Message from Managing Director Tom Joyner
Dear Colleague,
I am really pleased to be able to welcome you to this Summer 2024 edition of Bus Talk.
I have been Managing Director of Go-Ahead London for over 12 weeks now and have enjoyed visiting garages across the capital and meeting with many of you. I am still making my way around to all locations, so please do feel free to say hello if you see me at your garage soon.
Go-Ahead London is the largest bus operator in the capital and I start with a thank you for your ongoing contribution to making this happen. However, my objective for us and for our customers, is for us to also be the best bus company in London – and to do that we need to ensure that the Go-Ahead Way is considered in all that we do.
This might be the first time you are hearing about our Go-Ahead Way, but already we have started in understanding and delivering on our five Values:
employer we need to truly engage more than ever to be a part of our communities.
We care for our people. One of the most important reasons why so many of us really enjoy working in public transport are the fantastic people we work with. My team and I will work so that all know how important it is that we are treated with respect, that we have the tools and skills to do our jobs professionally and that we care for each other when we need help.
TOM JOYNER MANAGING DIRECTOR
We care for our assets. We are pleased to share progress on our refurbishments within this edition. As part of the Go-Ahead Way, our buildings are being modernised and adapted to ensure that they bring greater inclusion into the workplace. This is a very exciting time to be part of the Go-Ahead Group, with our owners having the ability to invest in our business for the years ahead.
We care for our customers. I absolutely know already that we have lots of examples of our customers being put first. However, we need to put processes and resources in place so that we get it right for our customers every time.
We care for our communities. The communities where our garages are, where our customers live and where we work are of massive importance – and as a major
We care for our environment. In this edition, we highlight our latest route to “go electric”. Go-Ahead London is a leader in providing zero emission buses and we intend to continue ensuring more garages are capable of delivering this. We are pleased to share more information on this topic.
There is so much more to look forward to for the future here at Go-Ahead London.
Thank you for being part of the team. I hope that you enjoy reading Summer Bus Talk.
In this issue
London Bus Awards Nominations
Lopes Ngobese graduates
Well done Hannah Man
Congratulations to Hannah Man for winning the Customer (Above & Beyond) Award at the everywoman Transport and Logistics Award in June.
Hannah started her journey in transport 21 years ago as a graduate trainee. She has worked in several operational and customer roles, including as a General Manager overseeing 3 garages and leading a team of managers and over 1000 drivers.
In 2022, Hannah exhibited remarkable adaptability by shifting roles to become Go-Ahead London’s Communications Manager. This transition showcases the industry's versatility.
Her commitment to community engagement, accessibility and charity work culminated in her being the lead for this at Go-Ahead London. She is also a mentor for the Go-Ahead Women initiative and one of our Menopause Champions, supporting women in transport by providing guidance and fostering professional growth.
Albert Boateng 20 years service
Best Apprenticeship Award
Valerie Clark Retirement
Cliff Frost Retirement
Graham Johnson Retirement
25 years service
National Pet Month
Passenger Commendations
Go-Ahead Women Recruitment Day
Go-Ahead Women Route 132 wrap
First Go-Ahead Women cohort
Pride Month Celebrations
Social Value Fund - Stories
New Cross Garage - Night Club
Bus Driver cab initiative
Raising awareness for blood donations
TFS - Tax free sickness cover
Wear it Green Day
Fidelity Roadshow
Hacton Primary School - Garage tour
Earlsfield Primary School visit
Route 262 and 473 launch
Route P4 joins New Cross Garage River Road's first EV route
HANNAH MAN COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
LONDON BUS AWARDS 2024
Congratulations to all Go-Ahead London colleagues who were shortlisted for the London Bus Awards 2024. Well done to Julia and Efe for winning their awards.
The Awards took place at Transport for London’s Endeavour Square offices near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Thursday 11 July.
The following colleagues received individual recognition, based on their exceptional performance over the last year:
WINNER!
Julia was the overall winner in the category of ‘Actions above and beyond the call of duty'. She has been with Go-Ahead London for 22 years and is a driver based at Stockwell Garage.
Julia was driving as usual when she picked up three unaccompanied young children in the early morning. Julia's raised an alert via the radio system due to her concerns. Her persistence ensured the safety of vulnerable customers that day, as they were in fact three high risk missing children. We are grateful to Julia for her dedication to caring for our customers.
FINALIST
Emmanuel George was shortlisted in the category of ‘Accessibility Champion’. He has been with Go-Ahead London for five years and is a driver based at Morden Wharf Garage.
Emmanuel has consistently shown that he understands the importance of adapting his customer service to all of our passengers. He has received many commendations from customers and carers to thank him for appreciating their varied accessibility needs.
JULIA MYTIL STOCKWELL DRIVER
EMMANUEL GEORGE MORDEN WHARF DRIVER
WINNER! FINALIST FINALIST
Rachael Ayegba is a bus driver at Camberwell Garage. She is also a UEFA-qualified professional football coach and played for Nigeria in the 2007 Women's World Cup in China.
Rachael was shortlisted for ‘Driving Inclusion’ category at the London Bus Awards, for imbedding a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Rachael is passionate about encouraging diversity in the workplace and inspiring others to make the move to bus driving. She was Highly Commended in the Transport & Logistics Apprentice category of the Multicultural British Awards in October 2023.
A keen supporter of Women in Bus and Coach, she was part of their select panel to answer questions at their event about “Trailblazing Women” in the sector that was held in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Efe was the overall winner in the category of ‘Outstanding Customer Service'. Efe is a driver at Camberwell Garage and has worked for Go-Ahead London for 18 years.
Efe always strives to provide the best customer service and has been shortlisted in this category. He sets the perfect example to others, passing on his knowledge and experience to fellow colleagues. One commendation stated that “maybe this driver could do training for all drivers on issues of customer care. He is an excellent role model who deserves to be recognised".
Within the last year, Efe has received a staggering 59 commendations. We are very proud that he is a member of the Camberwell Garage and Go-Ahead London team. As one passenger wrote, he is a “real 5 star experience” in customer care.
Sutton Garage was shortlisted for the ‘Best Vehicle Care’ category, based upon their review of our results for key performance indicators.
Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to the Sutton team's hard work and dedication. From our skilled technicians and mechanics to our drivers and administrative staff, each person plays a vital role in ensuring that our buses are maintained to the highest standards.
I am delighted to see so many of our colleagues being recognised for their exceptional performance and commitment to customer service.
TOM JOYNER MANAGING DIRECTOR
RACHAEL AYEGBA CAMBERWELL DRIVER
EFE OYEGHE CAMBERWELL DRIVER
SUTTON GARAGE
Con-
Congratulations to Lopes Ngobese, Deputy Operating Manager, at Stockwell garage for recently celebrating his achievements with the Open University.
Lopes attended his graduation ceremony at the Barbican in London and was presented with a BSc (Honours) in Social Psychology.
Lopes said, ‘It was great to study and apply what I learned to my work. My dissertation involved the well-being of drivers, and I appreciate those who participated in the project. I hope that my project results will benefit us all.’
LOPES NGOBESE DEPUTY OPERATING MANAGER
Cheers to 20 years!
At the end of June, Albert Boateng, from Croydon Garage, decided to retire after 20 years’ service. He first joined the company back in June 2004. Albert plans to enjoy his retirement by going on a welldeserved holiday and spending more time with his family.
We wish you all the best in your retirement, Albert!
ALBERT BOATENG PICTURED WITH THE CROYDON GARAGE TEAM
SMELLS LIKE TEAM SPIRIT
Best Apprenticeship Programme in Transport!
In May, Go-Ahead London was honoured to be the recipient of the "Best Apprenticeship Programme in Transport" award at the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2024.
We also celebrated the accomplishment of Koli Begum, a dedicated colleague who was a finalist for the "Mentor of the Year" at this year’s Apprenticeship Guide Awards. Koli's journey at GoAhead London began as a bus driver and her commitment to her professional growth has
earned her this recognition. She is now dedicated to supporting apprentices, guiding, and empowering the next generation of transport professionals.
The Apprenticeship Guide Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding apprenticeship programs and individuals who demonstrate exceptional mentorship across various industries.
Go-Ahead London’s victory at the awards reflects the company's dedication to
driving innovation, promoting inclusivity, and investing in the future of the transport sector.
Many of you will have joined the company from our Apprenticeship programme, as over 3000 colleagues have joined the programme since 2018.
Well done to the Apprenticeship team and all those that support the programme for this great result. It is great to see us leading the way with our training and upskilling initiatives.
VALERIE CLARK Thank you for everything!
Well known Directors' Secretary, Valerie Clark, retired from Go-Ahead London on 3 May 2024, after serving the travelling public for over 40 years.
In 1984 Valerie applied for a secretarial job advertised by London Transport in the evening paper, she was successful and never looked back. Since then her diligence, wise counsel and loyalty have been apparent to all. These skills quickly resulted in Valerie working for senior people and it was no surprise that in 1989, following the creation of a modern-day London General, she was identified by Keith Ludeman, its Managing Director, to be the perfect fit as his Personal Secretary. In various guises, this is a role that Valerie went on to make her own, in the process serving David Brown, John Trayner, David Cutts and a great many others.
Valerie was to meet her future husband in the Mitcham office of Wandle District in the mid-1980s. They later married in June 1990. The bus industry has been a big part of their lives.
Valerie has also been involved in several high-profile events. Many colleagues will appreciate her hard work and dedication, where for over 20 years she was part of the organising team alongside Nita Patel which culminated in the annual Long Service Awards.
A unique opportunity arose when Valerie responded to the call for volunteers to take part in the 2015 New Year's Day Parade, marking the end of the Year of the Bus which was celebrated during 2014. The photo shared shows Valerie enjoying the day.
Valerie has made a significant contribution to Go-Ahead London’s success and leaves an indelible mark on it. Valerie intends to make more use of her National Art Pass (Artfund. org) and, further afield, has been to Nice and Monaco, with more travels to follow.
VALERIE VOLUNTEERING FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE 2015
CURRENT PICTURE OF VALERIE
Cliff Frost happy REtIREMEnt
We wish Cliff Frost all the best in his retirement, as he leaves us after 45 years of service. A widely respected colleague, Cliff began working on the buses in 1979 as a driver, first on crew and later on oneperson operated work. He drove at Merton Garage until 2002.
Cliff was the Union Branch Chairperson in late 1980s and then became the Union Representative in early 1990s. At one point Cliff was actually a Director of this company due to his involvement in Mokett Limited. In the 1994, the management/employee buyout then occurred meaning the companies were privatised.
General Manager Colin Opher. Cliff was the longest serving Accident Prevention Manager in one location, having stayed at Stockwell for 20 years until 2022. He built up a good team, working with Nadine Allen, Paul Jones, Tony Thomas and the late Colin Welch for many years.
Cliff’s expertise contributed to a reduction in collision claims and ta renewed focus on roadcraft.
An advert caught Cliff’s eye and in 2022, Cliff was successfully appointed as Accident Prevention Manager. The move from Union to Manager felt natural, as Cliff had a lot of experience with investigating incidents and genuinely wanted to help his colleagues. He was initially allocated to New Cross Garage and then moved to Stockwell Garage. Cliff appreciated the guidance and support of
More recently, Cliff has undertaken the Driving Standards Manager role, where his insight has proved invaluable, especially in the company’s dealings with Transport for London on Bus Safety Standards.
Cliff’s last day with Go-Ahead London was 2 May. Cliff moved to Kent five years ago and intends to use his retirement to go dog walking, whilst exploring the coastal walks and beautiful scenery in the area. He also plans to spend quality time with his family.
We thank Cliff for his contribution to Go-Ahead London.
CLIFF FROST
happy REtIREMEnt
Graham Johnson
General Manager Graham Johnson retired from Go-Ahead London on 31 May 2024.
A widely respected colleague, Graham has served the company in various operational roles since December 1979, initially as a driver at Merton and Stockwell Garages. In 1985 he was promoted to Inspector and after a London Buses secondment for around 12 months in 1987 working for Operations systems, he was appointed Traffic Manager at Sutton the following year.
Further promotion followed in 1990, when Graham was made Operating Manager at Merton, followed by long periods in this role at Stockwell (1995 to 2007) and New Cross (2007 to 2014) Garages.
Since 2014, he has been a General Manager, responsible for the ever-busy New Cross, where he has overseen a prolonged period of service excellence. Graham’s ability to navigate a successful career during a period of profound change for London’s buses speaks volumes for his ability and he has made a significant contribution to the company’s success.
Graham has been enjoying his retirement so far. We wish him a happy and lengthy retirement.
GRAHAM JOHNSON
25 years service,
Christopher Richards
Christopher Richards joined Go-Ahead London in 1999 and celebrated 25 years’ service, back in April. Joanna Keane, General Manager, presented Christopher Richards with his letter of long service at Croydon Garage.
Thank you, Christopher, for your dedicated service and we wish you all the best for your future with Go-Ahead London.
Paul Thomas
Paul Thomas started with Go-Ahead London in 1993 and recently celebrated 25 years’ service. He is a bus driver at Bexleyheath Garage and has always enjoyed driving and helping people.
Paul was gifted his vouchers for his incredible service, which was presented by Joanna Keane.
We thank Paul for his long service, and wish him all the best for his future years in Go-Ahead London.
Care for our people
PAUL THOMAS BUS DRIVER
CHRISTOPHER RICHARDS BUS DRIVER
JOANNA KEANE GENERAL MANAGER
JOANNA KEANE GENERAL MANAGER
National Pet Month April 2024
From 1 April to 1 May 2024, the UK celebrates National Pet Month. The purpose of this is to raise awareness of responsible pet ownership and acknowledge the joy that our companions bring.
For the second year running, we have been celebrating by sharing photos of your pets on a Hub page each day. It is evident that our pets are an important part of our lives. Here are photos of some of the pets. All of them can be found on the Hub page.
You can view all of the wonderful pet submissions on The Hub by visiting qrco.de/bfAwMK or scanning the QR code:
Peanut
Winnie
Barney
Balrog
Bruno
Tessa
Cutie
Brodie
Tilly Simba
Charlie Gingee Lia
Captain
Molly Dolly
PASSENGER COMMENDATIONS
Congratulations to all our drivers who have received praise from customers. Here is a selection of those received...
AL
JOHN KAWUMA
"The bus driver was really nice and patient throughout my journey. He waited for me even though I was quite some distance from the bus stop. He also did the same for other people as well. Well done."
SW
ORSO SCANTLEBURY
"What an absolute pleasure this driver is!! Shows up on time, always with a smile, really makes my day. A huge thank you to him, he takes the stress out of my morning commute.”
Q
MUHAMMAD MUSA
"Driver was extremely cheerful and left positive message for passengers on the intercom. Was refreshing as I wasn’t looking forward to the Monday grind!"
EMMANUEL GEORGE
BX
NICHOLAS RINGWOOD
"Friendly and welcoming. Greets all passengers with good morning! So refreshing as I have not seen any drivers do this for decades! Made my day!"
VASSEL WRIGHT
"Just wanted to commend his exceptional work. Really friendly and helpful guy."
"The driver was jovial and professional and certainly made my journey a pleasant one. He was smartly dressed in his Go-Ahead uniform, and drove the vehicle with safety in mind. You guys seem to be getting it ‘spot on’ with your recruitment/ selection process." MG
TIMOTHY PARFITT
"The Route 184 driver is a lovely man. He has a calm and warm presence and drives so safely and nicely. Every blessing to him."
RA MATTHEW COOGAN
RR MICHAEL BOAKYE
"Driver was friendly. Customer service was great."
GM SACHINKUMAR PATIDAR
"I am contacting you to say to nothing but praise for one of your drivers. He stopped four fare dodgers, and we need more drivers like this!"
ATAMERIA IRVING
"Driver was cool, professional, and kept us informed about the road closure ahead. Gave us all the info we needed immediately about alternative routes. Despite the massive delay, she helped de-stress the situation!"
DAVID JACKMAN
"I would like to commend driver for assisting two passengers on and off the bus"
PM
MARVIN CLARKE
"Very polite young man, I was greeted with a smile on his face."
PARIS MELTON
GARY MILLER
"Thank you so much driver, God bless you! My gratitude and admiration to the driver, so kind and good person. Thank you, driver!"
ABDULLAH MARUF
"I just wanted to say that the driver of the 153 was the nicest driver ever. He was very pleasant and welcoming to his passengers. It left me in a very good mood and I felt very happy." MB
“Was a pleasure getting on this bus today. Your driver was very welcoming with a really nice smile. Her driving was very smooth and not at all rushed.”
"He is one of the friendliest drivers on the 376. I was to thank him for a very positive experience and I would encourage more drivers on other routes to do the same."
GAW Recruitment Day
Back in April, we held a recruitment day that focused on bringing more women into the business, as part of The Go-Ahead Women initiative.
On the day, they got the opportunity to meet and discuss with other female bus drivers and colleagues, about their experiences, and leading the change of more females joining the bus industry. They got firsthand experience of driving in an assessment van, as well as completing maths and English assessments, an interview and a medical.
It's a wrap!
Back in March, we were delighted to unveil two special 'Go Ahead Women' livery buses that entered service from Bexleyheath Garage on Route 132 on Thursday 28 March.
The vehicles, both brand new 24-plate ZeroEmission double-decks, strikingly showcase Go-
Ahead's commitment to gender equality. Here are photos of Ee244 being driven in service for the first time by Sandra Fraser.
If you want to know more about The GoAhead Women initiative, please visit www.goahead.com/our-people/ Go-Ahead-Women
THE FIRST GO-AHEAD LONDON COHORT OF THE GO-AHEAD WOMEN INITIATIVE
Care for our community
Our first Go-Ahead Women cohort blooms
Significant milestones have been achieved for Go-Ahead London's first Go-Ahead Women cohort.
Congratulations to Anita Dwamena, Ogechi Isichei, Claire Merchant, Lorraine Morris and Shirley Villagomez-Galian, Sharlene Bowen Rodriques, Tafadzwa Mhondiwa, Ruddy Villagomez-Galian, Toni-Ann Barrett and Anita Cheema for successfully passing both their Module 3 PCV Driving Test and Module 4 Practical Case Study Test.
Anita was the first of the cohort to pass since they started learning earlier this month.
You should all believe in yourselves that you can do
it too.
To anyone thinking of learning to drive a bus with Go-Ahead London, Anita said: "You should all believe in yourselves that you can do it too".
The Go-Ahead Women recruits receive eight weeks of fully paid training estimated to be an investment of £7.5 million. The initiative also includes an investment of £8 million to create inclusive environments and training opportunities for our female colleagues.
Care for our people
TOM JOYNER MANAGING DIRECTOR
Pride Month Happy
Go-Ahead London and Bidvest Noonan Social Value Fund were pleased to provide a beautiful open top bus to Dulwich Hamlet Football Club to take part in the capital’s annual Pride in London parade. They are a local non-league football club, close to our Camberwell and Peckham Garages.
Go-Ahead London enjoyed supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and being involved in the event.
Merton Garage driver Izzy (Issac) Sasso, gleefully took part in the Pride parade celebrations on the day.
ISAAC POSING FOR A PHOTO
ISSAC PICTURED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM TFL
Care for our community
Social Value Fund
In the past three months, our Go-Ahead London and Bidvest Noonan Social Value Fund committee have continued to provide financial support to communities and charitable events, which are also of benefit to our colleagues.
Here is an update on a couple of those who have recently benefitted:
The riverside community
The Riverside Community Association is an independent local charity. We were pleased to donate to them, after a request from colleagues.
The Riverside Centre is a local hub which supports the community in Carshalton with a foodbank, use of a washing machine and clubs. The Centre is well known amongst the Route 80 drivers who also use their facilities.
Hospital Radio Publications
It costs a great deal of money to run a hospital radio station and often they are crucial for enhancing wellbeing during difficult times. We were pleased to support Hospital Radio Publications.
By sponsoring the charity and feature in the magazine, we have been part of ensuring that the radio continues. We have also been able to share information about the Social Value Fund's important work within the community.
Claim to FAME
We were pleased to sponsor medals for the London FAME (Fashion Arts Music Entertainment) stage show, for children and young adults with SEND.
THE RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CHARITY
Care for our community
The sky's the limit
Chi Man, Mileage Clerk at Croydon Garage, enjoyed a thrill on 18 May, skydiving from 15,000 feet, which is the highest you can go in the UK. This gives you almost a minute of free fall, reaching speeds of 125mph!
Chi said “I did the skydive to raise awareness and funds for Positive about Down Syndrome (PADS), due to the wonderful work they do. PADS have been a big part of our journey since our daughter was born in 2021. We want to show that inclusion is important and the reality of having a family member with Down Syndrome. PADS support so many in the community, from expectant and new parents, to providing training and resources to nurseries/medical practitioners. I would not have jumped out of a plane unless the cause was really important to me”.
Chi can still be sponsored via: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ chi-man-skydive
CHI MAN PICTURED. SKYDIVING FROM 15,000 FEET
CHI MAN MILEAGE CLERK
New Cross Garage
NIGHT CLUB
In partnership with Transport for London, New Cross Garage has been working on a proactive approach to fatigue risk management with the Night Club project run by Liminal Space.
Representatives from Liminal Space met with colleagues at the garage and led a series of sessions that focused on diet, exercise, and a good sleep environment, which can help in reducing disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms that can cause mental and physical health problems.
Colleagues in attendance found the sessions to be very informative and walked away with tips on how to improve their sleep.
Finn Paul, Project Manager of the Night Club, shared “There was a strong set of Night Club sessions, with a total of 189 participants having attended across all three days, a number very much representative of the garage's fantastic work on facilitating the bookings and communication of the event.”
The project’s outcome will be evaluated for the potential of future developments to address bus driver health, wellbeing, and fatigue.
REPRESENTATIVES
Care for our people
The future of our Driver cabs
Go-Ahead London is happy to be part of an ongoing survey to ensure that bus cab designs are inclusive for all drivers. Researchers from Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), working with Transport for London (TfL) and Women in Bus and Coach, have been visiting bus garages across the country.
Recently, the researchers met with experienced drivers and members of our Go-Ahead Women cohort at Camberwell Garage. The researchers received feedback and recommendations on features such as mirror placement, seat controls, fabrics, pedal placement and cleanliness.
We look forward to seeing positive changes in the future.
GO-AHEAD WOMEN COHORT MEMBER, CLAIRE MERCHANT TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY FROM TRL
Care for our assets
GO-AHEAD LONDON TEAM MET AT CAMBERWELL GARAGE WITH WOMEN IN COACH AND BUS REPRESENTATIVES
London... let's save lives together
Over recent months, Go-Ahead London have been collaborating with the NHS Blood and Transplant team to raise awareness of how we can all assist those that need our help.
The roadshows, so far held at Croydon and Stockwell Garages, gave colleagues the opportunity to participate in a finger prick test to find out your likely blood type and consider becoming a blood donor. Valuable information was also given about what your blood type means, how rare it is and what is used for.
Lance McFarlane, Operating Manager at Croydon, took part in the event. He said “This is probably one of the most selfless acts you can do as a human being, which helps saves others' lives. I have recently signed up to giving blood and have booked in my donation appointment at
the end of June! My blood type is one of the most soughtafter types by hospitals, so I look forward to helping.”
Wiktor Kowalski, Assistant Operating Manager at Croydon, stated, “Some of you may know about my recent experience. I was involved in a major road traffic incident on my motorbike. I needed transfusions to keep me alive. I am forever grateful to those who donate blood and really encourage people to do this. You never know when you, your friend or relative will need it. Money cannot buy you health and it’s so important.’
To find out more, please visit: https://www.blood.co.uk/
LANCE MCFARLANE OPERATING MANAGER
DENNIS WILSON BUS DRIVER
COLLEAGUES AT CROYDON GARAGE PARTAKING IN DONATING BLOOD. PICTURED BELOW IS MENTOR DORINA-GABRIELA HATAGAN WITH NHS REPRESENTATIVES.
Tax-Free sickness cover for Go-Ahead employees
This is a feature article from the Transport Friendly Society (TFS), one of the membership schemes that you can choose to belong to as a transport professional.
Join the other 6,000 GoAhead employees, already members of the Society!
Coping with illness can be a stressful time. Having regular money coming in, can give you some much-needed peace of mind. This is where Transport Friendly Society (TFS) comes in. You can get tax-free sickness cover, which will supplement your Statutory or Go-Ahead sick pay, when you are off sick from work for more than seven days.
Simply choose:
• how much you wish to receive a week: £70, £105, £140 or £175
• how long you wish to be covered for: 5 weeks or 12 weeks
You can pay through your wages and the lowest
sickness cover starts from just £2.10 per week. You can also rest assured that once your plan starts, the price will never change for as long as you keep your plan.
Something extra
TFS knows that every little helps, which is why they offer additional benefits. After 12 months of being a member, you will become eligible for their discretionary benefits. That gives you financial assistance towards your Dental, Optical and Osteopathic expenses.
In 2023, TFS paid over £1.4 million in sickness claims, that’s over £27,000 a week
About TFS
TFS is a mutual organisation, which means they have no shareholders, and have been supporting their members
for around 140 years. This is just what they did throughout the pandemic - having accepted 99% of COVID-19 related claims.
Apply today with promo code “GoAhead2024” to get your First Month Free!
Offer ends 31st August 2024 | Terms and Conditions apply
Go to www.tfs.uk.com or scan below to find out more:
Wear it Green Day
Go-Ahead London was proud to support the Mental Health Foundation this Mental Health Awareness Week –13 to 19 May 2024. During this week, we raised awareness of the initiatives and support available for all of our colleagues.
We also supported the Mental Health Foundation’s awareness campaign, by taking part in ‘Wear it Green’ day. The Go-Ahead London team raised awareness and funds for the Foundation. To find out more, please visit: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Donations are currently being collected and the sponsorship page is still open: https://www.justgiving. com/page/galmhaw2024.
The joint Go-Ahead London and Bidvest Noonan Social Value Fund have also contributed. Please look at The Hub to find out more.
If you would like to receive free and confidential information, advice or support, then the Employee Assistance Programme is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More information can be found on The Hub.
WENDY MATTHEWS BUS DRIVER
TEONIA MCDONNELL BUS DRIVER
CHRISTOPHER MORRIS BUS DRIVER
NADIA YUSUF BUS DRIVER
KASTRIOT GASHI AREA GENERAL MANAGER
Thinking of the future
with Fidelity
Recently, our New Cross Garage colleagues appreciated the opportunity to meet with our pension provider and discuss the best ways to prepare for the future.
Fidelity representatives Rob Booth and Rebecca Whentringhame were thrilled to have one-to-one conversations with pension plan members. Awareness was also raised regarding the regular Virtual Pension Centre events and the importance of accessing the Planviewer app.
We look forward to further roadshows in the future. Information about this will be shared via email and displayed on garage digital screens.
Care for our people
DJEILAN LANG BUS DRIVER
HANS LENIS-MARIN BUS DRIVER
River Road Garage Tour Hacton Primary School
Connecting with the communities we serve is important for colleagues across Go-Ahead London. Recently, we invited pupils from Hacton Primary School, to have a bus tour of River Road Garage.
The tour was to thank them for their enthusiasm whilst taking part in our Clean Bus for the Future drawing competition with local schools held late last year. The school chose to select pupils who had been involved in this and their own Walk to School competition.
The children had the opportunity to have a bus tour, go through the bus wash and learn more about what goes on behind the scenes.
Brad Campbell, Operating Manager, arranged the event and said “The River Road Garage team provided great support. Thanks as well to Mentor Gary Higgins, Operating Manager Oz Hassan, plus SGAs Amar Nasir, Mohammad Hisaund and Mentor Ryan Beaumont.
The children really enjoyed coming along to the garage. It was fun and educational. It really fitted in well with the topics they are studying this term.”
This visit is part of Go-Ahead London's commitment to educating young people about the importance of buses and opportunities in the industry.
PUPILS FROM HACTON PRIMARY SCHOOL PICTURED VISITING RIVER ROAD GARAGE
PUPILS FROM HACTON PRIMARY SCHOOL ENJOYING A TOUR OF THE INSIDE OF A BUS
Inspiring
Inspiring
B
A NEW generation Earlsfield Primary School
A NEW generation
Go-Ahead London were pleased to participate at the Careers Week at Earlsfield Primary School recently.
Drivers Stephen Appiah and Spencer Suckling represented Go-Ahead.
The Year 1 pupils heard how we are committed to making our buses more environmentally friendly, plus learnt about the importance of safety and accessibility for our customers.
Stephen and Spencer were pleased to answer questions. They said that the majority of the children said that they would like to become a bus driver when they are older.
C 1 A B C 1 2 3 A C 1 B 3
We are thankful to have the opportunity to work closely with local schools in the communities we serve. You never know, one day a pupil from the school may be driving a bus.
2
MENTOR, STEPHEN APPIAH GAVE A TALK AT EARLSFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR CAREERS WEEK
STEPHEN ENGAGING WITH THE PUPILS
Care for our community
DOUBLE WHAMMY!
Route 262 and 473 launch at Henley Road and Silvertown Garage
On Saturday 30 March, two of our garages began operating new routes.
Route 262 is now based at Henley Road Garage. The route serves between Gallions Reach Shopping Park and Stratford. Driver Mizanur Rahman is pictured, preparing to take out the first bus of
the day. He is also joined by General Manager Saf Patel and Mentor Faridah Lukabwe in one of the images.
Route 473 currently will operate from Silvertown Garage. The route runs between the North Woolwich Ferry and Stratford. The images shared, show the
first bus departing the garage, driven by Driver Cassandra De Almeida.
These routes serve local residents and tourists to East London venues. Well done to both garages for ensuring that the route launches went smoothly.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FARIDAH LUKABWE, MIZANUR RAHMAN AND SAF PATEL PICTURED WITH THE ROUTE 262 ON THE FIRST RUN OUT
SAF PATEL AND CASSANDRA DE ALMEIDA PICTURED WITH THE FIRST ROUTE 473 BUS TO DEPART THE GARAGE
On Saturday 27 April, our New Cross Garage began operating the P4 route.
The P4 serves between Lewisham Station and Brixton Station. The image shared, shows the first bus departing the garage, driven by John Hamblin at 0440. Brian Goodger, Operating Manager, is also pictured, overseeing the launch. Well done to New Cross Garage for ensuring that the launch went smoothly today.
Route P4 joins New Cross Garage River Road's first EV route
Our River Road Garage went “electric” in April, with their first EV route in the garage being the Route 366. This operates between Redbridge and Beckton.
The images shared show driver Jean Martial preparing to take his bus out in service.
We are proud to be increasing our fleet of zero-emission buses, showing our dedication to the environment and contributing to cleaner air in London.
JOHN HAMBLIN AND BRIAN GOODGER PICTURED WITH THE FIRST ROUTE P4 TO DEPART NEW CROSS GARAGE
JEAN