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on stageononononononononononThe newsletter of Stagecoach Group
Issue 78 | February 2010
1
Outstanding apprentice scores Wembley victoryoooo
Gemma Amison receives her award from Nick Jones, Chief Executive of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE).
Stagecoach Manchester, added: “This is an amazing achievement for Gemma.
“Not only is this recognition of a personal achievement, it also re� ects the high quality of our training and development programme.
“We hope Gemma's success will encourage more young women out there to try a career in engineering.”
Stagecoach Manchester electrical apprentice Chris Cohen was also named as a � nalist for the Transport Engineering and Maintenance award.
STAGECOACH South Wales has won the contract to operate park and ride bus services for golf ’s 2010 Ryder Cup.
Up to 150 buses a day will operate at the competition, taking place at Celtic Manor, Newport, this autumn, carrying an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people a day.
Delighted with the prestigious contract, Stagecoach South Wales Managing Director John Gould said: ”We will be calling on the signi� cant resources of the 19 regional companies within our UK Bus division – which operates a � eet of around 7,000 buses and coaches and employs around 18,000 people throughout the UK – to help ensure the success of the operation.”
Stagecoach gets in the swing
Whistles rewardsuperb services
Santa’s work is never done...AFTER delivering all his presents
overnight on Christmas Eve, Santa found himself with a day job on Christmas Day too!
megabus.com became the only national coach operator to run services across England throughout the entire festive period, including Christmas Day itself.
Santa starts his seasonal shift.
overnight on Christmas Eve, Santa
A STAGECOACH UK Bus apprentice
has been recognised at the prestigious GoSkills ‘Go For Excellence’ Passenger Transport Apprenticeship Awards.
Gemma Amison, a mechanical apprentice based at the Stagecoach Manchester Daw Bank depot in Stockport, picked up the Transport Engineering and Maintenance award at the glittering ceremony held at Wembley Stadium in London.
Now in their fourth year, the awards cover the rail, aviation, coach and bus industries, and are organised by GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport.
Gemma said: “It is a great honour to have won this award and I'm still so surprised to have heard my name called out.
“As one of the company's � rst female apprentices, I hope this spreads the message that engineering is not just an all-male career and that women can succeed in this area.
“Ultimately, I hope this encourages other females to apply for an apprenticeship.
“I can't thank my mentors and engineering colleagues at Stagecoach Manchester enough for their support. At times it has been challenging but I have learnt so much and feel ready to progress to the next level.”
Mark Threapleton, Managing
Director of
STAGECOACH Group’s two rail franchises, East Midlands Trains and South West Trains, were praised for their safety, improved performance and passenger satisfaction as they picked up three accolades at the newly launched Golden Whistles Awards.
South West Trains, the largest passenger rail company in the UK, picked up the Golden Whistle Award for Best Operational Delivery.
Operations Director Jan Chaudhry said: “We are extremely proud to have picked up the very � rst Golden Whistle Award, and the one based directly on levels of passenger satisfaction.
“It recognises the continuous improvement we have made in the delivery of punctual, reliable and good-quality train services.”
East Midlands Trains collected two awards – a Golden Whistle Award for Most Improved Operational Safety and a Silver Whistle Award for Most Improved Operational Performance.
Mark Steward, Operations Director for East Midlands Trains, described them as “a fantastic achievement,” adding: “It’s great to see that the dedication and drive of our sta� in making such signi� cant improvements have been recognised in this way.”
won the contract to operate park and
superb servicesfranchises, East Midlands Trains and
on stageononon
2
You what?!
Can you beat that? Send your weird and wonderful overheard comments [email protected]
uk bus
(Overheard by a Stagecoach South West call handler.)
Customer: Are the buses running on Norn Hill?Us: Yes, but there are delays. Customer: Will the weather get better this afternoon? It's so slippy out there I'm scared to go out and cross the road to the bus stop. Us: We hope things will get better later. Customer: You see my turkey's at Marks & Spencer. I don't suppose someone at Stagecoach could fetch it for me?
TEESSIDE children have named 15 new buses in a competition launched by Stagecoach North East.
The company recently invested over £1.5 million in new vehicles and local children were invited to help name the buses and give each an identity of its own.
Hundreds of entries were received and, after long deliberation, Stagecoach North East selected its favourite � fteen.
Managing Director John Conroy said: “We launched this initiative to give the local community the opportunity to become more involved with the bus network and to help children learn about the bene� ts of public transport.”
Children name Teesside buses
Triangle route rings changes
A £3.6 MILLION investment by Stagecoach has upgraded buses on the successful Triangle service between Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay.
To mark their launch, Phil Medlicott, Regional Managing Director of Stagecoach East Kent and East Sussex, presented a print of the new UNiBUS livery design, created by in-house designer Kristina Gwynne, to Juliet Thomas from the University of Kent, who con� rmed that around half of the 15,000 students use the UNiBUS service to commute to their studies.
Stagecoach has upgraded buses on the
15 new buses in a competition
Mark scales new heights
Mark makes it to the summit.
KEEN climber Mark Powell proved there still ‘ain’t no mountain high enough’ as he took on his biggest challenge so far – Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mark – who’s Area Engineering Manager for Porth, Merthyr, Brynmawr
and Aberdare – trekked for � ve days to reach the summit of Africa’s
highest peak, 19,340 feet above sea
level.
new heightsproved there still ‘ain’t no mountain
Creative kids helped give Teesside’s new buses their own ‘personality’.
Stagecoach East Kent and East Sussex Managing Director Phil Medlicott presents the print to Juliet Thomas from the University of Kent.
STAGECOACH has joined forces with the UK’s biggest independent healthcare provider to boost the heart health of UK Bus employees.
A new Healthy Heart Bus is going on tour as the company o� ers free heart health check-ups to thousands of employees.
Over the next three to four years, all Stagecoach UK Bus workers with more than three years’ service can bene� t from a voluntary assessment of their cardiovascular health. They’ll receive advice on maintaining and improving their heart health and have access to further tests, if required.
Depots around the country will provide the locations for the assessments to take place. However, the service will be run entirely by BMI Healthcare doctors and nurses, and employees’ health information will remain strictly con� dential.
There are two stages to the project:Stage 1: Employees will be invited to attend
an appointment with a nurse at their local depot during which basic biometric and blood testing will be carried out and the employee’s lifestyle factors will be determined. The results will be used to assess the employee’s heart health, and to determine who will be invited
Healthy Heart Bus offeringfree check-ups and advice
to take part in the second stage of the process.Stage 2: Employees will be invited to attend
an appointment on the Healthy Heart Bus where they may be asked to take an Exercise Tolerance Test using an exercise bike to explore their heart health in greater detail. The bus will be equipped with all the latest technology and will have all the safety features necessary to perform the tests in a safe environment.
Employees who take part in the second stage of the programme will then be given information on ways to reduce their risk factors, or will be advised to seek further advice from their GP.
The creation of the state-of-the-art Healthy Heart Bus has involved extensive refurbishment of an existing Stagecoach vehicle to turn it into a mobile cardio-screening unit with the latest exercise electrocardiogram equipment and patient consultation facilities.
The project – the � rst of its kind in Britain – gets under way this month, when employees at Stagecoach in the Highlands will have the chance to take part in Stage 1.
Information on when the Healthy Heart Bus will be visiting a location near you will be made available locally prior to the visit.
the UK’s biggest independent healthcare
free check-ups and advice
Spotlight on…The Paint Shop, Ashford
on stageononon
3
uk bus / uk rail
EMT harnesses poppy power
African road safety drive
STAGECOACH Group is continuing its strong partnership with international development charity Transaid by providing vital driver training for bus and coach drivers in Zambia.
The company is providing funding for Stagecoach Driving Instructor Neil Rettie to spend 12 months helping to improve driving standards in Zambia as part of Transaid’s Professional Driver Training Project.
Having spent three months in the Lusaka region of Zambia last year, during which he trained more than 60 bus and coach drivers, Neil recently headed o� for a second three-month spell.
He will continue to deliver a ‘Safe and Skilled Driving’ course to transport operators as well as working alongside the Zambian Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to help them develop
Neil Rettie with Elijah Mugodi, Head Driver for CR Carriers, and driver Kenneth Zulu.
STAGECOACH West Quality Inspector Martin Bennett hit the road to raise cash for the Stroke Association.
Martin completed the 44-mile Castle to Castle Cycling Challenge to raise £330 in sponsorship, and that � gure was matched by Stagecoach West.
On your bike!
Charity unveilsstriking mural
EAST Midlands Trains workers have provided a welcome boost to The Royal British Legion’s charity work. Congratulations to everyone who helped raise a whopping £11,267 for the 2009 Poppy Appeal.
Staff saddle up for epilepsy
STAGECOACH South drivers have raised £3000 for the Epilepsy Unit at Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital, thanks to a sponsored cycle ride.
Over 40 Portsmouth depot sta� , with family and friends, pedalled the 28-mile route via Havant, Emsworth and Fishbourne to the company’s Chichester depot and back to raise the cash.
The ride was organised by Coach Builder Simon Davis whose ten-year-old son Al� e attends the Epilepsy Unit for treatment.
Colin Ashcroft, Liz West, Simon Davis and young Al� e display the grand total raised.
and implement their curriculum.Neil, who works for Stagecoach in the
Highlands and is based in Inverness, has also helped the Industrial Training Centre Trust (ITCT) in Zambia to deliver two defensive driver training courses in the Copperbelt region.
Neil said: “I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge and it’s a great opportunity for me to share my skills with others.”
safety driveits strong partnership with international
for epilepsyraised £3000 for the Epilepsy Unit at
British Legion’s charity work. Congratulations to everyone who helped raise a
Inspector Martin Bennett hit the
Martin cycled 44 miles for charity.
THE PAINT Shop, based in Ashford, is made up of Harry Reid and his team, which includes skilled engineers Richard Moon, Terry Weller and Terry Martin plus fourth-year apprentice Jason Page.
The team works hard to ensure that the entire � eet of East Kent buses look brand new every day. They do this by re-spraying vehicles when necessary as well as repairing
and replacing panels which may be damaged.
While most of the buses are sprayed in Stagecoach livery, the team occasionally gets to use their artistic skills to create one-o� designs and they are proud to have their hard work displayed on buses across East Kent for all to see!
MEMBERS of a Manchester community gathered to unveil a special mural marking the 100-year anniversary of the city’s Princess Road bus depot.
Children involved with the charity Manchester Young Lives (MYL) created the striking artwork, which will be a lasting legacy of Stagecoach Manchester’s involvement in the local community.
It depicts landmarks in and around Moss Side, including the depot, Hyde’s Brewery and St Mary’s Church, and was jointly funded by Stagecoach Manchester, Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Police.
Stagecoach Manchester’s Managing Director Mark Threapleton said: “We are delighted to be supporting a charity at the heart of the community, and one so close to our Princess Road depot.
“It is wonderful that the children have been so involved in the design of the mural, and their creativity and imagination just shines through.”
Stagecoach Manchester is also putting the � nishing touches to a commemorative book commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the Princess Road depot using photos sent in by the people of Greater Manchester.
The book will sold to the public with all the proceeds raised donated to Manchester Young Lives – Stagecoach Manchester’s charity of the year.
community gathered to unveil a
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4
Cool school bus
A BRAND new � eet of Park and Ride buses has been launched in Exeter, marking the conclusion of a year-long joint project between Stagecoach South West and Devon County Council.
The 13 new buses are all Alexander Dennis Enviro 300s or 400s, and will carry individual liveries for each of the three Park and Ride services that operate in the city.
The � eet represents a £2.5 million investment by Stagecoach, £725,000 of which was Government funding awarded to Devon County Council for exceeding growth targets for public transport passenger numbers across Devon.
The annual number of people travelling on Park and Ride buses in Exeter has increased by 85% over � ve years.
Michelle Hargreaves, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see the results of all the hard work we and Devon County Council have put into this project.”
New vehicles provide a park and ride boost
Pictured launching the new � eet are, from left: Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation; Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Chairman of the Highways and Tra� c Orders Committee; Councillor Ruth Smith, Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter, and Michelle Hargreaves, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West. (Picture courtesy of Apex PR).
WHEN Robert Nicol from PSV Claims announced he was taking a three-month sabbatical to work in a Children’s Home in Kenya, Stagecoach Group sta� rallied round to raise as much money as possible to help fund his trip.
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter also played his part by agreeing to wear a suit for a day in return for sponsorship from sta� .
As a result of quizzes, ra� es, donations, book sales, baking sales and even leg waxing, a grand total of £835.60 was raised to help Robert on his way. Thanks to all who contributed.
Ooh – suits you, sir!
Brian Souter wishes Robert good luck for his trip.
Brian Souter joined the fundraising by o� ering to wear a suit for the day in return for sponsorship from sta� .
HULL kids are making a big statement about the importance of going to school.
As part of its drive to improve attendance, Highlands Primary School is getting the ‘Be Cool – Come to School’ message across to local children and parents through banners on the sides of Stagecoach Service 30 buses. The banners were designed by members of the school’s breakfast club.
School children in Hull with their ‘Be cool, come to school’ message on a Stagecoach bus.
Ride buses has been launched in Exeter,
Scottish Citylink celebrates Investors in People success
SCOTTISH Citylink is delighted to have been awarded Silver-level Investors in People status at its � rst attempt.
The award is an excellent achievement, given only to companies which can demonstrate that sta� are at the core of their business. Preparation for the award took many months and culminated in a rigorous assessment of procedures, training, personal development plans and communication within the business.
The report said: “The Assessor also stated that the overwhelming sense she had from all of the sta� interviews was that Scottish Citylink Coaches was a very pleasant place to work.”
three-month sabbatical to work in a Children’s Home in Kenya, Stagecoach Group
Ooh – suits you, sir!
Cool school busstatement about the importance of
People status at its � rst attempt.
England goes snooker loopy
MERSEYSIDE driver Fred England is a world record-holder after playing snooker for 51 hours.
His record-breaking achievement also raised more than £2000 for the Ward 6b Dialysis Unit and the Linda McCartney Centre at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University NHS Trust.
During his snooker marathon, Fred took on many friends, family and colleagues and even managed to beat Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher.
After � nishing, Fred said: “It feels fantastic! The � rst 24 hours were a breeze, but then I got tired.
“I’m just thankful my mates from Stagecoach volunteered and came down and played me during the night when I needed to keep playing – and stay awake.”
Fred England is interviewed after his successful world record attempt.
is a world record-holder after playing
uk bus
on stageononon
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Picture ofthe Season
WIN A
£50VOUCHER
Better service in the west
Partnership boosts rail service
Record breakers
Partnership boosts rail service
THIS edition’s winning Picture of the Season was taken by John Young who works for Stagecoach Manchester. It shows Service 192 in Stockport’s Mersey Square.
Congratulations to John 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 [email protected]
CUSTOMERS in the West of England received an early Christmas present in the form of a new, hourly train service between Exeter St David’s and London Waterloo.
Launched as part of South West Trains’ winter timetable change, the new services also provide faster journey times between Exeter St David’s and Waterloo, as well as an improved weekday late-night service.
The new and improved services, which have been enabled through a £22 million infrastructure improvement programme by Network Rail, give customers a far greater choice, a more reliable train service and some great-value tickets.
Andy Pitt, Managing Director for South West Trains, said: “The introduction of these new services marks a signi� cant step forward for our customers and the team at South West Trains, and we would like to pay tribute to everybody who helped us to turn this ambition into a reality.
“Good transport links to major cities such
The Mayor of Axminster and children from a local school attend the launch of the new timetable.
PASSENGERS travelling on East Midlands Trains are bene� ting from more trains and improved connections following the launch of a new timetable.
One of the key changes was the introduction of more train services between She� eld and London.
As the result of a successful partnership with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and Yorkshire Forward, a brand new train service was launched that has seen the current hourly service increasing
to two trains an hour, bringing substantial improvements for the region.
There are also better links between She� eld and key cities in the East Midlands, such as Derby and Leicester, as well as a new hourly service to East Midlands Parkway station near East Midlands Airport.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, said: “We are particularly excited to be launching the new services between She� eld and London, which highlight just how much can be achieved through partnership working.”
SHEFFIELD Supertram was recently involved in the setting of a new world record for getting the highest number of bikes on a tram journey.
The successful record attempt was made during one of Supertram’s Sunday Special services which accommodate bikes and, as a result, the record now stands at 34 bikes, one tandem and one tricycle.
as Exeter and, of course, our Capital city play a crucial role in helping to keep the local economy growing, and we are certain that our customers will enjoy using these new hourly services.”
Axminster station’s amenities have also been improved to provide a new footbridge, a lift, new waiting shelters and a digitised customer information system.
received an early Christmas present in
recently involved in the setting of
Tim Shoveller with Councillor Jan Wilson at the launch of the new She� eld to London train services.
Group Chief Executive Brian Souter congratulates the successful drivers.
Drivers earn qualifi cations
A GROUP of trainee drivers at South West Trains have become the � rst in the company to gain a nationally recognised vocational quali� cation.
The � rst drivers to have successfully achieved their NVQ Level 2 in Rail Operations quali� cation were presented with their certi� cates by Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter and South West Trains HR Director Andrew Welsby.
The South West Trains Operations and Safety training centre has a long tradition of providing high-quality traincrew vocational training.
In May 2009, it achieved approved centre status from the City & Guild quali� cations body.
qualifi cationsat South West Trains have become
uk rail
on stageonononthe green scene
6
Green Bio-bus earns major award
Millions invested in hybrid fl eet
Oxford buses going greener
A GROUNDBREAKING eco-friendly bus initiative has earned a major environmental award.
Stagecoach West Scotland’s Bio-bus project – which involves running buses on recycled cooking oil – won the award for Best Process at the VIBES (Vision in Business for the Environment) of Scotland Awards in Edinburgh.
The accolade recognises the development and application of a new production technology that has made an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
And it’s the second honour the Bio-bus project has received in recent months, after it was also named Best Green PR Campaign at the inaugural Scottish Green Awards.
Sam Greer, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “This award
friendly bus initiative has earned a
further demonstrates our commitment to tackling the challenge of climate change by encouraging greater use of public transport as well as reducing our own
STAGECOACH Group’s market-leading budget service megabus.com has signed up to a new US Green Coach Certi� cation Programme as part of the company’s drive to encourage people to switch to greener smarter travel options.
megabus.com – which o� ers daily, express coach travel for as low as £1 in the UK and
COMMUTERS cycling to Surbiton Station are making the most of a new cycle lock-up.
The secure facility, which was constructed by South West Trains, houses up to 122 bikes and was o� cially opened by the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Ian McDonald, in December.
Surbiton station has been at the forefront of Transport for London’s (TfL) programme working with local partners to enable cycle/rail commuting.
STAGECOACH is to invest around £11 million in a � eet of greener hybrid buses with 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles.
A � eet of 56 double-decker hybrid vehicles will be manufactured and go into service in major city operations in Manchester and Oxford.
Some 30 of the new hybrid vehicles will be introduced on services covering Manchester’s major university and hospital areas, while 26 buses will run on some of Oxford’s busiest city centre routes.
Stagecoach will receive £5 million in Government support funding to add to its own £11 million investment under a scheme designed to help meet the cost of low-carbon vehicles.
carbon footprint as a company.“We’re delighted that our innovative
Bio-Bus project has been recognised and would also like to thank our partners in the scheme, East Ayrshire Council and Argent Energy Ltd.
“We hope that, by promoting our message of greener, smarter travel through low-carbon, good-value and reliable public transport, we can encourage our customers and sta� to think about ways in which they can live greener lives.”
As part of the Bio-bus scheme, customers are encouraged to exchange used cooking oil in return for discounted bus travel.
The project has cut CO2 emissions from the buses by 80%, saving 1470 tonnes of carbon, while more than 66 tonnes of used cooking oil has been recycled.
Pictured, from left, are: Rob Gibson MSP; Sam Greer, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland; Roseanna Cunningham MSP and David Sigsworth, Chair of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Eco-badge boost for megabus
from $1 in North America – is taking part in the pilot initiative launched by the University of Vermont.
Participating companies’ qualifying vehicles are badged with ‘Green Coach Certi� ed’ eco-labels to highlight their environmental performance, similar to the existing system for electrical appliances.
The initiative is part of a research project aimed at laying the foundation for a long-term environmental certi� cation programme for the motorcoach industry and passenger transportation sector.
Biking train travellerssecure a new facility
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Ian McDonald, and South West Trains Customer Services Director Ian Johnston at the opening of the new cycle compound.
Station are making the most of a new
secure a new facility
Millions invested in hybrid fl eetwith 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles.
leading budget service megabus.com
OXFORD is looking forward to a new, greener bus network.
A ground-breaking agreement, the � rst of its kind in the UK, is the result of months of planning between Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company and transport o� cers from Oxfordshire County Council.
This is the latest element of the County Council’s Transform Oxford plans and will deliver a better environment for pedestrians and people using public transport.
Planned to go live in the autumn, the sustainable bus network will deliver:
A £10 million investment in new state-of-• the-art low-emission busesA new multi-operator integrated smartcard • ticketing systemConvenient, turn-up-and-go, high-frequency • bus services on the city’s four key corridorsAn e� cient, accessible and co-ordinated • package of servicesMore seats using fewer buses by switching to • high-quality double-decker vehiclesBetter information and faster boarding for bus • passengers.
Oxford has one of the highest levels of bus use in the UK, accounting for around half of all journeys in and around the city.
As well as signi� cantly improving the travelling experience for existing passengers, the new package of improvements will provide scope for more people to switch from car to bus, leading to safer, cleaner and less congested streets.
Martin Sutton, Managing Director of Stagecoach Oxfordshire, said: “Providing more seats using fewer buses will be better for the environment.”
on stageononon
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uk bus / north america
Coolriders head for Highlands
Stephen’s health kick pays off
Funky Fifers dance their way to victory
Keep on running
Children’s odes hitting the roads
Free seat giveaway to celebrate 2010
Kindness by the boxload
STAGECOACH Group's market-leading budget service megabus.com o� ered passengers the chance to celebrate the start of 2010 with 100,000 free seats.
Dale Moser, President and COO of megabus.com in the United States, said: “megabus.com's low fares make travelling a� ordable every day and our free seat deal gave people even more reason to get away in the new year.
“megabus.com's � eet of state-of-the-art double-decker buses are equipped with free wi-� , reclining seats and on-board toilets, as well as power points on designated routes.”STAGECOACH in the Highlands
is to introduce a Coolrider ticket o� ering cheaper bus travel to 16 and 17-year-olds.
Marketing Manager Sarah Anderson said: “We have high hopes for the Coolrider ticket as we believe it continues to o� er youngsters great value for money, even after they turn 16, whether it be for going out, shopping or going to school or college.
“At an age when most are keen to start driving, we hope we can keep people on the bus for longer!”
NORTH West driver Stephen Barnett has proved that sensible eating and regular exercise can make all the di� erence after losing 100lbs as part of a Weight Watchers programme.
Stephen embarked on his healthy living plan after consulting his doctor and is delighted to have reached his target weight.
YOUNG dancers have been given a helping hand on their way to victory.
Stagecoach in Fife provided free transport for the Funky Fifers Juvenile Wheelchair Dance Group as they competed in the Scottish Wheelchair Homecoming Festival 2009.
Kenneth Christie, his sister Catlin and cousin Georgie are all part of the team which won three gold medals in the team events.
Kenneth also won the gold in the junior individual freestyle competition.
The triumphant Funky Fifers show o� their medals.
STAGECOACH Group Finance Department employees Norma Scott and Katie Loudon took part in The Big Fun Run in Perth to raise money for Down's Syndrome Scotland.
After generous sponsorship from their colleagues and a donation from Stagecoach, the total amount raised came to £1,202.
FIVE pupil poets from Kent have had their winning poems displayed on buses in the region after Stagecoach sponsored the Canterbury Festival’s School’s Poetry competition for the 7th year.
The � ve winners were selected from nearly 1,000 poems.
At the presentation held at the City’s Dominican Priory, Stagecoach’s Regional Managing Director Phil Medlicott said: “We are pleased to be able to let the work of the selected winners reach a wider audience on our buses.
Phil Medlicott with, from left: George Pipkin, Anna Pass� eld, Sophie Ovenden and Kaitlin Mallo.
GENEROUS sta� at Stagecoach Group headquarters donated 46 shoeboxes full of goodies to those less fortunate this Christmas.
Once again this year, Stagecoach supported the Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal which sends shoeboxes full of presents to underprivileged children and adults in Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, Ukraine, Maldova and India.
Charity runners Norma Scott (left) and Katie Loudon.
Keep on running
Department employees Norma
for Highlandsis to introduce a Coolrider ticket
kick pays off
West driver
passengers the chance to celebrate the start of 2010 with 100,000 free seats.
hitting the roadstheir winning poems displayed on buses
their way to victoryhelping hand on their way to victory.
Stagecoach Group headquarters
“We know from feedback given to drivers that our customers enjoy the creative and often thought-provoking writing.”
HQ sta� with their extra-special delivery.
on stageononon
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people page
The quickfi re round – Agnes Munns
CONTACTS
Pole position
Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW
Email: [email protected]
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 mid-March, 2010.
Who are you?
Agnes Munns, IT Support Manager,
Stagecoach Group.
What do you like most about your
job? No two days are the same and I’m always
learning new things.
What do you like least about your
job? As the business depends on the high
availability of the systems, it can be stressful
if there is a failure!
Favourite TV show?
Grand Designs.
Biggest achievement?
Two beautiful daughters.
Worst job?
Plucking pheasants for extra Christmas
money.
Most embarrassing
moment?
Unmentionable...
Dream job?
Interior Designer.
Favourite animal?
Cat.Most like to be
stuck in a lift with...
Al Pacino.
The Quick� re Round features in every
edition of On Stage and we want to hear
from as many sta� as possible.
To suggest the next participant, email
A THRILLING charity event put Stagecoach in Fife sta� on-track to raise £3000 for local charities.
Eleven senior sta� and drivers joined Dunfermline Athletic FC’s Director of Football Jim Leishman MBE for a fundraising karting day.
The proceeds bene� ted Gordon Cottage – one of four child development centres in Fife – and the Mary Leishman Foundation, a charity fundraising organisation founded in memory of Jim’s late wife.
Pictured on the starting grid are, from left: Jim Leishman MBE, Stagecoach driver and event organiser Colin Fyfe and Janet Eddie, a Nursery Nurse at Gordon Cottage.
ORPHANS in Belarus are welcoming the unclaimed and unwanted lost property of Teesside’s bus passengers with open arms.
Tina Trotter, the receptionist from Stagecoach North East’s Teesside Depot, has been gathering unclaimed lost property and sending it over to Belarus to be put to good use in orphanages across the country.
She � rst became involved in the charity through her local church, and has been helping out for some 18 months.
Lost items fi nda new purpose
Simon ready for challenge
SIMON Walker has been welcomed as Stagecoach in Oxfordshire’s new Fleet Engineer.
Simon (46) from Preston in Lancashire will be responsible for a � eet of 113 buses and coaches, including the renowned Oxford Tube. He has a wealth of experience in the industry, having worked for bus companies around the UK.
Simon � rst worked with Stagecoach in 1988 when he was the Leading Hand Fitter for the former East Midland Motor Services based in Glossop, Derbyshire.
He said: “This industry is in my blood. It’s a very exciting time to join the company – with the new Oxford Tube Van Hool Astromegas now in place and the challenge that lies ahead with a very busy 24-hour transport operation – and I’m ready for this.”
Paul O’Callaghan, Stagecoach Service Delivery Director, added: “Simon’s experience and passion will make him a credit to the company.”
for challengeas Stagecoach in Oxfordshire’s new
Pole positionStagecoach in Fife sta� on-track to raise
Oxfordshire Fleet Engineer Simon Walker.
Awards dinner
STAGECOACH in South Wales has celebrated over 360 years of service from 11 members of sta� .
The awards were presented at a Long Service Dinner held at the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran.
Jacko calls it a daySTAGECOACH South Wales has said a fond farewell to Brian ‘Jacko’ Jackson, Roadside Publicity Van Driver, who has retired after 23 years of service.
Jacko (65) – also known to his colleagues as The Champion Tea Drinker – was based at Cwmbran but worked all over South Wales.
He plans to take up gardening, travel, see more of his grandchildren and devote more time to his beloved Pontypool Rugby Club.
