You First Aberdeen – Autumn 2015

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Autumn 2015

The magazine for First people in Aberdeen

l l e w e Far Employees views are crucial

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D N E G E TO ACADLES’ SERVICE AND FIVE DE k c i s F F O Y A D E NOT A SINGL N PAGE SEVE

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2 NEWS Driver Trainer Richard Nicol, right, works with Driver Bill Farquharson.

‘First family way’ engages all with a stake in our services Aberdeen Managing Director

David Phillips IT’S been Another busy quarter but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Hopefully you are witnessing improvements in service delivery this year. I know it was a tough year last year but I am expecting our strong performance to continue making the experience for both yourselves and our customers all the better.

We still value your feedback on timetable and other issues so please share your thoughts!

Our long awaited staff app will be available shortly and will allow you to access key information and also provide you with the facilities to contact us.

You said you wanted to be better informed and this is our proposed solution. We have innovated the staff app and I’m sure that other businesses will be keen to adopt this too!

I am really keen to promote the concept of ‘the first family way’ which means that we aspire to work with stakeholders both internal (including you) and external in a way that befits how the best families work and not the dysfunctional kind!

Every one of us has a choice to positively engage with stakeholders and I have every confidence that this can be achieved.

We had a hugely successful staff barbecue held in the depot that was very well attended and we are keen to repeat this and any with other events.

We’d like to hear your thoughts on how you’d like this can be done!

Coming up in October is the Your Voice 2015 survey.

We are keen to hear your thoughts and opinions and have worked hard to respond to the feedback you provided us with.

Your feedback also generates funds for our charity partner as First Bus will supply a donation for each submission received.

Therefore, please play a part in making our business a better place!

YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015

Industry exclusive delivers top training NDIVIDUALLY-tailored training is being delivered to drivers under a programme placing greater emphasis on safety and customer service.

The Better Journeys for Life Driver Training Programme has prestigious City and Guilds

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Guidance on bus access DRIVERS are being reminded of company policy about wheelchair access on buses.

The law says drivers are not required to ask non-disabled customers to clear dedicated space on a bus if a wheelchair user wants to travel. But company policy says drivers should politely request that they move. If the passenger refuses, the driver should tell the wheelchair user – who must then wait for the next service.

The driver must then inform control and complete a refusal to carry passenger form.

accreditation – a first for the bus industry in the UK – and is endorsed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

The 20-day course includes three days’ customer service training, a significant increase, and an extra 30 per cent in time spent behind the wheel.

With drivers undergoing the Smith System Advanced Driving course, they will also receive specific training on supporting customers with disability as well as managing security and conflict issues.

First invested in its training rooms ahead of the launch and

provided extra support and coaching for its trainers.

Training Manager Norman Wood said: “We’re delighted we’ve launched this programme, especially as it comes with the much sought after City and Guilds accreditation.

“Our programme, which is designed to meet the specific needs of the business, places our drivers at the forefront of the bus industry.

“They play a vital role in attracting and retaining customers and as our ambassadors must have the right and best training.”

Service 2 is ‘number one’ A customer with a damaged spine who uses a walking frame has written in to praise First Aberdeen drivers for their help.

The woman who travels mostly on the Service 2 Auchinyell bus said: “Your drivers lower the step so I can get on and off without much difficulty. I must also mention that each driver without fail does not drive off until I am seated safely.

“I am grateful for the help as it makes my journey worry free.

Please convey my thanks to your team of men and women.

Thanks for a first class experience.”

Operations Manager Davie Adam said: “It is gratifying to receive praise like this and it is great to hear that our drivers are doing everything they possibly can to make journeys better for our customers.”

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NEWS 3 Alistair Blanch, at work in Aberdeen, and, inset, with one of the orphans he helps in Moldova.

Changes to boost route reliability

Pilgrimage supports

vulnerable orphans ARING for children at a Moldovan Orphanage has become a passion for Driver Alistair Blanch... a passion linked to a very poignant time in his life.

After his wife died at the beginning of 2014, Alistair decided to dedicate some of his time to helping others.

He joined The Moldova Project – aimed at providing financial and practical support to vulnerable people – and volunteered at an Orphanage in the Eastern European country’s capital Chisinau.

Last year, he visited Moldova twice for three and four-week trips and has already visited for three weeks in May of this year.

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He is planning his return, and will hopefully be flying out again just before Christmas.

Volunteer work takes place at a Rehabilitation Centre for children

aged from newborn to six-yearsold, some of whom are mildly or severely disabled. In his free time he socialises with other volunteers and soaks up the culture.

“The children rarely have any playtime so Alistair’s role involves keeping them entertained and, in his words, letting them have fun and get their own way,” he said.

“The plan is to carry on flying out to volunteer each year for as long as I’m fit and able to.

“Experiencing a completely different culture is fantastic and the other volunteers are great company, but putting a smile on the kids’ face and seeing them happy has to be the highlight of each trip.”

App proves a great way to keep in touch ABERDEEN is the first OpCo in FirstGroup to launch it’s own employee app. Called Better Journeys, it features news, information on work related matters like diversions and benefits and messages from the management team.

The project was spearheaded by Managing Director David Phillips who said: “Our main ways of communicating in our business are staff notices and our magazine. Looking at research we conducted with colleagues in the business it was clear that we could be innovative and try something different – most of our colleagues have some sort of smart phone.

“Using an app means we can publish up-to-date information, share stories with colleagues and get feedback. I’m even launching my own blog on the app and I’ve already posted a few videos.”

■ To download the app visit myapp.is/firstbus and follow the links to either the Apple or the Android download.

Receptionist Anne Milne uses the new employee app.

TIMETABLE changes have been introduced across the Granite City involving a number of First Aberdeen routes and services.

Some service frequencies have been increased, others remain unchanged and some routes have been altered – all designed to improve service reliability and punctuality.

A new Service 25 has been introduced in the evenings from 8pm, operating from Hillhead of Seaton to Ferryhill via Aberdeen City Centre.

Other revised services include the university timetable now operating as Service 1A as well as routes 5, 11, 15, 17, 17A, 17B, 18, 18A, 19, 20, and 23.

Charity fund reminder EMPLOYEES are being reminded about First’s match-funding scheme which can secure an extra £200 for people’s favourite charities.

Under the scheme the company lends a hand to charity fund raising initiatives.

For an application form and more details visit www.firstgroupplc.com/ community

Drive champ accolade FIRST Aberdeen Driver Jonathan Welch came away with a consolation prize after a valiant attempt to retain his UK Bus Driver of the Year title.

The 2014 champion again went to Blackpool but this time scooped the Best Driver CPC Knowledge Result. He was awarded the Wrightbus Shield and a cheque for £100.

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4 NEWS

NEWS 5 All aboard the Northern Lights service to Newhills.

Team jumps to it in support of charity skydive

First Scotland’s Young Manager of the year...

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird.

Engineering Manager David Gutcher, who won the Environmental Excellence Award.

Action proposed to make bus travel more attractive FIRST Aberdeen is backing moves to encourage more people to ditch their cars and use the bus instead.

It comes after the company and partners published research on the barriers which prevent from choosing to travel by bus.

Cost and length of journey time were identified as the main problems.

Recommendations include extending bus lane opening times, creating express bus services, re-evaluating current routes and corporate fare discounts.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird said: “Bus travel is key to the future of local economies and we are committed to working to

make services as attractive as possible. Improving bus journey times is key to attracting more passengers and this can only be fully achieved if congestion in the city centre is addressed.

“That’s why we support measures which prioritise public transport and encourage bus travel.

“Future investment in infrastructure which supports the investment we are making in our fleet would certainly have the potential to speed up journey times and will attract new passengers, in particular encouraging people who travel by car to swap to the bus.”

Cheery ‘Hello’ is useful to partially-sighted customer CUSTOMER Mary Rasmussen and her guide dog Nelson visited the depot as First Aberdeen launched its Say Hello to Me campaign.

The initiative encourages drivers to interact more with sight impaired passengers who might need extra help and advice and is part of the company’s ongoing partnership with Guide Dogs Scotland and North East Sensory Services (NESS).

Mary shared her

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AUTUMN 2015

experiences with drivers to help them better understand her difficulties in getting on and off the bus. She said: “With poor sight, it is difficult to find the driver and hand over my bus pass – that’s where a cheery hello comes in.”

Managing Director David Phillips said: “It is important for us to understand how we can help make journeys easier and more attractive – particularly to those who may face barriers using the bus due to a disability.”

UTSTANDING employees from Aberdeen have been recognised for going the extra mile at this year’s First UK Bus Excellence Awards for Scotland.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird was named Young Manager of the Year and the Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Engineering Manager David Gutcher, while Finance Analyst Chris Allan scooped the Support Colleague of the Year Award.

Some colleagues and teams were highly commended at the awards ceremony, which honoured hard-working individuals who demonstrate First’s values in their everyday life.

They included drivers Sandra Cordiner and Ian Hay, who were highly commended for the Environmental Excellence and Community Awards respectively.

The Aberdeen Engineering Team was also highly commended for the Team of the Year Award.

Employees made more than 1,100 nominations across Scotland – and competition was fierce in every category.

Daniel Laird said he was “extremely pleased” after first being nominated and then winning the Young Manager of the Year Award.

Nominations for Daniel described him as a “bright young manager” who “has some great ideas, is

O

Hat-trick of awards on the

road to excellence “”

I feel very fortunate to be working in a role that I love and in a city that is really developing.

Support Colleague of the Year, Financial Analyst Chris Allan.

DANIEL LAIRD hugely committed and always goes the extra mile.”

Daniel said: “It’s a great privilege to be recognised with the award, as I’ve known since university that a role in commercial management was what I wanted. I feel very fortunate to be working in a role that I love and in a city that is really developing.”

Meanwhile, colleagues recognised David Gutcher’s efforts in helping the depot achieve a recycling rate of 80 per cent, and reducing energy use by 15 per cent.

Nominations for David Gutcher said he was enthusiastic and helpful and had driven considerable change in the depot.

He said: “Looking after the

environment is something close to my heart. Making sure the depot is as eco-friendly as possible is a great passion of mine and I’m keen to continue making improvements.”

Chris Allan won his award for consistently delivering high quality work while under pressure. In one nomination, a colleague said he “works all hours and displays an exemplary level of professionalism”.

Chris said: “It was nice to be nominated, but a huge shock to find out I’d won. A team of us work long hours and do what’s needed to get the job done, but it’s brilliant to be recognised by colleagues.”

DEDICATED employees have been praised for the role they played in ensuring a charity sky dive went smoothly.

Seventeen fundraisers jumped in tandem with an instructor from 10,000 feet to raise funds for cancer support organisation CLAN. First Aberdeen provided a free bus to transport them to the airfield. Unite the Union also helped out by supplying drivers for the vehicle.

The team managed to raise nearly £10,000 for the charity, with the majority of funds going towards services to assist anyone affected by cancer across the north and north-east of Scotland.

CLAN Fundraising Manager Susan Crighton said: “I’d like to thank to both First Aberdeen and Unite the Union for their generous help in providing the transport for the team.”

Last year the First Aberdeen showed its support by unveiling two charity buses sporting the colours, logos and messages of CLAN on the liveries.

Barbecue cooks up £220 donation A barbecue and fun-filled day of activities was organised for Aberdeen staff and their families at the depot, raising £220 for Prostate Cancer UK. More than 300 guests were treated to tours around the city on an open-top bus, while heritage buses drafted in from the local Transport Museum took pride of place.

Stalls and activities, including a football shootout, bouncy castles and giant Jenga were enjoyed at the event, organised by a staff committee aimed at finding new ways to improve employee engagement.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird said: “We’re hoping that this will be the first of many similar events to allow staff and their families to socialise.”

Holiday bargains TICKET prices for family bus travel were slashed during the school summer holidays to help people get out and about even more cheaply on First Aberdeen buses. The First Day Family ticket cost was cut by £2 to £6 for six weeks. Managing Director David Phillips said: “We wanted to make travel as easy as possible for our customers and a day’s unlimited bus travel for families for £6 offered excellent value for money.”

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NEWS 5 All aboard the Northern Lights service to Newhills.

Team jumps to it in support of charity skydive

First Scotland’s Young Manager of the year...

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird.

Engineering Manager David Gutcher, who won the Environmental Excellence Award.

Action proposed to make bus travel more attractive FIRST Aberdeen is backing moves to encourage more people to ditch their cars and use the bus instead.

It comes after the company and partners published research on the barriers which prevent from choosing to travel by bus.

Cost and length of journey time were identified as the main problems.

Recommendations include extending bus lane opening times, creating express bus services, re-evaluating current routes and corporate fare discounts.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird said: “Bus travel is key to the future of local economies and we are committed to working to

make services as attractive as possible. Improving bus journey times is key to attracting more passengers and this can only be fully achieved if congestion in the city centre is addressed.

“That’s why we support measures which prioritise public transport and encourage bus travel.

“Future investment in infrastructure which supports the investment we are making in our fleet would certainly have the potential to speed up journey times and will attract new passengers, in particular encouraging people who travel by car to swap to the bus.”

Cheery ‘Hello’ is useful to partially-sighted customer CUSTOMER Mary Rasmussen and her guide dog Nelson visited the depot as First Aberdeen launched its Say Hello to Me campaign.

The initiative encourages drivers to interact more with sight impaired passengers who might need extra help and advice and is part of the company’s ongoing partnership with Guide Dogs Scotland and North East Sensory Services (NESS).

Mary shared her

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AUTUMN 2015

experiences with drivers to help them better understand her difficulties in getting on and off the bus. She said: “With poor sight, it is difficult to find the driver and hand over my bus pass – that’s where a cheery hello comes in.”

Managing Director David Phillips said: “It is important for us to understand how we can help make journeys easier and more attractive – particularly to those who may face barriers using the bus due to a disability.”

UTSTANDING employees from Aberdeen have been recognised for going the extra mile at this year’s First UK Bus Excellence Awards for Scotland.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird was named Young Manager of the Year and the Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Engineering Manager David Gutcher, while Finance Analyst Chris Allan scooped the Support Colleague of the Year Award.

Some colleagues and teams were highly commended at the awards ceremony, which honoured hard-working individuals who demonstrate First’s values in their everyday life.

They included drivers Sandra Cordiner and Ian Hay, who were highly commended for the Environmental Excellence and Community Awards respectively.

The Aberdeen Engineering Team was also highly commended for the Team of the Year Award.

Employees made more than 1,100 nominations across Scotland – and competition was fierce in every category.

Daniel Laird said he was “extremely pleased” after first being nominated and then winning the Young Manager of the Year Award.

Nominations for Daniel described him as a “bright young manager” who “has some great ideas, is

O

Hat-trick of awards on the

road to excellence “”

I feel very fortunate to be working in a role that I love and in a city that is really developing.

Support Colleague of the Year, Financial Analyst Chris Allan.

DANIEL LAIRD hugely committed and always goes the extra mile.”

Daniel said: “It’s a great privilege to be recognised with the award, as I’ve known since university that a role in commercial management was what I wanted. I feel very fortunate to be working in a role that I love and in a city that is really developing.”

Meanwhile, colleagues recognised David Gutcher’s efforts in helping the depot achieve a recycling rate of 80 per cent, and reducing energy use by 15 per cent.

Nominations for David Gutcher said he was enthusiastic and helpful and had driven considerable change in the depot.

He said: “Looking after the

environment is something close to my heart. Making sure the depot is as eco-friendly as possible is a great passion of mine and I’m keen to continue making improvements.”

Chris Allan won his award for consistently delivering high quality work while under pressure. In one nomination, a colleague said he “works all hours and displays an exemplary level of professionalism”.

Chris said: “It was nice to be nominated, but a huge shock to find out I’d won. A team of us work long hours and do what’s needed to get the job done, but it’s brilliant to be recognised by colleagues.”

DEDICATED employees have been praised for the role they played in ensuring a charity sky dive went smoothly.

Seventeen fundraisers jumped in tandem with an instructor from 10,000 feet to raise funds for cancer support organisation CLAN. First Aberdeen provided a free bus to transport them to the airfield. Unite the Union also helped out by supplying drivers for the vehicle.

The team managed to raise nearly £10,000 for the charity, with the majority of funds going towards services to assist anyone affected by cancer across the north and north-east of Scotland.

CLAN Fundraising Manager Susan Crighton said: “I’d like to thank to both First Aberdeen and Unite the Union for their generous help in providing the transport for the team.”

Last year the First Aberdeen showed its support by unveiling two charity buses sporting the colours, logos and messages of CLAN on the liveries.

Barbecue cooks up £220 donation A barbecue and fun-filled day of activities was organised for Aberdeen staff and their families at the depot, raising £220 for Prostate Cancer UK. More than 300 guests were treated to tours around the city on an open-top bus, while heritage buses drafted in from the local Transport Museum took pride of place.

Stalls and activities, including a football shootout, bouncy castles and giant Jenga were enjoyed at the event, organised by a staff committee aimed at finding new ways to improve employee engagement.

Commercial Manager Daniel Laird said: “We’re hoping that this will be the first of many similar events to allow staff and their families to socialise.”

Holiday bargains TICKET prices for family bus travel were slashed during the school summer holidays to help people get out and about even more cheaply on First Aberdeen buses. The First Day Family ticket cost was cut by £2 to £6 for six weeks. Managing Director David Phillips said: “We wanted to make travel as easy as possible for our customers and a day’s unlimited bus travel for families for £6 offered excellent value for money.”

AUTUMN 2015 I YOUFIRST

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6 NEWS

Union backs Your Voice survey TRADE Union representative Mick Dowds, who is UNITE Convenor and Chair of the National Joint Consultative Forum, underlined the importance of taking part in the survey.

He said: “The employee survey is very important to us as a union because it helps communication and engagement between the employee and the employer.

“It’s important every employee has their say whether positive or negative. It will help ensure the business continues in the right direction.

“One of the biggest changes for us was communication.

“I can say after a few years of working on Better Journeys for Life that communications has moved on.”

Employee views will shape all our

futures E’RE urging every one of First Bus’s 17,000 employees to help the company improve by taking part in the 2015 Your Voice survey.

Employees can have their say – in total confidence – on what is good about working for First Bus and what can be improved.

It will give an invaluable picture of opinion and an opportunity to address issues identified.

We’d like employees to complete the survey online where possible, but printed copies are available.

So we’ve pledged to donate £1 for every paper copy sent in, and £2 for every completed online survey, to our national charity partner Prostate Cancer UK. The survey starts on October 5. Go to www.yourvoicesurvey.com – the password is VOICE2015.

It’s important that as many people as possible take part so we can understand the depth of what’s going on in the business.

The survey is confidential and while we need to know job titles and depots there is no way you can be identified from the results.

An independent firm will compile results and we will share them with you. You will see what’s All been said winners from and what s the First UK Bu we will be Excellence Awards doing in d ere ent n bee have response p’s rou into FirstG to make international the Be First business an Awards. even better

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YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015

You can watch the latest Channel First episode and videos from our excellence awards ceremonies by following the AR instructions below and scanning the Channel First logo above.

By First UK Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley place to work. Last year’s survey told us people were more confident in where we’re heading as a business and felt we were looking after customers better.

Issues of how we work together as teams were highlighted in some cases.

Again, we have been working hard to support each other better.

Anyone who needs help completing the survey can speak to their manager, supervisor, trade union rep or employee director.

So please help us to continue improving First Bus for everyone’s benefit.

Please make a difference by spending some time completing the Your Voice survey.

Package rewards all staff FIRST Bus employees are being urged to sign up to the company’s rewards scheme at www.firstmyrewards.com The site contains a huge number of exclusive offers and useful information on pay and pensions.

Employees can take advantage of First Exclusives for great savings with popular brands including ASDA, Thomas Cook and B&Q. They can buy shares in First while paying less tax and the company even throws in some shares for free!

There’s free bus travel in the UK and discounted rail fares like a FirstRail Day Rover ticket for just £6! ● All you need to log on is your National Insurance Number. To find out more visit firstmyrewards.com

Bring the page to life with our exciting mobile app

Download our free First Scotland AR app from the app store.

Scan the photo or logo where you see the ‘Scan Here’ marker.

When the video starts, double-tap your screen for full screen view.

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A busman through and through... Joe Mackie dressed as a vintage ‘clippie’ to help the company promote the launch of its hi-tech M-ticketing app.

Below, Joe is pictured modelling First’s very own tartan.

NEWS 7

5

minutes with

Driving Standards Assessor Mike Boyle has been with First Aberdeen for eight years. His real passion is golf but he represented Scotland at another sport as he reveals here...

Tell us about your previous jobs with First or elsewhere.

What has been your proudest achievement?

I started with First in January 2007 as a driver. I was a buddy between 2009-2012, then an S.V.Q Assessor for a year and now I’m a Driving Standards Assessor.

Playing hockey for Scotland. I played for The Scottish School Boys 1976-1978, also Scotland’s under 21’s indoor and outdoor teams. I won an early form of golf scholarship to America to play there for a year and I had to choose between hockey and golf. I choose my first love golf.

What is the main challenge of your job?

Joe bows out... but keeps his bus connection EGENDARY busman Joe Mackie is retiring from full time employment after a 52-year career which saw him start as a parcel boy and rise to the very top without having a single day off ill.

The First Aberdeen Director joined Aberdeen Corporation Transport in 1963 as a 15-year-old before working his way up at Grampian Regional Transport where he was part of an employee/ management buy-out in 1989.

FirstGroup marked his 50-year milestone by presenting him with the only kilt made in company colours – a kilt he has since worn with pride at many functions.

About his decision to retire, Joe said: “It was difficult on the basis of having spent my life in the place so it was never going to be easy.

Some people get to the point where they don’t want to come

L

in. I’ve never felt like that.

“I’ve had an interesting and varied 52-year career which has afforded me many opportunities never even thought of. In that time I’ve met many interesting people some who have become good friends.”

Joe plans to maintain his links to the bus industry though his roles as Chairman of the UK Bus Driver of the Year competition, Director and Treasurer of the Road Operators Safety Council and Chairman of the First Group Heritage Trust.

He will also continue his charity work as Trustee and Treasurer of Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust, Chairman of the The Archie Foundation, Trustee of The Boys Brigade and Director of Aberdeen Arts Centre.

Getting the safety message over to the new drivers as well as keeping them incident free and in the green.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A professional golfer.

Which famous people, alive or dead, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan.

In my opinion probably two of the best golfing characters ever! Don’t know about dinner but I would have loved nine holes.

If you had a time machine which era would you visit and why?

The late twenties/early thirties – a great period of innovation in design, engineering and style.

How do you like to relax?

With the family and paying golf – in the company of an old single malt.

What are your favourite films and music?

Films: Local Hero, Room with

a View or any spaghetti western Music: Bob Dylan, Nick Drake or any of the Rat Pack.

Where do you like to go on holiday?

Scotland, Portugal or anywhere with good golf courses.

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?

Keep your elbows in when your putting!

Golf fan Mike Boyle, who sees promoting safety messages as his priority at work.

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8 NEWS

Helping city sport stars top league

Derek Aitken has a ball at his favourite rugby matches.

National pride spurs

love of son’s sport UGBY fan Derek Aitken is Scotland mad... especially since his son Steve played for his country.

The First Aberdeen Staff Manager now follows the national side home and away and Steve has just signed for Aberdeenshire after injury hampered his international ambitions.

Derek, who celebrates 39 years in the bus industry this year, said: “Steve was five when he spent the weekend with the nephew of Scottish full back Rowen Shepherd.

“Rowen showed him how to

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play and it became his passion.

“It wasn’t really my sport, but I got into it as I took Steve to games. He ended up playing for Scotland’s under 18s and 20s.

He was Scotland under 18 Player of Year in 2008 and played for Scotland Sevens in Las Vegas.

“I believe he would have gone on to play for Scotland at senior level had it not been for reoccurring knee problems.

“Now I follow whatever side Steve plays for as well as the national side. My first international was Scotland v South Africa at Murrayfield

Ping pong paddle to a healthy life DRIVERS Tomasz Natkaniec and Piotr Sucharski are dab hands at table tennis and fly the sporting flag for First Aberdeen at tournaments.

Tomasz, who has worked for the company for four years, likes to keep fit so he also cycles, swims and goes running. The 28-year-old said: “We have played doubles matches as we represent the company but it’s just for fun. We don’t have a table at the depot but we do play at the sports village. We like the game for health reasons – it helps us keep in good condition.”

YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015

during the 1999 World Cup. There was no segregation and the atmosphere was fantastic.

I was hooked.

“Italy is my favourite country to visit and I’ve been three times.

My wife June came with me on those trips with lots of brownie points gained so I can go on other trips.

“The best game I ever went to was the Heineken Cup Final between Toulouse against Toulon at Murrayfield. It was unbelievable.

“Everyone gets on and I’ve never seen any trouble. We all go for the love of the game.”

TAKE BAT! Drivers Piotr Sucharski and Tomasz Natkaniec keep fit by playing table tennis.

SPORTS stars of the future are being backed by First as it sponsors a key category at the annual Aberdeen Sports Awards.

The company is presenting a prize to best sporting secondary school in the Granite City for the second year in a row at a star-studded ceremony taking place at the Beach Ballroom.

First’s winner will have demonstrated extra commitment to physical education and sport.

First Aberdeen has already worked with primary schools through its support of the Aberdeen Youth Games.

Managing Director David Phillips, said: “It’s a good fit for us because Sport Aberdeen has facilities across the entire city and we have the bus routes that service them.”

Fresh offers for students THE marketing team at First Aberdeen hit nine freshers’ week fayres and events as thousands of new students arrived at the city’s two universities.

They highlighted the company’s student ticket products from “Move in Weekend” onwards at both Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen.

They even attended one event at the Bon Accord and St. Nicholas Shopping Centre which was billed as a lock in.

The full range of tickets were available for sale during the events including the £18 Carnet valid for three months, week, four week, 12 week and academic term tickets which offer unlimited travel from the beginning of September to June 30 2016 for just £320.