You First Glasgow p1
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Autumn 2015
The magazine for First people in Glasgow
Employees views are crucial PAGE TEN
Magnificent
N E SSUECCV ESSES AT
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS S CENTRE PAGE
You First Glasgow p2
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Great to see the brilliant efforts of employees By First Glasgow Managing Director
Fiona Kerr
WELCOME to our autumn issue of You First which is packed full of great stories about our fantastic employees doing brilliant things. We’ve got everything from raising money and supporting charities, helping passengers with disabilities, making sure we provide a reliable service day in, day out and, in the case of Robert Smieja, even saving a life! It’s also great to see seven of our team winning the top prize in their categories at our recent Employee Excellence Awards. Having been part of the judging panel I can honestly say that to even be shortlisted was a great achievement in itself – so congratulations to all of you who were nominated or recognised in the awards. It’s almost a year ago now since our last Your Voice employee survey and over the last 12 months we’ve seen a huge amount of activity round all of our depots in response to what you told us. We’ve really made a huge effort to act on all the feedback you gave us, both good and bad. This year’s survey goes live in October, so please do use this opportunity to tell us confidentially exactly what you think (as many of you already regularly do!) so we can continue to make First Glasgow a great place to work. By doing so you’ll also be raising more money for Prostate Cancer UK – see page 10 for details.
YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015
Recycling uniforms is charity fundraiser N imaginative scheme to recycle used uniforms for charity is a potential trend-setter. Employees at Caledonia depot are handing in unwanted outfits so that the British Heart Foundation can sell on the material to raise money. The scheme has been so well-received that there are plans to approach other depots within FirstGroup with the idea. The leading lights behind the initiative are First Glasgow’s Environmental Champions Mark McSkeane and Judith Balfour. “All our old uniforms were going to landfill,” said Mark, who approached the BHF to revive a similar scheme that had lapsed. “FirstGroup is passionate about the environment and they have given us a target of increasing our recycling by one per cent. “The BHF de-brands our uniforms, cuts them up and sells the material on with the money going to the charity. “Not only are we helping to save the environment but we are contributing to saving lives through the work carried out by the BHF.” So far Caledonia has recycled 117kg of uniform and Mark and Judith are now keen to roll the scheme out in Scotland and then throughout the UK.
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IN THE BAG FOR THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION – Environmental Champion Mark McSkeane, right, and Driver Scott McLaughlin recycle old uniforms.
In the running for two top accolades FIRST Glasgow has been shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious National Transport Awards. The company as a whole is listed in the much-coveted national Bus Operator of the Year category while Caledonia depot is in the running for the Construction and Engineering Project of the Year award. The flagship £20 million depot, the biggest in Britain, has a definite “wow factor” in the design of its bus
maintenance workshop, dedicated deep clean service tunnel and a specialist long-term vehicle repair unit. It has been widely praised for the enhanced security on entering and leaving the site, the well-designed parking bays and the modern accommodation. Improved safety and efficiency has been achieved through electronic pit jacks, while the open-plan lay-out in the offices has been well received.
Supported by the Department for Transport and Passenger Focus, the awards celebrate successes in local and national transport. The Awards, to be held at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel on October 8, are presented by the Transport Times. They recognise excellence, rewarding innovation and progress in initiatives and acknowledging achievements which improve people’s transport experience.
You First Glasgow p3
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Top show in finals at Blackpool
“”
If it wasn’t for his quick actions I most certainly wouldn’t be here today.
Robert Smieja pictured with Frank Montague when he visited Caledonia depot to personally thank the driver for saving his life.
FRANK MONTAGUE
Forever indebted to
life-saving hero retired taxi driver says he is forever indebted to First Glasgow Driver Robert Smieja who saved his life when he suffered a heart attack. Caledonia-based Robert was driving Service 57 along Springburn Road in the early morning when two customers told him a man had collapsed at a bus stop. He leapt out of his bus, called the emergency services and began giving 65-year-old Frank Montague CPR. “I could see he was passing away, the colour was draining from him,” said Robert. “I followed the instructions
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given to me by the ambulance service and the CPR kept him alive until the emergency services arrived.” His life was saved because Robert had kept the blood flowing to his brain, Frank was taken to hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit. He has subsequently made a good recovery and is full of praise for the driver whom he now describes as his saviour. “I will be forever indebted to Robert,” he said. “If it wasn’t for his quick actions I most certainly wouldn’t be here today. In my eyes he is a hero. My family and I are incredibly grateful to him.”
Frank’s family made special efforts to thank the driver on social media and they contacted First Glasgow’s Customer Services team to find him. As his recovery progressed Frank himself made the trip to Caledonia to thank his rescuer in person. Modest Robert, who has received a Superstar award, said: “I did what anyone else would have done in the circumstances. I didn’t stop to think about it – I just acted and did the best I could. “After Frank was taken away in the ambulance I just carried on with my shift.”
TWO First Glasgow drivers came in the top third of the contestants in the prestigious national Bus Driver of the Year competition held in Blackpool over the first weekend in September. Toni Bradley, of Scotstoun depot, finished 24 out of 117 entrants – two places ahead of the 2014 champion and scoring maximum points in four out of 13 categories. James “Tam” Beattie, of Blantyre depot, finished 39th overall, scoring maximum points in five of the events. The competition tests all aspects of the profession from practical driving skills to customer care and a 30-question theory test. Both drivers, chosen internally by First Glasgow to go forward to Blackpool, were competing for the first time.
Shortlisted for three top awards FIRST Glasgow is in with a chance of three awards at the routeONE Awards 2015. The company has been shortlisted in three categories: Large Bus Operator of the Year, Manager of the Year and the Environment Award. Managing Director Fiona Kerr, recent winner of the Woman of the Year award at the 2015 FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Award, is shortlisted in the Manager of the Year section. The Environmental category shortlists Caledonia, the UK’s most environmentally-friendly bus depot. Caledonia is fitted with the latest and most effective form of solar panelling, low energy intelligent lighting and rainwater harvesting. Roof water at the depot is used in the bus wash, a process that is predicted to save 2.2 million litres of water every year.
AUTUMN 2015 I YOUFIRST
You First Glasgow p4-5
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Inspector Marty Johnston takes notes about service delivery on a bus in Glasgow city centre.
Checks are made that luggage is stored safely on an Airport Shuttle bus.
Service Provision and Reliability Officer Sammy Patton talks with student Jane Morrison about her bus journeys. YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015
Inspector John Neilly gains feedback from customer Jennifer Jackson at Buchanan Street bus station.
You First Glasgow p4-5
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Driver William MacFarlane, left, passes on service information to Inspector John Neilly.
Acting Service Provision and Reliability Manager George McLeod, right, liaises with Customer Service Provider Robert Burns at the office base in Caledonia depot.
Flexible team maintain
SERVICE RELIABILITY HEY are responsible for helping to ensure First Glasgow’s buses run effectively for the maximum benefit of passengers. If customers complain about services consistently failing to run on time, they are first on the scene to establish the root cause. The Service Provision Team is in charge of day-to-day street management, making sure quality customer service is being provided and regulations are being followed out on the network. Heading up the customer-facing team are Acting Service Provision and Reliability Manager George McLeod and Customer Agent Jack Vine, based at Caledonia depot. Reporting to George are six Service Provision and Reliability Officers (SPROs). Wearing hi-vis jackets, they swing into action when a customer complaint relating to a service has been flagged up to Customer Services. Sometimes they will meet the customers themselves and in most cases they will go out on the road to study the problem first-hand. George said: “They start at street and depot level and work their way through to get a result. The solution could be as simple as a duty change on the schedules or if further investigation is needed surveys are then carried out.” Reporting to the SPROs are 21 uniformed Inspectors who also operate at street level
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and travel on buses to get the real picture of First Glasgow’s service provision. With all areas of First Glasgow covered by designated members of the team, including Lanarkshire, Dumbarton, Glasgow’s simpliCITY routes and Motherwell, the Service Delivery department is highly versatile. It played a key role in the Commonwealth Games central control hub and even provided extra drivers for the Ryder Cup. During big public events such as T in the Park at Strathallan Castle, Perthshire, for example, checks are made to ensure drivers are complying with their hours and gangways are not being blocked by campers’ equipment. Where city centre events bring large crowds the team minimises disruption by informing customers, either at bus stops or on the website, where they can catch the bus. In cases of major emergency, such as the helicopter crash at the Clutha Vaults in Glasgow or bomb threats, the Service Provision Team is the first port of call for assistance.
A Service Provision and Reliability Officer flags down a bus in North Hanover Street.
“We are ready to respond at short notice and carry out any rescheduling that is necessary,” said George, whose colleague Jack Vine does the rostering on a day-to-day basis and allocates people to difference posts if services are disrupted. “With the move to the new Caledonia depot we are now situated on the same floor as Customer Services and this makes communication even more effective.”
AUTUMN 2015 I YOUFIRST
You First Glasgow p6-7
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Apprentice of the Year Fraser McMaster in the Engineering department at Parkhead depot.
Caledonia Operations Manager Willie Wood who scooped the Leader of the Year award.
Engineer Gary McGinley with his Safety First Award trophy.
Members of Scotstoun Traffic and Engineering who lifted the title of Team of the Year, front row left to right, Diagnostics Technician Ian Leask, Depot Controllers Peter Macdonald and Eddie McLaughlan, Engineering Workshop Supervisor Gavin McLune and Mechanic Eric Miller. At the back are Workshop Planner Craig Campbell, left, and Depot Controller Danny McGibbon.
Seven top awards recognise
efforts of excellence
ELEBRATIONS are underway at First Glasgow after employees secured a “Magnificent Seven” successes at the First Excellence Awards. The company scooped seven accolades in the Scotland section of the UK-wide annual awards which recognise outstanding achievement throughout FirstGroup. The title of Driver of the Year went to Toni Bradley, based at Scotstoun. Toni, who has been a Route Representative at the depot since November 2013, was praised for her “excellent communication and organisational skills”. A recipient of a Silver Badge for the second year in a row in the Fleet Elite awards, she was recently invited by Fiona Kerr to attend the FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards at which the Managing Director received the Woman of the Year accolade. Winner of the Safety First Award was Safety Rep Gary McGinley, based at Caledonia
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Driver Rick Surr with the Innovation and Change Award and a page on a mobile from the website program he developed.
depot. Gary carries out regular checks of tooling and equipment, making sure everyone is working safely. A real team player, he takes an active part in the Engineering Committee which discusses issues on a daily basis. Winner of the Community Award was Caledonia’s John Spence, already widely praised for his support for the local foodbank. The Forward Allocator encouraged colleagues to take part in the important Charity of Choice employee vote, setting up and publicising a polling day attended by representatives of the shortlisted charities. With attendance boosted by a rota system John had set up, more than 40 per cent of Glasgow employees took part in the vote – one of the highest return rates in the UK. Apprentice Engineer Fraser McMaster of Parkhead depot, who won the Apprentice of the Year Award, was praised for his “enthusiasm, commitment and ability to retain an incredible amount of knowledge”. Team of the Year was Scotstoun Traffic and Engineering. Performing to the “highest standard imaginable”, the efforts of the two
functions working together have resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in lost mileage. Speedy reaction by the engineers to reports of defects and a trusting relationship across traffic and engineering were highlighted at the awards. Leader of the Year was Willie Wood, Operations Manager at Caledonia. He was praised for “leading by example” and setting the highest standards while promoting safety at every opportunity. Instrumental in helping to successfully launch the new Caledonia depot, Willie was hailed for his integrity and the way he makes time for people. The Innovation and Change Award went to Driver Rick Surr of Scotstoun depot. Working in his own time and supported by Stewart McIntyre, Rick created a program on the Better Journeys for Life website enabling driver colleagues to obtain details of their duties at a single click. With enhanced customer care resulting from the minimisation of missed reliefs, Rick has now been asked to do the same for Caledonia depot.
Toni Bradley with the Driver of the Year trophy. Toni is also pictured on the magazine cover.
Forward Allocator John Spence, who encouraged colleagues to take part in the Charity of Choice vote and who was praised for his support of a local foodbank, won the Community Award.
AUTUMN 2015 I YOUFIRST
You First Glasgow p6-7
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Apprentice of the Year Fraser McMaster in the Engineering department at Parkhead depot.
Caledonia Operations Manager Willie Wood who scooped the Leader of the Year award.
Engineer Gary McGinley with his Safety First Award trophy.
Members of Scotstoun Traffic and Engineering who lifted the title of Team of the Year, front row left to right, Diagnostics Technician Ian Leask, Depot Controllers Peter Macdonald and Eddie McLaughlan, Engineering Workshop Supervisor Gavin McLune and Mechanic Eric Miller. At the back are Workshop Planner Craig Campbell, left, and Depot Controller Danny McGibbon.
Seven top awards recognise
efforts of excellence
ELEBRATIONS are underway at First Glasgow after employees secured a “Magnificent Seven” successes at the First Excellence Awards. The company scooped seven accolades in the Scotland section of the UK-wide annual awards which recognise outstanding achievement throughout FirstGroup. The title of Driver of the Year went to Toni Bradley, based at Scotstoun. Toni, who has been a Route Representative at the depot since November 2013, was praised for her “excellent communication and organisational skills”. A recipient of a Silver Badge for the second year in a row in the Fleet Elite awards, she was recently invited by Fiona Kerr to attend the FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards at which the Managing Director received the Woman of the Year accolade. Winner of the Safety First Award was Safety Rep Gary McGinley, based at Caledonia
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Driver Rick Surr with the Innovation and Change Award and a page on a mobile from the website program he developed.
depot. Gary carries out regular checks of tooling and equipment, making sure everyone is working safely. A real team player, he takes an active part in the Engineering Committee which discusses issues on a daily basis. Winner of the Community Award was Caledonia’s John Spence, already widely praised for his support for the local foodbank. The Forward Allocator encouraged colleagues to take part in the important Charity of Choice employee vote, setting up and publicising a polling day attended by representatives of the shortlisted charities. With attendance boosted by a rota system John had set up, more than 40 per cent of Glasgow employees took part in the vote – one of the highest return rates in the UK. Apprentice Engineer Fraser McMaster of Parkhead depot, who won the Apprentice of the Year Award, was praised for his “enthusiasm, commitment and ability to retain an incredible amount of knowledge”. Team of the Year was Scotstoun Traffic and Engineering. Performing to the “highest standard imaginable”, the efforts of the two
functions working together have resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in lost mileage. Speedy reaction by the engineers to reports of defects and a trusting relationship across traffic and engineering were highlighted at the awards. Leader of the Year was Willie Wood, Operations Manager at Caledonia. He was praised for “leading by example” and setting the highest standards while promoting safety at every opportunity. Instrumental in helping to successfully launch the new Caledonia depot, Willie was hailed for his integrity and the way he makes time for people. The Innovation and Change Award went to Driver Rick Surr of Scotstoun depot. Working in his own time and supported by Stewart McIntyre, Rick created a program on the Better Journeys for Life website enabling driver colleagues to obtain details of their duties at a single click. With enhanced customer care resulting from the minimisation of missed reliefs, Rick has now been asked to do the same for Caledonia depot.
Toni Bradley with the Driver of the Year trophy. Toni is also pictured on the magazine cover.
Forward Allocator John Spence, who encouraged colleagues to take part in the Charity of Choice vote and who was praised for his support of a local foodbank, won the Community Award.
AUTUMN 2015 I YOUFIRST
You First Glasgow p8
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A double accolade MARTIN Brand, Major Repair Business Manager at the Regional Repair Centre, has been awarded a Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety as well as graduate membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Martin is keen to embed safe systems of work and his team is proud it has not had a lost time workplace incident over the past two years. Martin was highly commended in the Engineer of the Year category at the recent First Excellence Awards for his achievements at the RRC, where he has continued to develop the skill base of his team alongside the introduction of repair and maintenance techniques and equipment.
400 cakes go on sale THE first cake sale in aid of Prostate Cancer UK raised £483 plus £92 from the sale of badges. Eight members of the administration staff and drivers produced more than 400 cakes for the sale. It was held in an area outside the Caledonia canteen, with people being asked to make a donation of £1 for each item. “Although we held many cake sales at Larkfield to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research, this is our first for PCUK,” said organiser Lead Administrator Jean Fraser. “We aim to continue to hold similar sales on a regular basis.”
Matched funding CHARITY fundraisers across the company are being reminded they can apply to First UK Bus for matched funding to boost their coffers. They can apply for up to £200 from the Group by simply emailing communityfirst@firstgroup. com or visit firstgroupplc. com/community for an application form.
YOUFIRST I AUTUMN 2015
Margaret Cassidy from People First Scotland enjoyed meeting First Glasgow Driver George Corbett at the Swap with Me event held at First’s Caledonia depot on Cathcart Road.
Event helps people
gain confidence EOPLE with learning disabilities got the chance to practice getting on board a bus to build their confidence at a Swap With Me event. First Glasgow worked together with People First Scotland to show the challenges they face when travelling on public transport. Members of the organisation, which supports those with learning disabilities, used the ramp and designated space for
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wheelchair users – and even spent time in the driver’s seat. The event, which was in support of Catch the Bus Week promoting the benefits of travelling by bus, was held at Caledonia depot. It was the latest demonstration of First Glasgow’s determination to provide Better Journeys for Life for customers with learning disabilities. Every First Glasgow driver receives training in customer
care which includes disability awareness, accredited by the Disability Rights Commission. Geraldine McCormack, a Director of People First Scotland, said: “We are delighted at the positive response from First Glasgow in hosting a special event for our members. “Local bus travel is a lifeline, providing an important means of transport that helps our members to get out and about and be as independent as possible.”
Driver runs classic race for charity A Blantyre driver used running skills he honed while he was in the Army to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. John Allan entered the Great North Run for the fifth time, on this occasion as a fundraiser because he is inspired to run for First Glasgow’s Charity of Choice. He has a special fondness for the Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields run because he likes the atmosphere, running against 55,000 other people of all levels of ability. This time he came in at 2 hours 13 minutes.
John is a former member of Motherwell Athletics Club and he regularly runs in the area round Bellshill where he lives. When he was in the Army Medical Corps he ran for the British Army and he has a cabinet full of trophies. His most challenging race, for an Army charity, was back in 1979 from John O’Groats to Land’s End over 12 days. ● A Caledonia team led by Forward Allocator John Spence is in light training to take part in the Movember 5K fun run, to raise money for PCUK. Anyone who wants to join them should phone John on 07794 362538.
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NEWS 9 Robert Burns with part of his model collection including classic buses which operated in the First Glasgow area. Inset, a selection of old timetables.
Models reflect bus history OLLEAGUES turn to Robert Burns for information whenever customers enquire about historic buses they have seen out and about. The Caledonia-based Customer Advisor has amassed a vast knowledge of bus types after years of collecting bus memorabilia. From the age of five onwards he has had a fascination with the bus industry. “It was at
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the time of deregulation when I first got interested,” he said. “At first it was being impressed by the different colours but since then I have developed a widespread collection.” Robert owns more than 60 model buses together with timetables relating to Strathclyde Buses, Kelvin Central, Midland Bluebird and other firms which have been integrated into
FirstGroup. He also has tickets and an old destination blind from Strathclyde Buses which he obtained from eBay. “If my colleagues in customer services receive an enquiry about an historic bus I am happy to get in touch and supply details,” he said. “I am interested not only in the specific design details of each bus but also in the history of the companies as they developed.”
Memories revived of Parkhead depot’s royal link A visit by a museum archivist revived memories of Parkhead depot’s royal link. Brian Longworth from Bridgeton Bus Museum made a special trip to inspect the bronze plaques commemorating the sacrifice made by tram workers during World War 1. He was searching for a memorial dedicated to Glasgow transport workers which was once at the former Possilpark bus depot. Brian, accompanied by museum committee member John Kennedy, liaised with Wendy Findlay, First Glasgow’s Fleet Support Engineer, to inspect plaques at Parkhead which were originally situated at other depots. The visit involved discussion of the historic photo – pictured right – owned by the depot which shows the Duke of York when opened Parkhead Tram Depot and Recreation Ground in 1924. The Duke inspected the tramwaymen’s guard of honour and placed a wreath on the memorial erected by the Parkhead staff to their fellow workers who fell in the Great War. The photo shows the Duke (later to become George VI) alongside immaculately-dressed ex-service tram
crews and inspectors in a period setting. “The memorial is an important feature of Parkhead depot,” said David Cairns, Union Branch Secretary. “It is situated on the inside of the external wall and surrounded by an 8x15 foot area accessed by a gate and containing a metal bench.”
Last year the commemorative area was given a makeover. Every year a wreath laying ceremony is held at the memorial, attended by bus people and relatives, and a donation is made to a Forces charity. The archivist also visited Scotstoun depot where there is recently-restored World War 1 memorial.
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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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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.
You First Glasgow p11
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Direct link to hospital
Design competition winner Niamh Coll with her poster incorporated in an advertisement on the back of a bus.
helps cut vandalism children’s poster design competition run by First Glasgow in the Castlemilk area has helped to reduce bus vandalism. Since the winner 10-year-old Niamh Coll was announced, organiser John O’Hara has noticed a steep drop in antisocial behaviour. “The poster puts out a powerful message and I have noticed it’s had a definite impact,” said the Security Investigator. More than 300 entries on the
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theme of “Don’t Vandalise the Buses” were received from pupils attending six schools in the locality. Niamh’s winning entry was chosen for its “bold design, clear imagery, good use of colours and strong messaging”. Her poster was transformed into a bus advertisement and fitted to the backs of 10 First Glasgow buses. Niamh, a pupil at St Fillan’s Primary, said: “I’m delighted to be the winner of the poster design
competition. It’s cool seeing it on the back of a bus – I hope lots of Glasgow people enjoy seeing it and take the message on board.” First Glasgow has been working closely with Police Scotland to tackle bus vandalism – mainly broken windows – in Castlemilk after £2,900 damage was caused in one two-week period by youths. Following the arrest of nine people the bus company continues to liaise with officers in the area.
A chance to ride on vintage vehicles GLASGOW Vintage Vehicle Trust is holding a open weekend on October 10 and 11. The venue is the former Glasgow Corporation Bridgeton Bus Garage on Broad Street, Bridgeton, which houses the GVVT collection of commercial vehicles. Visitors will be able to see and ride on historic vehicles – there are around 100 buses
at various stages of restoration with an increasing number of fully-restored buses on display. There will also be visiting buses and lorries as well souvenir, book, model, photo and autojumble stalls. A free vintage bus service will run to and from the city centre and Riverside Museum.
DIRECT links from the northwest of Glasgow to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are being provided by Services 15 and 16. The buses represent a direct link for communities in the northwest of the city, transporting staff, patients and visitors to the hospital. Along with First Glasgow Service 77, these services will provide up to 10 buses an hour, most of the day, between Partick and the hospital site. Together, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, which is adjoined to the adult hospital, provide the largest critical care complex in the UK.
Hello Busbee THE winner of First Glasgow’s Safety Bee naming competition is five-year-old Ben Aruqaj. Ben, who came up with the name Busbee, wins four cinema tickets.
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A hole with a difference BLANTYRE depot golfers visited Eyemouth Golf Club in Berwickshire – and experienced “Britain’s most extraordinary golf hole”. The group of 30 enthusiasts rose to the challenge of the Par 3 Sixth Hole, known as A Still No Ken, which straddles a deep gulley with the North Sea waves crashing below. The golfing group is part of Blantyre’s recreational club, making regular Sunday trips to keynote courses in Scotland. Other locations visited recently were Hirsel Golf Club near Coldstream, Lochgreen Golf Course, Troon and Colville Park Golf Club in Motherwell.
Touring on Moto Guzzi
Jim MacKinnon, left, and Robert Watson enjoy a round at the Vale of Leven Golf Club.
GOLFERS REACH 30 YEAR
charity milestone WO Dumbarton drivers, both keen golfers, began helping a charity for people with learning disabilities at the start of their bus careers. Now, 30 years on, they are still raising money for Enable Scotland through their golf club and this year alone they are on track to raise £2,000. In their latest fundraiser, Robert Watson and Jim MacKinnon organised a charity event which raised £800. “We were approached all those years ago by John Moir, a
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member of our club, who had a daughter with learning disabilities and who was starting up the Vale of Leven branch of Enable when it had a different name,” said Robert. “We were glad to act as volunteers taking youngsters to and from residential homes, and we have continued to do so.” Robert and Jim’s golf club, the Alexandria-based Vale of Leven club, hosted a five-cornered tournament at Campsie Golf Club involving a number of other local
clubs and they took the opportunity to hold a raffle. “Money was raised towards the running costs of Enable’s John Moir Hall in Alexandria,” said Robert. “Over the years we have also fundraised to help with the costs of their transport and facilities. “We are pleased to help and we both regard supporting Enable Scotland as a job for life.” The winners of the tournament were the Vale of Leven team, now holders of the John Moir Trophy.
OVERTOWN Coachbuilder Donald Youngson travels to some of some of Scotland’s most scenic places as a member of the Moto Guzzi Club GB. As owner of two of the iconic Italian motorbikes he recently made a visit to Inveraray Castle with 12 other enthusiasts, all riding Guzzis. “By coincidence a party of Germans were exhibiting their kit cars at the castle – and they all had Moto Guzzi engines,” said Donald. “We had an interesting chat with them.” Donald has travelled abroad to France and Italy on his Breva 1100 bike, and has been on a tour of the Museum Moto Guzzi near Lake Como.
Zulqy gains US licence FIRST Glasgow Driver and gifted boxer Zulqy Rehman has gained a US fight licence, signed up to a manager in New York and is in training for his first bout Stateside. Zulqy, who has moved up to welterweight from light welterweight, will begin with a four-round contest and then move gradually up to 12 rounds.