Staying connected 3

ISSUE 3

MANABUS.COM STAFF NEWSLETTER

MARCH 3 2015

LUGGAGE HANDLING AT POLSKIBUS.COM

MEET OUT NEW TEAM MEMBER...AND WIN!

Pg 2

Pg 3

STAYING CONNECTED A HUGE

Thank You! TO THE WELLINGTON BASED CLEANERS AND CREW: Despite sometimes having very little turnaround time you all do a great job and it has been reported that you’re a positive bunch, always happy and a pleasure to work with. Thank you for going the ’extra mile’ - it certainly gets noticed!

From right: Hafizi Ly, Cleaner; Lyn Coory, Human Resources Manager; Wayne MacDonald, Driver; Ian Chudleigh, Manager; AndreaEdwards, Attendant; Lindsay Maitland, Cleaner/Mana Coach Services Driver.

SIR BRIAN SOUTER and two of his Global Investment team paid a flying visit to New Zealand last week.

During this time several decisions were made and we’re happy to announce to you all that:

ManaBus.com will commission the build of 5 more double-decker buses.

The decision to open more routes was also agreed on.

Before any announcements of those new services can be made, many factors, including existing infrastructure in destinations, will need to be identified as well as a rigourous feasibility process undertaken.

We are also working on tweaking the existing timetable and will be able to share this with you all very soon.

Sheryll SHERYLL OTWAY Chief Executive ManaBus.com

STAYING CONNECTED OPERATIONS Check List

ALL DRIVERS are reminded to carry out the Check List at the start and end of each shift. And please remember all phones and fuel cards remain in the bus!

Dallas Keys

All drivers should now have received their Dallas Keys. It is important that you remember to tag on/off at all times.

MANABUS.COM LUGGAGE LABELS - Update To help us to work smarter at times of loading and unloading we have contacted our sister company in Poland to see if they are experiencing similar difficulties with the luggage labels and the stowing and unloading of luggage. CEO Barry Pybis reminds us that the luggage policy, and our fulfilment of it, is what make us different than other coach operators. It is one of our Unique Selling Points (USPs) and needs to be adhered to professionally.

We anticipate a revised tag will be available once approved shortly and it will effectively streamline the whole process while still adhering to the company guidelines in the ManaBus.com Terms & Conditions.

In Poland there are routes with up to 7 destinations, and even more stops in Finland, and the drivers have no problems in ordering the stowage to ensure an efficient unloading of baggage. It is one of the areas reinforced during the training of drivers as a normal routine task for coach drivers.

Greenroad

This tool is to be used to assist us with helping develop and improve both passengers comfort and safety whilst at the same time continuing to assist with your own personal driving skills. IT IS NOT A TOOL TO BE FEARED AS IF ‘BIG BROTHER’ IS WATCHING. There will be a ‘grace’ period of a couple of weeks for everyone to adjust to the system, thus said we expect all drivers to continue to drive in a safe and courteous manner as the professional drivers you are , this includes being aware of your speed zones!

SPEED ZONES:

Speed zones that change within a short span of road is a common way drivers get caught out: 1. The approach from State highway 1 into Waikanae, Wellington. The main route goes from 100 and then to 50 very quickly with no pre-warning in 200m to reduce speed; it simply reduces to 50km per hr.

If you know other areas please email daniel.hanson@manabus.com

PolskiBus.com has a fleet of 132 buses, operating 300 journeys a day reaching 22 Polish cities and 5 European capitals. A number of the buses are fitted with addtional storage for bicycles and in winter to carry skis and snowboards.

STOP PRESS: CONGRATULATIONS to Joanne Calder.

Joanne joined ManaBus.com as an attendant based in Hamilton and has recently completed her P Endorsement and required training to move into her new role as ManaBus.com coach driver.

Joanne is also known for being very helpful with customer queries after hours and we know she’ll be equally appreciated in her new position behind the wheel!

STAYING CONNECTED WITH OUR COMMUNITY FACEBOOK SELFIE COMPETITION Our recent competition asking passengers to send in their favourite ‘selfie’ pic while onboard ManaBus.com was a great success. Winner Cameron Rous (top) won for himself an iPod Nano!

SPECIAL TICKET RELEASE: CRICKET WORLD CUP 2015 A special release of cheap fares has gone on sale to help celebrate the Cricket World Cup and to encourage fans to use ManaBus.com to get to the games or the Fanzones in our destinations. One upcoming clash that will appeal to many fans will be the Ireland vs India game at Seddon Park in Hamilton on March 10. It’s a short walk from the ManaBus.com stop with tickets still available for the game at only $20.

ORIENTATION WEEK AT WAIKATO UNIVERSITY

Our Mascot Keko is off to Uni! He’ll be at this year’s Waikato University Orientation on all this week until Friday 6th March. He’ll be there with his band of helpers with loads of giveaways and goodie bags. Keko will also be heading around some of our other destinations and we’ll keep you updated on times and dates.

Check out our new Suzuki Swift all kitted out like the big boys! Choose a name for her and if we pick your suggestion you’ll receive a great prize! All entries by Saturday 8th March to manabuscom.news@gmail.com In each newsletter we will profile a staff member and Andrea Edwards is among the many wonderful ManaBus.com onboard attendants, drivers and crew who will feature in this space in upcoming issues.

STAFF PROFILE: Andrea Edwards

Throughout her career, Andrea has always been in customer service roles and she feels she’s found the best mix, at ManaBus.com. In fact Andrea admits her role is less of a job and more like going on a road trip to Wellington each day!

ANDREA THANKS HER LUCKY STARS the day a ManaBus.com driver came into the sushi diner where she was working in Bulls. He was the one who told her all about the new business and said the company were also looking for attendants. Since then she hasn’t looked back!

Colleagues and management agree that Andrea’s personality, attitude and work ethic make for a superb ManaBus.com attendant and so do many customers. Commendations have come in on Facebook thanking her for helpful and caring service on board and one passenger went out of her way to deliver to the Auckland office a gift voucher and a beautiful card. The same passenger also presented the crew with a big box of Dunkin’ Donuts. Andrea was very touched by all of this. “I couldn’t believe that someone would do something so awesome.” The passenger was on her way to Wellington and Andrea helped her to book a further two seats for her next trip using her mobile phone.

Andrea is seen here (above left) with partner Monty on the farm with one of their three dogs, Tyson.

Award winning 2013 advert for Swedish Bus company Midttrafik. No need for sub-titles to know that passengers are lovin’ the journey and the driver is cool...and by the end of the ad...still C-O-O-L!

STAYING CONNECTING WITH OUR MANABUS.COM ORGANISATION OVER THE LAST MONTH the directors of Souter Holdings have worked with the management team to format a chart (below) of how the company will look, showing the roles and the relationships, who is responsible for the different areas of the business as well as who to go to

for any information you may need. Once finalised, we will begin recruitment in those areas still unfilled and in most cases, current ManaBus.com employees will have the opportunity to submit an application for a role.

Board of Directors Revenue Audit

Public Relations

Sheryll Otway Chief Executive Officer Health & Safety Finance Dept

Commercial Manager

HR Dept

Bus Crew Supervisor

Station Supervision

Business Reporting

Recruitment

Cust Support 2FT + 2 PT

Drivers ( 28)

Supervisors AKL (3 )

Accounts

Training

Yield Management

Attendants ( 11)

Supervisor WEL

Payroll

Marketing

Rosters & Duty Planning

IT

Social Media

Ops Inventory

Finance Audit

Competitors Analysis

Control Centre

Controllers AKL (4 + 1 cover)

Maintenance Dept

Contracts

Bus Maintenance Bus Cleaning

Re-fuelling

Positions in ManaBus.com

Tyres

Functions in ManaBus.com

Agents

Functions provided by Fullers, Howick & Eastern, Mana Coach or outsourced Functions reporting direct to the Board Board of Directors

“What’s easy to get into and almost impossible to get out of?”

Debt.

DURING HIS LAST VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND Sir Brian Souter and his wife visited the headquarters of CAP (Christians Against Poverty) in South Auckland. Already familiar with the organisation in the UK, the Souter’s made a personal commitment to support the wonderful work of the team, made up of skilled volunteers.

Free money management and Debt Help services are offered in partnership with a local church.

If you’re struggling with unmanageable debt and can’t seem to find a way out, visit their website - watch inspiring stories of real families that CAP have helped to get finances under control, save more and live within their means.

Lifting Kiwis out of debt

www.capnz.org