 14 floors, 1,109 beds and integrates both the adult and children’s hospitals.

Serving Arrival Square, the bus arrivals-point at the hospital, Service 77 runs seven days a week up to every 10 minutes ensuring that customers across Glasgow can change with other First Glasgow services at Thornwood and Partick and Glasgow city centre, including Buchanan Bus Station.

Fiona Kerr, First Glasgow’s Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to introduce our Hospital Connect services to transport staff, patients and visitors to and from the South Glasgow University Hospital.

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Managing Director Fiona Kerr pictured outside South Glasgow University Hospital at the launch of the Hospital Connect service.

“Service 77 will provide a vital link to the new hospital as well as onto Braehead shopping centre.

We’re expecting Service 77 to be well used by communities in the north and west of Glasgow, as

well as those connecting through the city centre. Roadshows have been held at the new hospital and timetables have been distributed to encourage travel by public transport.”

Sign language CDs available

Driver David Murray welcomes Kenny Broadfoot, a Supervisor at the hospital, onboard Service 77.

THE Scotstoun scheme offering teaching CDs to help drivers use sign language for deaf customers is being extended.

Drivers from Parkhead depot have shown interest in using the discs, which were pioneered by Scotstoun Drivers Joseph Hughes and Alan Finnan.

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NEWS 3

75 new eco-friendly buses set to be added to fleet FIRST Glasgow is to roll out 75 new vehicles worth £14 million reflecting its continuing commitment to its customers and stakeholder partners.

The buses, a mixture of double deckers, single deckers and midis, are the company’s most eco-friendly to date.

They are all “low carbon certified” by the Department for Transport and fitted with environmentally-friendly Euro 6 engines. Scheduled to enter service in

Greater Glasgow from August, the buses all come fitted with leather seats, CCTV and WiFi. Fiona Kerr, Managing Director, said: “The investment 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

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.” ● The investment in Glasgow forms part of an overall order by First UK Bus of 385 new vehicles worth £77.7m for delivery in the current financial year. See Group news on page six.

Bus enthusiasts given special WO bus enthusiasts were delighted to be given special tours round Caledonia depot.

Jack MacKenzie, aged 11, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, was shown around the office, service tunnel, bus maintenance facility and the Regional Repair Centre to further his strong interest in all things First Glasgow.

The youngster had previously revealed his ambition to be a bus driver to the company’s Security Investigator John O’Hara while he was visiting his school to give a talk to Jack and his classmates about anti-vandalism. John brought a bus back to the school together with some goodies, and then arranged for Jack to visit the depot for what the pupil later described as “the best day of my life.”

At Caledonia, Jack took great interest in a number of tasks such as identifying buses by their fleet numbers. As mementos of his visit he was given a 10-year service cap badge from 1974, a model of a recovery truck and a copy of a running board.

The Headteacher at Croftfoot Primary School, Mary Grant, praised John’s “overwhelming kindness” and added: “I can’t thank him enough for making a wee boy’s dreams come true.”

John said: “Jack was over the moon with his visit and I would like to thank everyone at Caledonia for their care and compassion in showing him round.”

Billy Benson, aged 22, of East

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Kilbride, who is autistic, contacted First Glasgow to Jack MacKenzie say he was a fan with mementoes of its services and from his visit to to request a visit to Caledonia depot. the company’s new £20 million depot and headquarters.

His wish was granted and he was given a comprehensive tour of Caledonia depot.

As a special surprise one of the buses was programmed with a “Happy Birthday” message for Billy, who also enjoyed receiving a birthday cake and a personalised number plate. Billy said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, everyone was so friendly.

I’m so thankful to Driver Trainer Willie Docherty for giving me a depot tour.”

t it to Caledonia depo ring his birthday vis du m. ed llia tur Wi pic cle on Un ns s Billy Be t, and Billy’ Willie Docherty, lef with Driver Trainer SUMMER 2015 I YOUFIRST

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4 NEWS Pictured at the Scottish Transport Awards night after First Glasgow was named Public Transport Operator of the Year are, left to right, Awards Host Grant Scott, Director of Engineering Support Kenny Dickson, Managing Director Fiona Kerr, Business Director – Lanarkshire Margaret Mayer, Business Director – Glasgow City John Cahill and Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland Commercial Director.

Simply the best – official IRST Glasgow scooped the coveted Public Transport Operator of the Year accolade at the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards.

In awarding the prize the judges highlighted the significant role the company played in the success of the Commonwealth Games last summer. Other key factors were the major investment in new vehicles, with 226 buses introduced in the last three years at a cost of £37 million, and the £20 million new Caledonia headquarters.

Managing Director Fiona Kerr said: “I’m

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absolutely delighted to see the hard work of the entire team at First Glasgow recognised at the Scottish Transport Awards.

“We have an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service for our customers, and to keeping them at the heart of what we do. And we’re continually challenging ourselves to be the best company we can be in everything that we do – not just the best bus company.

“To be named as the best public transport operator in Scotland by the judges reflects the hard work and commitment from our

whole team to improve services across the Greater Glasgow area and to ultimately encourage more people to travel by bus.”

In a separate category at the awards, one of First Glasgow’s long-serving employees was highly commended despite narrowly missing out on the Frontline Employee of the Year Award. Jean Scott, the 59-year-old Lost Property Assistant, recently featured in a TV documentary which explored the fascinating world of lost property and provided an exclusive look behind the scenes of First Glasgow’s Lost Property Office.

Fiona wins top industry accolade MANAGING Director Fiona Kerr is leading from the front for female role models at First Glasgow.

Fiona, the first female Director of any local FirstGroup bus company, has received a top “Woman of the Year” award which recognises her for championing women in the industry.

She was given the accolade at the 2015 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards.

Fiona was recognised for having proactively achieved a 50/50 gender split among her executive director team. Passionate about supporting both women and other minorities, she sits on a panel established to improve diversity right across First Group.

The Managing Director invited a number of female employees from across First Glasgow to accompany her to the awards ceremony – Fleet Support Engineer Wendy Findlay, the only senior female Fleet Engineer in FirstGroup, Scotstoun Driver Toni Bradley, Caledonia Training Instructor Linda McNeish, First Scotland Bus Public Relations Manager Stephanie Todd and UK Bus Graduate Management Trainee based at Caledonia Judith Balfour.

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

Toni, a Route Rep for Scotstoun depot, said: “We have, in my opinion, a caring and enthusiastic MD in Fiona and for the first time in 14 years I can honestly say I am genuinely proud to be part of First Glasgow.”

Judith said: “I was really pleased for Fiona and I was privileged to attend. The award is very well deserved – a recognition for all the hard work and direction she has provided.

“It is clear Fiona felt she was collecting the award not just for herself but on behalf of her team.”

Stephanie said: “It’s refreshing to work for a leader who is not only firmly focused on delivering positive change within the business, but who is open to and very much values the feedback and support of the staff.

“Fiona’s drive, determination and positivity are certainly infectious and her award was very well deserved. Without doubt, she’s a fantastic role model for other women in our industry.”

Fiona Kerr with the Woman of the Year award.

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NEWS 5

Raising money in memory of colleague A special charity evening was held to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan in memory of Jimmy Reid, the Caledonia-based Vehicle Examiner (Assist) who sadly died earlier this year.

Jimmy was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his 50th birthday which he had celebrated with colleagues at Scotstoun Hill Bowling Club.

So the same venue was chosen for the memorial evening during which a raffle was held to supplement proceeds from a raffle held the week previously. “Jimmy will be sadly missed,” said Frank Gordon, Fleet Auditor.

“He was very popular with his colleagues for his sense of humour which could light up a room.” The total raised was £1,700.

Best feet forward for

charity cause WO Scotstoun drivers have put their names down for the Glasgow Half Marathon with the aim of raising money for Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK).

Willie Mitchell is preparing for the 13-mile run by working out in the gym at the depot. He has already boosted his fitness levels by going on a Healthy Living course promoted by FirstGroup during which he lost three stones.

“Prostate Cancer UK is a good cause and I am happy to be raising money for it,” said Willie.

“I started training by working out on the treadmill in the gym and then I moved to doing road running to get me in real shape for the race.”

John Ramage decided to enter the half marathon in October to raise money for PCUK because one of his friends has prostate cancer. “That gives me an extra incentive,” said the Scotstoun Driver. “Prostate Cancer UK is a worthy cause and I’m pleased that it is now First’s charity of choice.”

John regularly competes in marathons and he recently ran from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back.

Through the company’s Matched Funding Scheme John and Willie will be able to claim up £200 extra for the charity to help increase their fundraising total.

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■ Visit firstgroupplc.com/ community to find out more about the scheme.

Tam on tour to raise awareness PROSTATE Cancer UK (PCUK) volunteer Tam Hewitt is touring First Glasgow depots in a series of events to raise awareness about the charity with employees.

The visits have been arranged as part of a three year partnership between First and the charity during which the bus company will fund the production of one million ‘Know Your Prostate’ pocket leaflets and provide PCUK with valuable advertising space throughout its UK bus and rail networks.

Tam, who lives in Glasgow, said: “Our partnership with First gives us an excellent platform to raise awareness of a disease that affects one in eight men. There has been a great deal of interest at the employee events with many drivers keen to find out more about looking after their own health as well as family members.

“As it turns out, a couple of drivers have recently been treated for prostate cancer.

“Being aware of whether you’re at higher risk of prostate cancer, and the potential signs and symptoms can make a life-saving difference.”

‘Know Your Prostate’ pocket leaflets will be given to all event attendees.

Quiz night at Bannockburn

Willie Mitchell in training for the Glasgow Half Marathon.

A Quiz Night is being held to raise money for PCUK on July 8 at the King Robert Hotel in Bannockburn.

Anyone interested in joining the First Glasgow team should email michael.day @firstgroup.com. There are 10 places available.

Meanwhile employees are being encouraged to get involved in the PCUK charity campaign by sending fundraising ideas – or any questions – to community first@firstgroup.com.

For people wanting to organise events such as bake sales, sponsored evenings, quiz nights or sponsored walks, supporting material including posters and pull-up banners is available.

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6 REGIONAL REPAIR CENTRE

Coach Builders Paul Higgins, right, and Thomas Leckenby with the back panel of a double decker.

Coach Builder Gordon McGill, left, and Mechanic Robert Seeley discuss a repair.

Upholsterers James Connelley, front, and John Cowan carry out refurbishment work.

Hi-tech repair hub is a

booming business USINESS is booming at the state-of-the-art hub which provides FirstGroup’s operating companies in Scotland with vehicle repair expertise.

A jewel in the crown of the new Caledonia depot, the purpose-built Regional Repair Centre undertakes any large-scale accident repairs, vehicle modifications, refurbishments and vehicle repaints.

As well as serving First Glasgow itself and the other OpCos, the RRC is already spreading its wings as a commercial vehicle repair service to the wider retail market.

Situated across the M74 motorway from Caledonia depot, but with vehicle access via a tunnel, the RRC has a 10-bay workshop complete with fixed platform gantry.

The site features a dedicated machine shop area while painting activities take place in a building that houses a spray booth situated between a two-bay preparation area and a two-bay finishing area.

Industry-leading equipment includes a high specification, energy-efficient commercial spray booth together with a Josam hydraulic straightening and alignment system.

The 27-strong RRC staff form a close team of skilled tradespeople with a shared vision and objectives,

Coach Builder Gordon Kirkwood welds bus body panels.

B Coach Builder Gordon Kirkwood uses an angle grinder in the hi-tech workshop.

Spray Painter Scott Corral in the energy-efficient commercial spray booth.

Scott is also pictured on the magazine cover.

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SUMMER 2015

Coach Builder Gordon Richie makes ready a new bus door for fitting.

Major Repair Business Manager Martin Brand at the purpose-built Regional Repair Centre.

led by Supervisor Stuart Docherty who organises the day-to-day workload. A team of three night-shift glass fitters work off-site fitting windows at the Glasgow and Scotland East depots.

“Our core workload consists of vehicles from all the Glasgow depots and from our colleagues at Scotland East,” said Martin Brand, Major Repair Business Manager.

“We normally deal with vehicles that have suffered damage as a result of collision or vehicles that have been identified for repaint.

“Our facilities allow the operational depots to concentrate on their core activities without being bogged down with non-standard work. As well as the main accident repair, re-painting and refurbishment functions we

also provide ancillary services such as window fitting, seat trimming, air conditioning serving/repairs and welding.

“We also manufacture aluminium body panels for distribution across the Scottish region.”

Since the move from Larkfield depot and looking to the wider commercial market, the RRC has completed vehicle repaints for the

regional transport authority (SPT).

RRC has also carried out a number of insurance repairs which would have previously been outsourced to a contractor.

“We are currently in discussion with various companies with a view to seeking their approved repairer accreditation,” said Martin. “This process of endorsement will involve a formal audit of our activities

against best practice in the marketplace and will benchmark our services against our peers throughout the UK. “Initial feedback has been very favourable and it is anticipated that we will soon have the opportunity to bid for further external work-streams as part of a network of industry-recognised bus and coach repairers.”

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6 REGIONAL REPAIR CENTRE

Coach Builders Paul Higgins, right, and Thomas Leckenby with the back panel of a double decker.

Coach Builder Gordon McGill, left, and Mechanic Robert Seeley discuss a repair.

Upholsterers James Connelley, front, and John Cowan carry out refurbishment work.

Hi-tech repair hub is a

booming business USINESS is booming at the state-of-the-art hub which provides FirstGroup’s operating companies in Scotland with vehicle repair expertise.

A jewel in the crown of the new Caledonia depot, the purpose-built Regional Repair Centre undertakes any large-scale accident repairs, vehicle modifications, refurbishments and vehicle repaints.

As well as serving First Glasgow itself and the other OpCos, the RRC is already spreading its wings as a commercial vehicle repair service to the wider retail market.

Situated across the M74 motorway from Caledonia depot, but with vehicle access via a tunnel, the RRC has a 10-bay workshop complete with fixed platform gantry.

The site features a dedicated machine shop area while painting activities take place in a building that houses a spray booth situated between a two-bay preparation area and a two-bay finishing area.

Industry-leading equipment includes a high specification, energy-efficient commercial spray booth together with a Josam hydraulic straightening and alignment system.

The 27-strong RRC staff form a close team of skilled tradespeople with a shared vision and objectives,

Coach Builder Gordon Kirkwood welds bus body panels.

B Coach Builder Gordon Kirkwood uses an angle grinder in the hi-tech workshop.

Spray Painter Scott Corral in the energy-efficient commercial spray booth.

Scott is also pictured on the magazine cover.

YOUFIRST

I

SUMMER 2015

Coach Builder Gordon Richie makes ready a new bus door for fitting.

Major Repair Business Manager Martin Brand at the purpose-built Regional Repair Centre.

led by Supervisor Stuart Docherty who organises the day-to-day workload. A team of three night-shift glass fitters work off-site fitting windows at the Glasgow and Scotland East depots.

“Our core workload consists of vehicles from all the Glasgow depots and from our colleagues at Scotland East,” said Martin Brand, Major Repair Business Manager.

“We normally deal with vehicles that have suffered damage as a result of collision or vehicles that have been identified for repaint.

“Our facilities allow the operational depots to concentrate on their core activities without being bogged down with non-standard work. As well as the main accident repair, re-painting and refurbishment functions we

also provide ancillary services such as window fitting, seat trimming, air conditioning serving/repairs and welding.

“We also manufacture aluminium body panels for distribution across the Scottish region.”

Since the move from Larkfield depot and looking to the wider commercial market, the RRC has completed vehicle repaints for the

regional transport authority (SPT).

RRC has also carried out a number of insurance repairs which would have previously been outsourced to a contractor.

“We are currently in discussion with various companies with a view to seeking their approved repairer accreditation,” said Martin. “This process of endorsement will involve a formal audit of our activities

against best practice in the marketplace and will benchmark our services against our peers throughout the UK. “Initial feedback has been very favourable and it is anticipated that we will soon have the opportunity to bid for further external work-streams as part of a network of industry-recognised bus and coach repairers.”

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8 NEWS

Books show life of bus photography UBLISHED author David Devoy began his research for his pictorial books on bus history at the age of eight – without knowing it.

The Caledonia Driver draws on a vast collection of his own photographs when he compiles his expert volumes. He started snapping buses as a youngster when his grandparents, returned from holidays, handed him their camera to finish off the unused film.

Publishers Amberley Books have already launched three of David’s books telling the story of bus companies and entitled Clydeside Scottish, Ayrshire Independents and Strathclyde Buses.

His Buses of Western SMT is due out shortly, while Lanarkshire Independents and Renfrewshire Independents are on the horizon.

As well as writing the story of the local bus companies, David adds illustrations from his collection of a staggering

David Devoy with two of his pictorial bus history books which are born out of his amazing collection of bus photos he has taken over decades.

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250,000 photographic images which he has compiled over the years.

“The colour transparencies are all stored in my loft,” he said.

“I clean them

Question time SUZANNE ARMSTRONG, Scotstoun Driver, takes time out to answer our questions. Suzanne, who has been a driver for 14 years, is the youngest of six children, with three sisters and two brothers.

up in Photoshop before sending them to the publisher electronically.

“I suppose my interest in photographing buses as a youngster came out of a fascination with the different

What is the best thing about your job?

When an older person gives me a packet of biscuits or a bar of chocolate and says: “That’s for your tea, and for working so hard.”

What is the most unusual thing that has happened to you at work?

The most unusual experience was when I used to walk into the depot every morning and see a life-size cardboard cut-out of myself, being used as part of a promotional campaign.

Suzanne Armstrong at Scotstoun depot.

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How do you relax?

I relax by pottering around the garden, playing golf and spending time with my family.

What is your favourite film?

The Goonies, the 1985 American adventure comedy film directed by Richard

liveries. But now there’s a great satisfaction in sharing the pictures with other people.

“As well as showing the buses, the photos are a record of the West of Scotland’s changing social history.”

Donner. It’s funny, adventurous and finishes with the happy ending every childhood should have.

What is your favourite music?

I like a variety of music from past and present. The song that means something special to me is Bring Me Sunshine as it was the last song my late mum sang to me.

What is your most valuable possession?

My mum’s wedding ring.

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

Canadian singer Michael Buble, the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley and the Killers’ lead singer Brandon Flowers – what an entertaining night that would be. I love all these guys’

music – and I would have the chance to find out more about them.

What did you want to be when you were young?

I had ambitions to be a footballer. I’ve been told I would have been a good one by people who have seen me playing keepy-uppy. I never supported any particular team but I just loved playing when younger.

What is your favourite place in the world?

My favourite place of all is my own house in Glasgow.

Nothing can beat that.

To what period of time would you go back if you had a time machine?

I would zoom back a few years and bring both my parents back. Then I would freeze the time machine so that time stood still.

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NEWS 9

Culinary skills boost £? charities

Scott Dunn outside Parkhead Salvation Army Church with a photo of his zip-wire ride at Celtic Park and a certificate to mark the event.

Scott is a high flyer

at Celtic Park COTT Dunn has a high-flying relationship with Celtic Football Club – all thanks to his fundraising work for the Salvation Army.

The Blantyre Auto-Electrician secured £2,500 funding from Celtic last year to help the community clubs which his church supports.

Now he has repaid the favour by taking part in a zip wire event at Celtic Park to raise money for

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the Celtic charity fund. “I did it to pay something back to the club, to thank them for their generous donation,” said Scott, who is a member of the Parkhead branch of the Salvation Army.

“I’m scared of heights but it was definitely worth it – I got a rare view of the ground which I visit for every home game.”

It is not the first time Scott has been high-profile at Celtic Park – he recently appeared on the online

channel Celtic TV to talk about his work as a Salvationist.

The interview took place after he had secured tickets for 16 homeless people at a special meal arranged by Celtic’s charity arm.

“I have been in the Salvation Army since I was a youngster, following in the footsteps of my family,” said Scott.

“It’s a big part of my life and I’m a regular member of the church band, playing the euphonium.”

Dress down day raises cash for Nepal appeal HEAD office staff together with colleagues at Caledonia depot gave a generous response to fundraising appeals in the wake of the Nepal earthquake disaster.

A dress down day was held with people donating to the cause in return for the chance to wear casual clothing.

The total cash sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee was £305, consisting of £183 from head office and £122 from the depot. The fundraising drive was organised by First Glasgow’s charity committee following reports of the quake which killed more than 8,800 people and injured more than 23,000.

ALLY Smith used her culinary skills to raise more than £1,000 for charity. The Directors’ Personal Assistant hosted a “Ladies’ Night In” at her home.

She asked her 41 guests to donate money to a jar according to how much they judged her food to be worth.

On the menu were chicken curry, sweet and sour chicken, a vegetarian pasta dish, spiced onions and popadoms.

In total Ally raised £855 on the night, of which £455 went to Macmillan and £400 to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, along with a further £200 from First Glasgow’s match funding scheme which is also going to the hospice.

It is the second time Ally has hosted a meal for charity – last year she raised £830.

Campaign tackles vandalism A poster competition for eight to 10-year-olds in the Castlemilk area was the latest initiative as part of First Glasgow’s campaign to tackle bus vandalism.

Security Investigator John O’Hara handed out entry forms during his visits to local schools during which he educated pupils about the implications of antisocial behaviour.

Around 300 youngsters sent in poster designs to illustrate the theme of “Don’t Vandalise the Buses”.

First prize in the competition was a day out at M&D’s theme park in Strathclyde Park. Since the anti-vandalism initiative was introduced the number of windows being smashed by vandals has dropped dramatically.

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10 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 £77.7 million 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 £385 million 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.

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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.

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NEWS 11

Charlie bids a fond farewell after 49 years

OOKING back on his 49 years’ service in the bus industry, Charlie Kinloch says the time went by “in the blink of an eye.”

Glasgow born and bred, he began work as an apprentice mechanic straight from school, at the age of 16. He has retired as an Engineer at Parkhead depot just short of his 50-year milestone. “When I first started we were working with hammers and chisels,” he said.

“The biggest change I have seen during my time as a mechanic has been the advent of

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electronics and computer-aided working.”

Shortly after completing his apprenticeship Charlie moved to the former Knightswood depot as a member of a “flying squad” to trouble-shoot problems at other locations.

“We would take our toolbox with us and stay at other depots to help them when they were snowed under with heavy work,” he recalled.

He moved to Parkhead in the mid-1990s and remembers one amusing incident from the time when he was on emergency road

Stalwart Charlie Kinloch is carried by his colleagues on his last working day at Parkhead.

resourcing work. “I got a call-out to a bus which had been reported as broken down,” he said.

“When I arrived on the scene I came up behind the vehicle and found the driver sitting in his cab saying he had got a lack of power.

“I told him – there’s no wonder you have lost power. I’ve just passed your engine lying on the road 100 yards back.”

Charlie plans to play golf in his retirement and visit his daughter who lives in Western Australia.

Cash bonus for apprentices after completing qualifications FOUR Modern Apprentices at Caledonia depot have each received £400 for successfully completing their Scottish Vocational Qualifications. They all gained their certificates well before the official end of their two-year courses.

Kirsty Ballantyne, aged 18, began her apprenticeship while she was in Lost Property and has also spent time working in Customer Modern Apprentices who have Services.

“My SVQ 3 Business gained vocational qualification and Administration SCQF are, left to right, Kirsty Morgan, Level 6 has given me Emma Barclay, Josh Tummon confidence in dealing with and Kirsty Ballantyne. customer complaints and queries as well as improving my knowledge of the bus industry,” said Kirsty

who continues to work in both roles.

Emma Barclay, aged 17, on completion of her Business and Administration qualification, says she has learned “new skills to go forward.”

Josh Tummon, aged 17, joined the Insurance Department as a modern apprentice and says he has a real “sense of achievement” in attaining his Business and Administration SVQ. Kirsty Morgan, aged 18, a Purchasing Assistant, completed her two-year course in Supply Chain Management in eight months.

“The knowledge I have gained about managing suppliers will be really useful in my work,” she said.

SUMMER 2015 I YOUFIRST

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Magnificent seven goal scoreline

Terry’s banjo style is HEN Tony McDermott strums on his five-string banjo he is transported back through the years to the Appalachian mountain region of the southern United States.

He is learning how to play bluegrass music, a genre developed by settlers from Scotland and other parts of the British Isles and later influenced by African-American styles.

The Dumbarton Driver started taking lessons on the notoriously difficult instrument two years ago.

He is being taught by an expert who plays in The Moonshiners and The Flat River Band, both groups that include bluegrass music in their repertoires.

“I like the sound of the banjo and the earthiness of the country music played in Appalachia,” said Tony.

“A lot of it traces way back to Africa where it was played on a gourd-shaped instrument. I use the three-finger Earl Scruggs style and I am finding the hardest thing to be the rolls, right-hand fingering patterns consisting of eight notes.”

Already the musical busman has made a mark with his hobby – he was featured with his banjo on the back of a

W

bus to celebrate the first anniversary of the No.1 Dumbarton to Glasgow service.

“It was my Andy Warhol moment,” said Tony, who plays famous tunes such as Old Joe Clark, Wabash Cannonball and Wildwood Flower, the song that Johnny Cash’s motherin-law made famous.

A team of footballers from Scotstoun and Caledonia depots trounced players from a local social club in an over-35s match for charity.

The match at Halgreen Football Pitch, Drumchapel, was organised by Scotstoun Driver Tam Clark to raise money for a Motor Neurone Disease charity.

He was inspired to do so because one of the female members of Goodyear Social Club, where he is a member, has the disease.

The First Glasgow team won the match 7-2, with the help of a hat trick by Scotstoun Leading Driver Brian McBeth. Other scorers were Scotstoun Drivers Mark McMillan, Brian Menzies, Ryan McNally and Graham Toop.

“Everybody enjoyed the game which raised £1,400 for the charity,” said Tam, who captained the busmen’s side.

“There was a high standard of football and the scoreline flattered us.”

Duo tackle the Mudder

“”

I like the sound of the banjo and the earthiness of the country music played in Appalachia.

MARK Robertson and John Calderwood are preparing for their toughest challenge yet on their “Charity Adventure”.

The Caledonia Drivers are accepting a series of extreme challenges to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Their latest effort is the Tough Mudder at Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian – a 12-mile obstacle course testing participants’ physical strength and mental grit.

To ready themselves for the struggle through forest, river, rolling hills and farmland they are doing a variety of training exercises.

“We are running, lifting weights, cycling and swimming to be ready for the course,” said John.

Challenge Terry McDermott with his fivestring banjo.

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

A football challenge match is being planned for this summer between the drivers and engineers at Blantyre depot, with proceeds going to charity.