Ein Newyddion Summer 2015

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Newyddi

Summer 2015

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The magazine for First people in South & West Wales

Night time team

SPIC& SPAN CENTRE PAGES

MAJOR INVESTMENT IN NEW ECO-FRIENDLY BUSES &TECHNOLOGY See Group News PAGE SIX

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Zero injuries for staff and customers is achievable

By Managing Director

Justin Davies

WELCOME to the summer issue of Ein Newyddion with its selection of stories from around our business.

Safety remains our core value and we have now launched our All Harm Is Preventable campaign across the company. This new safety campaign is designed to highlight that it is possible to arrive at zero injuries for staff and customers in our business.

I would urge you to always have safety at the forefront of your mind whenever you are at work and in whatever job you do.

During April and May we took delivery of 15 new vehicles, part of 38 which will be delivered to us over the course of the summer months.

These deliveries help us to meet the January 2016 deadline for the introduction of a fully disability-friendly fleet under the Disability Discrimination Act. This also completes three years of investment into First Cymru by First UK Bus, reducing our average fleet age from 12 to under eight years.

A reorganisation has taken place of the business with the role of General Manager being introduced and filled by Simon Cursio. The two Business Managers, Colin Morris and Owen Williams, report to Simon together with the Commercial Manager Chris Davidson. A small number of posts have been cut from the structure, bringing our overhead costs down and enabling the overall financial position to improve.

A number of similar structural changes have taken place in the regional functions which will again lead to further financial benefit in the months ahead.

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Take personal action on safety new safety campaign has been launched across First Cymru with all staff urged to take more personal responsibility.

Called All Harm Is Preventable, it takes its themes from the Regional Safety Conference staged in Bristol during May. Posters are being displayed at themed post sites in all

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depots, email straplines for staff have been altered as a constant reminder and training programmes introduced to strengthen the personal responsibility messages.

First Cymru Managing Director Justin Davies said: “The core message is that all of us can take personal actions to make sure that we stay safe, our colleagues stay safe and

our customers receive the best service possible.

“The essential elements are never walking by a safety issue, engaging in safety conversations with our colleagues, and never taking any risks wherever we are working. The real issue is taking personal responsibility for our safety and our colleagues’ safety.”

Port Talbot Driver Matthew Morrissey pictured with one of the new Wright StreetLites. Inset, the bus’s bright interior design with leather seats.

First of 38 new buses now in service THE first of 38 brand new buses worth around £6.46 million due to be delivered to First Cymru in the coming months are already in service.

Six Wright StreetLites costing £1.02 million have been introduced on Service 227, linking Margam, Port Talbot and Neath while another six are operating on Service 159 from Neath to Swansea. With a mix of low emission Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines, all the low floor buses feature leather seats and free WiFi to help keep customers connected while they are on the move.

The remaining buses, all StreetLites, will be

delivered during the course of the summer.

Their arrival means the withdrawal from service of older vehicles, mainly Alexanders and Marshall-bodied Darts.

Business Manager Colin Morris said: “This is a significant investment by First Cymru in the fleet and an opportunity to improve reliability and grow our customer base as they will get better value for money with WiFi and leather seats fitted to all vehicles as standard.

“The other benefit is that the vehicles are far more fuel efficient than the vehicles that they have replaced and will help to reduce the amount of fuel we use each week.”

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Keith inspires with his

positive outlook NSPIRATIONAL Swansea Driver Keith Thomas is proof – if proof were needed – that there is life after serious surgery.

Like Premiership footballer Darren Fletcher, the 53-year-old Manchester United fan suffered from inflammatory bowel condition ulcerative colitis and, after years of pain, underwent a 10-hour ileostomy operation in 2012.

He now passes faeces into a bag through what is called a stoma on his belly and happily talks about it to anyone who is interested.

“I have a wonderful looking stoma that I call Homer and I call his bag Springfield,” laughed Keith. “It’s just a bag and just a toilet routine.”

He already supports other First Cymru drivers who have undergone similar surgery and after being featured in the local media, even discusses it with passengers.

He said: “Quite a few have told me they’d seen me in the paper and one little old lady told me she had a stoma. That’s something she’d never have done before so that was brilliant. It’s all about acceptance and lifting the stigma.

“I’ve worked for First Cymru for two years this summer and it’s

I

Driver Keith Thomas is now fit and healthy after surgery.

great. I work a 40 hour week and I am never late. More importantly, I’m never off work sick.

“I believe my positive attitude

has got me where I am today so my message to everyone reading this is that there is life after illness, just look at me.”

Sessions to make staff aware of prostate cancer SPECIALIST representatives from Prostate Cancer UK are set to stage awareness sessions at depots, canteens and offices across First Cymru now the organisation is the group’s UK Charity of Choice.

They will be handing out information on symptoms, how to get a check up and how the condition is treated. The group is also producing a million credit-card sized Know Your Prostate booklets for staff to share with family and friends.

It comes as First fundraisers gear up to help raise £1 million over the next three years for men affected by prostate cancer. The charity has created a fundraising toolkit with great ideas like bake sales, barbecues, runs and even sky diving.

The latest charity link-up started in April and follows previous successful partnerships with Save the Children and Macmillan Cancer

Swansea Driver Rob Guard points to First’s latest Charity of Choice.

Support. Katie Smart, FirstGroup CSR and Community Manager, said: “With your help, we donated more than £1.1 million in cash and kind to Macmillan so let’s do the same with Prostate Cancer UK.”

Tributes paid after deaths of two popular drivers TRIBUTES have been paid to two First Cymru drivers who have died – one suddenly and the other after a long battle with cancer.

Robert Williams, known as Bob, had been fighting cancer for a year when he died aged just 53.

He joined First Cymru in August 2008 and worked first at Pontardawe depot before transferring after a couple of years to Port Talbot.

His colleague David McEachran was 67 when he died suddenly. He had worked for the company for 10 years, also starting at Pontardawe before moving to Port Talbot where he was a regular driver on Services X1, X2 and X4.

Staff Operations Manager David Cooksley said: “The deaths of both colleagues has come as a real shock to the whole depot.

“Bob was a well liked and respected member of the team and was well known for his sense of humour. He was also a keen dart player and competed in the Neath and Port Talbot League.

“He was always cheerful and kept a smile on his face even through the bad times. His funeral was huge with a lot of members of staff present.

“His wife Linda requested we wear something yellow like the daffodil symbol of the Marie Curie cancer charity.

“David was a quiet character and enjoyed travelling.

“He often went on coach holidays and cruises, paid regular visits to the theatre and generally made the most of his free time with his wife Sheila.

“Our condolences go out to both families at this very sad time.”

SUMMER 2015

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Smart action at accident scene

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General Service Operative Neil Matthews refuels buses ready for the next day.

Linda bows out after 27 years behind wheel

MAESTEG depot drivers have been praised for going above and beyond at an accident and for helping a school girl on a bus.

Neil Bowden took control by directing traffic and affected buses when he arrived at the scene of a crash while Tracey Owen, Chris Young, Chris Phillips and Cliff Parry joined forces to reunite a girl with her lost purse.

Entries open for art competition BUDDING artists and talented photographers are being urged to take part in a group wide competition and support Prostate Cancer UK in the process.

Staff should speak to their Trade Union Learning Rep who will have all the details about the competition called 12 Months in the Bus Lane.

Prizes are on offer.

Contract Cleaner Moride Smolinska polishes a bus interior.

GSO Wynroe John cleans bus windscreens.

Reports system is saving time INCIDENT reporting has been made easier and quicker now drivers no longer have to fill in the UK Bus Incident Report form.

Drivers now have to phone in just like they do with a collision when reporting passenger incidents, bus on bus collisions, vandalism and collisions within depots using the existing Freephone number 0800 028 1098.

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SUMMER 2015

Night shift teams take pride

in doing a great job

Ticket machines make an impact THE latest Almex Otima BL ticket machines are already having a positive impact on service standards.

There has been a vast reduction in the number of concessionary passes that need manually recording and now tickets for those passes are no longer issued there has been a cut in the amount of litter too.

Bridgend County Borough Council has reported a lot fewer used tickets on the floor at Bridgend bus station.

GSO Peter Hutin checks oil levels.

RESENTATION Teams across First Cymru pull out all the stops during night time shifts to get the fleet clean, refuelled and ready for next day run out.

In Swansea West, a combination of General Service Operatives (GSOs) and contract cleaners look after 164 vehicles at Swansea, Tycroes and Llanelli on a shift rota covering the hours from 4.30pm to 1.30am the following morning.

Team Leader Alan Curtis in Swansea and his GSOs Wynroe John, Neil Matthews, Reg Davies, Peter Hutin and Ian Watts are joined by up to six cleaners as they carry out internal and external cleans as well as the refuelling of 125 buses.

Up to 60 of them are under two years old with the fleet a mix of single, Greyhound, bendy buses and coaches.

At Tycroes, GSOs Peter Mason and Andy Vale are supplemented by a cleaner as they look after 22 vehicles.

With no automated bus wash like Swansea, they carry out an external clean by hand. GSO Les Pugh and a cleaner are responsible for 17 buses at Llanelli.

Swansea-based daytime Lead

P Team Leader Alan Curtis checks vehicle defect cards handed in by drivers.

Alan is also pictured on the front cover.

GSO Jeff Johns and colleagues Steve O’Connor, Steve Ward and Dai Jones also refuel and shunt with Dai also available to cover night shifts at other depots.

Workshop Planner Wayne Dempster at Ravenhill depot said: “We’ve had contract cleaners for seven years now and they work closely with our GSOs as one Presentation Team. They make sure our vehicles are in the best condition for service that they can be. The work they do is mainly unseen but they do a great job.”

Alan Curtis said: “They take immense pride in the work they do and they all work as a team. Bearing in mind they are a small team, that’s the way it should be. It wouldn’t work otherwise so I’m really proud of them all. They’re out in all weathers and, without going into the nitty gritty, they do go above and beyond sometimes.

The worst bit is working in the rain because we’ve only got a little bit of shelter.

“We work closely with the contract cleaning team and I always make sure I carry out an audit last thing at night to make sure everything is alright.

“They’ve been together for many years so they probably know each other better than their wives!”

GSO Ian Watts sweeps the depot fuel bay.

LONG serving Port Talbot Driver Linda Arundel has retired after 27 years behind the wheel – leaving her step daughter to fly the family flag at the company.

Linda joined as a mini-bus Driver in 1988, later taking new starters at the depot under her experienced wing when she became a Buddy Driver eight years ago.

She went part time two years ago and decided at the age of 62 that it was time to ease up a bit and find more time to walk her beloved dogs.

The family connection with First Cymru does not end now Linda has put away her driving gloves because her step daughter Marie Partridge also works as a Driver at the same depot. She has been with the company for 17 years.

Staff Operations Manager David Cooksley said: “Linda is a lovely lady and will be missed by everyone at the depot. We wish her a happy retirement.”

Minster gives thumbs up to bus upgrades FIRST Cymru’s £360,000 bus revamp was given a ministerial thumbs up when Edwina Hart visited the Swansea-based supplier of the new leather seats.

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport was accompanied to Cogent Passenger Seating by Managing Director Justin Davies.

The Minister said: “It is encouraging to see this investment by First Cymru in upgrading their fleet. First Cymru run a number of important bus routes across Wales and offering a more comfortable and modern fleet will hopefully encourage more people to use the service.

“I’m also pleased that the contract was by a local company, helping to safeguard jobs in Swansea.”

Work to upgrade more than 90 mid-life buses has now been completed with all vehicles involved getting a mix of new liveries, seats, floor liners and interior poles.

SUMMER 2015

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19/5/15

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Smart action at accident scene

Page 1

General Service Operative Neil Matthews refuels buses ready for the next day.

Linda bows out after 27 years behind wheel

MAESTEG depot drivers have been praised for going above and beyond at an accident and for helping a school girl on a bus.

Neil Bowden took control by directing traffic and affected buses when he arrived at the scene of a crash while Tracey Owen, Chris Young, Chris Phillips and Cliff Parry joined forces to reunite a girl with her lost purse.

Entries open for art competition BUDDING artists and talented photographers are being urged to take part in a group wide competition and support Prostate Cancer UK in the process.

Staff should speak to their Trade Union Learning Rep who will have all the details about the competition called 12 Months in the Bus Lane.

Prizes are on offer.

Contract Cleaner Moride Smolinska polishes a bus interior.

GSO Wynroe John cleans bus windscreens.

Reports system is saving time INCIDENT reporting has been made easier and quicker now drivers no longer have to fill in the UK Bus Incident Report form.

Drivers now have to phone in just like they do with a collision when reporting passenger incidents, bus on bus collisions, vandalism and collisions within depots using the existing Freephone number 0800 028 1098.

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SUMMER 2015

Night shift teams take pride

in doing a great job

Ticket machines make an impact THE latest Almex Otima BL ticket machines are already having a positive impact on service standards.

There has been a vast reduction in the number of concessionary passes that need manually recording and now tickets for those passes are no longer issued there has been a cut in the amount of litter too.

Bridgend County Borough Council has reported a lot fewer used tickets on the floor at Bridgend bus station.

GSO Peter Hutin checks oil levels.

RESENTATION Teams across First Cymru pull out all the stops during night time shifts to get the fleet clean, refuelled and ready for next day run out.

In Swansea West, a combination of General Service Operatives (GSOs) and contract cleaners look after 164 vehicles at Swansea, Tycroes and Llanelli on a shift rota covering the hours from 4.30pm to 1.30am the following morning.

Team Leader Alan Curtis in Swansea and his GSOs Wynroe John, Neil Matthews, Reg Davies, Peter Hutin and Ian Watts are joined by up to six cleaners as they carry out internal and external cleans as well as the refuelling of 125 buses.

Up to 60 of them are under two years old with the fleet a mix of single, Greyhound, bendy buses and coaches.

At Tycroes, GSOs Peter Mason and Andy Vale are supplemented by a cleaner as they look after 22 vehicles.

With no automated bus wash like Swansea, they carry out an external clean by hand. GSO Les Pugh and a cleaner are responsible for 17 buses at Llanelli.

Swansea-based daytime Lead

P Team Leader Alan Curtis checks vehicle defect cards handed in by drivers.

Alan is also pictured on the front cover.

GSO Jeff Johns and colleagues Steve O’Connor, Steve Ward and Dai Jones also refuel and shunt with Dai also available to cover night shifts at other depots.

Workshop Planner Wayne Dempster at Ravenhill depot said: “We’ve had contract cleaners for seven years now and they work closely with our GSOs as one Presentation Team. They make sure our vehicles are in the best condition for service that they can be. The work they do is mainly unseen but they do a great job.”

Alan Curtis said: “They take immense pride in the work they do and they all work as a team. Bearing in mind they are a small team, that’s the way it should be. It wouldn’t work otherwise so I’m really proud of them all. They’re out in all weathers and, without going into the nitty gritty, they do go above and beyond sometimes.

The worst bit is working in the rain because we’ve only got a little bit of shelter.

“We work closely with the contract cleaning team and I always make sure I carry out an audit last thing at night to make sure everything is alright.

“They’ve been together for many years so they probably know each other better than their wives!”

GSO Ian Watts sweeps the depot fuel bay.

LONG serving Port Talbot Driver Linda Arundel has retired after 27 years behind the wheel – leaving her step daughter to fly the family flag at the company.

Linda joined as a mini-bus Driver in 1988, later taking new starters at the depot under her experienced wing when she became a Buddy Driver eight years ago.

She went part time two years ago and decided at the age of 62 that it was time to ease up a bit and find more time to walk her beloved dogs.

The family connection with First Cymru does not end now Linda has put away her driving gloves because her step daughter Marie Partridge also works as a Driver at the same depot. She has been with the company for 17 years.

Staff Operations Manager David Cooksley said: “Linda is a lovely lady and will be missed by everyone at the depot. We wish her a happy retirement.”

Minster gives thumbs up to bus upgrades FIRST Cymru’s £360,000 bus revamp was given a ministerial thumbs up when Edwina Hart visited the Swansea-based supplier of the new leather seats.

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport was accompanied to Cogent Passenger Seating by Managing Director Justin Davies.

The Minister said: “It is encouraging to see this investment by First Cymru in upgrading their fleet. First Cymru run a number of important bus routes across Wales and offering a more comfortable and modern fleet will hopefully encourage more people to use the service.

“I’m also pleased that the contract was by a local company, helping to safeguard jobs in Swansea.”

Work to upgrade more than 90 mid-life buses has now been completed with all vehicles involved getting a mix of new liveries, seats, floor liners and interior poles.

SUMMER 2015

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New drive reinforces key safety value Checking passengers are safe before pulling away.

FIRST UK Bus people are being encouraged to take personal responsibility to make sure they, their colleagues and customers remain safe.

It comes amid an increase in collisions and passenger injuries in most OpCos. There were fewer severe injuries but more minor injuries to passengers boarding and alighting.

There is also concern that slips and trips during in 2013/14 led to an increase in staff lost time injuries.

First UK Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley said: “We need to address these

issues and we are working to encourage colleagues to take personal responsibility for safety.”

A new system is being developed to help identify drivers’ training and support needs in relation to safety.

It aims to provide a consistent approach to analysing driver data across the whole group, and identify the factors that are a risk to employee and customer safety.

This tool will enable colleagues to discuss safety matters more accurately during professional development planning.

Micro Hybrid Streetlite Buses which entered service last year.

First has ordered a further 183 of these environmentally-friendly vehicles, which now feature Euro 6 engines.

UR announcement of a £77.7million order for new vehicles is fantastic news. It’s one of our biggest ever orders and reinforces improving performance, increasing passenger numbers and our continuing commitment to deliver our Better Journeys for Life promise.

Investing in our fleet is absolutely key if we are to continue improving our product and attracting new customers.

We should all be proud that we’ve invested almost £385million in vehicles over the last five years, replacing some 2,200 buses, almost a third of our fleet. The new vehicles will all come fitted with leather seats, CCTV and WiFi, providing customers with free internet access.

In addition to the dedicated space for wheelchair users, extra space will be provided for pushchairs and we are trialling the installation of USB charging points on some vehicles. I’m also delighted that more than 90 per cent of the new buses will be fitted with environmentally friendly Euro 6 engines, the biggest investment in Euro 6 buses in the UK to date. To set this in context, Euro 6 engines have eight times less emissions than their predecessors, the Euro 5. As well as travelling in new buses, customers will benefit from improvements in new technology. For example: ● We will soon reveal improvements to our website including real time bus tracking and journey planning, alongside a trial of the same features in the mTicketing app.

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Investing in future

success

● We’re also looking at new ways of paying for mTickets, including Paypal, and Apple Pay, as well as exploring new technologies to validate mTickets.

Of course, we can only continue to invest by being successful as a business. We need to set the highest

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SUMMER 2015

By First UK Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley standards in our operational performance whilst offering our customers excellent value.

We are committed to continuing to build a more sustainable business. That means introducing cost efficiencies where possible and increasing revenues underpinned by continuing to grow our customer base.

We know that the most effective way to deliver the best bus services for customers is through operators and local authorities working together in partnership, and we have a great track record of doing just that.

We believe that there is much more that can be done through partnership and that calls by some Local Authorities for regulation of bus services is not necessary.

We have made great progress in strengthening our businesses across the Division but regrettably in some of our towns and cities, particularly where the local economies are suffering, we continue to face significant challenges.

The announcement of this investment, however, demonstrates again our strong commitment to our Better Journeys for Life promise.

VIPs to appear at ceremonies VIP speakers will appear at First UK Bus Excellence Awards ceremonies.

Olympic gold medalist athlete Sally Gunnell is guest of honour at the South England & Wales ceremony in Reading, while Scotland rugby hero Gavin Hastings will address the gathering in Scotland.

North England’s ceremony will be hosted

by Harry Gration, who presents the BBC’s evening news programme Look North.

Over 1,100 nominations have been received from colleagues for the awards launched this year to reward and recognise those staff who best display the company’s values and go the extra mile.

Look out for reports in the next issue of your employee magazine.

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Question time First Cymru’s new Roadside Publicity Officer ALAN CULBERT shares his love of laughing, life and fitness.

How long have you worked in the bus industry?

I’ve been in the industry five years now. I was a tour coach driver in Ireland for three years then I came to Wales to be a Greyhound driver. So I know every corner of Ireland but don’t ask me to get you to London just yet.

Bridgend Relief Supervisor Gavin Bushell with one of the safety posters he designed relating to the use of bus ramps.

Positive safety

feedback RIDGEND bus users were invited along to a four-hour safety feedback event involving the police, disability groups, Age Concern and the local authority.

Relief Supervisor Marie Cronin came up with the idea after an increase over the previous 12 months of 24 per cent in passenger injuries.

She said: “I thought this may be a great opportunity to discuss safety with customers and the importance of working together to reduce the risks of injuries and improve personal safety.”

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Her colleague Gavin Bushell, who is also a Relief Supervisor, has designed two passenger safety posters which will be used on First Cymru buses. The bus safety day idea could now be rolled out to other depots across Wales.

Staff Operations Manager Mark Jacobs said: “The day was a great success. We interviewed around 80 customers about their journeys and overall feedback was mainly positive. It was reassuring to know that our customers feel safe travelling on our services.”

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

I wanted to be a member of An Garda, the Irish police force. One of the stipulations of the job is that you speak fluent Irish. If you ask any of my Welsh friends they will tell you I struggle with English never mind Irish so it wasn’t meant to be.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like to get to the gym when I can – there’s nothing better to relieve some stress and get the happy chappies flowing through the body, a natural high, you can’t beat it. I also love comedy movies on TV. Laughter is the best medicine.

How else do you relax?

Look let’s face it I’m Irish so my friends Mr Arthur Guinness and John Jameson have a special place in my life. You can’t beat pulling up a stool in the local and as we say in Ireland “have the Craic” and make some new friends.

What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?

When I was 37 I was 26 and a half stone and told by a doctor that I had sleep apnoea and he wanted to put me on a special machine to help me breath at night. I realised the reason I was so big and out of shape was I was living like a Lord. I asked the doctor to give me a month to see if I could lose some weight. I did and never looked back. I took up running and weight training and dropped six and a half stone. My greatest achievement was the birth of my daughter Abigail.

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

Richard Branson is a big inspiration for me. I would love to chat with him. Dale Carnegie for much the same reason. If you want to be successful – surround yourself with successful people. And finallly Jayne Mansfield so I have something nice to look at over dessert.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

My brother Gerry told me “nothing lasts forever”. If times are tough and going against ya – stick it out. If times are great and going good, don’t take it for granted and enjoy.

Alan Culbert pictured at Swansea bus station.

Ian gains his latest qualification PORT Talbot-based Electrical Engineer Ian Fleming has just picked up his latest qualification. The 27-year-old, who started as an apprentice with First Cymru at Swansea, has achieved his 17th Edition Regulations on a course paid for by the Wales Union Learning Fund. The son of Swansea Driver and Trade Union Learning Rep Debbie Fleming, Ian always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and become an electrician.

SUMMER 2015

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pics gain cult following ALENTED photographer John Lewis is keeping a sense of perspective now his hobby of creating mini masterpieces using just his Nikon camera and tiny Lego figures is attracting a cult following.

The Bridgend Driver dreamt up the idea about a year ago and set up a special Facebook page to publish his fantastic and funny images of Lego people in real-life settings. Using bought and borrowed figures, the 34-year-old has taken about 30 pictures so far including one featuring a Lego figure of himself wearing a T-shirt bearing the legend John “The Lens” Lewis.

John, who has been with First Cymru for 11 years, said: “I bought the Lego figure of me off eBay and the picture I took shows me looking out over the valley where I grew up.

“Taking people’s portraits is a passion of mine but having to arrange a shoot and then waiting for them can be frustrating so I thought Lego people would be a good substitute. You can carry them around in your pocket and take pictures when it suits.

“Some people think I’m mad but I’ve been Beware getting good feedback on my Lego Facebook of the page so that’s fuelled me to do more. I’m even dog! getting commissions now and I’ve been asked to do a series of themed pictures for a little boy’s bedroom.

“Everyone relates to Lego figures. My 18-month old daughter Hallie loves them and my five-year-old nephew Logan asks to play with them but I tell him he can’t because they’re not toys, they’re photographer’s props.”

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● John’s photos already have well over 100 Facebook likes. To see his pictures complete with entertaining captions, visit facebook.com/johnthelenslewis

John “The Lens” Lewis takes a photograph of the Lego figure of himself.

Excuse me dear, does the 61 go via Rockfields Close?

Driver of the Month award MORALE boosting pats on the back are to be handed out in Bridgend, Maesteg and Port Talbot in an initiative started

by Staff Operations Manager Mark Jacobs.

He wants to name a Driver of the Month in each depot to recognise their hard work and commitment to both the company and customers.

Mark said: “I’ve asked our supervisors and managers to start nominating people who bend over backwards and go that extra mile but never get any recognition.

“We’ll choose one a month and they’ll get something like a box of chocolates and a mention in the newsletter.”

Supervisor bids farewell

Urban farming – egg-cellent.

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SUMMER 2015

SUPERVISOR Alan Jenkins has retired after a 22 year career on the buses. Now 67, he started out as a Driver based at Maesteg before moving into his supervisor’s role.

Staff Operations Manager Mark Jacobs said: “Alan is a nice guy and was very committed and passionate about keeping Maesteg running smoothly.”