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ON STAGE Stagecoach releases children’s book Still Britain’s best value bus operator The newsletter of Stagecoach Group Issue 103 | May 2014 INSIDE Catch the Bus Week page 3 | Inspired by Matthew page 4 Down the aisle with megabus.com The front cover of the book. STAGECOACH has been confirmed as Britain’s best value major bus operator for the third successive time, according to new independent research. Analysis published by transport specialists TAS found that Britain’s biggest bus operator provides regular passengers with the lowest cost weekly bus travel. Stagecoach weekly travel is on average 12% lower than the next cheapest operator, more than 50% less than bus fares charged in the capital by Transport for London, and up to 60% better value than the most expensive major bus company. TAS found a week’s travel with Stagecoach was on average just £12.50 – up to £7.45 a week cheaper than other major operators. It means that, even accounting for annual holidays, Stagecoach passengers could save more than £300 a year compared to other big bus companies. Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said: “We are proud of our extensive record as Britain’s best value bus operator. Stagecoach is also investing record sums in improving the quality of bus travel, helping support British manufacturing and jobs.” STAGECOACH is capturing the fun side of transport after releasing its first children’s book. The 16-page book, which is called ‘A Very Special Family Party’, was produced to mark the 60th birthday of Stagecoach co-founder and Chairman Sir Brian Souter. Illustrators have turned the company’s well-known brands - including UK Bus, megabus.com, South West Trains, East Midlands Trains and Supertram - into children’s characters in a fun story set at a ‘family’ birthday party for Sir Brian. Along with Sir Brian, characters such as Bobby Bus, Stanley Supertram and Molly megabus.com have been immortalised in cartoon form. The book, which was written by Stagecoach Senior Group Communications Manager Lindsay Reid, is priced at £4. At least £1.50 from the sale of each book will be donated to the National Literacy Trust which works to improve reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK’s most disadvantaged Profits from book to help support children’s literacy across the UK communities, where up to 40 per cent of people have literacy problems. Stagecoach Group Chairman Sir Brian Souter said: “It’s a great idea, which we hope children will enjoy, and it reminds us that there’s a fun side to transport too.” Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group Martin Griffiths explained: “We like to diversify our products here at Stagecoach, so when the opportunity arose to produce a children’s book we thought it was worth a try. It’s also a fitting way to mark Brian’s birthday, given that he is so passionate about public transport, and of course we are delighted to be supporting a great cause in the National Literacy Trust at the same time.” Lorna Taylor, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the National Literacy Trust says: “One person in six in the UK lives with poor literacy and this holds them back at every stage of their life. Our interest is in supporting some of the UK’s poorest children and families to improve their literacy skill. Funds raised by Stagecoach will help us to achieve this vital goal.” The finished product is now available to buy online at www.amazon.co.uk NEWLYWEDS Rick and Katie Moynihan are such loyal megabus.com fans that they involved the budget coach operator in their wedding day. At their wedding the pair used a megabus.com vehicle to transport wedding guests to their wedding and reception venues. The couple, who got married in Forfar, spent two years travelling every weekend to see each other between their bases in Dundee and Manchester using the low cost intercity travel provider. As megabus.com had played such an important and well known role in their lives whilst dating, the couple wanted it to play a part in their special day. So they approached megabus.com to ask if they could hire a vehicle to transport their guests around. Katie said: “megabus.com has been a huge part of our relationship. Whenever one drives past us we smile and remember all our travel stories, the Sid averts his eyes as the happy couple embrace. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 people we met on it and especially how easy the company made the long distance for us. All of our friends and family know that we spent a huge chunk of our relationship travelling on megabus.com just to be together. The arrival of the bus at the wedding made them all laugh!”

ON The newsletter of Stagecoach Group Issue 103 - …media.investis.com/S/StageCoach/report/onstage/issue103.pdfThe newsletter of Stagecoach Group Issue 103 ... of our relationship

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ON STAGEStagecoach releases children’s book

Still Britain’s best value bus operator

The newsletter of Stagecoach Group Issue 103 | May 2014

INSIDE Catch the Bus Week page 3 | Inspired by Matthew page 4

Down the aisle with megabus.com

The front cover of the book.

STAGECOACH has been confirmed as Britain’s best value major bus operator for the third successive time, according to new independent research.Analysis published by transport specialists TAS found that Britain’s biggest bus operator provides regular passengers with the lowest cost weekly bus travel.Stagecoach weekly travel is on average 12% lower than the next cheapest operator, more than 50% less than bus fares charged in the capital by Transport for London, and up to 60% better value than the most expensive major bus company.TAS found a week’s travel with Stagecoach was on average just £12.50 – up to £7.45 a week cheaper than other major operators. It means that, even accounting for annual holidays, Stagecoach passengers could save more than £300 a year compared to other big bus companies.Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said: “We are proud of our extensive record as Britain’s best value bus operator. Stagecoach is also investing record sums in improving the quality of bus travel, helping support British manufacturing and jobs.”

STAGECOACH is capturing the fun side of transport after releasing its first children’s book. The 16-page book, which is called ‘A Very Special Family Party’, was produced to mark the 60th birthday of Stagecoach co-founder and Chairman Sir Brian Souter. Illustrators have turned the company’s well-known brands - including UK Bus, megabus.com, South West Trains, East Midlands Trains and Supertram - into children’s characters in a fun story set at a ‘family’ birthday party for Sir Brian. Along with Sir Brian, characters such as Bobby Bus, Stanley Supertram and Molly megabus.com have been immortalised in cartoon form. The book, which was written by Stagecoach Senior Group Communications Manager Lindsay Reid, is priced at £4. At least £1.50 from the sale of each book will be donated to the National Literacy Trust which works to improve reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK’s most disadvantaged

Profits from book to help support children’s literacy across the UKcommunities, where up to 40 per cent of people have literacy problems.Stagecoach Group Chairman Sir Brian Souter said: “It’s a great idea, which we hope children will enjoy, and it reminds us that there’s a fun side to transport too.”Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group Martin Griffiths explained: “We like to diversify our products here at Stagecoach, so when the opportunity arose to produce a children’s book we thought it was worth a try. It’s also a fitting way to mark Brian’s birthday, given that he is so passionate about public transport, and of course we are delighted to be supporting a great cause in the National Literacy Trust at the same time.” Lorna Taylor, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the National Literacy Trust says: “One person in six in the UK lives with poor literacy and this holds them back at every stage of their life. Our interest is in supporting some of the UK’s poorest children and families to improve their literacy skill. Funds raised by Stagecoach will help us to achieve this vital goal.”

The finished product is now available to buy online at www.amazon.co.uk

NEWLYWEDS Rick and Katie Moynihan are such loyal megabus.com fans that they involved the budget coach operator in their wedding day.At their wedding the pair used a megabus.com vehicle to transport wedding guests to their wedding and reception venues. The couple, who got married in Forfar, spent two years travelling every weekend to see each other between their bases in Dundee and Manchester using the low cost intercity travel provider. As megabus.com had played such an important and well known role in their lives whilst dating, the couple wanted it to play a part in their special day. So they approached megabus.com to ask if they could hire a vehicle to transport their guests around.Katie said: “megabus.com has been a huge part of our relationship. Whenever one drives past us we smile and remember all our travel stories, the

Sid averts his eyes as the happy couple embrace.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

people we met on it and especially how easy the company made the long distance for us. All of our friends and family know that we spent a huge chunk of our relationship travelling on megabus.com just to be together. The arrival of the bus at the wedding made them all laugh!”

ON STAGE

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Did you know? Stagecoach has cut its carbon footprint in the UK and North America by 20% in the last four years.

What a Laugh!The following announcement was heard being made by a driver on the London Underground.Driver: “Please allow the doors to close! Try not to confuse this with ‘Please hold the doors open’. The two are distinct and separate instructions.”

FOR the second year in a row bus passengers using Stagecoach are more satisfied than customers using other national UK operators, according to independent research.Consumer watchdog Passenger Focus found that 90% of Stagecoach bus passengers were either very or fairly satisfied with their overall service – even higher than last year’s leading score of 86%.Researchers also found that Stagecoach was the top national operator for the key customer measures of value for money, punctuality and on-bus journey time. Only 3% of Stagecoach customers surveyed said they were dissatisfied overall.The overall customer ratings for Stagecoach were higher than three other national UK bus operators – Arriva, First and National Express - all of whom achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 86%. Passenger Focus does not include Go Ahead in the national operator results due to the small sample of their services covered by the survey.Robert Montgomery, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “This recognition is a tribute to the customer focus of our drivers behind the wheel and our wider team behind the scenes. They can be rightly proud of what they have achieved. But we know we don’t always get things right and need to work even harder. We will continue to invest in training and other measures to improve the travel experience for our customers.”

TOP TRAM SATISFACTION TOOMeanwhile, more than nine out of 10 Supertram passengers are satisfied with their tram services, according to independent research by Passenger Focus.The results showed that 94% of tram customers in Sheffield were either very or fairly satisfied with their overall service. No Supertram passengers surveyed said they were dissatisfied overall. In the areas of satisfaction with value for money, punctuality and journey time, Supertram achieved even higher scores than South Yorkshire bus operators. Supertram Managing Director Margaret Kay said: “We offer high-quality, great value, fast, frequent and punctual tram services which connect easily to other modes of transport and it’s great to see that our customers have recognised that.”

STAGECOACH’S UK coach businesses scooped two honours at the 2014 UK Coach Awards.The megabusGold.com sleepercoach service – which is operated through the Scottish Citylink joint venture with transport group ComfortDelGro – won the Technology and Innovation award. megabus.com also scooped the Coach Marketing Award for large operators after impressing judges with its implementation of a carefully measured and integrated digital strategy, based on comprehensive research and led by a clear understanding of customer needs. The judging panel praised the “sophisticated and scientific” approach taken by the company in delivering its digital media strategy.

Top coach awards

Stagecoach’s UK Coach Managing Director Elizabeth Esnouf said: “We’re delighted to win these awards which are down to the hard work of our employees. megabusGold.com is without doubt one of the most innovative new products the coach industry has seen for some time and it’s great that the judges have recognised that.”

One of the megabusGold.com vehicles.

Stagecoach leads on customer satisfaction

STAGECOACH East Midlands has launched a revamped fleet of open top buses, named ‘the Seasiders’, for the 2014 holiday season in Skegness.The Seasiders are based on classic holiday themes and each design is a character in its own right – there’s Rocky, Shelly, Candy, Pierre and Sandy.Each bus has a striking new livery, refurbished seats and interiors. A children’s storybook about the adventures of Rocky has also been produced, and is currently on sale for £2 to raise money for the When You Wish Upon a Star charity, which helps grant the wishes of children living with life threatening illnesses. To purchase a copy of the book call 01522 522255.

Guests gathered on Rocky’s top deck to launch the Seasiders.

Seasiders hit the streets

TRANSPORT Minister Baroness Kramer has officially unveiled major improvements for passengers at Wokingham station, making this the 400th station to benefit from the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP). The £6 million improvement programme means passengers will now benefit from a brand new station building and a raft of enhancements including a new modern glazed station building, an improved transport interchange for taxis, buses and car users, a new and enlarged waiting area with additional seating, a larger booking hall and improved ticket facilities and new state-of-the-art destination information screens.Baroness Kramer said: “This scheme to improve our stations has been a real success, and Wokingham is a great example. We have delivered £220 million worth of improvements to 400 stations in England and Wales. It is making a real difference to the people who use our railways and is a great example of the rail industry working with local partners to benefit passengers and communities.” Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: “Wokingham station has been transformed with a new station building that feels more spacious and welcoming, enabling passengers to pass through the station more quickly and easily.”

Improvements at Wokingham Station

The new-look Wokingham Station.

The couple also had an extra special guest at the wedding reception as megabus.com mascot Sid turned up in his best attire to wish the couple all the best. Rick said: “It was a great surprise to find Sid at the reception, waiting to greet our guests. It put a smile on everyone’s faces.”Elizabeth Esnouf, Managing Director for Stagecoach’s UK Coach division, said: “It’s always lovely to hear the important part that megabus.com plays in people’s lives, especially on occasions like this with such a happy ending.”

Down the aisle with megabus.com CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

ON STAGE

Getting smart in Scotland

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Snookers celebs pop by for charity ... find out more on page 5.

STAGECOACH joined forces with sustainable transport group Greener Journeys and other local bus providers to promote the benefits of bus use during the second annual ‘Catch the Bus Week’.The initiative saw bus companies across the country encouraging local people to ditch their cars in favour of taking the bus.This year the focus was on the health benefits of taking the bus instead of driving.Research from Greener Journeys revealed that nearly half (44%) of UK adult bus users use the walk to the bus stop as a way of getting regular exercise. In addition, 4 out of ten (42%) of those surveyed also said they feel healthier and fitter because of travelling by bus and more than half (59%) said that the bus gives them the chance to get some fresh air.Throughout the week, Stagecoach highlighted the health, environmental and financial benefits of using the bus through a programme of promotional activities in local communities to encourage people to give the bus a try. Activities included competitions, ‘Meet the Bus’ days and MPs holding their local surgeries on board buses. Robert Montgomery, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “Following the success of last year’s event we’re delighted to be taking part this year. There are obvious health and environmental benefits of taking the bus instead of driving – but bus travel can also save people money and reduce the stress of driving and parking in busy towns and cities.“Catch the Bus Week is a great example of how the industry can work together to encourage greater use of sustainable travel.”Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys, added: “The week is a crucial springboard for greater attention to the whole host of ways that the bus benefits Britain, from how it helps people fit vital physical activity into hectic lives to how it helps cut traffic congestion.”

On board with ‘Catch The Bus Week’

megabus.com keeps growing

SCOTTISH Transport Minister Keith Brown welcomed the news that Stagecoach bus passengers in Scotland are to benefit from a new smartcard ticketing scheme which has been launched in West Scotland.The Stagecoach Smartcard scheme – which is now live across Stagecoach services in Glasgow, Ayrshire, Arran and Dumfries and Galloway – allows Stagecoach bus passengers to store their travel electronically on a smartcard instead of using paper tickets. Keith Brown said: “Stagecoach’s launch of commercial smart ticketing in South West Scotland, the first phase of a nationwide roll-out, is an exciting and welcome development for passengers. “I hope to see other operators follow this lead so that commercial smart ticketing becomes widely available and that national ambitions are met to see a Scotland where all journeys on bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be accessed using some form of smart ticketing or payment.”

BUS drivers Brian Arnold and Michael Leeming from Stagecoach North East’s Teesside depot were in tears, literally, as part of a campaign to encourage commuters in the Tees Valley to ditch the car and board the bus. The aim of the campaign is to engage and appeal to people’s emotions in an amusing and entertaining way.As part of national ‘Catch the Bus Week’, Brian’s sad face will appear on outdoor posters and will feature on a smiling poster alongside the three runner-up drivers on buses across the Tees Valley.

Reduced to tearsBrian Arnold with his ‘sad face’ advert.

MEGABUS.COM in the US has now expanded into Florida, with a new hub – the company’s 14th in the United States and Canada – being established in the popular tourist region of Orlando.Miami, Tallahassee and Tampa are the latest additions to the 120-city network which carries

more than 10 million passengers a year.Dale Moser, President and Chief Operating Office of megabus.com, said: “Customers can travel to these popular destinations in around the same amount of time it would take to drive themselves, without the stress of being behind the wheel.”

Bruce Thompson from Devon County Council and Robert Williams from Stagecoach South West promote the initiative.

Stagecoach London Managing Director Mark Threapleton joined Claire Haigh from Greener Journeys at the launch of Catch the Bus Week.

Gloucester staff do their bit to encourage greater bus use.

MP Justin Tomlinson joined Stagecoach West staff in Swindon during the week.

North West staff get in on the action during Catch the Bus Week.

ON STAGE

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nPICTURE THIS

Our Picture of the Season slot has now changed to Picture This – photos no longer need to include a bus, train or tram but should be transport-related in some way. This edition’s wining picture was taken by Colin Wells who works for Stagecoach South West. It shows a Routemaster bus near Winkleigh in Devon.Congratulations to Colin who will shortly receive his prize of £50 M&S vouchers.

Did you know? Stagecoach Supertram has frozen its tram fares in Sheffield.

TEN North East bus drivers delivered a late Christmas present to baby and infant hospice, Zoë’s Place, after collecting £3,150 for the charity over the festive season.The drivers from Stockton depot took to their buses in full costume as elves, snowmen and Santa Claus throughout December to encourage passengers to get on board and donate. In Sunderland, drivers Robert Taylor and Mark Johnston also donned festive costumes for work, raising £2,180 for St. Benedict’s Hospice and the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund (NECCR).

If you have any good photos for Picture This please send them to Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW, or email it to [email protected]

Dancing on tour

The Stockton drivers hand over their cheque to Zoë’s Place.

All aboard for charity

CHESTER City Sightseeing Tour was re-launched for the 2014 season with the help of Noella’s Steppers & Stompers adult tap dancers. As a result tourists and shoppers were treated to a few impromptu tap dance routines in the Town Hall square.The highly popular service has had significant investment with the introduction of four new Open Top vehicles which offer customers a more comfortable experience as they learn about Chester’s Roman and Medieval history.

The Steppers & Stompers in front of one of Chester’s new sightseeing buses.

Delicious delightsSTAFF at Stagecoach Group HQ in

Perth held a homebaking sale to mark World Down’s Syndrome

Awareness Day and to raise money for Down’s Syndrome Scotland.On the day, £340 was raised which was matched by the

company to make a total of £680. The sale was organised by Katrina Leese in Group Finance and was inspired by her son Matthew (pictured).

Put on your running shoesA TEAM of Yorkshire bus drivers took part in the SIG Insulation Sheffield Half Marathon corporate challenge, raising more than £400 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Erb’s Palsy Group.The runners Colin Geldard, Lee Grant, Jon Paterson and Martin Coney, were very grateful to colleagues at Stagecoach Yorkshire for their support.

Two of the runners, Colin Geldard (left) and Martin Coney (right).

STAGECOACH Yorkshire staff took part in a charity initiative that saw people across South Yorkshire raise money, just by having a cup of tea.The bus company sponsored Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity’s latest fundraising initiative, ‘Time for Tea’, which is part of the charity’s 20-year anniversary celebrations. Paul Lynch, Managing Director at Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “This is a great way to get people together to celebrate and recognise the work that the charity does.”

Time for a cuppaStagecoach staff take part in a tea party.

Easter Bunny visits

THE SUNDERLAND depot was treated to a visit from the Easter Bunny (pictured) when he hopped in to say hello over the Easter period meeting staff and customers.

ON STAGE

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The letter below was received from a grateful customer at Stagecoach Manchester.

LETTER OF PRAISE

If you or one of your colleagues has received a letter of praise from a customer, please email a copy to [email protected] or post it to Lindsay Reid, Senior Group Communications Manager, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW. We will publish as many as possible.

Shortlisted for top awards ... find out more on page 7.

Dear Stagecoach Customer Services,I am writing to thank you for the bus service you provide in Manchester.I arrived in the city in 2010 to study at university and duly bought a unirider like all my flatmates. Whether I wanted to go to a lecture, or go somewhere more interesting, there was always a bus to take me wherever I wanted to go, and at most I’d only wait a few minutes until one arrived.

I come from a small village where the bus service is infrequent and unreliable. However, after three-and-a-half years of regularly using Stagecoach buses, I can honestly say that your service is exemplary. Numerous times a bus has just pulled up when I am running later, or has got me safely home from a night out. Your service has been so reliable that I have not even needed to buy a car, which I was expecting to do after I graduated.

Yours faithfully,James Watts

CUSTOMER marketing campaigns by the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance were recognised at the 2014 Travel Marketing Awards. The Alliance picked up three different awards for its Summer Marketing Campaign, which offered passengers across the network the opportunity to benefit from a bargain £15 train trip on any weekend during August 2013.The marketing campaign for the Summer Fever Offer picked up the Gold award for ‘Best Integrated Marketing Campaign’, Silver for ‘Best Poster Campaign’ and Bronze for ‘Best Online Campaign’. Emma Wiles, Head of Marketing for the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: “We’re really proud to have been so successful in this year’s awards for a campaign that was so beneficial for our customers.”

Alliance Head of Marketing, Emma Wiles (second-left) receives the award.

Marketing awards success

EAST Midlands Trains has become the first train company in the UK to offer a 24/7 point of contact for its customers within its control centre.The new customer contact team, based within the East Midlands Trains operational control centre in Derby, will be on hand 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to book passenger assistance, answer help-point calls, help to track lost property and deal with any urgent customer queries. The team will also be available to respond to customer queries coming via social media.

At your service

East Midlands Rail franchise STAGECOACH Group can confirm that the Department for Transport (DfT) has exercised the pre-contracted extension of the East Midlands rail franchise through to October 2015.The Group has operated the East Midlands franchise since November 2007. The franchise, which was awarded for seven years and four months and included an extension option for DfT, was due to run until April 2015. DfT further announced in March 2013 the planned extension or direct award contract of a number of UK rail franchises, including the East Midlands franchise. The Group is continuing discussions with DfT on a planned direct award, subject to agreement of commercial terms, from October 2015 through to October 2017.

PASSENGERS travelling through Sheffield station were treated to a raft of snooker-themed activity in the run up to the World Snooker Championships. USA trick-shot champion, Florian Kohler, completed a series of 20 spectacular trick-shots at the station while snooker pro and TV personality John Parrott also dropped by to help raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice by inviting passengers to play a few shots for a small donation to charity. Jason Cocker, Sheffield Station Manager, said: “We’re really proud to be playing a part in such an exciting event for the city.”

Right on cue

Quick thinking

COACH USA driver Yolanda Perez has been praised for her actions in preventing a serious accident while transporting 26 employees from the Newmont Mining Corp.Yolanda, known as Yo-yo, used quick thinking to avoid what could have been a serious incident as the coach approached a 65mph curve before tunnels.“I noticed lights in the rear view mirror going back and forth in the lanes,” said Yolanda. “A pick-up truck behind the bus had lost its steering and the driver was losing control of the vehicle.”Yolanda realised that if she slowed it could increase the force of the impact and if she slammed on the breaks, she could cause a pileup. “So I just let him hit me,” she said. “The pick-up hit the bus and bounced off the middle of the bus. Then it hit again and became stuck in the front bumper of the bus.” While the pick-up was stuck in the 45-foot bus’ bumper Yolanda then slowed down and drove on to a safe area. Yolanda said the 26 miners on the bus stayed asleep during most of the crash. “Nobody was injured,” she said. “They were asleep and thought I blew a tyre. I’m the best driver for them now. They thank me every day.” Coach USA Assistant Manager Mitch McClurg added: “She did everything we teach in training.”

Yolanda Perez is thanked by Newmont Mining Corp employees.

Champions Awards updateWe received a record number of entries for this year’s Group Champions Awards with more than 220 nominations. Currently, the judging process is on-going and details are being finalised for a presentation event. More details will be communicated to shortlisted nominees in due course. Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry.

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GREEN SCENE

Van Galder wins sustainable award

Did you know? Stagecoach Manchester staff raised £1,300 for Breast Cancer Awareness by dressing in pink.

CITY of Janesville, Wisconsin, Councilman Jim Farrell recently presented Van Galder Bus Company representatives with the 2014 Sustainable Janesville Award. The City, through the Sustainable Janesville Committee, honours businesses showing innovation and leadership in sustainable practices. Accepting the honour on behalf of Van Galder were long-time employees Jim Beasley, Allen Fugate, Mike Pjevach (Coach USA), and Shannon DeRemer. Councilman Jim Farrell (second from left) presents the award.

THOUSANDS of Stagecoach employees are among the most fuel-efficient bus drivers in the world, according to a global eco-driver performance scheme. Nearly 3,000 Stagecoach drivers have been awarded Fleet Elite status under the programme managed by GreenRoad, whose telematics system serves professional drivers in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, America, Australia and New Zealand.Using a traffic-light LED system on the dashboard, GreenRoad gives drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving. Stagecoach drivers account for nearly half of the 6,400 drivers from a number of bus operators across ten countries who met the Fleet Elite standard in 2013. Some 15% of Stagecoach’s 15,000-strong driving team outside London have achieved the prestigious benchmark – more than any other bus company using the GreenRoad system. Fleet Elite standard drivers must clock up more than 500 driving hours in a year and must achieve an average of five or less events, such as harsh braking or acceleration, per 10 hours of driving over the calendar year. In fact, 57 Stagecoach drivers scored zero – a perfect score – during the period. Robert Montgomery, Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director, said: “The thousands of drivers across our team who have achieved global Fleet Elite status should be rightly proud of their achievement. Smoother, fuel-efficient driving is safer, provides more comfortable journeys for our customers and helps cut our carbon footprint.”Meanwhile, Stagecoach recently announced that it has rolled out GreenRoad technology to all of its bus fleet in London, which means that every Stagecoach company now uses the technology.

Stagecoach leads fleet elite drivers

THE SOUTH West Trains-Network Rail Alliance has started the trial of a new energy saving transmission for its diesel fleet which is aimed at reducing energy consumption by a further 10%.The pilot, which is set to run for six to eight months, involves the installation of fuel saving gearbox technology on one Class 158 train. It is thought that the new technology will dramatically reduce the amount of fuel lost when the train is operating at low speed.Christian Roth, Fleet Director for the Alliance, said: “As energy saving and fuel costs remain a major concern for the rail industry, there is a pressing need for engineers to develop new and novel ways to save fuel.”

Alliance pilots energy saving technology

STAGECOACH has cut energy consumption at its bus depots in the UK following the introduction of an upgraded energy management system.The Group has

upgraded its high-tech energy management system provided by Vickers Electronics, which controls heating and lighting at the company’s 110 depots across the UK. Results show the technology has helped Stagecoach save around 55,000 tonnes of CO² in the past 10

Energy saving success years – the equivalent of the emissions produced by powering 22,000 homes for a year. Stagecoach has invested a total of more than £2.2 million in the Vickers system and results show that the Group has saved more than £7.8 million in energy bills in the 10 years that the different systems have been in place.Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus Robert Montgomery said: “We’ve invested a significant amount of money in this system and we are really starting to see the benefits now in terms of energy savings, and the knock-on financial savings, it is delivering across our operations.”Malcolm McKinlay of Vickers Electronics said: “We have worked very closely with the team at Stagecoach, at both local and national level. It’s great to work with a client where everyone is committed to the goal of providing good service whilst reducing their impact on the environment.”

Sharston depot in Manchester.

STAGECOACH Manchester, has introduced 11 new hybrid buses to the 111 route, taking its total hybrid fleet to 128. The investment follows the introduction of 14 new hybrid buses on route 50 earlier this year and includes a contribution from the Government Green Bus Fund, which supported low carbon investments between 2011 and 2013. The hybrid vehicles will help reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent over the course of one year, compared to a standard bus.Managing Director, Christopher Bowles, said: “The investment in new hybrid buses for this popular route demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the best possible service for our passengers, while also trying to improve our impact on the environment.”

Green buses in Manchester

Green Week 2014STAGECOACH is looking forward to its Group-wide Green Week which takes place on 2-6 June.This year the focus of the week is on community spirit. Staff will be engaging with local communities and letting them know about the measures Stagecoach has in place to become a greener businesses. Throughout the week, a host of events will take place across bus and rail operations to encourage environmental awareness.

New hybrids for TaysideSTAGECOACH has ordered a £5.2 million fleet of hybrid buses for its Tayside operations.The order for 18 Volvo B5LH ADL bodied hybrids represents a Stagecoach investment of around £3.8 million, with a further £1.4 million coming from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund. The new vehicles, which produce up to 30% less emissions than standard vehicles, will go into service in Tayside on the Tayway 73 service which links Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Broughty Ferry and Arbroath.Sam Greer, Stagecoach UK Bus Regional Director for Scotland, said: “We believe that by investing in new cleaner, greener vehicles, we can continue to attract more people on to our bus services to help reduce pollution and congestion in our towns and cities.”Manchester MD Christopher

Bowles in front of one of the hybrid vehicles.

ON STAGE

Ian Manning bids farewell to West

When Martin met Alyson

A recipe for delicious soup ... find out more on page 9.

7

EAST Scotland Commercial Manager Martin Gallagher is pictured with Alyson Stoner, an American actress, singer and dancer who he met while on holiday in LA. Alyson has appeared as a dancer in music videos for Missy Elliott, Will Smith and Eminem and stars in the forthcoming dance movie Step Up: All In, releasing this summer. Martin did of course take the bus to get to where they met!

Martin Gallagher

In the running for top honoursSTAGECOACH East Scotland is shortlisted for four honours at the 2014 Scottish Transport Awards. The Taylink 99 service which operates between St Andrews and Dundee, and the X59 service which links St Andrews and Edinburgh are shortlisted for the Best Bus Service Award. In the Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing category Stagecoach East Scotland has been shortlisted for its express coach network between Fife and Glasgow. East Scotland Bus Driver Barry Grice, who is based at the company’s Dunfermline depot, has also been named as a finalist in the Frontline Employee of the Year category.

STAGECOACH’s rail franchises have welcomed a Government announcement that eight stations operated by the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance and East Midlands Trains will receive funding through its Access for All programme.Both rail companies will now work with local authorities and other partners to develop and deliver final schemes that will see improvements at each of the stations by 2019. Rail Minister Baroness Kramer said: “We are transforming our railways through record levels of investment and improving accessibility at stations is an important part of that. “These improvements will make a real difference to the lives of disabled passengers and those with limited mobility, allowing them to get to work and pursue leisure activities more easily. That’s good news for them and good news for the economy.”

Funding for stations

Book your seatMEGABUS.COM has announced a new reserved seating program which allows customers to choose from ten popular seats to and from selected cities in North America. Reserved seats will be available between New York City and Baltimore, Washington D.C, Boston and Philadelphia as well as between Philadelphia and Washington DC. “We’ve heard our customers’ desires loud and clear,” said Mike Alvich, VP of Marketing and Public Relations for megabus.com and Coach USA. “While every ticket purchased on megabus.com guarantees a seat on the bus, we know that customers want to secure some of the most popular seats and, starting today, we’re happy to give them that opportunity. “With reserved seating customers no longer need to arrive over an hour early to make sure they get the most popular seats. Now they can simply book them in advance.”

STAGECOACH Group has appointed Rupert Cox as Managing Director at its bus operations in the west of England, following the announced retirement of current Managing Director Ian Manning.Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Robert Montgomery said: “I would like to congratulate Rupert on his appointment. He has worked hard and risen through the ranks at Stagecoach over the past 13 years and thoroughly deserves this new role. “I would also like to pay tribute to Ian Manning for the service he has given Stagecoach over many years. Ian is a passionate and knowledgeable busman who has shown great commitment to improving public transport in the west of England over the past 11 years.”Rupert Cox joined Stagecoach on the company’s Graduate Development Programme in 2001 and took on his first managerial role two years later as Commercial Manager for Stagecoach West. In 2007, he moved to Stagecoach Yorkshire as Commercial Director where he stayed until 2013 when he returned to Stagecoach West as Acting Operations Director.

Ian Manning joined the bus industry in 1976 at Lothian Region Transport in Edinburgh. In 1996 he became Managing Director of Stagecoach Portugal and ran the company for almost five years. He then moved to Arriva’s Portuguese operations in 2001 but returned to Stagecoach in 2004 as Managing Director of Stagecoach West. To mark his retirement on 31 May 2014, a Running Day – offering a network of vintage bus services – is being held in Cheltenham which will also celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Cheltenham District Traction Co. Ltd and will feature more than 20 classic buses from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.Ian said: “My career has taken lots of twists and turns and I have actually had three incarnations at Stagecoach. The bus industry is something that has always interested me and it has been a privilege to have been able to contribute to the industry and to do a job I genuinely love. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Stagecoach and I wish everyone all the best for the future.”

New Managing Director Rupert Cox (left) and Ian Manning who has retired from the role.

FOUR and five-year olds at Telford Infant School, Leamington Spa, were thrilled by the visit of a Stagecoach double decker bus recently.The group of ninety youngsters took turns to explore the bus as it was parked in the playground and had stories read to them about buses. Each child also had their picture taken sitting the driver’s seat. Jayson Smith, Operations Manager at Leamington depot, said: “Being involved in the community is important to us, as is encouraging young people to engage with public transport. It was great to see so many children enjoy the experience.”

A big red visit

One of the school classes and staff with the Stagecoach bus.

ON STAGEDid you know? Stagecoach has invested more than £545 million in new buses and coaches over the past seven years.

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Boost for town centre

DVLA doctor retiresSTAGECOACH West’s regular company Doctor, Andrew Baker, has retired after carrying out several thousand DVLA medical examinations. Andrew started working with Stagecoach West in 2002 and is now one of the top five doctors in the whole of the UK in terms of the number of DVLA medical examinations he has completed. To mark his last day and to say thank you, a card and gift were presented to him. Everyone at Stagecoach West would like to wish Andrew a long and healthy retirement.

Dr Andrew Baker who has now retired.

STAGECOACH Midlands engineer, Peter Atherton, was one of 16 carp fishermen to take part in a 48-hour Charity Event, “Cast Away Cancer”, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Everyone who took part in the contest has lost someone to cancer in the past six years.Prior to the event Peter raised £700 from friends and Stagecoach staff at the Nuneaton depot. A further £500 has been added to his sponsorship by Stagecoach Midlands.Steve Burd, MD of Stagecoach Midlands, said: “We are delighted to have sponsored Peter in his fundraising efforts for this worthwhile cause.”

Casting away cancer

Stagecoach engineer Peter Atherton with his carp rod at the Stagecoach Nuneaton depot.

Pupils from Innsworth Infants School in Gloucester were treated to a ride in a vintage Stagecoach bus as the company arranged a visit from a Routemaster.Assistant Headteacher Liz Ratcliffe said: “The pupils were really excited about the thought of taking a bus ride together. They found the ride quite thrilling.”

Back in timeThe excited school pupils board the vintage bus.

A NEW app for residents and visitors in Ayr is being sponsored by Stagecoach West Scotland.The free app, developed for Mi Ayr, the town’s promotional organisation, offers the latest deals, news and information from over 300 businesses and highlights key events, promotions and range of services on offer within Ayr town centre.Sponsorship has included wrapping a Stagecoach bus with the Mi Ayr logo .Edward Hodgson, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the new Mi Ayr app. Regeneration of Ayr Town Centre is vital for the Ayr Town Centre economy

Main partners of the Mi Ayr app gathered at the launch.

CHILDREN’S cancer charity, Sara’s Hope Foundation, was given a helping hand by Stagecoach North East to launch the ‘Sara’s 400 Capital Appeal’ in March.A group of children, currently supported by the charity, took to the streets on a Stagecoach City Sightseeing bus to raise awareness for the appeal which hopes to raise £400,000 to fund a holiday retreat offering respite for children and young people with cancer.Dave Bambrough, Assistant Operations Manager, recently released a song in aid of the charity and has been invited to perform at its annual ball in October.

Children’s charity appeal launched

A group of youngsters with the City Sightseeing bus.

Ken Potts, City Sightseeing Manager at Stagecoach North East, said: “Sara’s Hope Foundation is close to all our hearts and we are delighted to help in any way we can. Both the children and the adults had a great time and even the weather was on our side!”

and we are pleased that over 300 businesses have signed up to showcase exactly what Ayr has to offer.”

INTERNATIONAL development charity, Transaid, is inviting people to take part in its latest fundraising challenges.There’s a London to Brussels cycle, via Bruges, in September 2014 as well as a cycle in Tanzania: from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Ngorongoro Crater in June 2015.Stagecoach is a strong supporter of Transaid which aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable.For more information or to sign up visit www.transaid.org

Transaid challengesLONDON TO BRUSSELSVIA BRUGES CYCLE RIDE12-15 September 2014

Join this iconic ride and cycle 340km over

a long weekend to support Transaid.

A great challenge, in great company and for

a fantastic cause! Why would you not join in?

Spaces are limited so sign up now!

E: [email protected] T: 020 7387 8136

transaid.org

UK registered charity no 1072105. Patron HRH The Princess Royal.

STAGECOACH Group Rail Bid Director Graeme Hampshire recently completed the first Surrey Half Marathon and his wife Liz cycled 100 miles in Prudential Ride London to raise funds for Save the Children.The couple raised £1,000 and a further £1,000 was donated by Stagecoach.

On the run

ON STAGEDid you know? As part of TfL’s Year of the Bus celebrations, Stagecoach UK Bus staff get free entry to the London Transport Museum with a guest.

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Stations of the year

A hairy experience

The recipe below comes from Euan Clark, the Chef at Stagecoach Group HQ. This soup is enjoyed regularly by employees in Perth.

TOP RECIPE

Sweet potato, chilli and coconut soup

Ingredients2 medium carrots (chopped)1 leek (white part, chopped and washed)1 large white onion (chopped)4 large sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped)Approx 2 litres of vegetable stock400ml tin of coconut milkChilli and garlic paste to taste150g butter100ml double cream

1) Sweat the carrots, leek and onion in butter until softened (10-15 minutes without colour).

2) Add sweet potato and continue to sweat for a further 5 minutes.

3) Cover vegetables with stock and cook until tender.

4) Add chilli and garlic paste to taste.5) Add coconut milk and bring back to the boil.6) Add double cream, check seasoning and blend

until smooth.7) Garnish with fresh coriander.

Tony AdsheadTributes have been paid to Operations Auditor Tony Adshead who passed away recently following a period of illness.Tony joined Stagecoach in 2001 and was later accepted on to the company’s Staff Development Programme before joining the Operations Audit team in 2003.Tony was admired by many staff for his approach to his job which also included mentoring graduates and providing training and guidance to managers and supervisors. He played a key role in Stagecoach’s successful delivery of transport operations at the London Olympics, and was on hand to help across the Group at short notice whenever he was needed.Stagecoach Regional Director Robert Andrew said: “Tony was an asset to the company, and he did much more than his job title implied. His family can be proud of what he contributed to Stagecoach and he will be greatly missed by many within the company.”

IN MEMORY OF...

STAFF at South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance stations are celebrating after the winners of the company’s annual Station Pride Awards were announced. Basingstoke came first for the Best Large Station of the Year, with Salisbury scooping the Best Medium Station of the Year and Sherbourne recognised as Best Small Station of the Year.Arthur Pretorius, Customer Service Director for the Alliance, said: “These awards recognise the hard work and dedication of our staff and we would like to congratulate all the winners of this year’s station awards.”

Winners of the Station Pride Awards.

LINCOLN station now has a completely refurbished ticket office following a £250,000 scheme to improve passenger facilities at the station.The scheme, delivered through a successful partnership between East Midlands Trains and Network Rail, has delivered a new, brighter and enlarged booking hall, new bicycle facilities and free WiFi for all passengers. Andy Moore, Head of Stations for East Midlands Trains, said: “With 1.6 million journeys made through Lincoln station each year, these improvements to the ticket hall will help us to make a big difference to the overall travelling experience for our passengers using Lincoln station.” Attending the reopening of the station were Lincoln MP Karl McCartney and the Right Worshipful Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Patrick Vaughn.

New ticket office at Lincoln

Pictured, from left, are: Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Patrick Vaughan and Andy Moore.

STAGECOACH East Scotland has donated £500 to Powmill-based Fossoway Pre School Group, matching the amount raised by the playgroup’s fundraising activities.Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “It’s so important to keep kids healthy and active, so when we were asked by the group if we would match the money raised at a children’s ceilidh, we were delighted to help out.”

Stagecoach MD Andrew Jarvis (right); Pat Irvine, Manager, Fossoway Pre-School Group (centre) and the children of Fossoway Pre School Group.

Generous donation

STAGECOACH London Recruitment Manager Ricky Sickelmore had his legs waxed to raise more than £400 for Cancer Research UK.Afterwards he quipped: “I was warned by all of the women in the office as to just how painful it would be, but it really isn’t. So I say, bring on childbirth!”

MEMBERS of the Customer Insight Team were out and about in Oxford recently collecting more than 1,000 customer satisfaction surveys. Passengers using the Oxford Tube were surveyed on services in order to help keep improving what Stagecoach offers to customers in the future.

Ricky prepares to have his legs waxed.

Customer insight

Pictured are Jamie McDermid, Iveta Baublyte, Alison McGregor and Doris Watt from the Customer Insight Team along with Oxford Tube Controller Richard Pimms.

10

Editor: Lindsay Reid, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TWEmail: [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 Friday, 13 June 2014.

CONTACTS

APPOINTMENTS GETTING TO KNOW YOU...

Matthew Whitehead, East Midlands Trains

RETIRALS

nHALF CENTURY CELEBRATIONS

ON STAGETHE PEOPLE PAGE

Jimmy Young in the Big Apple.

Who are you? I’m a designer for East Midlands Trains. I joined the company in 2011.

What do you like most about your job? I love creating something new, thinking up fresh

ideas and then developing them into a campaign which can be used to market a product.

What do you like least about your job? At times the role involves working above and

beyond typical office hours to meet a print deadline, although you do get a sense of achievement when you meet it! Also, creative block can be a stifling and frustrating part of the job!

Favourite food? My mum’s meat and potato pie – a good source of nutrients and comfort.

Least favourite food? Cucumber – I can’t stand the subtle hint of a flavour with a squishy texture.

What are you most proud of? I’m most proud of having a BA Hons, MA and Assoc.CSD. I want to keep learning and I aspire to work towards a PHD.

Favourite holiday destination? Sri Lanka – I got to experience a whole different culture and even got the chance to ride an elephant.

Most embarrassing moment? No real embarrassing stories, although I do regret having

shadowed outlines of stars on my hip (a mark from university).

Favourite music? I listen to all genres but the majority of music on my iTunes is alternative/punk rock – my favourite band is Young Guns.

Person you would most like to have dinner with? An artist called Noma Bar whom East Midlands Trains have used for illustrations.

First thing you would buy if you won £1 million? I’d pack my bags and head out to the Maldives and I’d also invest in creating my own studio.

Getting To Know You features in every edition of On Stage and we want to hear from as many staff as possible. To suggest the next participant, email [email protected]

JIMMY Young was given the trip of a lifetime when he retired in December after 37 years of service. Stagecoach arranged for Jimmy to visit New York where he was shown the sights by megabus.com Director of Operations, Bryony Chamberlain.Byrony, Jimmy’s former ‘Boss Lady’ as he called her, said: “I took Jimmy to all the traditional sightseeing destinations: The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Hudson River, Central Park, the location of The Today Show and, of course, the M&M factory. We also picked

up plenty souvenirs for friends and family and there were a few steak and hamburgers with some light imbibing!”

RICHARD Alexander, Stagecoach South Engineering Director, has celebrated 50 happy years with the company.Stagecoach Group Chairman Sir Brian Souter contacted Richard to personally thank him for his continued dedication and to congratulate him on this magnificent achievement.Richard spent the first 25 years of his career with Southdown and the last 25 years with Stagecoach. He said: “It has been exciting working for a Group that has challenged the boundaries of public transport to give value for money but is always at the forefront of innovation.”

STAGECOACH has appointed David Rouse as Manager of the Oxford Tube.David has been with Stagecoach for 10 years and has previously worked at South and South East. Meanwhile, Stagecoach Oxfordshire has welcomed on board two new members of staff to work at its Horspath Road offices.Marketing Assistant Emma Wilberforce joined the team in February 2014, while Alan Prince, appointed as Scheduler, is the most recent addition to the commercial team at the depot.

STAGECOACH North East’s Stockton depot has welcomed a new Operations Manager, Abbey Pettigrew, who was appointed following her completion of the Graduate Training Scheme. Abbey said: “Through my degree in Geography I became fascinated with the movement of people from one place to another. Good public transport really is integral to the social economic make up of the community.”Meanwhile, after only four months employment with Stagecoach North East, Northumbrian University graduate Mark Middleton has been promoted to the position of Marketing Assistant. The 24-year old impressed the commercial and marketing team with his marketing skills and customer focus, when he was employed in December 2013 as a Customer Communications Assistant. He said: “It is a great time to be part of Stagecoach North East, as change and investment have become integral to its recent success. With campaigns like the introduction of Gas Buses and Smart technology, it’s really exciting to get more involved.”

New Oxford appointments Emma Wilberforce, Alan Prince and David Rouse.

New Operations Manager Abbey Pettigrew.

NEWPORT Bus Driver Brian Townsend has celebrated his 50th anniversary on the buses and become one of the company’s longest serving employees.

To mark the occasion, Brian’s South Wales colleagues arranged a special bus for the day which had the number 50 on the display screen and large banners featuring Brian on the sides. Managing Director of Stagecoach South Wales, John Gould, said: “These guys are the backbone of the business. They drive in all conditions and for Brian to come through that after all these years is amazing.”

The special design that was on the sides of Brian Townsend’s celebratory bus.

50YEARS

Congratulations

Brian Townsend(Pedro)

in South Wales

Richard Alexander celebrates 50 years’ service.