on stageThe newsletter of Stagecoach Group

Issue 88 | November 2011

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Rail franchisessimply the best

STAGECOACH’S rail franchises walked away with a collection of honours from this year’s National Rail Awards.

South West Trains scooped the top title of ‘Passenger Operator of the Year,’ judged by an independent panel of rail experts.

The company was also named ‘Maintenance Team of the Year’ for its work in partnership with Siemens.

Andy Pitt, Managing Director for South West Trains, said: “First and foremost, this award is a real achievement for our front-line staff and management who work so hard day-in and day-out to deliver our train services for passengers.

“I would also like to thank the Network Rail Wessex staff for their contribution to our success by providing a reliable infrastructure.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure we deliver a great service to our passengers.”

East Midlands Trains received the important award for Safety for its successful partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to reduce level crossing incidents.

East Midlands Trains was also highly commended in the Passenger Focus-sponsored award ‘Putting Passengers First’.

This recognised the company’s honest and simple approach in helping passengers find value-for-money train tickets through the launch of

Philanthropy earnshigh-profile praise

In this edition we celebrate some of Stagecoach's most recent awards successes. From buses to trains and overseas honours, Stagecoach and its people are continuing to be independently recognised for their achievements.

South West Trains Managing Director Andy Pitt (centre) receives the Passenger Operator of the Year award.

Driving ahead in the Bus Awards

Stagecoach has 23 shortlisted entries in this year’s UK Bus Awards.

And four are in the running to be named Britain’s best bus operator.

Stagecoach South, Stagecoach East Midlands and Stagecoach West are shortlisted for Top Shire Operator, while Stagecoach Manchester is a finalist for Top City Operator. All four are also in the running for the UK Bus Operator of the Year Award. Other Stagecoach company nominations include Express Operation of the Year, Manager of the Year, Marketing Excellence and Top National Bus Depot.

CHARITABLE work spanning three decades brought Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag an extra-special award in New York recently.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal particularly recognised Ms Gloag’s establishment of the Freedom From Fistula Foundation in 2008, offering free care to women in Africa who have been injured in childbirth.

“It is a huge privilege to have been chosen to receive

the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal as the former First Lady of the United States was such an inspirational and well-respected woman, advocate and leader,” said Ms Gloag, who also has an OBE.

“The Freedom From Fistula Foundation helps the forgotten women of Africa – women who have been seriously injured in childbirth, leaving them rejected by their families and outcasts in society.

“It is not a trendy or popular cause and that is why it is so important.”

Ann Gloag’s other charitable work includes running an orphanage and building a school in Nairobi, Kenya and supporting the international charity Mercy Ships, plus a wide variety of charities in the UK.Ann Gloag.

its online Best Fare Finder and initiatives such as Red Dot Days.

Paul Trigwell, a Derby-based train driver for East Midlands Trains, was also highly commended for Outstanding Personal Contribution for his proactive work with Samaritans and helping other train drivers deal with the aftermath of fatalities.

Staff’s hard work and dedication recognised

Awards

Special

Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter has been named Bighearted Businessman of the Year at the 2011 Bighearted Scotland Awards, in honour of his charity work and business success.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be the winner of this award. I am privileged to have been able to work with and support some wonderful charity projects over the years. We are also very proud to have launched the UK’s first Healthy Heart Bus to help protect the health of our staff at Stagecoach Group, who we greatly value and who are key to the success of our business.”

Recognition for bighearted Sir Brian

Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter.

on stage

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You what?!(Overheard on a New York bus.)

Passenger: “Slow down!”Bus driver: “I’m stopped at a light – I can’t get much slower!”

Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments tolindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup. com

uk bus

STAGECOACH is continuing to make preparations for its role in transport to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Group is one of a select team of bus and coach operators providing transport at the Games.

And, as the build-up to the big events gathers pace, Stagecoach has been involved in a number of test runs, including organising and arranging transport for beach volleyball and basketball events, and the London-Surrey Classic Cycle Race.

The Group has also appointed Directors of Operations for the two bus depots being managed by the company during the Games. They are Stagecoach South West Operations Director Richard Stevens and Stagecoach West Scotland Operations Director Rob Jones, and they will be supported by 12 divisional managers

The London training team helping Stagecoach prepare for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

On your marks!

New road code

Back in time

MOBILITY scooter users who travel on buses are benefiting from a new set of guidelines.

Stagecoach helped the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) develop the new code of practice for the safe use and acceptance of mobility scooters on low-floor buses.

The code introduces a permit system for the mobility scooter user, making it easier for the bus driver to recognise that a scooter has been approved by the operator and its user has been trained in how to get on and off the bus safely.

Bride on-boardWEDDING bells rang on the buses for

South Wales Operations Manager Carole Morgan.

Carole and her wedding guests travelled to the happy event on Stagecoach and City Sightseeing vehicles.

The bride and bridesmaids were carried by a CitySightseeing Oxford open-top bus, while a Stagecoach in Oxford Gold double-decker conveyed the newlyweds and bridesmaids to the reception. Transport for the groom and guests was also provided by the Gold bus.

After the service, while Carole and new husband Sam Stevens went on a wedding photo shoot around Oxford, the guests were given a CitySightseeing tour before being taken to the reception.

Get me to the church on time!: Carole and Sam with their special wedding transport.

Drew’s driving ambition

BLINDNESS was no barrier for charity fundraiser Drew Falconer.

Perthshire-based Drew lost his sight over 25 years ago, but recently completed a remarkable driving challenge with the help of Stagecoach in Perth.

After lessons at a local airfield, he successfully navigated a course using manoeuvres similar to those in a Stagecoach driver training session.

The event raised money for good causes, and Gus Beveridge, Operations Manager at Stagecoach in Perth, said: “We were delighted to be able to assist Drew in his latest fund-raising effort.”

Blind charity fundraiser Drew Falconer took the wheel of a Stagecoach bus.

from across the UK Bus Operating businesses.Stagecoach previously invited UK Bus staff to

register to work during the Games in a variety of roles.

All drivers and operational supervisors should now know whether or not their applications were successful.

STAGECOACH joined Goodwood Revival enthusiasts by turning back the clock to a golden age of transport.

For the first time ever, Stagecoach South used vintage vehicles on its popular bus services between Chichester Train Station and the Goodwood Revival weekend.

The event is the world's largest historic motor race meeting with the vast majority of spectators arriving in their finest 1940s, 50s and 60s fashions, so Goodwood Event Operations Director Chris Salmon and Adam Keen, Stagecoach Operations Manager at Chichester, decided there was no better way to start the day than arriving in style in a historic bus.

Historic buses played their part in the Goodwood Revival weekend.

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uk rail / uk bus

A CARING train driver’s kindness saved a lost dog whose life was on the line.

David Kent was travelling from Ascot to Guildford when he spotted the cocker spaniel walking along the tracks.

Making sure he followed safety rules, David rescued the dog and handed it to colleagues on arrival at Guildford.

They contacted the local council, and the dog – named Popeye – was happily reunited with his owner.

Popeye’s taleends happily

SUPERTRAM colleagues George and Miriam Storey and Paul Gillott raised over £800 for St Luke’s Hospice through a charity five-a-side football tournament.

Miriam said: “Sheffield loves football and we thought it would be a good way to involve family and friends in supporting a fundraising event for St Luke’s, because everybody loves the hospice too!”

Footie fundraisersscore for charity

Linda Barnard looks after Popeye as he waits for his owner at Guildford Station.

EAST Midlands Trains’ station staff are celebrating the results of the company’s Best Station Awards.

Lincoln Central scooped 2011’s award for Most Improved Station this year, while Derby was named the Large Station of the Year.

The Best Medium Station Award went to East Midlands Parkway Station, one of the newest stations on the East Midlands Trains network, while Kidsgrove in Staffordshire was named Best Small Station.

Last, but by no means least, Market Rasen in Lincolnshire won the award for Best Community Partnership.

Sheffield, Lincoln, Kettering, Blythe Bridge and Kidsgrove stations all received runners-up awards.

Wayne Kyte, Route Manager for East Midlands Trains, who leads the Best Stations Awards, said: “The judges had a really difficult decision choosing the five winning stations, but we’re confident the winners and the runners-up are fully deserving of their awards.

“We congratulate all the winners on their success.”

Stations are cream of the crop

A RECORD-breaking Stagecoach double-decker once hailed as Britain’s biggest bus has been restored to its former glory.

The company bought three of the tri-axle Leyland Olympians in the late 1980s, but only one remains.

Now, the Megadekker has been re-painted with the original Stagecoach ‘stripes’ livery in Bedford.

“When we purchased this vehicle in 1989, it had the highest capacity of any bus in Britain, with 66 seats on the upper deck and 44 downstairs,” said Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter.

“It represents the pioneering approach to transport that has existed at Stagecoach since the very beginning, and it’s great to see it being repainted in the original Stagecoach livery to help remind us of our heritage.”

Bus makes a big impression

The re-painted Megadekker – once Britain’s biggest bus.

Winning smiles: Representatives from the winning stations show off their silverware.

Community spiritSOUTH West Trains has been praised

for its commitment to community rail.At this year’s Community Rail Awards,

the Stagecoach rail franchise won the Community Art Scheme Award for its Pokesdown Station Artwork project in partnership with Network Rail and Bournemouth Borough Council.

South West Trains also won the Best Station Adoption Group award for its project at Swaythling Station.

Stagecoach has gifted £1000 worth of children’s books written by one of the company’s non-executive Directors to primary schools in Perth and Kinross.

Author of the books, Helen Mahy, who is a member of the Stagecoach Group Board, said: “When I was walking my dog we would come across other animals and I would start to imagine the conversations he might have. I’m delighted they’ve been so well-received and I hope children at schools across Perth will enjoy reading all about the adventures of Basil.”

The Adventures of Basil book series are available to buy at www.basilthespaniel.com with all profits going to the Special Olympics Great Britain charity.

Helen Mahy (centre) presents the Basil books to Alison Irvine (left), Head of Children and Families’ Services at Perth and Kinross Council, and Councillor Liz Grant.

Basil’s tales are good reading for pupils

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uk bus

Spotlight on…Group Communications Team

THE STAGECOACH Group Communications Team is headed by Director of Communications Steven Stewart, who is based in Perth, and consists of Senior Group Communications Manager Emma Knight (Derby-based), Corporate Communications Manager Lindsay Reid (Perth-based) and Group Communications Manager Corinne O’Loughlin (London-based).

They are responsible for a number of functions across the Group’s bus and rail operations, including media relations, crisis communication, stakeholder relations, public affairs, event organisation and the production of publications such as the annual report and On Stage.

Anyone who would like to contact the communications team can do so by emailing media@stagecoachgroup.com

TOP UK Bus apprentices have been recognised at the company’s 7th annual Apprentice of the Year Awards.

Third-year apprentice Ryan Jefferies from Stagecoach South Wales made it two in a row, earning the top prize for the second consecutive year. After achieving first prize in his second year, Ryan picked up the third-year title ahead of runner-up Andrew Higgins, also from Stagecoach South Wales, and third-placed Matthew Shipley from Stagecoach Yorkshire.

Winner of the second-year Apprentice of the Year title was Jack Abbott from Stagecoach Manchester, who also previously won the title in his first year.

Jack finished ahead of Daniel Cameron from Stagecoach Highlands and Craig Carter from Stagecoach West.

First-year Apprentice of the Year was Ryan Barnes from Stagecoach London’s Catford Depot, with second and third places going to Jamie Styles from Stagecoach Midlands and Jason Ham

Ace apprentices

Apprentices of the Year, from left: Ryan Barnes, Ryan Jefferies and Jack Abbott.

Top drivers recognised

STAGECOACH employees have done their company proud at the 2011 Bus Driver of the Year Competition.

No less than five Stagecoach drivers finished in the contest’s top 20, the highest-ranking being James Wright from Stagecoach Oxford, who finished in fifth place overall.

Next came 11th-placed John Quarrel from Stagecoach North West, while Steven Ratcliffe from Stagecoach Yorkshire followed in 14th place.

Ian Field from Stagecoach East Scotland was 15th and David Glasper from Stagecoach North East finished in 17th place.

A total of 29 Stagecoach drivers competed in the UK finals after winning through their regional heats.

MEGABUS.COM has added a new cross-border option to its popular routes.

The market-leading budget coach provider has introduced two new daily journeys between Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“More and more people are looking for budget travel to help make their money go further,” said Operations Manager for megabus.com, Ian Laing.

“We are pleased to be able to expand our service to ensure we can offer passengers even more journey options than ever before.”

Cross-borderbus bonus

Helping pupilsto play it safe A GRUELLING cycle marathon made

more than £1000 for a children’s charity.Twelve Stagecoach South Wales staff pedalled

for 24 hours from Rhyl to Cardiff Bay to raise the money for the NSPCC.

Nathan Griffith-Williams, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach in South Wales, said: “We are extremely proud of what staff from Porth depot have achieved and are delighted to be working with such a fantastic charity.”

Cycling round the clock

from Stagecoach South West, respectively.Dorothy Hermiston, Stagecoach UK Bus

Deputy Training and Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to have such quality within our ranks, which is great news – not only for Stagecoach but also for the passengers who travel on our buses.”

PUPILS learned some important safety lessons, with a little help from their local bus operator.

Stagecoach East Midlands provided coaches to transport around 650 schoolchildren to a series of workshops held by the Children’s Safety Education Foundation (CSEF).

The hands-on safety events covered key issues often overlooked by the school curriculum, including anti-social behavior, basic first aid, road and fire safety, building site safety and substance abuse.

Aye-aye captain! Driver Mick Lymer gets into the spirit of Skegness’s fancy dress day.

FANCY dress fun funded a hefty charity donation by Stagecoach East Midlands.A group of colleagues from Skegness Bus Station dressed up for a day on duty

to raise some £570 for the RNLI.

Cash for costumes

The Porth Depot cyclists who harnessed pedal power for the NSPCC.

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uk rail

Picture ofthe Season

THIS edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by Cambridge driver Peter Coppendale. It shows the Stagecoach X49 service stopped outside the Red Lion in Avebury en route from Swindon to Trowbridge.

Congratulations to Peter who will shortly receive his prize of £50 of M&S vouchers.

If you think you have a picture that captures one of the four seasons, please send your image to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com

WIN A

£50VOUCHER

A SENIOR South West Trains manager is set to step down after nearly three decades of service to the passenger rail industry.

Andy Pitt, Managing Director of South West Trains, retires at the turn of the year, having just helped the company to become Passenger Operator of the Year at the 2011 National Rail Awards. South West Trains also won the Maintenance Team of the Year award in partnership with Siemens for the class-

Andy retires on a high

Andy Pitt.

A RECORD number of entries ensured competition was hot in this year’s South West Trains Station Pride Awards.

Portsmouth took the top prize for Best Large Station 2011 while Wool was named Best Small Station 2011.

The judges were particularly impressed with the positive attitude of the staff at both stations, plus their range of creative initiatives to welcome passengers and deliver the best possible customer service.

Proud day for station staff

STARS of BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’ gathered to help East Midlands Trains kick off this year’s Entrepreneur Festival in Sheffield.

Claire Young, Melody Hossaini, Palomo Vivanco and Dr Shibby Robati, joined EMT Managing Director Tim Shoveller to unveil ‘The Entrepreneur Express’, a specially named Meridian 222001 promoting the enterprising event.

“We recognise the significance that good transport links play in economic growth and are pleased to be supporting this year’s festival,” said Tim.

All aboard for enterprise

Dick Palmer from E4FE, Melody Hossaini, Fintan Donahue from E4FE, Paloma Vivanco, Dr Shibby Robati, Tim Shoveller, Claire Young and Andrew Haigh from nameplate sponsors Coutts unveil the specially named ‘Entrepreneur Express’.

SHEFFIELD newly-weds travelled to their reception in style – aboard their very own Supertram!

Deborah Stiff and Gary Cundey chartered a special service to transport themselves and around 40 guests following their wedding ceremony. The cream-coloured Stagecoach Supertram they hired is modelled on the old Sheffield Corporation trams.

“I just think it’s fabulous,” said Deborah.“I wouldn’t have wanted to pay for cars – it’s

just not something we even contemplated. You can’t fit half as many people in a car as you can in a tram.”

Super start to married life

Tram and wife: Deborah and Gary chartered a tram for their special day.

Rail route on foot

TWEETS are keeping South West Trains passengers up to date on the latest travel information.

SWT has started using Twitter to communicate with passengers, who can now follow the rail operator via @SW_Trains to receive regular updates on the status of the service while on the move.

Adam Piddington, Customer Information Manager for South West Trains, said: “We know how important it is to provide timely, accurate and good-quality information to the thousands of passengers who use our services every day, particularly during times of disruption.”

leading reliability of its train fleet.Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East

Midlands Trains, will take over as MD-designate at South West Trains on December 1 before taking up his new post on January 2.

Andy Pitt said: “It’s been a great honour to have had responsibility for one of the country’s most important rail networks and to have been part of such a motivated and dedicated team of railway people. I wish them every success for the future.”

David Horne – currently Commercial and Customer Service Director at East Midlands Trains – is to succeed Tim Shoveller as Managing Director of the company.

AN EAST Midlands Trains employee travelled a 171-mile rail route under his own steam!

In his latest fundraising event, Dave Stannard ran from London to Sheffield to boost Bliss, a charity which helps give premature and sick babies their best possible chance of survival.

Dave’s son was born 12 weeks premature nearly eight years ago, weighing only 2lb 2oz, but is now healthy and happy.

Tweet smell of success

BUS drivers are driving passengers to distraction – posing in the altogether for a charity calendar.

Twenty men and three women from Stagecoach Yorkshire’s Holbrook depot shed their inhibitions and their uniforms to raise funds for The Children’s Hospital Charity.

Driver Chris Brownhill came up with the idea after losing a granddaughter to cancer.

He said: “The Children’s Hospital is very close to my heart, which is why I wanted to come up with a concept that would attract lots of interest and raise a really big total for the charity.”

The cheeky charity venture coincided with Stagecoach Yorkshire’s launch of 21 new hybrid buses in Sheffield.

The double-decker hybrid-electric vehicles are expected to use 20,000 fewer gallons of diesel a year than an equivalent double-decker and cut carbon emissions by up to 30 per cent.

Birthday suits on the buses

STAGECOACH Bluebird and East Scotland passengers are to benefit after the companies invested £3.4 million in 15 brand new vehicles.

Bluebird and Strathtay recently unveiled an investment of £1.4 million in six new luxury coaches in a major boost for public transport in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Dundee.

In addition, Bluebird has also spent a further £2 million on nine new coaches for Aberdeenshire.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of Stagecoach Bluebird, said: “The new vehicles are fitted with the latest ‘green’ engines so offer a greener, smarter travel option. We are committed to providing the best possible service to our customers and the provision of these new luxury coaches is just one of the many ways we are working to attract more people onto public transport.”

Luxury vehicles launched

CYCLISTS on the East Midlands Trains network are now benefitting from new Streetpods and Cyclepods, creating over 200 extra secure bike spaces at 29 stations.

The highly secure and stylish cycle storage product offers maximum bike protection for public locations and open spaces.

In addition, Derby station has benefitted from two new Cyclepods which allow space for 16 bikes through safe and easy vertical parking for cycle users.

David Horne, Commercial and Customer Service Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We believe by providing an additional 200 highly secure cycling spaces, we will encourage more people to cut down on their reliance on cars and consider alternative methods of transport when travelling to and from our stations.”

Get on your bike

Bus brush in the buff: charity calendar models Martin Thomas, Kev Davies, John Steven, Michael Wynter, Karl Taylor, Mark White, Chris Askham and Pete Gunning.

Streetpods at Lincoln Station.

the green scene

6

Bus trial’s a real gasGREEN gas-powered

bus travel is being given a trial run in Liverpool, thanks to Stagecoach.

A 12-metre single-decker EcoCity bus fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) is the first of its kind to take to the road in Britain, despite being popular on the Continent.

The MAN-manufactured vehicle’s engine is quieter than traditional diesel buses and has significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The low-floor bus can also run on biomethane, which is already used as a fuel by Stagecoach as part of a project in Lincoln, and is expected to meet the new Euro 6 engine emissions standards which come into force in 2014.

Sam Greer, Stagecoach UK Bus Regional Director, said: “We are looking forward to testing the performance of the gas bus in Liverpool over the next six weeks.

“This will allow us to compare its fuel consumption and operating costs against other types of vehicles in our fleet. We continue to look at a variety of technologies to help reduce our carbon footprint and offer greener, smarter and better value transport to our customers.”

Liverpool is the first British testbed for fuelling buses on compressed natural gas.

Bluebird Managing Director Andrew Jarvis (left), Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter and East Scotland Managing Director Charlie Mullen launch the new coaches to serve Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Angus.

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uk bus / north america

COACH Canada teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough again this year by sponsoring a Team Build day.

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and District is a community-based, non-profit, faith-based organization with a mission to build affordable housing and promote home ownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty through the help of volunteers throughout the community.

Home building team build event

Front (LtoR): Fran Buckley, Tom Beauchamp, Debbie Sullivan. Back (LtoR): Sue Adlam, Jason Bulman, James Doucette.

LONDON union officers John Lashmar, Dean Rhodes and Colin Fair recently raised £1585 on a sponsored walk along the seven-mile 248 route from Cranham to Romford.

The trio raised the cash for Alex Stringer, son of Rainham driver Ian Blandford, who lost both legs and an arm when he stood on a landmine while service with British forces in Afghanistan. £350 of the sum raised was also donated to Help for Heroes through West Ham Training Supervisor Brian Williamson.

Walk for HeroesThe three London walkers.

Bridal busAN Exmouth bride broke with

tradition by catching a Stagecoach bus to her wedding.

Eve Lewis (25) from Exmouth, took the 14:08 number 57 bus from outside her family’s home to the church at RM Lympstone, accompanied by her father and five bridesmaids.

Her mother, Trish Lewis said: “She thought it would be fun and very different.”

NOT one but two major honours came Stagecoach’s way at this year’s 2011 Route One Operator Excellence Awards.

Stagecoach and Scottish vehicle manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) were jointly awarded the inaugural Green Award at the Birmingham ceremony, after leading the UK on the introduction of state-of-the-art green hybrid-electric buses.

And Stagecoach London Engineering Director Darren Roe scooped the Bus Engineer of the Year Award.

Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Les Warneford said: “Darren’s professionalism and dedication, as well as the enthusiasm he shows when teaching others, make him a very worthy winner.

“We are working hard to become a greener business in a number of ways – including the introduction of low-emissions vehicles – so we are delighted that our efforts, and those of ADL, have been recognised in this way.”

Double success

KIRKWALL driver Michael Firth recently raised £1000 for Cancer Research by doing a sponsored skydive at Strathallan Airfield.

Picture shows Michael and his instructor on their way back to earth.

Flying high

Budget coach service megabus.com is expanding to the southern United States.

Low-cost coach services are to start running out of a new hub in Atlanta, Georgia, to 11 cities in the states of Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.

The latest expansion means megabus.com – which offers daily, express coach travel for as low as £1 in the UK and from $1 in North America – will link 72 cities in the United States and Canada via seven hubs.

Dale Moser, President and Chief Operating Officer of megabus.com in North America, said: “Americans are continuing to look for ways to stretch their income, and we look forward to providing safe, convenient and affordable travel to millions of new customers.”

Seventh USA hub for megabus.com

Chuck’s a starCOACH USA mascot Chuck is getting more popular

by the day as his every move is posted on the company’s Facebook site.

Chuck also appears at press and promotional events and is fast becoming a star!

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uk bus / uk rail

NOTTINGHAM City Council, East Midlands Trains and representatives from Invest in Nottingham Club recently joined forces at a special train naming ceremony to officially launch the city’s Invest in Nottingham Day.

The naming of East Midlands Trains’ Meridian

Invest in Nottingham goes into service

EMMA-LOUISE Cragg, whose mum Rachel works at Stagecoach headquarters in Perth, recently undertook a World Challenge Expedition to Kenya.

In order to raise the funds needed for the trip – which included a trek up Mount Kenya and through the Rift Valley – Emma-Louise carried out a variety of activities including car-washing, cat-sitting, helping at the Blairgowrie Highland Games, holding candle parties and selling household products.

She would like to thank everyone at Stagecoach HQ who helped her raise enough money for the trip of a lifetime.

A big thankyou

Emma-Louise.

DRIVERS and engineers from Stagecoach’s Thanet bus depot are celebrating after winning this year’s Kent People’s Trust Charity Golf Day.

Driver Simon Cleary said: “We have entered a team for the past four years. Last year we came second so it’s a great feeling to have reached the top this time and we hope to defend the title next year.”

Thanet team’s golf win

SOUTH West Trains has recently been awarded a prestigious ServiceMark accreditation from the Institute of Customer Service, the UK’s professional body for customer service.

This accreditation recognises the high standard of service provided to customers by the team and their efforts to continually improve and adapt to customer requirements.

In addition, the company has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People mark for the third time since 2005.

The Investors in People Award helps organisations to develop their employees, improve performance and realise objectives through effective management.

Praise for South West Trains

STAFF at Stagecoach headquarters in Perth took part in a school sports away day recently, which involved some activities that many had not taken part in for years.

Overall, the red team came out on top after a series of events including a space hopper race, sack race and three-legged race!

Back to school

The winning away day team.

STAGECOACH South played an important part in a recent ‘Move it’ event aimed at teaching school children about all sorts of different modes of transport.

As well as Stagecoach, the event was attended by the fire service and police and there were also various cars, lorries and unusual vehicles there for the youngsters to see.

Stagecoach helps move it

222022 as ‘Invest in Nottingham’ marks a successful partnership between the rail industry and the City which has helped to drive the multi-million pound Hub station improvement scheme. It also signifies the investment made by East Midlands Trains to improve rail links to and from Nottingham.

Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council, and Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains.

(From left) Tony Newman, Jack Friend, Phil Hunter and Simon Cleary with their tournament trophies.

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people page

CONTACTSEditor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW

Email: lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com

www.stagecoach.com

If you have a story for On Stage, please contact Lindsay Reid as above.

The copy deadline for the next edition of On Stage

will be Friday, 9 December, 2011.

The quickfire round – Bill Ness

Customer Insight Team, Group, Perth

Who are you? I’m Bill Ness,

Telemarketing Manager in the Customer

Insight Team at Group in Perth.

What do you like most about your

job? In all honesty, it’s a bit of a cliche, but

working with all the other people in the

team is the best part of my job.

What do you like least about your

job? Ha Ha. A nice 4 day week, maybe

working 10am to 4pm, would be good.

Favourite TV show? The Wire.

Biggest achievement? Signing as an

apprentice professional footballer with

St Johnstone Football Club on my 16th

birthday.Worst job? Cleaning out a poultry farm as

a summer job. Stinky!

Most embarrassing moment? My

picture in this On Stage.

Dream job? Playing

football with Lionel

Messi.Favourite animal?

A dog; in fact my dog,

Finlay.Most like to be

stuck in a lift with?

I should really say my

girl, Linsey, mother of my child, light of my

life...but no, it would be Scarlett Johansson!!

The Quickfire Round features in every

edition of On Stage and we want to hear

from as many staff as possible.

To suggest the next participant, email

lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com

Danny gets on boardFOLKESTONE Depot has a new boss in the shape

of Danny Millis, who has been promoted to Operations Manager from the role of Assistant Operations Manager at Canterbury and Herne Bay.

Phil Medlicott, Managing Director of Stagecoach in Kent and East Sussex, said: “I am confident that Danny will use his experience and expertise to ensure that the quality of our 20 services operated from Folkestone remains consistently high and that customers benefit from his management of the depot.”

Danny Millis, Folkestone Operations Manager.

SOUTH Shields duty officer Alan Douglass has retired after almost 45 years of service.

After leaving a career as a hairdresser, Alan started his career on the buses as a conductor in 1967 and became a driver in December 1969.

Everyone at South Shields depot wishes him a fond farewell.

A fond farewell

STAGECOACH East Midlands has made some new appointments recently, including that of David Lee-Kong who has taken over as Operations Manager in Hull

In addition, Michael Sanderson has moved from Stagecoach South to take up the post of Marketing Analyst.

And congratulations go to Schedules Assistant Alex Proctor, who has recently passed his PCV test. Alex also volunteers at the Sandtoft Trolley Bus Museum.

New appointments at East Midlands

New Hull Operations Manager David Lee-Kong.

WORTHING depot’s new Operations Manager Steve Venables is enjoying his new role but says that he will have little time to enjoy the sea views from his new office.

Andrew Dyer, Managing Director of Stagecoach South, welcomed Steve on board saying: “I am confident that Steve will use his experience and expertise to the benefit of the thousands of customers who use our Worthing services every day.”

Promotion for Steve

Steve Venables, new Operations Manager for Worthing.

Champions rewardedEAST Midlands Trains Managing

Director Tim Shoveller recently handed over awards to the company’s Stagecoach Group Champions.

Pictured left to right are Silver Safety Champions Peter Glass and Rob Mason, MD Tim Shoveller, Silver Safety Champion Helen Barley and former Stagecoach Metrolink employee and Silver Innovation Champion Ian Milne.

Congratulations to all.