BUS TALK 06 October 2010

No.6 • October 2010

QUALITY OF SERVICE WINS ONE NEW ROUTE AND RETAINS NINE

Win, Win, Win! Great news! Go-Ahead London has not only retained nine routes in the latest round of London Buses tendering, it has won a further route – from Arriva.

The new route, the 337, which will be operated out of Stockwell from next May, has a peak vehicle requirement (PVR) of 11 double deck buses.

“This is marvellous news for the business and our staff,” said operations director David Cutts. “The market has become increasingly tough and we are facing stiff competition on every service we tender for.

The fact that we have retained these routes and won a new one speaks volumes about the impressive service quality we offer.”

The full list of retained routes, along with the garages from which they are run, is: • 474 (Canning Town to Manor Park Station), Docklands, PVR 12 double decks • 68 (West Norwood to Euston), Camberwell, PVR 21 double decks

• 468 (South Croydon to Elephant and Castle), Camberwell, PVR 26 double decks • X68 (West Croydon to Russell Square), Camberwell, PVR 7 double decks • 12 (Dulwich to Oxford Circus), Camberwell, PVR 41 double decks • 171 (Holborn to Catford), New Cross, PVR 24 double decks • 196 (Norwood Junction to Elephant and Castle), Stockwell, PVR 14 double decks • 315 (Balham Station to West Norwood), Stockwell, PVR 4 single decks • P5 (Elephant and Castle to Nine Elms), Camberwell, PVR 8 single decks

HEALTH & SAFETY WEEK news roundup: p6-7

ON THE WATER with the dragon boat racers: p8

The 468 South Croydon to Elephant and Castle service was one of nine routes successfully retained.

INSIDE: THE GO-GREEN CHALLENGE FINAL p4-5

Knight at the museum

IT IS every parent’s worst nightmare – realising their child has gone missing…

So when four-year-old Alastair McGregor got separated from his mother outside the Natural History Museum it was pure luck that Stockwell driver Mark Simpson was on hand to help.

Mark had been operating the 345 service from Peckham to South Kensington and was waiting at a stand close to the museum when he spotted Alastair wandering along the busy Cromwell Road.

“I have a five-year-old child and seeing Alastair on his own raised alarm bells in my mind. I asked him where his mummy was and he said that he’d lost her somewhere outside the museum.

“I decided to dial a Code Red and put Alastair on the bus to keep him safe. I also

Tribute to a popular colleague

Go-Ahead London buses transported staff to the funeral earlier this month of hugelypopular satellite manager Carlos Foster.

In total around 200 colleagues joined family and friends at a packed St Martin’s Church Wallington on September 28 to celebrate the life of Carlos, who had spent 22 years working for the company.

He died as a result of a tragic accident while working. He leaves a wife, Shirley, and two children aged 16 and 11.

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phoned the police. He was very brave and didn’t cry once. He was an intelligent little boy and even knew his address,” said Mark, who has been a driver for five years.

Once the police arrived they were able to get in touch with the museum and reunite Alistair with his mother, Sam Wilkinson.

“You never know what might happen and I’d like to think that if my child ever went missing someone would come to the rescue. I’m happy I was able to help – I can only

He started as an engineer at Stockwell and had spent most of his working life at the garage until transferring to Sutton in September.

Sutton engineering manager John Hanby paid tribute to Carlos: “He had only been part of our team for a few weeks, but he had quickly become liked by all who met him. He was a marvellously kind, thoughtful and approachable man.”

Stockwell engineering manager Nick Rouse added: “His funeral took place at a very large church and it was absolutely packed – a mark of just how popular Carlos was. He was very well respected by engineering and operational staff alike. He was tremendously professional and just got on with things in a calm manner – always with a smile for everyone he dealt with. He was a former Stockwell Engineer of the Year. He will be sadly missed and the thoughts of everyone at Go-Ahead London are with his wife and family.

“I would like to thank everyone from across the company for the generous contributions they made for the collection we took on behalf of Carlos’s family. I’ve never seen such a widely supported collection,” said Nick.

imagine how distraught Alistair’s mother must have been. I understand he was missing for 40 minutes and there were 50 members of the public looking for him,” said Mark, who used to work in social services.

Since the incident, Sam has written to the company to praise Mark for his efforts.

“I really thought I wouldn’t see Alistair again,” wrote Sam. “I cannot thank your driver enough for what he did for my son. Please pass on my thanks.”

I cannot thank your driver enough for what he did

Timing tests will improve service to customers A DESIRE to improve reliability has led to revised schedules on three of Go-Ahead London’s low frequency routes.

The G1 (Streatham to Shaftesbury Estate), the 201 (Morden Station to Herne Hill) and the 362 (King George Hospital to Grange Hill Station) all underwent timing tests and the schedules have now been tweaked accordingly.

The G1, operated by Waterside Way, and Route 201, operated by Merton garage, have both been retimed, while Route 362,

operated by Blue Triangle, has benefited from an adjustment to running times.

Schedules manager Malcolm Smith said: “It’s critical that our low frequency routes run to the schedule as customers go out to catch a bus at a specific time.

“We hope that the recent alterations will help to improve our service to customers and we will keep monitoring the routes to ensure performance standards continue to rise.”

Top trio make it to drivers’ final EXCITEMENT mounts as three Go-Ahead London drivers have made it onto the final short list in the UK Bus Awards’ Top London Bus Driver category.

Eddie Bainbridge from Camberwell, Daniel Notley from Putney and John Tuebuseke from Sutton have all been nominated for the prestigious industry award, which recognises and rewards top-quality service and commitment.

The award is presented to the London bus driver who has best demonstrated excellent performance from the customer perspective in the 12-month period to the end of June 2010.

All London bus garages are eligible to submit nominations for their best-performing drivers.

The winner of the Top London Bus Driver prize will be the individual who best represents the customer’s ideal of a driver who is professional, friendly, helpful, conscientious and mindful of passengers’ comfort.

As well as the three finalists for the Top London Bus Driver category, Bexleyheath road manager Sandra McKinley and her team are celebrating making it on to the UK Bus Awards short list for the London Service Quality Award.

And the good news doesn’t end there,

for Bexleyheath is one of just six garages in London that is on the short list for Top London Bus Garage.

The results will be announced at the presentation ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane on 16 November 2010.

London’s top trio of drivers, from left, Eddie Bainbridge (Camberwell), John Tuebuseke (Sutton), and Daniel Notley (Putney).

Appreciation for a well-respected man

Jeans all the way on a fund raising day HEAD office employees donned their jeans for work on October 1 to raise money for the charity Jeans for Genes, which provides funding and support for children with genetic disorders.

Most colleagues took part in the annual event and raised more than £100 for the charity.

INFORMATION was coming in as Bus Talk went to press that Winston Cox had died suddenly in Barbados, just days after emigrating.

Winston retired in July 2009, after serving London’s bus industry for 47 years.

During that time he had built up a reputation for hard work and earned the respect and friendship of colleagues. He told Bus Talk last year that he would like to return to the West Indies.

Winston joined the industry as a conductor at Sutton and paid his dues as a driver before working through the grades to become chief inspector in 1984 and operating manager at Sutton in 1990.

Eight years later he joined the recruitment team at Camberwell where he worked on a number of special projects, including the campaign to attract more women into the industry.

In 2004, he was the London-wide winner at the Bus, Tram and Dial-a-Ride Awards in the long service category.

Winston was keen on cricket. He played for the company and supported the West Indies and England teams.

Resources manager Keith Wood said: “I recall asking Winston about his proudest moment, he said walking back into the garage he started at as a manager – Sutton.

Winston grew up near a prison and his teacher at school is said to have told him that he would either be a politician or end up next door.”

“If he hadn’t joined the bus industry, he would definitely have been a politician.

Winston was a great character, very popular and much respected by everyone who worked with him. His passing is very sad and our thoughts are with his family.”

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GOING GR In our Face 2 Face column, we chat to Roy Lambe who is a driver at Stockwell and has worked for London General for 29 years. We ask him 10 light-hearted questions.

Q: Who or what makes you laugh?

A: The film ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil’ with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.

Q: Which celebrity would you most like to meet?

A: Elvis, if he were still alive.

Q: What is your favourite hobby?

A: Golf Q: What’s in your favourite sandwich?

A: Corned beef and horseradish.

Q: What sporting event would you most like to attend?

A: The Ryder Cup. Q: What advice would you give to a tourist in London?

A: Get a bus map!

Q: Your most treasured memory is…

A: Seeing my sister, who lives in New Zealand, after a 30-year gap.

Q: How do you like to spend your Sundays…

A: Just lazing around if I’m not taking the grandchildren out for the day.

Q: Your idea of the perfect holiday is…

A: Golfing in Portugal.

Q: What character trait do you most admire in others?

A: Honesty.

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PAUL COOPER from Merton has driven off with the superb top prize in the Go-Green Challenge – a stylish brand new Fiat 500 car renowned for its fuel efficiency.

PAUL beat off the challenge of 19 other top enviro-friendly drivers in a series of gruelling tests at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire – one of Europe’s leading locations for the development and testing of every type of vehicle.

The event was blessed with great weather as the drivers took part in exercises specifically designed to find the person who drives in the most fuelefficient manner.

Managing director John Trayner said: “It was a brilliant day and the tests certainly stretched every driver’s skills to the limit. All of the drivers had proved over the preceding months that they were capable of consistently driving safely and fuel efficiently, so competition at Millbrook was fierce and very close.

But, at the end of the day, there could only be one winner and it was Paul who took the prize by the narrowest of margins.”

Paul said: “The Fiat is a brilliant prize and I’m delighted to have won it. I was really surprised to win as the tests were really difficult.”

The other dr

Second plac

Third place A

Trials car Tal

Blindfold dri

The winners on the day, from left, Talar Lakasz, Akram An Kordecki, Oliver Whylie, Paul Cooper with managing dire Trayner.

REEN! the tests certainly stretched every driver’s skills to the limit.

THE Southern rail replacement contract has been renewed guaranteeing Go-Ahead London a regular flow of rail replacement work for the next two to three years.

Much of the work centres around Southern’s services on the Brighton Mainline and involves Go-Ahead London’s garages close to the A23 corridor.

As part of the new Southern franchise agreement, the company’s new rail replacement contract has a number of conditions.

These include providing buses less than six years old, providing additional

service monitoring and assisting Southern with more publicity and information for customers.

As a result, Go-Ahead London’s commercial department will now be open on Saturdays.

Commercial manager Colin Farrant said: “Despite stiff competition from other operators we have retained the contract.

“As a team we will have to approach the work with a renewed focus and that will include Go-Ahead’s other operating companies – Metrobus, Brighton & Hove and Go South Coast – who assist us on the project.”

Heartfelt charity golf day a huge success

rivers who came away with a prize were:

ce Oliver Whylie of New Cross, who won £500

Artur Kordecki of Mandela Way, who won £250

lar Lakasz of Mandela Way, who won an IPod

ive Akram Anouf of Stockwell, who won a Satnav

nouf, Artur ector John

Service improvements secure rail contract

ALONG with winner Paul, the full list of drivers whose skills got them through to put their talents to the test on track day were: Akram Anouf, Stockwell; Donald Bradley, Sutton; Brian Gemmell, Waterloo; Robert Kemp, Bexleyheath; Artur Kordecki, Mandela Way; Tariq Mahmood, Docklands; Lai Man, Camberwell; Terry Martin, Camberwell; Collin Ncube, New Cross; Dhirajlal Parmar, Putney; Miguel PereiraDias, Waterside Way; Harminder Singh, Docklands; Andrew Stemp, Peckham; Dickson Ufumwen, Peckham; Oliver Whylie, New Cross; Victor Williams, Putney; Jason Dickah, Waterside Way; Stephen Caudwell, Waterloo and Talar Lakasz, Mandela Way.

JUST a year after undergoing a lifesaving quadruple heart by-pass operation, Paul Thomas was on the golf course raising money for a heart research charity.

Paul, a controller at Sutton and Merton, helped by Sutton driver Michael Vile, organised a golf day which was attended by 38 colleagues, friends and family members.

The event succeeded in raising £950 for the British Heart Foundation, the organisation that pioneers research, vital prevention activity and ensures quality care and support for everyone living with heart disease.

The golf event took place at the Tilgate Forest Golf Club near Crawley, West Sussex with a nine-hole competition in the morning and a full 18-hole stableford event in the afternoon.

Paul, who has spent 26 years in the bus industry, said: “I was naturally very grateful for the excellent treatment I received in hospital. I was back at work just four months after the operation.

I just wanted to give something back and make a contribution to help the excellent work of the BHF. “We had a great day out and the sun even shone for us in the afternoon.

It was the taking part that mattered more than who won the event – in fact I can’t remember who did win, but it certainly wasn’t me!”

As well as the money raised on the day, the total was boosted by contributions from colleagues at Merton and Sutton.

Added Paul: “I’d like to say a big thank you to Michael for doing such great work on organising the day, to all who took part in the event and all the people at Sutton and Merton who kindly made a donation to such a worthwhile charity.”

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HEALTH & SAFETY WEEK - OCTOBER 2010

Garage safety events

An emphasis on the responsibility every employee has in ensuring Go-Ahead London’s staff, sites and vehicles are as safe as they possibly can be was a key part of the annual health and safety week held right across the company.

An award event is planned for November when garage teams who performed best during the week will be honoured.

At many of the sites there was a focus on the safety of cyclists as the ‘Boris Bike’ hire scheme is already seeing a higher number of riders on London’s roads, as well as the introduction of two of the Cycle Super Highways.

A range of safety-related quizzes and competitions also formed part of the activities at many of the garages.

Said risk and safety manager Andrew Smith: “I was impressed by the wide variety of events and activities that the garages had come up with to promote the safety message. They showed a lot of imagination and a real commitment to getting the message over to their staff.”

Here’s a round-up of what happened at all the garages.

BELVEDERE organised a number of events throughout the week with an emphasis on safe driving. These included a Highway Code and CPC quiz, a hazard and perception test and a defective bus observation session in which drivers had 10 minutes to spot 10 faults on a vehicle. A driving competition based on the RIBAS system also took place and a prize was awarded to the driver with the best score over the week’s various competitions.

A hard-hitting video was produced by BEXLEYHEATH featuring a number of ‘head cam’ clips taken from YouTube of cyclists being ‘carved up’ by London buses. TfL representative Francis Debieux who took part in garage staff safety awareness visits to local schools was so impressed with the video he asked for a copy to show to other bus operators. Bexley Council also carried out an educational talk on the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

Blue Triangle had a packed week, including presentations by the Barking and Dagenham Safer Transport Team and the Safer Neighbourhood team from Havering Council who brought a number of bikes so drivers could complete an obstacle course and better understand how vulnerable riders felt. They also targeted accident hotspots and held a quiz, accident and Telematics competitions.

CAMBERWELL focused on a different safety subject each day of the week – all aimed at the target of achieving zero accidents. These included accident hotspot and Highway Code competitions, each with a prize, and an emphasis on being aware of the dangers of low bridges. Police officers working on the Operation BusTag initiative spoke to drivers about the importance of reporting criminal activity.

DOCKLANDS arranged for a busy week of competitions and quizzes as well as a ‘care and

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‘On yer bikes’ at Mandela Way

caution’ section from Newham Council’s Road Safety Unit and a no smoking clinic. There was also a bus safety awareness visit to St. Joseph’s, a local primary school, to encourage safe bus use by pupils, which was enjoyed by both students and teachers.

In DRIVER AND ENGINEER TRAINING there was an emphasis on tolerance, particularly for cyclists as one of the Mayor of London’s cycle highways runs past two Go-Ahead London garages and they held cycle awareness training sessions which included the opportunity to try out a ‘Boris Bike’.

NEW CROSS concentrated on identifying and communicating hazards on the road – as well as on garage premises – with an emphasis on the importance of keeping speed to a minimum in the garage. A competition was held to test drivers’ awareness of the true cost of repairs to vehicles. There was also garage visits from local school pupils to educate them about safety at bus stops and crossing bus lanes.

At MANDELA WAY a nurse was on hand to check blood pressure and give advice. A fitness expert from a local gym visited and fresh fruit was available. A London Buses roadshow was held in the garage, which the local Safer Transport Team also attended. The TfL cycle

Safety awareness for St. Joseph ’s primary school by Docklands

Peckham staged an accident scene team came to the garage to pass on safety tips to drivers and they also got the opportunity to experience the view of cyclists from the cab and to learn some of the problems drivers encounter.

A wide range of activities took place at Merton, including prize competitions for ‘guess the cost of an accident’ and ‘spot the defects’. There was also an engineers’ competition to identify safety improvements. The Merton Safer Transport Team visited to promote the work they do and the company’s claims handlers also provided information on the cost of accidents. Drivers were given information on the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ initiative.

Sutton had a visit from the local Met Police Safer Transport Team to discuss on-going problems with children crowding into buses at going-home time and incidents of criminal damage. There was also a visit from Police traffic division officers who showed video footage of traffic accidents and discussed with drivers how they could have been avoided.

STOCKWELL began a special campaign to collect email addresses for all staff so that important safety and other messages can be sent directly to them. Health was high on the agenda too with a nurse practitioner from Lambeth Primary Care Trust checking

COMMENDATIONS

Safer Neighbourhood Team at Blue Triangle

Safety first at Sutton

Hazard perception test at Putney

Cycle safety at Docklands

cholesterol, blood pressure and weight and giving advice.

This proved so popular a return visit is planned.

At PECKHAM, the Fire Brigade and Police were on hand General health checks at Stockwell to add realism to an accident role-play with a bicycle under the front of a bus. Drivers were reminded of the importance of responding in the correct manner to ensure help arrives as promptly as possible. To make drivers more aware of accident black spots, video footage and photographs were shot on Peckham routes as well as the introduction of some striking new posters from ROSCO. A ‘what happened next’ competition with a cash prize proved popular at Putney as did a health and safety questionnaire with pictures, with the entrant who recorded the most accurate information in line for a prize. There was also a hazard perception test and a competition to test people’s knowledge of what they should do if they were first on the scene of an accident.

At WATERLOO a launch took place of an initiative in which all drivers will be given feedback on their driving and any improvements suggested. This will include CCTV footage of one of their drives. There was also healthy eating and fatigue awareness sessions, as well as a hazard perception test and a Highway Code competition. A notice board was set up with examples of pictures where effective observations were necessary in order to avoid hazards.

At Waterside Way an emphasis was placed on accident hot spots – with a range of photographs of pedestrian crossings, major junctions and roundabouts on display along with advice on what to watch out for to avoid accidents.

BLUE TRIANGLE n ROUTE 66 driver Amanda Smeeth is commended by passenger DeriJane Somerset for her “driving skills and pleasant manner”. n MARIA MAJID is praised by Ms P. Tangen for the help she gave a passenger who was lost. Maria also told the relief driver that the passenger needed help.

CAMBERWELL n A DOCTOR has thanked driver Frank Murray for coming to his rescue when he realised he did not have enough cash or enough credit on his Oyster card to cover his fare.

Dr. Tim Scott was grateful for Frank performing this kind and generous deed as it allowed him to get to Lewisham Hospital A&E in time for his shift.

HEAD OFFICE n CUSTOMER Nicola Best called customer services to thank receptionist Carole Linkson. This is what Nicola said: “She has been extremely helpful in helping me retrieve a case that I left on a bus this afternoon. She called me with three updates and finally called to tell me it had been found. I just wanted to commend her for her excellent customer service.”

MANDELA WAY n PLEASANT and personable is how Terence Jolley describes Route 453 driver Pawel Karlo. “He was particularly helpful with passengers unfamiliar with London.” Terence also went on to compliment Route 453 driver Simon Nelson who he says “was very courteous and pleasant with many passengers, acknowledging them as they boarded”.

MERTON n PARAMEDIC Paula Bancroft thanks Route 77 driver Billy Manalo for his quick reaction. Paula was pushing her daughter’s pram and running for a bus when she tripped and the buggy rolled into the road. Billy immediately braked and waited while passers-by helped her and retrieved the baby. He only continued his journey when Paula indicated she was all right and had boarded the bus she was running to catch. n A DOCTOR has commended John Perry for coming to her assistance when she and a friend were being intimidated by a group of men. “The driver made sure that we were OK and looked after us until we got off the bus,” said Dr B Peters.

NEW CROSS n MISS A Kent thanks driver Dave Cosgrove for his professionalism when operating the 436 service.

Dave’s bus had to be diverted through Deptford, but he was helpful and ensured customers were able to catch the express train to Heathrow in time.

“He was excellent…A big well done,” said Miss Kent.

PECKHAM n DRIVER Tayo Bakare is commended by Ms F. Ogier for waiting “carefully” for a blind woman to leave the bus and then checking with other passengers that she was all right and had not left anything behind.

PUTNEY n DRIVER Jason Bond is praised by passenger Susie Tapp for the way he handled a situation when a man ran on to a Route 22 bus saying that people were after him. Jason was “really calm” and Ms Tapp says that the driver’s “treatment and behaviour” towards the man “prevented him causing trouble for other people on the bus”. n CUSTOMER Mr D. Tan has written to commend not one, but three Putney employees after he left his briefcase on a Route 14 bus. Michael Yates, Eric Yeboah and Jason Bynoe have all been thanked for their help in reuniting the passenger with his briefcase.

Mr Tan wrote: “Your company has such wonderful, helpful staff who show honesty, warmth and professionalism in their work.”

STOCKWELL n PASSENGER Mr S. Cole describes the way Route 87 driver Ashley Lennon does his job as “the epitome of professionalism”. Ashley is also praised for his politeness to customers. n ROUTE 11 driver Roy Lambe is described as “absolutely brilliant” by passenger Mr P. Sennett. Roy welcomed passengers onto the bus and pointed out places of interest on the route, including restaurants. n AN AMERICAN family who were visiting London on holiday was full of praise for Lee Fraser after he helped them recover a lost wallet. “Your company should be proud to have such an exemplary employee,” Mrs J Mattson wrote. n A PASSENGER who wishes to remain anonymous has called to congratulate driver Wayne Palmer for his driving skills and excellent customer service. She thanked Wayne for being “friendly and charming” and for providing a “smooth and pleasant journey”. n DRIVER Peter Searle has been commended for being “extremely professional in a time of crisis” during the London Underground tube strike on 6 September. Customer Miss K. Greenhouse said Peter “took full command of the situation and kept passengers informed of where he would be stopping…his reassuring, friendly and respectful presence really put everyone at ease”.

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Dragon boat ready to race for charity fundraising said Eddie “so it’s a great opportunity for us to get to know each other outside work.”

Over the years, the team has already raised more than £31,000 for charity from dragon boat events, but now that the company has helped fund Bexleyheath’s own boat that figure could quickly rise.

“We hope to have a special ‘waking of the dragon ceremony’ to help bring the boat good luck. This is likely to be performed on a local lake.

“In the meantime, we will be getting in as much practice as we can on the lake at Danson Park in Welling or at Southmere Lake in Thamesmead.

“We’ve already taken three runner-up spots in competition this year as well as coming seventh in the biggest tournament in the country at Bewl Water this September. Let’s hope we can now win a few events with our new boat,” added Eddie.

A TEAM of dragon boat enthusiasts from Bexleyheath hope that their new watercraft will bring them roaring success in 2011.

Satellite manager Eddie Howard told Bus Talk that the finishing touches are now being made to the 10-man vessel in time for various fundraising events and competitions next year.

As well as brand new vinyls bearing the Bexleyheath team name, the boat will also carry the name of Anthony Forzani – a young, local boy who sadly died from leukaemia.

A traditional Chinese dragon’s head and tail form part of the boat’s decoration, as well as a drum.

“We’ve got about 25 people at the garage who are keen to be involved in dragon boat racing,” From left, Zeni Osborne, Mark Fogg, Eddie Howard and Nikki Margerison, ready to race.

“Fantastic” Retirements...

Dave won’t be honeymoon sitting around... for Debbie A ROMANTIC break in Las Vegas and Hawaii proved the perfect start to married life for Debbie Saunders (née Gilding) and her new husband Phill.

Debbie, who is personnel assistant at Go-Ahead London, and Phill tied the knot on October 2 at Burford Bridge Hotel, Box Hill.

They have been together for five and a half years.

“We had a fantastic honeymoon,” said Debbie.

“Las Vegas was crazy and Hawaii was the perfect place to rest and unwind - it was absolutely beautiful.”

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ALTHOUGH Dave Bareham’s work record says he has been in the industry for 40 years, it’s actually more.

He joined London Transport as a driver – thought to be the youngest at the time – in 1966 and then left before rejoining in 1970 as a driver at Streatham.

Even before joining LT, however,

he’d completed an apprenticeship and decided to make the move from driving to engineering in 1982. Such was his success that he became an instructor in 1988 and then joined the engineering quality department in 1995.

Dave retires this month (October) as engineering quality auditor.

So, what is he planning for retirement? “Well I’m certainly not going to sit in an armchair and do nothing! I’ll be playing bowls, enjoying quality time with my wife June and spending time with our four grandchildren.”

Dave’s son, Tony, is a driver at New Cross.

Earl retired on 3 September after 33 years of driving London buses and he has headed off to Jamaica to spend the majority of his wellearned retirement in the warmth of the Caribbean sun. He is married with a daughter He started his career at Brixton and during his time with Go-Ahead London he mainly drove on route 521 (London Bridge Station to Waterloo Station) and route 507 (Waterloo to Victoria).

and Earl is heading for the sun Waterloo driver Earl Allen won’t be spending his retirement under London’s grey skies – he has sunshine on his mind.

Published by Go-Ahead London. Produced by Ruxley Communications, Walton-on-Thames. Printed by Evolve Print Solutions, Rickmansworth.