Author: Metroline Comms

Last week saw our first cohort of Level 5 Management Apprentices receive their diplomas at a special event following the successful completion of their apprenticeship with West London College. They were each presented with a certificate by Metroline CEO Sean O’Shea and West London College’s CEO and Principal Karen Redhead and  Assistant Principal Sajada Sajid spoke of the importance of continued education, and praising our apprentices for rising to the challenge.

Speaking about the success of the apprentices, Area Operations Director Nick Faichney who sponsors management apprenticeships at Metroline said: “Congratulations to our Level 5 Apprenticeship graduates who have achieved a 100% completion rate. As experienced transport managers, enrolling on a higher apprenticeship alongside their day job was challenging for many of them, but they persevered, and it has been greatly inspiring to see our managers gain new confidence in their abilities as they progressed through the course, and they should all feel incredibly proud. A special thanks also to West London College’s tutor Zara Bokhari, who guided the apprentices throughout the course and Daljit Bains, Director of Business Development for his support in developing this strong partnership.”

 

July has been a month of awards success for Metroline as several of our talented team received awards at two major industry events last week.

Jacqui Carter, Head of Recruitment and Training, received the lifetime achievement award at the London Bus Awards on Thursday 17th July. Hosted at London’s Living Room at City Hall in Newham, the London Bus Awards marked 25 years of Transport for London by celebrating employees from across the London bus industry. Jacqui was recognised for her remarkable career at Metroline spanning more than 25 years including her mentorship of many female employees and managers.

Jacqui is one of Metroline’s most experienced and respected managers with a remarkable career
spanning more than 25 years. She began her journey at Metroline in 1998 as a driver and quickly progressed to roles in driver training and transport safety thanks to her passion and enthusiasm for the role. Her dedication and skill led her to become an Operations Manager in 2007 and, subsequently, a Garage Manager in 2013.

Today, as Head of Recruitment and Training, Jacqui finds great satisfaction in helping others achieve their goals with her approachable and inclusive leadership style. Despite stepping into the role temporarily as an Interim Head, she has recently been permanently established in the post, a testament to her impact in the department.

There was also success once again for Metroline’s engineers at the 2025 IRTE Skills Challenge Awards, which took place on Wednesday 16th July in Wolverhampton. Calum Beltrami was named winner in the Mechanical Technician category, and Bradley Thomas, Viren Harsiani and James Ward named Runner-Up in the Electrical Apprentice, Electric Driveline and Body Technician categories respectively.
Recommended by their Engineering Managers and guided by Training Manager Wayne Ellis, it was a fantastic opportunity for participants to challenge themselves and see how their technical skills measure up.

Calum is a former apprentice who qualified in 2022. He has gone on to be an accomplished engineer
and continues to advance himself through attending continuous training. His managers have been
quoted as saying he is an asset their garage. Bradley is a 3rd year apprentice who will be taking his exams next April. He is a talented apprentice who has a proclivity for electrics. His tutors have fed back he
is top of the class and will go far.

Viren is a 2nd year apprentice going into his 3rd year in September. He is progressing well through his course and is demonstrating all the attributes of becoming a future high-level engineer. James is a seasoned coachmaker that has the skills and knowledge to repair our vehicles to the highest possible standards. He has been a mentor to various apprentices and has shown the patience and skills to guide these to becoming some of the best in the business.

Speaking about the Challenge, Wayne Ellis said, “I am very proud of all of the technicians that have participated in the Skills Challenge this year as well as all of the previous entrants. They continue to

push themselves and compete against the best in the industry taking them out of their comfort zones. They strive to do their best and continue to win awards year on year. I look forward to next year’s competition where we will be pushing ourselves to be more successful than ever.”

A big well done to Aaron Dias, Dominic Jones, Ian Schmidt Jr and Gary Walsh who also represented Metroline in the challenge.

Congratulations to all on their achievements.

Metroline, one of the UK’s leading bus operators, is celebrating 25 years as part of global transport group ComfortDelGro. Since joining the group in 2000, Metroline has become a cornerstone of ComfortDelGro’s UK operations, connecting communities in London and Manchester while leading the way in sustainable transport innovation.

Marking this milestone, Metroline reaffirmed its commitment to delivering reliable, sustainable, and community-focused transport services. With a fleet of 1,400 buses in London and 400 in Manchester, Metroline transports approximately 1 million passengers every weekday in London and around 1 million weekly in Greater Manchester, supporting local economies and helping to meet ambitious zero-emission targets.

Driving Sustainability and Innovation
Metroline has been at the forefront of green transport, operating the world’s first electric double-deck buses and England’s first hydrogen double-deckers. By the end of 2025, over 500 buses in London and 160 in Manchester will be zero-emission, underscoring Metroline’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future. The company has also embraced cutting-edge technology, becoming the first London bus operator to implement AI-powered service control software, reducing passenger waiting times and improving service reliability.

Metroline also announced that it has reached a significant milestone for London with the complete electrification of Edgware Bus Garage, making it one of the only garages in the capital to operate an exclusively zero emissions service. The garage has achieved its target of complete electrification, becoming the first of Metroline’s sites to run electric buses on all routes operating from the garage.

Investing in Communities
Metroline’s success is built on its people, with 6,200 employees across London and Manchester. The company actively recruits from the communities it serves, offering career opportunities through recruitment fairs, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local colleges. As a Living Wage Employer and member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, Metroline is committed to creating meaningful jobs and supporting local economies.

Metroline also gives back to the community, supporting charities such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.

A Legacy of Growth with ComfortDelGro
Over the past 25 years, ComfortDelGro has invested £673 million in the UK, including £336 million in public transport. Metroline’s growth has paved the way for ComfortDelGro’s expansion in the region, with brands like Irish Citylink, Adventure Travel, and Addison Lee joining the group.

Sean O’Shea, CEO of Metroline, said:
“We’re proud to celebrate 25 years as part of ComfortDelGro. Together, we’ve built a reputation for excellence, sustainability, and innovation, and we remain committed to serving our communities for the next 25 years.”

Edward Thomas, CEO of ComfortDelGro UK & Ireland, added:
“Metroline has been the foundation of our UK success, driving growth and pioneering zero-emission technologies. We look forward to continuing our investment in the UK and Ireland, delivering sustainable mobility solutions for the future.”

Greater Manchester has taken another step forward in driving a green revolution through the Bee Network with the first fully electric bus depot now complete in Tameside.

The depot in Ashton – one of just a few fully electric depots in the country – is now home to 83 Volvo BZL MCV Double Deck zero-tailpipe emission buses, making 14 routes fully electric.

The depot, which is operated by Metroline on behalf of TfGM, boasts 27 dual chargers allowing 54 electric buses to be charged at any one time.

By taking back control of local buses, Greater Manchester is delivering cleaner, greener and more reliable services, with over 300 electric buses now running across the Bee Network – a tenfold increase compared to pre-franchising.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“We’re driving a green revolution across the city region through investment in the Bee Network. To see us complete the first fully electric depot in Greater Manchester – and one of just a few in the country – shows, once again, we’re leading the way in making journeys cleaner and greener.

“With one in five buses now electric – up from 1% before franchising – we’re transforming how people get around, with 14 more routes now served entirely by zero-emission buses.

“The Bee Network is already proving massively beneficial to residents and businesses across the city-region and the funding announced this week – which demonstrates confidence in what we are doing at the highest level – will enable us to go even further as we press ahead and create the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system.”

The following bus routes, running from Ashton depot, are now fully electric: 7, 216, 219, 220, 221, 230, 231, 237, 336, 337, 346, 347, 382, 389.

Patrick Sibley, Regional CEO, Metroline, said: “We are proud at Metroline to operate Greater Manchester’s first fully Electric Bus depot for the Bee Network in Ashton. Since mobilisation, completing the electrification process at Ashton has been a key priority, and we have been working closely with TfGM, our electric infrastructure partners and Volvo to ensure that we were able to get more electric buses on the road.

“Though the journey has not been without challenges we are delighted to have 83 new electric buses join our now 160-strong electric fleet, and look forward to providing customers across Greater Manchester with zero-emission journeys on the Bee Network. We are committed to continuing to work with TfGM and their objective to achieve a fully electric Bee Network by 2030.”

TfGM is making rapid progress to electrify Greater Manchester’s bus depots, with upgrades already made at Bolton, Oldham and Hyde Road in Manchester, as the city region works towards a fully electric network by 2030.  Further upgrades are being made at Middleton depot this year.

 

• Metroline to implement AI-powered service control FlowOS Live across its London operations
• The use of AI-assisted software is predicted to save Metroline passengers up to 2,000 hours of waiting time across over 700,000 passenger journeys every day

Leading UK bus operator Metroline – has today announced plans to deploy AI-powered service control software FlowOS Live across its entire London operations. The implementation, an industry first, aims to enhance service reliability and consistency, provide more predictable driver shifts, reduce overcrowding during peak hours, and cut passenger waiting times.

This initiative follows the successful trial at Metroline’s Edgware garage, where the software was tested on several of its most demanding bus routes. The trial saw Metroline significantly reduce Excess Waiting Time (EWT) – a key performance metric used by Transport for London (TfL) – collectively saving passengers up to 2,000 hours daily across Metroline’s services in London.

The trial also highlighted the benefit of the software’s support for Metroline control room teams; by automating much of the administrative work they currently undertake to monitor and record incidents, cancellations, and delays on the network, thereby enabling them to dedicate more time to improving service delivery.

As a result of the trial’s success, Metroline has signed a license agreement for FlowOS Live to be deployed across all Metroline’s London garages, managing over 1,000 high-frequency service buses and providing the administrative platform for low-frequency services. Metroline employees will be trained on the system to deliver immediate EWT improvements.

FlowOS Live operates by predicting the downstream progress of every vehicle in the fleet and simulating the impact of various adjustments on vehicle progress and spacing. It then identifies and recommends the best instructions to issue to drivers to improve service reliability, punctuality, and speed in any given context, ultimately improving passenger experience.

Sean O’Shea, CEO at Metroline London, believes the impact of FlowOS Live on bus services in London and beyond could be significant. “Metroline is committed to evolving our service delivery and passenger experience. Embedding the AI-assisted software in our daily operations will not only help us to deliver on these objectives but will also support our vision to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable transport to our communities.”

Pete Ferguson, CEO at Prospective.io, the company behind FlowOS Live, emphasised the importance of Metroline’s support in the development of the software. “FlowOS Live is used for critical fleet monitoring and decision-making day in day out. As such it’s been essential to build, test and refine the system with close and continuous feedback from control room staff to ensure that the potential of the technology can be realised on the ground. Working closely with Metroline we’ve been able to ensure that the software’s recommendations are effective, and that the overall system works in a practical context, enabling teams to successfully embed AI in their daily work.”

Building on this success, Metroline’s parent company ComfortDelGro will be exploring opportunities to extend the use of AI to its bus operations in Singapore and Australia.

We are delighted to announce that Metroline Manchester is now an accredited Living Wage Employer. This means that every member of staff working for Metroline will earn a real Living Wage.

The real Living Wage is higher than the government’s minimum, or National Living Wage, and is an independently calculated hourly rate of pay that is based on the actual cost of living. It is calculated each year and is announced by the Living Wage Foundation as part of Living Wage Week. It is currently £12.60 in the UK, with a higher rate of £13.85 for London, reflecting the higher costs of living in the capital.

Over 15,000 organisations, including Metroline, voluntarily choose to pay the real Living Wage because we believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. You can find other organisations who pay the Living Wage here: https://www.livingwage.org.uk/living-wage-map

 

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, we speak with Calum Beltrami who has recently completed his apprenticeship at Metroline and has become a fully qualified engineer.

Calum started his engineering apprenticeship in 2020, fully qualifying as an engineer at Perivale Garage last year. Having an interest in cars from a young age, Calum knew he wanted to do something hands-on: “I thought if I could learn something hands-on and get paid whilst learning on the job, that was the best route for me. And I’ve always had an interest in cars and engines, so it just kind of made sense.”

Over the course of the 3 and a half year apprenticeship, Calum spent time learning at several garages including Harrow Weald, Potters Bar and Cricklewood, before settling at Perivale where he has been based since February. Moving between garages can prove to be challenging at times “you don’t know what you’re walking into so it can be hard settling into a new work place. It’s the uncertainty which is a bit challenging.”

However, Calum also acknowledges the benefits in working across different sites: “You get to experience a lot of different types of vehicles, and at every garage you learn different things. At my first garage, Harrow Weald, I learnt a lot of mechanical stuff but also did a bit of body work and the basics. Then I went to Potters Bar which was a bit hectic because the garage is completely different.” He adds that “moving around a lot could be a bit uncomfortable at times, but that was also a good thing because you get used to being chucked in at the deep end.”

The engineering apprenticeship helps prepare aspiring engineers for what being a fully-qualified engineer is like: “there are some similarities and some differences between being an apprentice and a qualified engineer but the ins and outs of the job are almost the same,” Calum says. “The biggest difference is that when you’re qualified you feel like there’s a lot more responsibility. As an apprentice you have a bit of a safety net, like ‘oh, you’re still learning’. But when you’re an engineer you have to be accountable for your actions. It’s important that you get things right first time as you don’t have someone checking everything.”

Like any job, engineering comes with it’s own set of challenges as well. Calum finds that “in this industry you’re always working on a deadline. So, you’re trying to get things done quickly but also properly so that buses can be on the road.” When you’re working to tight deadlines, teamwork is essential, and in engineering you’re never short of a helping hand. Praising his colleagues, Calum enjoys the working environment at Metroline: “It’s quite team-orientated, if you need a hand from colleagues, everyone’s always happy to help, including management.”

10 months into his role as a full-time engineer, Calum’s advice to anyone starting their apprenticeship is “Show up everyday, be on time and ask as many questions as you can, even if you think it’s a stupid question.”

Interested in an Engineering Apprenticeship at Metroline? Click here for more information.

• Metroline expands outside of London and formally began operation of Bee Network services in Greater Manchester on 5
• Brand new buses are now on the city’s roads, serving areas such as Hyde, Salford Quays, Stockport and Manchester City Centre.

 Leading bus operator Metroline, a member of multi-modal transport operator ComfortDelGro, has commenced operation of 232 bus services in Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network.

Metroline enters Greater Manchester having already been well established as one of the largest scheduled bus operators in London, operating about 17 percent of the city’s scheduled bus services. Transporting over a million passengers daily, Metroline’s expertise in operating a reliable bus service across both busy urban centres and quiet local communities in the capital has been invaluable in building the foundation for a successful operation in Manchester.

The Team at Hyde Road Bus Depot 

After being awarded four franchises by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in March 2024, the team led by Regional CEO Patrick Sibley has been working tirelessly to prepare for operation in Manchester. A training school was quickly established at Wythenshawe depot, to begin cultivating a team of highly trained bus drivers who are safety-focussed, friendly and confident on the roads. Supported by an experienced team of driver trainers, over 100 drivers have successfully passed through training as of January 2025.

Numerous new jobs in Manchester have been created as a result of Metroline’s entry into the Bee Network, and the company expects to continue to become a key employer in the local community. A locally based management team comprised of talented individuals with experience from across the bus industry in the North West was also brought together, supplemented with expertise from London and across the global ComfortDelGro group.

In addition to new jobs, Metroline is also bringing new vehicles to Greater Manchester, with a brand new fleet comprised of ADL 200 EMCs, Wright Streetdeck Ultroliners and Volvo/MCV BZLs, which drivers have been undergoing extensive type training on. Metroline also seeks to replicate its strong green credentials in Manchester, with the adoption of electric vehicles. A pioneer of zero-emission vehicles in London, Metroline is in the process of implementing infrastructure that will allow for as many as 134 new electric vehicles to join its Manchester fleet in the coming months.

Speaking about commencing operation on the Bee Network, Patrick Sibley, Regional CEO for Metroline, said: “We are delighted to formally enter operation on the Bee Network, and serve the people of Greater Manchester. It has taken many months of preparation and hard work, but I’m proud of the team that we’ve brought together and the operation that we’ve been able to build in anticipation of this point.

“From highly trained professional drivers to brand new buses, we want to give local communities the best journeys possible when travelling on our services. We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Transport for Greater Manchester as we enter operation, and are determined to deliver an outstanding transport experience for our customers on the Bee Network.”

With the commencement of its operations in Greater Manchester, Metroline now manages over 300 routes, operating more than 1,700 vehicles supported by nearly 6,000 employees in the UK.

Edward Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Europe Business Unit, ComfortDelGro said: “The successful launch of bus operations in Manchester is a significant milestone for Metroline as we expand out of London. Our strong track record in London and now in Manchester positions Metroline as the partner of choice for future bus franchises in the UK. We look forward to bringing innovative mobility solutions for safe, reliable journeys to communities across the UK.”

November saw us bring award success home, with Willesden Junction driver Mirela Mandzhukova at the heart of that success. She is one of Willesden Junction’s most outstanding drivers, known to her colleagues as a pleasant and calm person, who is always smiling. At the RouteOne Awards, hosted in Birmingham on 13th November, Mirela was Highly Commended by the judges for providing an Outstanding Customer Experience. There was further success at the UK Bus Awards on 26th Novmeber, where Mirela received the Silver Award for the Luke Rees-Pulley Award for Top London Bus Driver.

Joining Metroline in 2018, Mirela wanted to find a job that combined her two favourite things; driving and working with passengers. It also helps coming from a family of drivers, with both her parents being professional drivers, Mirela jokes that “maybe it’s in my blood”.

Being recognised for excellent Customer Experience comes as no surprise, as Mirela describes the most enjoyable part of being a bus driver as the ability to help people: “I enjoy meeting many different people, understanding them and helping the customers in need. Sometimes you get passengers who are lost and don’t know how to get from point A to point B, and it really makes me happy to help them.” No wonder she has an abundance of commendations from passengers wanting to relay their feedback: “A thank you to the bus driver – she welcomed and smiled at every single passenger getting on the bus! A lovely start to the morning,” said one customer. The most surprising commendation however, came from the manager of another London bus operator who contacted his counterparts at Metroline to praise Mirela’s exemplary customer service, exclaiming “My word gents…where did you recruit this driver from?” The manager praised her friendly and approachable attitude, noting how she “welcomes everyone on board with a huge smile and a good morning. I even got asked how I was.” He also complimented her driving style and added, “I can’t speak highly enough of your driver. What an asset.”

Aside from the challenges of driving in an increasingly congested London, facing the public on a daily basis can also be demanding. Mirela’s advice for how to maintain good customer service even when the public is tricky is to always smile first: “My eyes can kill you” she jests, “but a smile is always on my face.”

Being Mirela’s first awards ceremony, she had no idea what to expect: “Actually, it was my first ever time visiting that kind of award ceremony. It was such a nice experience, I was so excited, everything was new to me.” Speaking on both her wins, Mirela exclaims “I feel very proud of myself.”

Mirela thanks her managers and supervisors for supporting and trusting her “I would especially like to thank my manager Alina Gioroc for acknowledging my effort, and all other valuable staff members, who provided unconditional support to me, and showed so much trust and faith in me.”

 

Also nominated at the UK Bus Awards was Uxbridge Garage, which received the Bronze Award for London Bus Garage of the Year, after continuing to perform strongly in the face of challenging operational conditions.

Speaking about the garage, Garage Manager Stavros Heracleous said, “Our engineers, controllers, drivers, cleaners and office colleagues understand that the customer and the wider community are at the heart of everything we do… Together we are a strong and pro-active team. For us, there is no ‘us and them’, it is all about the customer and the community we serve.”

Metroline is set to host a special recruitment open day, aimed at recruiting women into the bus industry. Supported by the Women in Bus and Coach initiative, the open day will take place on Saturday 21st September at Cricklewood Bus Garage from 9am-3pm.

Women have always had a key role to play in the UK bus industry, however there is still much more to be done to encourage more women to get behind the wheel. Backed by a range of organisations across the UK within the bus and coach industry, the Women in the Bus and Coach initiative is challenging and eliminating barriers currently faced by women in the profession. It will create a more inclusive service that is representative of customers. This change will help to make sure that women have equal access to a career in the industry and a workplace designed around their needs.

We are a proud part of the Women in Bus and Coach programme and are committed to improving the environment for women with several initiatives. From drivers to engineers, iBus supervisors to garage and operations managers, there is a range of exceptional female talent at Metroline, and we would love for more women to join us.

At the open day, you will have the opportunity to speak with our friendly Recruitment Team who will share the many benefits of driving with Metroline. It is also a family friendly event, so please feel free to bring your children along!

If you’re a woman interested in driving buses, come to our recruitment open day on Saturday 21st September -we can’t wait to see you there!

For further information, please e-mail [email protected]

Location: Cricklewood Bus Garage, 329 Edgware Road, Cricklewood, London, NW2 6JP

 

Metroline has partnered with Realise, one of the UK’s leading bus driving training providers, to help attract and train the latest recruits through apprenticeships.

The new drivers will be based out of three of our garages across London – Perivale, Cricklewood and Willesden Junction – with the first apprentices beginning their 13-month training programme in September and being out on the road as a fully-fledged driver just two months after starting the apprenticeship.

Anyone holding a standard UK driving licence for over 12 months is eligible to apply for the apprenticeship by visiting https://www.metroline.co.uk/busdriverapprenticeships/.

The Level 2 apprenticeship will see learners obtain their Passenger Carrying Vehicle Licence, as well as learning the other skills associated with being a professional bus driver, including safety, customer service and route familiarisation.

Kairon Flowers, Operations Director, at Realise, said: “Metroline plays a very significant part in keeping London moving so we are proud and excited to be supporting its venture into apprenticeships for bus drivers.

“We have extensive experience of delivering bus driving training across the country, both through apprenticeships and adult learning. All our trainers have past experience in the industry and know the value of bus services to local communities.

“A modern day bus driver can forge an excellent career in the industry. The apprenticeship can not only provide a route to a new career, but can also leave an individual well placed to earn a promotion in the future.”

Iain Maple, Recruitment Manager from Metroline, said: “We are delighted to be introducing an apprenticeship programme for bus drivers and creating opportunities for people to launch a new career.

“Our comprehensive bus service in London helps keep people in the capital moving so creating a regular flow of new talent, and providing them with apprenticeship and training opportunities, will ensure we can maintain the excellent customer service we are renowned for.

“Realise has a reputation for outstanding training delivery across a number of sectors, including bus driving, and it has a talented and experienced team.

“We are excited about the pilot scheme and the curriculum we are producing in conjunction with Realise and look forward to creating many talented new bus drivers of the future.”