Author: Metroline Comms

Potters Bus Garage Open Day: Saturday 20th July 2019, 10.30am – 4pm.

On Saturday 20th July 2019, Metroline will again open the doors of its bus garage in Potters Bar High Street to local people and transport enthusiasts alike from where up to 200 buses operate from.

The aim as in past years is to raise funds for charities such as Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. Admission is by programme, priced at £2.50, available at the garage entrance. This year, we again hope to raise over £1,000 for charities similar to last year.

Atrractions include a display of buses, some dating back to the 1950’s and 1960’s through to the present day, including brand new all electric double deckers. A number of stalls will also be present selling transport memorabilia.

Again we shall be running our popular free bus rides to local destinations with a variety of different vehicles.

Metroline Buses 84, 242 and PB1 stop at the garage entrance.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

• Adrian Jones is appointed Engineering Director at Metroline, and will oversee the Company’s London Engineering Operations.

• This follows the appointments of Stephen Harris as Metroline’s Managing Director, Ian Foster as Group Engineering Director and Sean O’Shea as Chief Executive Officer.

• Metroline, a member of ComfortDelGro continues to deliver innovative and pioneering services in London with the introduction of over 60 fully electric buses across two routes.

London bus company Metroline has announced the appointment of Adrian Jones as the new Engineering Director. Previously Metroline’s Chief Engineer with a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years, Adrian is the latest in a series of new high-level appointments at Metroline, London’s 2^nd largest bus operator.

A member of the Singapore based ComfortDelGro Group, Metroline continues to be one of London’s most ambitious and dynamic bus companies, employing more than 5000 people, across 14 garages with 99 of London’s busiest routes, the company strives to innovate, lead and grow with the aim of being the best bus company in the capital.

As Engineering Director, Adrian will be at the helm of Metroline’s 250 strong engineering team and fleet of over 1700 buses, operating from numerous engineering sites across London, including the purpose built engineering facility, the Central Engineering and Logistics Facility (CELF).

Speaking about his appointment, Adrian said “I am delighted to have been appointed as Engineering Director at Metroline. Working with our team of dedicated engineers across the company has been a very rewarding experience, and I am excited to be overseeing things at a particularly exciting time for engineering, with the addition of the new electric buses into our fleet. Having worked at Metroline for over 4 years, I am looking forward to helping the Company to continue to innovate and maintain Metroline’s strong reputation for engineering excellence.”

Stephen Harris, Managing Director, Metroline, commented “I am really pleased to see Adrian become Engineering Director at Metroline. Adrian has always sought to bring fresh ideas to the team and has over a number of years become an integral part of the Metroline team and  I have no doubt that we will see the company’s industry-leading engineering arm continue to excel under his oversight. Metroline’s engineering division has always been at the forefront of London’s bus system, and I am confident we will continue to lead the way and deliver the best service possible.”

The announcement follows significant recent appointments at Metroline over the last year including Stephen Harris as Managing Director and Ian Foster as Group Engineering Director. Stephen has worked with Metroline and its predecessors since 1986, leaving briefly in 2001 and returning to Metroline as an Area Business Manager, Operations Director and now Managing Director. Sean O’Shea was also appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer after serving the company for 28 years and was previously Metroline’s Chief Operating Officer.

The new appointments follow the 2018 departure of former CEO Jaspal Singh and reflect Metroline’s strategy to restructure to help further improve the company’s efficiency and to provide reliability and long term stability in line with ComfortDelGro’s objectives of growing the business through delivering an industry leading service.

Discussing Metroline’s ambitions for the future, Chief Executive Officer Sean O’Shea added “It’s an exciting time to be part of Metroline, the new appointments reflect our continued desire to lead from the front, innovate and deliver the high quality, safe and reliable service that London expects. Our current focus is the expansion of our electric bus operations providing zero-emissions services for Londoners and leading the way for bus operators across the capital. As part of ComfortDelGro, one of the world’s largest land transport companies for passengers, our continued ambition is to be the best bus company in London through delivering a world-class service.”

Metroline is a wholly-owned London subsidiary of ComfortDelGro Corporation. Metroline’s principal business is the provision of bus services under contract to London Buses, operating through an area that extends from North to West London, including Central London and the City, carrying over 1.2 million passengers every day.

We are really pleased to have launched our special library bus this week at the Sinai Jewish Primary School. The bus will now be permanently located in the playground and will help put reading at the heart of the school, promoting a love of books and helping the children to learn library skills, practice story making, listen to stories and share books.

The ribbon was cut this week at the official launch by Headteacher, Mrs Lipshaw, CEO of Metroline, Sean O’Shea and the Mayor of Brent, Cllr Arshad Mahmood.

Commenting at the launch, Sean O’Shea said,

“I’m delighted to see our bus here at the Sinai Jewish School…When I talk about the places that Metroline transports people I have to date mentioned places like Harrow, Wembley and Edgware. With this bus I’ll have to add a new destination which is wherever the children’s imagination will take them.”

Speaking about the bus Mrs Lipshaw commented,

“This is an amazing opportunity for our school, to encourage the children to read in an age where they have become so dependent on technology. I want the children to revitalise their enthusiasm for reading real books. We hope that this will help to maintain our excellent reading levels in the school and give the children a rich variety of genre in their reading.”

Thank you to everyone at Sinai Jewish Primary School for such a warm welcome and we hope everyone enjoys this special bus.

Monday 26^th November:  Metroline launched London’s first bus driver apprenticeship that will provide support, training and upskilling over a period of 12 months to 24 new apprentices.

The 24 successfully selected apprentices to join Metroline’s new programme will be involved in modules designed to help develop confidence and encourage skills development, with practical hands on and classroom based training, whilst being paid to learn and train to become a bus driver for one of London’s leading bus operators.

The apprenticeship with be delivered within the framework of the Apprentice Levy arrangements, using a combination of practical training and off-the-job learning which is supported by our training partner Interserve.

Coinciding with the launch of Metroline’s Bus Driver Apprenticeship, Metroline also officially opened new training centres at its Cricklewood and Willesden Junction garages. The ‘Metroline Centres for Skills and Development’ are new training facilities equipped with modern interactive training aids and will be used for training and skills development across the business ranging from Management Training to improving basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Commenting on these events, Metroline’s CEO Sean O’Shea said:

“Metroline have run an award-winning, industry leading engineering apprenticeship for a number of years now and as a result, we understand the positive benefits that apprenticeships can bring to our industry and the communities that we operate in. Being able to extend this now to include drivers is a very positive step forward and combined with launching our new Metroline Centres for Skills and Development, this highlights our continued commitment to investing in our people.”

Claire Mann, Director of Bus Operations at TfL, said:

“We’re delighted that Metroline are introducing this apprenticeship scheme that will give people vital life skills and training. Bus drivers are the lifeblood of this city and anything that encourages more Londoners to consider a rewarding and vital career as a driver on our historic and iconic buses is good for the capital.”

Ron Capper, Head of Metroline’s Recruitment and Training said:

“We have a great training team at Metroline that continually sets the standards in terms of delivering training excellence so that our drivers are prepared and able to provide the safest driving standards and an excellent customer experience. We are confident that our new apprentices will really benefit from this initiative and will have a great experience gaining confidence, new skills and an additional recognised qualification.”

Congratulations to Metroline’s Mitesh Patel who was the winner of the Top Scoring Mechanical Technician and runner up in the Vehicle Inspector categories at the 2018 Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) Skills Challenge.

Daniel Briscoe continued the success for Metroline earning the Runner up prize in the Apprentice Category.

“This is a fantastic result, Mitesh has really demonstrated what we know he is capable of, he is a really dedicated and valued member of our team, and Daniel continues to show that Metroline has an exceptional apprenticeship programme that is helping to produce our engineers and leaders of tomorrow. My sincere congratulations to them both, “ said Metroline’s Director of Engineering, Ian Foster.

After joining Metroline as an apprentice in 2006, Mitesh became a qualified engineer in 2011 and has earned an HNC in Vehicle Operations and Management with Automotive Engineering Technology from the College of North-West London. Mitesh secured a position as Assistant Technical Manager before becoming a Master Technician three years later. He has been in this role for a year and a half. Daniel joined Metroline in 2014 and is a 4th year apprentice and is currently based in Metroline Uxbridge.

Congratulations to Metroline’s Ion Dinu, winner of the ‘Actions above and beyond the call of duty’ Award at the 2018 London Bus Awards for his response to a customer in distress.

On 25 June, Driver Dinu was driving on the 332 route when he noticed that a female travelling alone was crying. When trying to find out why the woman was in distress, Driver Dinu realised that she did not speak English, and wasting no time he called Lee Jackson, CentreComm Operations Manager via a code red call on the iBus radio and asked for assistance. Lee knew that his colleague, Swinder Sethi, Real Time Passenger Information Officer spoke Hindi and Punjabi so he asked her to assist him.

Lee asked Driver Dinu if he could take his phone number so that Swinder could speak to the passenger, Driver Dinu obliged and after talking with the passenger via Driver Dinu’s mobile phone, they noticed that woman seemed confused and wanted to see her mother in Luton. It was at this point that they decided to call the police to assists this vulnerable person.

Just as the police arrived, CentreComm received a missing persons call from the police looking for an 82 year old Indian female in the Harrow Road area that was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Calling Driver Dinu back on his mobile phone, CentreComm spoke to the police officers on scene. It appeared that the female on Dinu’s bus was the missing person.

Commenting on this positive conclusion, Lee says “If it hadn’t been for Driver Dinu’s quick thinking and swift cooperation with CentreComm, we may not have had such a happy outcome for this woman. Driver Dinu’s actions in this situation are great examples of helping one of our customers in need. We can’t thank Driver Dinu enough for his assistance. He’s a credit to himself, Cricklewood Garage and Metroline.”

“Knowing there was a positive outcome for our customer is a great relief and we were all pleased that this ended the way it did. It really shows that no matter how busy things get for a driver, they have the ability to make a massive impact and difference for people’s lives, every day, every journey. Knowing Mr Ion Dinu and the kind of person he is and his caring and professional attitude, it came as no surprise to anyone at the garage that he was the driver involved, he is a credit to our garage and we are proud of him, especially in this instance where his actions made a real difference and we are very proud of him for receiving this award,” said Garage Manager Rodolfo Brusa.

Congratulations to Metroline’s Peter Noyes who celebrated a remarkable 50 years of service to the bus industry on Monday 11^th September 2017.

Peter initially joined London Transport on Monday 11^th September 1967 as a Trainee Schedule Compiler on a starting salary was £510 p.a, less than £10 per week! He established himself in the department and by 1979 was promoted to Deputy Section Leader for the Watling District Schedules Team which included regular visits to the Divisional Office at Cricklewood Garage. Recognising his experience and expertise, in 1982 he was seconded to London Transport International, spending 12 weeks working at the SBS Head Office on Braddell Road in Singapore. During this time Peter was part of the “Singapore Comprehensive Bus Study” that examined the industry in Singapore and recommended changes to scheduling procedures, he claims to still have the T-shirt from this visit.

When tendering of bus services in London commenced in 1985, the London Transport Schedules Office was de-centralised and Peter was transferred to the new Central Traffic Division at Euston, working for the new MD Peter Hendy. In 1989 when individual bus companies were created, he was promoted to Schedules Manager for London Northern. With the privatisation of bus companies in 1994, London Northern was acquired by MTL and in 1998 this was acquired by Metroline, where he then became Head of Planning and Tendering. When ComfortDelGro acquired Metroline in 2000, Peter was surprised to see acquaintances from his visit to Singapore 18 years previously, who all recognised him immediately.

With all the moving and changing in the industry, Peter notes that as his journey has changed over the years, his commute has increased to over 70 miles each way since 1998, which is approximately 33,000 miles each year, amounting to over 1,000,000 miles travelled to and from work (by train and bus) during the past 50 years!

At a special celebratory lunch held in Peter’s honour at Metroline’s Head Office, CEO Jaspal Singh noted, “Peter has immense experience and knowledge of our industry and has served London’s bus travelling public over the past 50 years with passion, dedication and professionalism. Thank you for your service and congratulations on reaching this milestone Peter.”

On 25 June, Driver Dinu was driving on the 332 route when he noticed that a female travelling alone was crying. When trying to find out why the woman was in distress, Driver Dinu realised that she did not speak English. Wasting no time Driver Dinu called Lee Jackson, CentreComm Operations Manager via a code red call on the iBus radio and asked for assistance. Lee knew that his colleague, Swinder Sethi, Real Time Passenger Information Officer spoke Hindi and Punjabi so he asked her to assist him.

Lee asked Driver Dinu if he could take his phone number so that Swinder could speak to the passenger, Driver Dinu obliged. After talking with the passenger via Driver Dinu’s mobile phone, Swinder and Lee noticed that she seemed confused and wanted to see her mother in Luton. It was at this point Lee decided to call the police as he thought she was a vulnerable person.

Just as the police arrived, CentreComm received a missing persons call from the police looking for an 82 year old Indian female in the Harrow Road area that was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Calling Driver Dinu back on his mobile phone, CentreComm spoke to the police officers on scene. It appeared that the female on Dinu’s bus was the missing person.

Commenting on this positive conclusion, Lee says “If it hadn’t been for Driver Dinu’s quick thinking and swift cooperation with CentreComm, we may not have had such a happy outcome for this woman. Driver Dinu’s actions in this situation are great examples of helping one of our customers in need. We can’t thank Driver Dinu enough for his assistance. He’s a credit to himself, Cricklewood Garage and Metroline.”

Congratulations to Tracey Palmer for winning the prestigious Accessibility Champion award at the 2017 London Bus Awards.  Tracey is well-known for being a caring, patient and compassionate driver and is a favourite with passengers and colleagues.   Moreover, she is a passionate advocate for older and disabled passenger transport accessibility and was appointed as the Holloway Garage Accessibility Champion to promote awareness of accessibility issues and help empower passengers to be more confident when using the bus.

Tracey was completely shocked, but delighted to receive this well deserved award and according to Garage Manager Fola Olawo-Jerome , she was the prefect choice as, “Tracey is always first to volunteer to support and participate in accessibility initiatives and really understands the responsibility of being a champion for accessibility; helping share information with customers to help improve their experience and build their confidence, as well as sharing information with colleagues so that they are making sure our services are accessible to all.”

Operations Manager Joannis Evlogimenos said “Tracey has an excellent understanding of the issues many older and disabled passengers experience and is always ready to help, and is a vocal advocate of safety and accessibility. She leads by example and brings passion, knowledge, experience and empathy to her role. Her commitment to empowering the lives of older and disabled passengers is a great example for us all and we are very proud of her, well done.”

 

Holloway driver Stan Davern has safely served Londoners for the last 38 years without ever being involved in a blameworthy collision. “Stan has received a host of commendations over the years, has an impeccable attendance record, and importantly doesn’t have a single blameworthy collision to his name,” says Metroline’s Head of Transport Safety, Ray Webb. Ray continues, “Stan reads the road well and no matter how busy it gets, he always keeps calm and in control. 38 years of safe driving is a remarkable achievement and we are delighted that he was awarded the Transport Safety Champion of the Year.”

This special award is sponsored by QBE and was presented earlier in the year at the Metroline Service Awards in recognition of Stan’s outstanding achievement.  “Winning this Award is a huge achievement and to mark this, Stan was recently treated to a very special meal at a restaurant of his choice, for him and his partner in London. Before they were wined and dined, they were whisked away by chauffeur for a truly memorable night out fitting of the occasion,” says Operations Manager John Evlogimenos who nominated Stan for the Award.

“I really enjoy driving, that’s why I’m still doing it,” says Stan,” but I couldn’t believe this, it was such a surprise to be recognised in this way. I would have been happy to have been given the day off, but to be taken out like this by the Company was such a surprise, it was really fantastic.”

Holloway’s Garage Manager Fola Olawo-Jerome notes that “Stan has exceptional performance and attendance records with MTS commendations for excellent performance. He is friendly, calm under pressure, professional and clearly a very safe driver, a great example of one of London’s best bus drivers and we are very proud of him.”

POTTERS BAR BUS GARAGE OPEN DAY: Saturday 22^nd July 2017, 10:30am – 4:00pm

Come along for a fun day out for all the family and enjoy buses from the 1950s and 60s up to the modern day, free rides on a selection of vintage buses over local routes and a variety of stalls selling transport memorabilia.

All proceeds go to charity

Admission will be by programme, priced £2.50, available on the day at the garage entrance.

High Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 5BE, Bus Routes 84, 242, 610 and PB1 pass the door