You First Scotland East Summer 2015

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Summer 2015

The magazine for First people in Scotland East

DRIVER’S

lifelong passion

FOR BUS NOSTALGIA PAGE FOUR

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

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Building on the green shoots of recovery

By Scotland East Managing Director

Paul McGowan AS we proceed in the new financial year First Scotland East can build on the green shoots of recovery which have been emerging since new investment began last autumn.

We have begun by renaming First Bluebird to First Midland Bluebird and splitting First East Scotland to have the more dynamic names of First East Lothian and First West Lothian. First Borders remains a strong presence in the Borders area.

I genuinely believe that 2015-2016 is going to mark a turning point for the business, supported by new vehicles, more staff training and increased focus with stakeholders including the adoption of local liveries.

In the past four months I have met the Chief Executive Officers of various local authorities to get across to the decision makers that First Scotland East has turned the corner.

The Loop service (see page nine) shows that local authorities are now willing to join with us because they believe we are operating a high quality bus service that customers can rely on which marks a major change for our business.

The announcement that 31 brand new buses are on the way (see page three) means that we will have introduced 77 new or nearly-new vehicles into the fleet over the past year displaying a vast improvement in fleet age.

This puts us in a uniquely good position – and I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work of the entire staff which has enabled our successful business model.

Finally I would like to congratulate Mark Smith on being Highly Commended in the Frontline Employee of the Year category at the Scottish Transport Awards (see page three).

Really well done Mark – I am pleased your actions have been recognised at a national level.

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

Galashields Operations Manager Lee Young with one of the X95 The Ridings service buses.

Inset top left, the black and white horse emblem which represents the ancient flag of Galashields.

X95 bus catches eye at

vintage open day SPECIALLY-BRANDED Enviro 300 bus took pride of place at one of the country’s biggest celebrations of public transport vehicles.

The First Borders X95 service vehicle was exhibited at the Vintage Rally Open Day held at the Scottish Vintage Bus museum at Lathalmond near Dunfermline in May. Driver Darren Wilson was on hand – wearing a busman’s uniform from the 1970s – to answer visitors’ questions. He said: “It was a very well attended event with hundreds of vehicles from many different eras.

“Our bus caught the eye and plenty of people wanted to step on board and have a look around.”

It is the second year running that First Scotland East has been involved in the rally and the company has pledged to continue to support the community event in the future.

The X95 The Ridings service –

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which celebrates a millennium-old tradition in the Scottish borders – are all branded with striking liveries to reflect this heritage.

Ten Enviro 300 vehicles are painted with one of three different liveries to reflect the flags of towns involved in the ancient ritual of the Common Ridings of the boundaries.

Eye-catching emblems represent the horses – three buses carry blue and yellow for Hawick, three blue and red for Selkirk and four in black and white for Galashiels.

In ancient times, men on horseback would ride the

perimeter of the towns’ lands to protect them from approaching danger.

On one occasion in 1514, riders from Hawick routed English plunderers – a victory that is still remembered at annual festivals and ceremonies.

Galashiels Operations Manager Lee Young said: “The Common Ridings events are synonymous with the history of the border towns and our X95 bus service reflects this age-old tradition.

“It is great that these buses were showcased at such a high-profile celebration event.”

Fundraisers can double up CHARITY fundraisers across First Scotland East are being reminded they can raise more money through First’s matched funding scheme. Simply put, it can boost the amount given by employees to their favourite charity by up to £200. All they have do is visit firstgroupplc.com/ community and fill out the relevant application form.

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31 new eco-friendly buses set to further boost services THIRTY-ONE brand-new buses costing a total of £5 million will be benefiting First Scotland East drivers and customers later this year.

The new vehicles, which feature a mixture of double deckers and midis, will all come fitted with leather seats, CCTV and WiFi providing customers with free internet access during their journey. In addition to the dedicated space for wheelchair users, First will also provide extra space for pushchairs.

The investment in new vehicles will also help support of local Scottish jobs, with five buses being manufactured by Falkirk-based company ADL. The rest will come from Ballymena-based Wrightbus.

It forms part of a £21 million investment in 113 buses across Scotland, which in turn is part of an overall order by First Group’s UK bus division of 385 vehicles worth £77.7 million during the current financial year (see page 10).

The low carbon certified, Euro 6 engine

vehicles – being supplied by ADL – are among the most fuel-efficient buses on the market and are part of First Scotland East’s commitment to improving air quality.

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “The major investment in these new vehicles is great news for our customers and underlines our continuing determination to provide ever better bus services in our area and encourage more people to travel by bus.”

Mark’s action gets national recognition HE life-saving actions of Balfron Cleaner/Shunter Mark Smith have been acclaimed at the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards.

The current First Scotland East Superstar of the Year, who found a woman’s suicide note on a bus and immediately contacted police so they could track her down in time, was Highly Commended in the Frontline Employee of the Year category.

Mark, who has been with First for three years, said: “It’s all a bit unexpected. I just happened to find a note and called the police.

They did the big stuff. I’m not one to blow my own trumpet so it’s all a bit embarrassing really.

“I don’t normally get a chance to do a clean between runs but this time I did and found the note tucked between two of the seats. It was an eviction notice with a suicide note written on it. When I read it my chin hit the floor and I thought straight away that I need to do something here.

“The police were good enough to tell me they got to the woman in time and I’ve since heard she is okay so that’s the main thing.

I served with the Royal Air Force police for 15 years but never had to deal with anything like this.”

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “Mark’s diligence in checking what he’d found and his quick-thinking to ensure local

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police officers were contacted literally saved someone’s life.

It’s something he should be very proud of.”

First Scotland East was also shortlisted at the awards for its contribution to sustainable transport (see centre pages feature) while the X38 Stirling to Edinburgh service was up for Best Bus Service after improvements saw a 12 per cent rise in passenger numbers.

The X38 Stirling to Edinburgh service was shortlisted for the Best Bus Service in the Scottish Transport Awards.

Mark Smith is presented with a bottle of champagne

by Managing Director Paul McGowan after being named First Scotland East Superstar of the Year.

Free travel for toddlers TODDLERS from a village playgroup enjoyed a day trip thanks to First Scotland East which provided them with a bus free of charge.

The Grange Centre Playgroup at Redding near Falkirk, a registered charity run by parent committee, emailed asking for a price for a bus but after hearing that they were a charitable organisation First agreed to donated a vehicle for the day. Bannockburn Driver Robert Sherman made sure everyone in the playgroup arrived in style at Wellsfield Farm Park and Indoor Fun Barn in Denny.

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Electrician retires after 25 years’ service BANNOCKBURN Electrician Stephen Donoghue has retired after completing just under 25 years’ service.

The 65-year-old worked in computers before joining First Scotland East – first at Larbert depot for 15 years before transferring.

He said: “I really enjoyed the early years. They were brilliant. It was slightly different at the end because we were getting so many different types of buses we’d never seen before – it was a bit of a struggle keeping up with the training!

“Bannockburn was excellent and I really miss the team and the banter.

They were all great blokes to work with and all have plenty of experience.

“I like DIY so I’m now doing jobs around the house as well as for the family. That’s really keeping me busy.”

Married to Marie and with three grown up children as well as four grandchildren, Stephen now has more time for his family. He is also enjoying his spare time taking holidays and walking the family’s German Shepherd Ruby. ● Driver Robert Middlemass has also bid a fond farewell to First after 36 years’ service. Known as Bobby, he spent the last six years before retirement at Galashiels depot.

Colleagues presented him with a series of gifts to mark his retirement in May. Operations Manager Lee Young said: “He will be missed by us all.”

Bargain fares at marathon RUNNERS and spectators using the bus to get to and from the Edinburgh Marathon were treated to a special £1 flat rate fare.

Extra services were also laid on for the event with additional shuttle buses operating between Musselburgh’s Pinkie Road and Edinburgh.

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015

Darren Wilson wears a Scottish Bus Group Inspector’s uniform dating back to the 1970s. He is holding an old fashion ticket machine from his collection.

Darren has a

vintage collection Amazing bus memorabilia spans decades ARREN Wilson has had a passion for old buses since he was a little boy. So much so, that the Galashiels Driver now has a houseful of memorabilia, photos and vintage items that he has collected throughout his life.

His most prized possession is a collection of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges that were issued to bus drivers and conductors between 1935 and 1991.

The collection, which incorporates all the different traffic commissions in the UK, would be worth hundreds, if not thousands of pounds to a fellow enthusiast.

Darren said: “I have

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everything from model buses to old uniforms and photographs but the badge collection is the most valuable. I have been collecting these things all my life and when I was a child they were relatively inexpensive.

“Now it is not a cheap hobby to have and items of value can sell for hundreds or thousands on eBay and at auctions.”

Darren also attends bus rallies and has started taking his four-year-old son Lewis too. “He is showing a lot of interest in

the buses,” Darren added. “But he is really into tractors, so I think that will be his big hobby.”

Darren’s favourite bus is a Seddon Pennine 7 with Alexander M-type bodywork, which was used on the Edinburgh to London service operated by the Scottish Bus Group in the 1970s.

“I really like that particular vehicle. It was made at the Alexander Dennis factory in Falkirk but had a real American style to it, with slanted windows and embossed bodywork.

“It used to come past my house in Harwick when I was a boy. I would run outside when I heard it coming and was thrilled if I got a wave from the driver.”

Service changes introduced on the network A series of services changes have been introduced across the First Scotland East network this summer.

Several minor timetable changes have been made to the X62 service, with evening and Sunday 62A journeys being replaced by the X62.

Haddington, Dunbar and North Berwick journeys have also been altered as have the Service 124 and 108 routes and timings. Drivers are asked to refer customers using these services to new timetables that are now available on board buses.

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Plan to drive the business

forward WO Interim Business Managers have been appointed to drive First Scotland East forward.

Larbert Engineering Manager James Harvey is covering the east including the Musselburgh, Galashiels, Livingston and Borders depots while Jason Hackett has responsibility for the west with Balfron, Bannockburn and Larbert depots under his wing.

On secondment from his role as Bannockburn Operations Manager, Jason said: “We’re working hard to encourage more people to use our buses and to improve the service we offer our customers in line with our Better Journeys for Life promise.

“I’m still new in the job but I’m getting around the depots

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as much as possible, meeting as many people as I can to get their ideas and input.

“Personally speaking, the big driver for me is us working collectively and as a team to deliver the very best we can as a transport company.

“We’re already operating at a fantastically high level but there’s always room for improvement and there are always new things we can do to grow the business but the best way to do that is to do it together.

“One of our key focuses continues to be safety and I’d encourage everyone across the company to take more personal responsibility and be more accountable for keeping themselves and their colleagues safe.”

“”

The big driver for me is us working collectively and as a team to deliver the very best we can as a transport company.

Jason Hackett INTERIM BUSINESS MANAGER.

Bus named after Bairns star to honour great cup run

Larbert Driver and Falkirk fan Paul Smith with Bairns midfield playmaker Craig Sibbald and the bus named after him.

SCOTTISH Cup fever struck at First Scotland East as the company threw its weight behind Falkirk Football Club’s journey all the way to the final.

To mark The Bairns’ great run in the competition, which led to a showdown with Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park, a bus was named after Falkirk playmaker Craig Sibbald.

Craig scored the winning semi-final goal against Hibernian, securing his team’s place in the showcase event.

And despite losing on the day, it was a remarkable feat for the Scottish Championship outfit, and was celebrated by many of the employees who work at Larbert Depot and Carmuirs House.

The Craig Sibbald Express is one of the newest vehicles in the fleet and features the iconic Kelpies on its livery along with other key town landmarks including the Falkirk Wheel and town centre Steeple.

Craig said: “When I scored the goal against Hibs I never thought it would lead to having a bus named after me in my home town but I’m delighted and it looks fantastic.”

Staff at Larbert also produced their own video – based on the Tony Christie hit Is This the Way to Amarillo – to mark Falkirk’s cup final appearance. It was posted onto YouTube and features many of the depot’s staff dancing along.

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Larbert Operations Manager Jim Brennan points to First’s new Charity of Choice – Prostate Cancer UK.

Larbert Fleet Elite Driver Colin Henderson is one many employees whose DriveGreen skills are reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions.

Awareness sessions set to be rolled out SPECIALIST representatives from Prostate Cancer UK are set to stage awareness sessions at depots, canteens and offices across First Scotland East now the organisation is the group’s UK Charity of Choice.

They will be handing out information on symptoms, how to get a check up and how the condition is treated. The group is also producing a million credit-card sized Know Your Prostate booklets for staff to share with family and friends.

It comes as First fundraisers gear up to help raise £1 million for men affected by prostate cancer over the next three years. The charity has created a fundraising toolkit with great ideas like bake sales, barbecues, runs and even sky diving.

The latest charity link-up started in April and follows previous successful partnerships with Save the Children and Macmillan Cancer Support. Katie Smart, FirstGroup CSR and Community Manager, said: “With your help, we donated more than £1.1 million in cash and kind to Macmillan – so let’s do the same with Prostate Cancer UK.”

Strong presence at Stirling jobs event FIRST Midland Bluebird attended the annual Stirling Careers & Jobs event for the first time as it looked to recruit drivers and engineers.

Depot managers joined company recruiters at the First stand to give jobseekers the low down on working in the transport industry.

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “It was great to be at the Stirling jobs fair and provide more information to a range of people about what working for First can offer.

“We’re always looking for confident people with excellent customer service skills who enjoy working and dealing with people.

“I’d definitely encourage people who are keen on a career in transport, who are prepared to work shifts and are enthusiastic and flexible in their work ethic, to consider a career with First.”

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SUMMER 2015

Bannockburn Office Administrator Norah McEwan recycles paper. Below, she turns off a light in a room not being used.

Shunter Kenneth Craig carries out an emissions test at Galashiels depot.

An eco-friendly StreetLite Micro-Hybrid bus at The Wheel in Falkirk.

Top awards shortlisting underlines

First’s green credentials IRST Scotland East’s green credentials earned it a shortlisting in the Contribution to Sustainable Transport category at the much coveted Scottish Transport Awards.

Eco-friendly buses are already a feature of the fleet with 27 StreetLite Micro-Hybrid vehicles – one of the world’s most fuel efficient buses – operating services between West Lothian and Edinburgh and in Falkirk.

Each vehicle is fitted with the latest energy saving technology including a braking power system similar to that used on Formula 1 racing cars. The buses are also lighter than conventional single decks and with advanced engine technology at around 30 per cent more fuel efficient.

To further underline the commitment to sustainable transport and the environment, another 31 new vehicles are on the way, all Department for Transport “low carbon certified”.

They will all be fitted with Euro 6 engines as part of a strong commitment to better air quality across the region.

Being supplied by Larbert-based

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Driver Adam Wolfe places a can in the recycling bin at Galashiels depot.

Alexander Dennis, its Chief Executive Colin Robertson said: “This latest order is a huge endorsement of our new generation, market leading, midi and double deck buses and is a further demonstration of First’s commitment to the green technologies of tomorrow.”

All staff play their part in the company drive to protect the environment from drivers who save fuel by driving green to the recyclers saving waste from going to landfill as well as those who save energy by turning off lights and computers to engineers who recycle oil and anti-freeze.

Mechanic Connor Hasting recycles anti-freeze at Larbert workshops.

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NEWS 7

Larbert Operations Manager Jim Brennan points to First’s new Charity of Choice – Prostate Cancer UK.

Larbert Fleet Elite Driver Colin Henderson is one many employees whose DriveGreen skills are reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions.

Awareness sessions set to be rolled out SPECIALIST representatives from Prostate Cancer UK are set to stage awareness sessions at depots, canteens and offices across First Scotland East now the organisation is the group’s UK Charity of Choice.

They will be handing out information on symptoms, how to get a check up and how the condition is treated. The group is also producing a million credit-card sized Know Your Prostate booklets for staff to share with family and friends.

It comes as First fundraisers gear up to help raise £1 million for men affected by prostate cancer over the next three years. The charity has created a fundraising toolkit with great ideas like bake sales, barbecues, runs and even sky diving.

The latest charity link-up started in April and follows previous successful partnerships with Save the Children and Macmillan Cancer Support. Katie Smart, FirstGroup CSR and Community Manager, said: “With your help, we donated more than £1.1 million in cash and kind to Macmillan – so let’s do the same with Prostate Cancer UK.”

Strong presence at Stirling jobs event FIRST Midland Bluebird attended the annual Stirling Careers & Jobs event for the first time as it looked to recruit drivers and engineers.

Depot managers joined company recruiters at the First stand to give jobseekers the low down on working in the transport industry.

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “It was great to be at the Stirling jobs fair and provide more information to a range of people about what working for First can offer.

“We’re always looking for confident people with excellent customer service skills who enjoy working and dealing with people.

“I’d definitely encourage people who are keen on a career in transport, who are prepared to work shifts and are enthusiastic and flexible in their work ethic, to consider a career with First.”

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SUMMER 2015

Bannockburn Office Administrator Norah McEwan recycles paper. Below, she turns off a light in a room not being used.

Shunter Kenneth Craig carries out an emissions test at Galashiels depot.

An eco-friendly StreetLite Micro-Hybrid bus at The Wheel in Falkirk.

Top awards shortlisting underlines

First’s green credentials IRST Scotland East’s green credentials earned it a shortlisting in the Contribution to Sustainable Transport category at the much coveted Scottish Transport Awards.

Eco-friendly buses are already a feature of the fleet with 27 StreetLite Micro-Hybrid vehicles – one of the world’s most fuel efficient buses – operating services between West Lothian and Edinburgh and in Falkirk.

Each vehicle is fitted with the latest energy saving technology including a braking power system similar to that used on Formula 1 racing cars. The buses are also lighter than conventional single decks and with advanced engine technology at around 30 per cent more fuel efficient.

To further underline the commitment to sustainable transport and the environment, another 31 new vehicles are on the way, all Department for Transport “low carbon certified”.

They will all be fitted with Euro 6 engines as part of a strong commitment to better air quality across the region.

Being supplied by Larbert-based

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Driver Adam Wolfe places a can in the recycling bin at Galashiels depot.

Alexander Dennis, its Chief Executive Colin Robertson said: “This latest order is a huge endorsement of our new generation, market leading, midi and double deck buses and is a further demonstration of First’s commitment to the green technologies of tomorrow.”

All staff play their part in the company drive to protect the environment from drivers who save fuel by driving green to the recyclers saving waste from going to landfill as well as those who save energy by turning off lights and computers to engineers who recycle oil and anti-freeze.

Mechanic Connor Hasting recycles anti-freeze at Larbert workshops.

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Intrepid trekkers

head to

HAT started out as a bid to get fit by a trio of Galashiels employees has turned into a monthly pilgrimage to climb some of the highest mountains in the UK and Europe.

Depot Traffic Assistant Gary Inglis along with Drivers Ian McCutcheon and Jose Hoyos decided to scale Scafell Pike in the Lake District last summer, hoping to shed a few pounds in the process.

But after taking that inaugural trek to the summit of England’s tallest mountain, they were bitten by the walking bug and were soon looking for other peaks to bag.

They set up the Facebook Group “Scottish Borders Hill Trekkers” and were soon attracting other friends and colleagues who wanted to join them. Since then – they have climbed a number of the Munros (Scottish

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mountains above 3,000 feet) including Ben Nevis, and ventured back to Ian McCutcheon, left, and Gary Inglis with the the Lake District for walking jackets they had made for their Helvellyn and Helm Crag.

Spanish adventure.

Their latest adventure saw Gary, Ian and Jose joined by Drivers Pawel Mamrot, Derek McGlone and Colin Smith for an expedition to northern Spain. to take monthly weekend trips to mountains in There they climbed in the Picos De Europa Scotland and England and enjoy the walking. range, which at 8,690 feet is about twice the The spin off has been getting fit and losing height of Ben Nevis. To mark the trip they some weight – at one point last year I had even had special walking jackets made shed around 65 to 70 pounds from when we featuring the Scottish and Spanish flags. first started.”

Gary said: “It was exhilarating and the The “Scottish Borders Hill Trekkers” scenery was absolutely fantastic. We’ve Facebook page is an open group and anyone already booked to go back next year. can join them on a trek. Simply visit the page “In the meantime we plan to sign up or contact Gary in the depot.

Top team tackle Glasgow Kiltwalk

MARTIN WHERE’S YOUR TROOSERS?: kilt walkers Martin Bonner and Peter McLachlan join in the fun to promote the Kiltwalk.

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SUMMER 2015

EMPLOYEES from Bannockburn, Balfron and Larbert depots formed their own Tartan Army to take on the annual Glasgow Kiltwalk.

A team of 10 including family members tackled the 23 mile route from Hampden Park to Loch Lomond in the Trossachs National Park to raise money for charity.

Interim Business Manager Jason Hackett was joined by his wife Nicki and staff Martin Bonner, Lorraine McNee, Peter McLachlan, Alistair Freck, Brian Boyle, Jim Gallacher, Charlie McVicar and Erin Lloyd.

Jason said: “It was tough going this year because the weather was extremely bad, especially the first half of the day, but it improved and we got there in the end.

“Everyone pulled together for a great cause so thanks to all those who took part. I’m still getting over the blisters but am looking forward to doing it all again next year.”

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Pictured at the launch of The Loop are, left to right, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Transport Councillor Dr Craig Martin, Sarah McKenzie of Falkirk Delivers, the business improvement district organisation, and Paul McGowan.

Bus keeps tourists in RIGHT pink hop-on, hop-off tourism buses being operated by First Midland Bluebird carried well over 5,000 passengers in their first few weeks on the road.

Featuring images of main attractions like The Steeple, the new hourly service called The Loop was launched for Falkirk Council with funding from Transport Scotland as part of a major tourism drive in the region.

They connect the area’s world class attractions including The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies with other road and rail services.

Distinctive pink bus stop signs

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featuring VisitFalkirk branding help visitors to the route.

Running until September 30, travelling on The Loop is free for those over 60s with a valid Scottish Government-issued concessionary travel pass and for children under five.

For everyone else an all-day Loop ticket costs £5.

Managing Director Paul McGowan said: “Visitors to the area will be in no doubt as to what bus to catch to Falkirk’s top destinations with the eye-catching new livery on these buses.

“As the local bus operator we’ve

invested over £1.3 million on buses for the area and these new vehicles represent further great news for passengers.

“I’m delighted to support the launch of The Loop service and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board, taking them from A to B safely and smoothly.”

Councillor Dr Craig Martin, Falkirk Council’s Transport spokesperson, said: “Now there is a dedicated and frequent bus service linking up our main tourist destinations to improve the visitor experience in the area, we are confident that businesses and attractions will benefit as a result.”

Jimmy’s caravan is key to relaxation OUTDOOR loving Driver Jimmy Marshall likes nothing better than hooking up his caravan and disappearing off into the sunset for a spot of peace and quiet. He bought his first caravan around 30 years ago and has since travelled the length and breadth of Scotland with his family – enjoying some great fishing and hill walking along the way.

Now 68 and semi-retired, he and wife Sadie take to the road every fortnight in the summer and are often joined by some of their four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Jimmy, a long serving Driver based at

Bannockburn depot with 20 years’ service under his belt, can get away as much as he likes now he works just three days a week.

He said: “We go all over Scotland. The furthest north we’ve been is Grannie’s Heilan Hame Holiday Park at Dornoch although we’ve been on a day trip to John O’Groats.

“We’re on our fifth caravan now and have a five berth Elddis which we’ve had for about 10 years.

Caravanning’s really relaxing and you can get away from everybody. It’s really good when you're on a site where mobiles don’t work.”

Mystery of the missing dentures LOST property at Galashiels really did have something to get their teeth into when a report came in about a missing set of dentures.

An email to the depot said: “My mum was travelling on the X62 Edinburgh to Peebles bus and thinks she may have pulled her dentures out of her bag whilst she was on it. They were wrapped in tissue and in a plastic bag.”

History does not record if they were found or returned.

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

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

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

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

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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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5

minutes with

Bannockburn Driver JUNE SHANLEY talks about her career in the Army, her love of 80s music, Asian holidays and what it means to be a perfectionist...

John Wain works on his model railway in the garden shed.

Tell us about your previous jobs with First and elsewhere?

I came to First as a Driver in March 2005. I transferred from First Glasgow to Bannockburn depot in July 2005 when I was made a Relief Controller but stayed driving. Prior to that I worked for Aberdeen City Council housing department following time in the WRAC and Royal Signals TA. What is the main challenge of your job?

It’s perfection in my appearance, customer care and reliability in my job. Our job can be pressured in the event of a breakdown which I take personally as I feel I’m failing my passengers and I only end up stressing myself.

Model rebuild is on track ARBERT Driver John Wain is right on track with a major upgrade of the model railway that fills his garden shed.

Now 75 and still working two days a week, John decided at the end of last year that it was time to rebuild the layout he has devoted years, hundreds of pounds and thousands of man hours to.

He is already half way through – all the rewiring is complete and he is now remodelling the scenery ready to lay 200 feet of 00 gauge track covering an area of 10 feet by eight feet. Oval shaped and set on three levels, the new set up has been designed to take five engines and their rolling stock.

“Everything is still in boxes but I’m 50 per cent there,” said John.

“The new layout is my own idea

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but it’s based around Bath in the era when steam was ending and diesels were introduced. It gives me scope to run Great Western, LMS and Southern trains.

“The layout used to be in the loft but too much good living meant I struggled to get through the hatch so my wife Irene kicked me into the shed.

“I’ve been into model railways since I was about 13 when I got a Graham Farish 262 tank for Christmas. It’s great fun and gives me something to do.”

John, who served worldwide aboard Royal Navy minesweepers for 13 years, has not set himself a timetable for completion but would like to finish before November and his annual TON Class Association trip to Malta for Remembrance Day.

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

Queen Elizabeth, Margaret Thatcher, Nicola Sturgeon and Elton John. I’d invite all these people because of their diversity and support of equality for women and Elton John for his campaign for HIV/Aids.

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

The 80s is my favourite era.

I’m a huge music fan and the music in the 80s was phenomenal.

What has been your proudest achievements?

Standing on a podium in front of 1,000 soldiers, family and friends as most outstanding recruit at my Army passing out parade, parachuting, attending a Stirling University access course as a mature student and obtaining my British sign language certificate.

How do you relax?

Music is my passion and I’m learning to play guitar which is very therapeutic.

Where do you like to go on holiday?

I love travelling and Asia is my favourite destination, especially Thailand. I love the culture there and the people are so humble.

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

Follow your dreams and be proud of your achievements.

June Shanley at Bannockburn depot.

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12 NEWS

Walkers boost charity HARITY walkers from Galashiels put their collective best foot forward for Cancer Research UK. A five-strong team took part in a 20-mile sponsored walk along a stretch of the Southern Upland Way from St Mary’s Loch to Selkirk.

Staff Manager Gordon Grant, Traffic Assistant Gary Muir, Controller Martin Paszkiewicz and Office Administrator Tracey Bell, along with Tracey’s friend Jamie Biggar, took seven hours to complete the scenic route.

In the process they raised £300 for Cancer Research and the money will go towards the charity’s pioneering work locally.

It is the second year running that the depot has entered a team. In addition, for the last 20 years First have provided a free bus to transport participants to the start of the walk.

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Celebrating the £300 the sponsored walk raised for Cancer Research are Staff Manager Gordon Grant, left, and Controller Martin Paszkiewicz.

Gordon Grant said: “We’d like to thank all our colleagues who sponsored us and helped us raise this total.

“The walk was a tough one because there is about 3,000 feet of elevation change along the way. However, the views are fantastic

which soothed the aches and we were pleased with our time.”

He added: “We’re going back next year for another go and trying to persuade others to join us – we are even working on twisting the arm of Operations Manager Lee Young.”

Golfing enthusiast is in the swing for tournaments NETWORK Manager John Scott, pictured, has been a golf nut for 28 years – he plays or practices twice a week, competes in a tournament at least once a month and goes on foreign golfing holidays with his pals every two years.

A First employee for just over 20 years, John played his first round at the Winterfield course in Dunbar and is now a member of East Lothian’s Haddington Golf Club.

“I got into golf because my friends played. I thought I’d give it a go and there was always the pull of the 19th hole,” laughed John, who is based in Carmuirs House at Larbert. “It took me a while to put a decent round together and then I had some lessons.

“I used to hit the ball from left to right because my feet and hands weren’t aligned properly so the pros soon put that right. Now I play off a handicap of 18.”

John has never won a tournament though he has finished runner up once and enjoys his trips abroad with his 12 mates.

He said: “We’ve been to Spain, Portugal, Majorca and Turkey. My most memorable golfing moment though is representing First in an invitational Pro Am at St Andrews and playing with Sam Torrance. “He’s an excellent character and we had a great day. I’ve got a photograph of us together in my living room to remind me of my golfing highlight.”

YOUFIRST I SUMMER 2015