You First Scotland East – Autumn 2015

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Autumn 2015

The magazine for First people in Scotland East

Employees views are crucial

PAGE TEN

A hat-trick of excellence S CENTRE PAGE

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Plenty to be proud of as staff efforts get their just recognition

By Scotland East Managing Director

Paul McGowan IT’S been a real summer of success for our OpCo as we have celebrated scooping three top accolades at the First Scotland Excellence Awards (see centre pages).

I’m incredibly proud of the team at Balfron and am delighted to see their efforts recognised by being chosen as First’s best depot in Scotland.

The Balfron team has a strong, positive relationship with residents and customers and that is down to an incredible amount of hard work they do to put their needs at the heart of everything they do.

The personal development of Balfron Driver Chris Black – who picked up the Quantum Leap award – is just one example of their excellence and I’m delighted to see him recognised for the great strides he has taken.

I’d also like to congratulate Larbert’s Ralph Wardrope, who was named Engineer of the Year, after being recognised for delivering safety with professionalism and enthusiasm.

I’m also delighted to report that a multi-million pound investment in new buses on two services has been launched. The state-of-the-art vehicles, which use hybrid technology, will operate the new UniLink and The Royal Route services – there is more on this on page nine.

This magazine also reflects on the new Transport Interchange that colleagues in Galashiels have moved into.

This multi-million pound building is not only better for customers but also a great place for employees to work.

There are plenty of other successes to be proud of, and in this issue you can read about our Superstars who go the extra mile, our shortlisting for a National Transport Award and a host of charity work carried out in the communities we serve.

YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015

Manager Paul Branigan who is responsible for engineering at Livingston and Musselburgh depots.

Larbert Engineering Manager Scott Millar.

New managers have

strong experience WO new Engineering Managers are now in post – with one returning to First after a 12-year spell in the Army.

Paul Branigan, aged 32, originally served a four-year apprenticeship with First in England before joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a military vehicle technician.

He served in Iraq during the second Gulf War and completed four tours of Afghanistan.

Now responsible for engineering at Livingston and

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Musselburgh depots, he said: “I loved my apprenticeship at First, that’s why I was keen to come back. A bus workshop is an ever changing, dynamic environment and I enjoy a challenge.”

Also with a strong grounding in the bus industry, 27-year-old Scott Millar has taken over the engineering reigns at Larbert after completing a graduate training programme with the Go Ahead Group before making the switch to First.

Scott said: “I’ve joined a forward thinking company with

great vision and I’m at a depot that’s on the up. We’ve got plenty of new vehicles arriving and it’s an exciting time.”

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “Both have strong experience in the bus sector and are leaders with drive and ambition.

“They’ve already demonstrated they understand First’s commitment to put the customer at the heart of everything we do and will offer solutions to ensure we continue striving to achieve the highest standards in all areas – from safety to service delivery.”

Driver leads safety day at nursery school A bus safety day was arranged at a nursery to help children learn more about public transport. First Galashiels Driver Darren Wilson took a double decker to Knowepark Nursery in Selkirk so that youngsters could hop on board, learn about the vehicles and even have a turn sitting in the drivers’ seat.

Darren, whose son Lewis attends the nursery, said: “It was a very successful visit and the nursery told us it was useful as it was the first time many of the children had been on board a bus.”

First Galashiels is now planning more nursery and school visits.

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Dave makes a

DRAMATIC ROADRESCUE

RIVER Dave Stevens carried out a dramatic roadside rescue of a mother and her young son after spotting an upturned car.

Dave, who joined First this summer, was returning to the North Berwick depot at the end of his shift when he noticed the vehicle and a distressed woman frantically trying to free her child.

He immediately stopped his vehicle and stepped in, pulling the child to safety while ensuring the shaken mother was also uninjured and escorted away from the wreckage. He then called 999 and waited with the badly shaken pair until an ambulance arrived.

Fortunately his quick thinking and level-headed approach helped to ensure neither suffered any injuries.

Dave, who previously worked as a

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Dave Stevens at the scene of the road accident where he rescued a mother and her young son.

communication specialist in the Royal Corps of Signals, has now been nominated for a Superstar award because of his actions.

Musselburgh and North Berwick Staff Manager Murdo McKinnon said: “He really deserves the nomination. Dave’s quick thinking led to him rescuing the child and ensuring the family escaped unharmed from what could have been a very nasty accident.”

Dave said: “The child was around two-years-old and he was fine, but the mother was quite shaken.

“It was just an instinct, anyone would do the same – I was the first to pull over and knew that the child had to get out of that car as soon as possible.

I’m just glad that both of them were safe and well.”

BUS TRACKER SYSTEM boosts communications Driver David Guthrie checks the RTPI onboard monitor. Inset, Controller Steve Forrest with the real-time tracker map display.

A Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system has been rolled out at Livingston, making it one of the company’s first UK depots to use the pioneering computer technology.

The state-of-the-art bus tracker system provides instantaneous vehicle monitoring, allowing the control team to react to developing incidents on the road.

Up-to-the-minute information is then made available to passengers via and can be accessed by downloading the SEStran or FirstBus App. This allows them to plan journeys safe in the knowledge that their service is running and keeps them informed in real time about bus times and locations.

The system has now been installed on more than 260 vehicles operating on selected First Scotland East services throughout East Lothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian.

Livingston Operations Manager Scott Ferguson said: “Being one of the first depots throughout First UK Bus to adopt this technology is really exciting for us.

“The bus tracker allows for better communication between drivers and customers, giving us instant updates if problems are experienced and making journeys more efficient and enjoyable for everyone.”

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The new Transport Interchange at Galashiels.

The cover photo show Operations Manager Lee Young in front of the building.

Driver Alex Peter checks out the notice board in the new drivers’ information area.

Thumbs up for new £5.2m hub IRST Galashiels employees have moved into brand new multi-million pound premises – enhancing facilities for staff and customers.

They have said goodbye to the town’s old bus station – home to employees since the late 1950s – and hello to the ultra-modern, £5.2 million Transport Interchange.

The three-storey interchange is an all-in-one public transport hub, linking the new Borders Railway and existing bus services.

From an employee point of view it features impressive

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facilities, which include showers, restrooms, a communal room, a new traffic control centre and offices.

The Transport Interchange has been built by the Scottish Borders Council and First were involved in the consultation process throughout the project.

Galashiels Operations Manager Lee Young said: “It is a very good new facility and has gone down well with employees and customers alike. It really does reflect our modern approach to public transport and enhances the customer experience too.”

Driver Terri Mitchell in the locker room.

Controller Paul Borthwick at the front desk.

The spacious indoor waiting area for the new bus station.

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g n i r u t p a C s e g a m i race e s o l c up MATEUR photographer Derek Stein likes nothing more than capturing the high-octane thrills and spills of motorcycle racing on his camera.

After a friend persuaded him to go along to a Musselburgh Camera Club meeting eight years ago, DriveGreen Co-ordinator Derek discovered his love of photography and has not looked back.

He now owns an impressive collection of equipment, including a Nikon D3 and D200 with a variety of lenses, and spends his weekends photographing as many motorcycling events as he can.

A particular highlight for Derek is the Scottish Motorcycling Championships, which takes place six times a year and sees dozens of teams and individuals compete.

He often gets “signed on” at such events, which means he has an access-all-areas pass to the course and shoots angles that no one else can.

Derek, who is based at

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Derek Stein with his Nikon D200. Below, one of his action photos taken from the track side at East Fortune Race Track near Edinburgh.

Musselburgh and Lvingston depots, has an interest in wildlife photography too and pops down to Edinburgh Zoo whenever he can.

The self-taught snapper attended weekly meetings at the camera club for years to help perfect his skills behind the lens.

Derek said: “My first camera was a Fuji 601 and since then I’ve had too many to count. It’s an expensive hobby but something that I absolutely love doing.

If there’s a motorcycling event on in the area, I’ll try my best to be there to cover it.

“You just never know what’s going to happen with motorcycling – trying to get that one shot that perfectly captures the sport, with all the colours and sense of speed is amazing.”

Training programme is UK bus industry first

Driver Trainer Neil Jeffery delivering part of the bespoke training programme to new recruits.

NEW and existing drivers are getting bespoke training now a new programme has been rolled out placing greater emphasis on safety and customer service.

The Better for Life Driver Training Programme has prestigious City and Guilds accreditation – a first for the bus industry in the UK – and is endorsed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

The 20-day course now includes three days of intensive customer service training and an extra 30 per cent in time spent behind the wheel.

With drivers undergoing the Smith System Advanced Driving course, they will also get specific

training on supporting customers with disability as well as advice on managing security and conflict issues.

First invested in its training rooms ahead of the launch and provided extra support and coaching for its trainers.

Recruitment and Training Manager Mike Wilson said: “We’re delighted we’ve launched this training programme, especially as it comes with the much sought after City and Guilds accreditation.

“Our programme, which is designed to meet the specific needs of the business, places our drivers at the forefront of the bus industry. They play a vital role in attracting and retaining customers and, as our ambassadors, must have the right and best training.”

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minutes with

Galashiels Relief Depot Traffic Assistant and Relief Forward Allocator MARCIN PASZKIEWICZ explains how dinner with an inspirational Polish political figure would make for the perfect evening and why taking the “high road” helps him to forget everything.

Marcin Paszkiewicz in the control room at Galashiels.

Controller David Jamieson, right, and Engineer James Meighan with the Depot of the Year trophy which was awarded to Balfron at the Excellence Awards.

Three of the charity fundraisers, left to right, Drivers James Gallacher, Amanda Roderickson and Barry Patterson.

Three top accolades for staff

Team get on their exercise bikes to boost fundraising BRAINS and brawn helped charity fundraisers from three depots raised £1,190 for Prostate Cancer UK as they took on a 200 kilometre static cycle ride and staged a quiz night.

A team of 15 from Bannockburn, Balfron and Livingston – among them drivers, managers and Employee Director John Lyall – climbed aboard exercise bikes at Stirling Bus Station to cover the equivalent distance of cycling to Dundee and back.

They doubled their original 100 kilometre target once they had started and completed the challenge in around four hours with each team member taking turns to do at least 10 kilometres at a time.

The fundraising continued in the evening with a quiz night staged at the King

Robert Hotel in Bannockburn. They plan to increase the total raised with FirstGroup matched funding.

Bannockburn Driver and Union Rep Amanda Roderickson, who organised the events, said: “It was a fantastic day. I’d like to thank everyone who took part including colleagues at Larbert who bought raffle tickets and the union at Livingston for their contribution.

“Our Charity of Choice is phenomenal. Everyone is affected by cancer and being in a mostly male industry, prostate cancer affects us all more than most. We really can relate to it so it’s a great cause.

“We’ve got more fundraising events planned such as a bring and buy cake day and a darts tournament.”

Matched funding is a bonus EMPLOYEES are being reminded about First’s matched funding scheme which can secure an extra £200 for people’s favourite charities. Under the scheme the company lends a hand to charity fund raising initiatives.

For an application form and more details visit firstgroupplc.com/community.

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AUTUMN 2015

Driver and Relief Controller Chris Black with his Quantum Leap Excellence Award certificate.

who go the extra mile MALL-but-perfectly-formed Balfron scooped two top accolades at the inaugural First Scotland Excellence Awards.

With a team of just 40, it was named Depot of the Year while Chris Black picked up the Quantum Leap Award in recognition of his own personal development.

Balfron’s winning citation read: “This depot has a team which achieve extraordinary results, has a high level of commitment, are safety focused, extremely innovative and always give their very best.”

Staff Manager Jim Burns said: “I’m really proud of the guys. I’d like to think we really punch above our weight.

“It’s all down to our staff as well as the support of our local communities. You harvest what you sow and our team here really are flexible.

“As far as the awards themselves go, I also think it’s tremendous that our suppliers have worked with us to sponsor them. Working in partnership really is the way forward.”

Driver Chris, who sat courses independently after moving into a supervisory role as a Relief Controller, was praised in his citation as “hard working, willing to go the extra mile and always contributing to the greater good of the depot.”

The third First Midland Bluebird winner at the awards ceremony was Workshop Planner Ralph Wardrope from Larbert who was named Engineer of the Year.

His citation reads: “He delivers safety with professionalism and enthusiasm. His openness and kindness set him apart from others.”

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Tell us about your previous jobs with First and elsewhere?

Originally I trained and worked in Poland in a small family bus company. Then in January 2006, after moving to the UK, I joined First Borders as a driver. Four years later I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to become a Relief DTA and more recently took on the role of Relief Forward Allocator.

What is the main challenge of your job?

It has to be major road closures. Sometimes it's very difficult to keep services running when these occur but, as a company, we do our best to maintain reliability.

Scotland Engineer of the Year Ralph Wardrope holds his trophy in the workshop at Larbert.

The 50-year-old with 34 years’ service in the bus industry under his belt said: “I was very surprised. I didn’t know I’d been nominated until I got the letter so on the day I was shocked. It’s good that the company are recognising the work people do.”

First Scotland East employees and depots were highly commended in six other award categories –

Balfron’s Mark Smith for Safety First, Gareth Kelly from Larbert in Apprentice of the Year and Alison Hall at headquarters for Leader of the Year.

Other runners up were Lorna Horsburgh, also from headquarters, in the Support Colleague of the Year category, Musselburgh depot's John Lyall for Driver of the Year and Larbert depot in the Quantum Leap category.

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

The late 90s because I was quite young and always seemed to have more time to do a lot of stuff back then.

What has been your proudest achievement?

It was a parachute jump – looking out of a plane at 3,000 feet and deciding to throw yourself out really goes against your survival instinct, so to do

it was a really memorable moment in my life.

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

Lech Walesa, Leader of the Solidarity trade union movement in the 1980s and President of Poland in the 90s.

He did so much to help free Europe from communism and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his actions. He is an inspirational figure.

How do you relax?

I like hill walking and often join colleagues from the depot on treks in the countryside. I also like cycling, again with the others at the depot and we try to have a go at some long-distance routes.

Where do you like to go on holiday?

I love to visit the Scottish Highlands – walking and sightseeing there, it’s just picture perfect. When I am up there I feel close to nature and can just leave everything behind for a while.

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

Treat others like you want to be treated.

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minutes with

Galashiels Relief Depot Traffic Assistant and Relief Forward Allocator MARCIN PASZKIEWICZ explains how dinner with an inspirational Polish political figure would make for the perfect evening and why taking the “high road” helps him to forget everything.

Marcin Paszkiewicz in the control room at Galashiels.

Controller David Jamieson, right, and Engineer James Meighan with the Depot of the Year trophy which was awarded to Balfron at the Excellence Awards.

Three of the charity fundraisers, left to right, Drivers James Gallacher, Amanda Roderickson and Barry Patterson.

Three top accolades for staff

Team get on their exercise bikes to boost fundraising BRAINS and brawn helped charity fundraisers from three depots raised £1,190 for Prostate Cancer UK as they took on a 200 kilometre static cycle ride and staged a quiz night.

A team of 15 from Bannockburn, Balfron and Livingston – among them drivers, managers and Employee Director John Lyall – climbed aboard exercise bikes at Stirling Bus Station to cover the equivalent distance of cycling to Dundee and back.

They doubled their original 100 kilometre target once they had started and completed the challenge in around four hours with each team member taking turns to do at least 10 kilometres at a time.

The fundraising continued in the evening with a quiz night staged at the King

Robert Hotel in Bannockburn. They plan to increase the total raised with FirstGroup matched funding.

Bannockburn Driver and Union Rep Amanda Roderickson, who organised the events, said: “It was a fantastic day. I’d like to thank everyone who took part including colleagues at Larbert who bought raffle tickets and the union at Livingston for their contribution.

“Our Charity of Choice is phenomenal. Everyone is affected by cancer and being in a mostly male industry, prostate cancer affects us all more than most. We really can relate to it so it’s a great cause.

“We’ve got more fundraising events planned such as a bring and buy cake day and a darts tournament.”

Matched funding is a bonus EMPLOYEES are being reminded about First’s matched funding scheme which can secure an extra £200 for people’s favourite charities. Under the scheme the company lends a hand to charity fund raising initiatives.

For an application form and more details visit firstgroupplc.com/community.

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Driver and Relief Controller Chris Black with his Quantum Leap Excellence Award certificate.

who go the extra mile MALL-but-perfectly-formed Balfron scooped two top accolades at the inaugural First Scotland Excellence Awards.

With a team of just 40, it was named Depot of the Year while Chris Black picked up the Quantum Leap Award in recognition of his own personal development.

Balfron’s winning citation read: “This depot has a team which achieve extraordinary results, has a high level of commitment, are safety focused, extremely innovative and always give their very best.”

Staff Manager Jim Burns said: “I’m really proud of the guys. I’d like to think we really punch above our weight.

“It’s all down to our staff as well as the support of our local communities. You harvest what you sow and our team here really are flexible.

“As far as the awards themselves go, I also think it’s tremendous that our suppliers have worked with us to sponsor them. Working in partnership really is the way forward.”

Driver Chris, who sat courses independently after moving into a supervisory role as a Relief Controller, was praised in his citation as “hard working, willing to go the extra mile and always contributing to the greater good of the depot.”

The third First Midland Bluebird winner at the awards ceremony was Workshop Planner Ralph Wardrope from Larbert who was named Engineer of the Year.

His citation reads: “He delivers safety with professionalism and enthusiasm. His openness and kindness set him apart from others.”

S

Tell us about your previous jobs with First and elsewhere?

Originally I trained and worked in Poland in a small family bus company. Then in January 2006, after moving to the UK, I joined First Borders as a driver. Four years later I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to become a Relief DTA and more recently took on the role of Relief Forward Allocator.

What is the main challenge of your job?

It has to be major road closures. Sometimes it's very difficult to keep services running when these occur but, as a company, we do our best to maintain reliability.

Scotland Engineer of the Year Ralph Wardrope holds his trophy in the workshop at Larbert.

The 50-year-old with 34 years’ service in the bus industry under his belt said: “I was very surprised. I didn’t know I’d been nominated until I got the letter so on the day I was shocked. It’s good that the company are recognising the work people do.”

First Scotland East employees and depots were highly commended in six other award categories –

Balfron’s Mark Smith for Safety First, Gareth Kelly from Larbert in Apprentice of the Year and Alison Hall at headquarters for Leader of the Year.

Other runners up were Lorna Horsburgh, also from headquarters, in the Support Colleague of the Year category, Musselburgh depot's John Lyall for Driver of the Year and Larbert depot in the Quantum Leap category.

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

The late 90s because I was quite young and always seemed to have more time to do a lot of stuff back then.

What has been your proudest achievement?

It was a parachute jump – looking out of a plane at 3,000 feet and deciding to throw yourself out really goes against your survival instinct, so to do

it was a really memorable moment in my life.

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

Lech Walesa, Leader of the Solidarity trade union movement in the 1980s and President of Poland in the 90s.

He did so much to help free Europe from communism and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his actions. He is an inspirational figure.

How do you relax?

I like hill walking and often join colleagues from the depot on treks in the countryside. I also like cycling, again with the others at the depot and we try to have a go at some long-distance routes.

Where do you like to go on holiday?

I love to visit the Scottish Highlands – walking and sightseeing there, it’s just picture perfect. When I am up there I feel close to nature and can just leave everything behind for a while.

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

Treat others like you want to be treated.

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26 new buses on two services WENTY SIX brand new buses are taking to the road as part of a multi-million pound investment in two services.

Five double deckers will operate the new UniLink service to and from Stirling University – a short route, high frequency service with buses running up to every seven to eight minutes.

One of the buses already uses hybrid technology while the other four will also run the same system by next April.

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One the new environmentally-friendly StreetLites in the distinctive Royal Route livery.

The Royal Route being launched in October features 21 brand new StreetLites.

The service from Stirling to Edinburgh has been tweaked to incorporate higher frequency buses every 15 minutes. The route also now services Edinburgh’s Gyle Shopping Centre.

Managing Director Paul McGowan said:

Employee Director pledges his commitment EMPLOYEE Director John Lyall is pledging to maintain his usual hard working approach to representing the views of colleagues at senior management level as he ends the first year of his second stint in the job.

Set to turn 60 this year, the Musselburgh Driver with 28 years’ service under his belt, devotes a full day a week to his elected role – combining his work duties with visiting depots to listen to the shopfloor viewpoint.

He still finds time in his busy schedule to attend twice yearly meetings of First Bus Employee Directors while also working on the FirstGroup Charity and Sponsorship Committee and fundraising himself.

John said: “I never thought I’d get the opportunity but I was first elected as an Employee Director five years ago.

“We have special training now which has made a

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“These two services will feature distinctive and environmentally-friendly buses and cater for a significant proportion of our customer base. These include students who are travelling to and from university.”

A more detailed feature on the two launches will be carried in the next issue of Scotland East You First.

Employee Director and Driver John Lyall at his desk at Musselburgh depot.

difference and it’s always good meeting the other 12 Employee Directors from around the country.

“We meet every six months and have a great camaraderie.

It's good to share best practice.

For me it’s about finding common ground and it can be tough representing employees because we’ve all got different views on how the company should be run but I still enjoy it.”

Support for prestigious golf event FIRST Scotland East supported one of the most prestigious events in European golf by laying on extra buses for spectators.

More than 50,000 people flocked to the area for the Scottish Open, which took place at the Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian. To supplement the regular X24/124 service, which runs between Edinburgh and East Lothian and Musselburgh and North Berwick, duplicate journeys were also operated at key times.

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “The Scottish Open was a fantastic event in our area and because there was no parking at the golf club it was ideal for people to catch the bus to the venue. I’d also like to thank our team who put in a great deal of effort to make sure everything went smoothly.”

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In tune with the festival

Supervisor George Bryson, fourth from the left, with members of the Livingston presentation team in their new hi-vis uniforms, left to right, Shunters Paul Graham and Stevie Nelson, Cleaners Mary Patterson and Iza Kaminska and Shunter Scott Hamilton.

New hi-vis uniforms boost depot safety RIGHTER and even safer high-visibility uniforms for presentation staff have been rolled out across Scotland East depots.

Larbert was the first to adopt the uniform, which consists of lighter, ventilated t-shirts to help staff stay cool in the summer

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heat, as well as a new luminous coverall. Subsequently, Livingston, North Berwick and Musselburgh have introduced the brightly coloured kit to help keep employees safe and seen while they work.

Presentation Team Supervisor George Bryson said: “Safety was

the main reason for the new uniforms – the bright fluorescent colour and hi-vis strips will make our presentation staff really hard to miss.

“We are also hoping that it will help make employees from all depots feel like they are part of one big team.”

FIRST has thrown its support behind a new music festival which brought dozens of artists to Galashiels and the surrounding area.

The inaugural 100 Bands on the Border event saw the company provide a decorated double decker educational bus for a carnival at Langlee, which was a big hit with children who attended.

First services regularly ferried visitors to and from music gigs and also worked closely with organisers and the Scottish Borders Council to boost community engagement and lay on additional vehicles.

It is hoped the festival will return to the town next summer.

Backing for campaign MIDLAND Bluebird has backed a police anti-theft campaign by donating advertising space on 80 of its buses.

Half of the fleet on routes in and out of Falkirk and Stirling now carry Watch Your Purse posters produced in partnership with the Falkirk and District Community Safety Panel.

The high impact posters give advice on how to keep bags secure and zipped at all times and advise customers to use purse bells.

More power in the shower

Vintage bus at the Bash

A newly fitted power shower means engineering staff at Livingston can now scrub up better than ever.

The shower is much bigger and roomier – something staff noted as a particularly important feature.

Engineering Manager Paul Branigan said: “All of the engineering team are really pleased with the upgrade.

“It’s important to get cleaned up at the end of a shift and now we can do so with greater ease and comfort.”

FIRST Midland Bluebird’s vintage Leyland Tiger Cub put in an appearance at the Balfron Bash community gala – giving people the chance to ride aboard a 1950s bus.

Organised by the Balfron Community Council, entry to the family fun event was by packet and tin with all donations going to the Start-Up Stirling foodbank.

The First team also raised £105 for Prostate Cancer UK while at the event.

Where did you get that hat? Engineer Kyle Mcdonald, left, and Shunter Paul Graham are suitably impressed by the new shower.

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Union backs Your Voice survey TRADE Union representative Mick Dowds, who is UNITE Convenor and Chair of the National Joint Consultative Forum, underlined the importance of taking part in the survey.

He said: “The employee survey is very important to us as a union because it helps communication and engagement between the employee and the employer.

“It’s important every employee has their say whether positive or negative. It will help ensure the business continues in the right direction.

“One of the biggest changes for us was communication.

“I can say after a few years of working on Better Journeys for Life that communications has moved on.”

Employee views will shape all our

futures E’RE urging every one of First Bus’s 17,000 employees to help the company improve by taking part in the 2015 Your Voice survey.

Employees can have their say – in total confidence – on what is good about working for First Bus and what can be improved.

It will give an invaluable picture of opinion and an opportunity to address issues identified.

We’d like employees to complete the survey online where possible, but printed copies are available.

So we’ve pledged to donate £1 for every paper copy sent in, and £2 for every completed online survey, to our national charity partner Prostate Cancer UK. The survey starts on October 5. Go to www.yourvoicesurvey.com – the password is VOICE2015.

It’s important that as many people as possible take part so we can understand the depth of what’s going on in the business.

The survey is confidential and while we need to know job titles and depots there is no way you can be identified from the results.

An independent firm will compile results and we will share them with you. You will see what’s All been said winners from and what s the First UK Bu we will be Excellence Awards doing in d ere ent n bee have response p’s rou into FirstG to make international the business Be First an even Awards. better place to

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You can watch the latest Channel First episode and videos from our excellence awards ceremonies by following the AR instructions below and scanning the Channel First logo above.

By First UK Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley work. Last year’s survey told us people were more confident in where we’re heading as a business and felt we were looking after customers better.

Issues of how we work together as teams were highlighted in some cases.

Again, we have been working hard to support each other better.

Anyone who needs help completing the survey can speak to their manager, supervisor, trade union rep or employee director.

So please help us to continue improving First Bus for everyone’s benefit.

Please make a difference by spending some time completing the Your Voice survey.

Package rewards all staff FIRST Bus employees are being urged to sign up to the company’s rewards scheme at www.firstmyrewards.com The site contains a huge number of exclusive offers and useful information on pay and pensions.

Employees can take advantage of First Exclusives for great savings with popular brands including ASDA, Thomas Cook and B&Q. They can buy shares in First while paying less tax and the company even throws in some shares for free!

There’s free bus travel in the UK and discounted rail fares like a FirstRail Day Rover ticket for just £6! ● All you need to log on is your National Insurance Number. To find out more visit firstmyrewards.com

Bring the page to life with our exciting mobile app

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You First SE p11

15/9/15

14:33

Page 1

NEWS 11

QUICK THINKING averted accident HE quick-thinking actions of Driver Andrew Smith averted a serious accident – and led to him winning a Superstar award.

The Galashiels busman was driving a vehicle on Service X62 on a winding stretch of road at Clovenfords when a lorry suddenly appeared, coming towards him on the wrong side of the road.

Using all his driving skills he avoided the oncoming HGV and brought his bus – which was packed with passengers – to a gentle halt avoiding any injuries.

Andrew then checked with all his customers to make sure they were OK before continuing with the journey.

Galashiels Staff Manager Gordon Grant said: “Andrew’s actions certainly avoided a major incident and the possibility of a number of serious injuries.

“He is a worthy winner of the Superstar award and it is great that his superb driving skills have been recognised in this way. The main priority for him was the safety of our customers. I know many of them thanked him personally and that was a reward in itself.”

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Andrew Smith with his Superstar certificate.

Veterans on parade in Edinburgh PROUD to parade on Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh – Bannockburn Driver Charlie MacVicar, left, and North Berwick Controller Stephen Higgins.

Both served with 1st Battalion The Royal Scots, Charlie for nearly 24 years and Stephen for five years. He transferred to the regiment after serving his first 12 months in the Army with the Royal Pioneer Corps.

They joined thousands of veterans on parade through the city centre.

Tickets put a smile on staff faces RECOGNISING hard work is no joking matter for the team at Larbert where the social club, union and depot management clubbed together to treat 10 members of staff with tickets to see top comedian Kevin Bridges.

Costing a cool £600 for Kevin’s upcoming gig in Edinburgh, the tickets were handed out to staff who have gone the extra mile in their own jobs as well as for their support of colleagues.

Operations Manager Jim Brennan said: “We have so many depot staff who quietly get on with making a real difference that we decided it was only right that we reward them for their selfless dedication and commitment.

We had plenty of nominations and are only sorry that not everyone could win.”

The ten who were rewarded are Drivers Gerry Hamill, Paul Standish, John Weaver, George Smith, Stuart Robertson, Eddie Skedzeilweski and John Wain. Also recognised were Robin Hamilton, Engineering Support Staff, as well as Engineering Administrator Ruth Forrest and Workshop Planner Ralph Wardrope.

Shortlisted for award ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly First Scotland East is in line for a bus industry Oscar for the first time this year.

The company has been shortlisted in the Contribution to Sustainable Transport category at the National Transport Awards taking place in London in October.

It comes after the business invested £4 million in 27 new micro-hybrid buses last year with a further £1.1 million earmarked for another five state-of-the-art green vehicles – supported by the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund.

Driving environmental improvement is a key priority for the company and Managing Director Paul McGowan is delighted with the nomination.

AUTUMN 2015 I YOUFIRST

You First SE p12

15/9/15

14:47

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12 NEWS

Taking his two children to ed swimming sessions inspir Wullie to be fitness coach UALIFIED fitness instructor Wullie Campbell has his children to thank for getting him back into the keep fit game – they joined a swimming club and he ended up as a volunteer coach.

The Larbert-based Driver enjoyed sprinting as a boy but gave up athletics when he was about 20 and only started running again after his son and daughter Liam and Kerri signed up with Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth Amateur Swimming Club.

Wullie was roped in as a land coach, taking swimmers running as well as helping them with strength and conditioning exercises.

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The 47-year-old, who has been a bus driver for more than 26 years, said: “I needed a qualification and ended up doing three courses on three separate weeks at Stirling University.

“I now have Level Two gym instructors certificates for strength and conditioning as well as sports and nutrition. It was tough going because the other people on the courses were mostly teenagers and Wullie in their early 20s. I was the Campbell oldest by miles. works out in the “My children are 17 and gym at Larbert 15 now and still members depot. of the swimming club but I don’t volunteer anyone. It’s the same old excuse – I haven’t got time, I’m too busy working.”

Two of the three cycling fundraisers Gary Inglis, left, and Gordon Grant on their bikes in Galashiels.

Trio cycle 55 miles to boost Help for Heroes THREE intrepid Borders’ employees took on one of the most scenic cycling races in Scotland to raise money for charity.

Galashiels Staff Manager Gordon Grant, Driver Jose Hoyos and Depot Traffic Assistant Gary Inglis completed the 55-mile course Tour O’ the Borders in aid of Help for Heroes.

They all notched up impressive times of just over four hours on the route which passed through Peebles, Moffatt and plenty of Scottish Borders’ countryside.

Gordon said: “Conditions were wet and windy at times and there were four big climbs to contend with. But we had all been in training for the event for several weeks so it went pretty well and we were all pleased with our times.

“Raising money for Help the Heroes made it doubly satisfying and I’d like to thank all our colleagues at the depot who sponsored us.”

The trio are now looking at the possibility of an Edinburgh to London cycle ride next year involving fellow First colleagues.

YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015