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• Newly rebuilt Brentford Bus Garage will house more than 100 buses across 8 routes serving London

• The garage is the result of a c.£19m investment by Metroline and parent company ComfortDelGro

Leading UK Bus Operator Metroline celebrated the opening of its newly rebuilt Brentford Bus Garage in West London. The new facility will be the home to more than 100 buses on 8 critical routes serving customers in some of London’s busiest areas including Piccadilly Circus, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush.

Built on the site of the old Brentford garage which dated back to the 1960s, the new garage opens as London’s newest and most impressive bus garage. The project has been jointly developed with partners including Waterside Place, McAleer & Rushe, and Gardiner and Theobald, and complements the redevelopment of the wider Brentford Lock West area.

Sitting on around 2.3 acres of land, the new site boasts bright and spacious interiors, providing a comfortable working environment for employees, with modern facilities for our Bus Drivers and Engineers to work and rest.

The new Brentford garage is the result of significant investment by Metroline and its parent company ComfortDelGro, with the whole project costing around £19m and is part of ComfortDelGro’s ongoing growth in the UK and Europe.

Highlighting its importance, the launch of the new Brentford Garage was attended by His Excellency Mr Ng Teck Hean, the High Commissioner for Singapore to the UK and ComfortDelGro’s Chairman Mark Greaves, who opened the garage in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Also in attendance were MD/Group CEO Cheng Siak Kian, ComfortDelGro Europe’s CEO Edward Thomas and Metroline’s CEO Sean O’Shea. Nick Owen, Director of Buses for Transport for London was also present.

ComfortDelGro Europe’s CEO Edward Thomas said “The extensive redevelopment of Brentford Bus Garage demonstrates the importance of Metroline to ComfortDelGro Europe‘s wider operations in the UK and Europe, which continues to grow across a range of transport sectors. By investing in the new garage and our employees, we are building on our successes to ensure we continue to deliver one of the UK’s best bus operations here in London and beyond.”

Speaking about the opening of the garage, Metroline CEO Sean O’Shea said “We are proud to open our new Brentford Bus Garage which provides a vital service to our customers in West London. The rebuilt garage has been modernised on every front and we are excited to provide our employees at Brentford with a new working environment that is at the heart of the redeveloped Brentford Lock community. This is truly a garage fit for the needs and challenges of the 21st century and is in the perfect position to serve as launchpad for London’s busiest routes for many years to come.”

Metroline employees are celebrating award success following a successful night at two major industry awards on 11^th July. At the London Bus Awards, an annual celebration organised by TfL in honour of the London Bus network’s best and brightest, Uxbridge’s Jack Kerner (as featured in the last issue of Your Voice) won the award for Outstanding Newcomer, whilst at the IRTE Skills Challenge Charles John Burrows and Laura Darbon took home the DVSA Inspection Technician Award and DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award respectively.

Jack Kerner is one of Metroline’s youngest new recruits having joined Uxbridge Garage at only age 18 in 2023. Jack has been a hit with the regulars on his route, having received two commendations from delighted customers on his routes. “I just want to say that the driver was so considerate on this bus,” said one happy customer.

Another passenger recalls: “I was shocked at how young the driver of the H13 bus looked. But I want to say how smartly dressed he was. He looks like he took pride in his appearance and his job. It is really nice to see a young man working hard and looking respectable. A great role model to others.”

Comments regarding Jack’s age are no surprise to him as he jokes that he is asked almost every day without fail, ‘are you old enough to drive?’  Uxbridge Operations Manager Susan Adel Villaverde, has only words of praise for him, stating “Jack has excelled, learning all the routes and is extremely helpful in the garage. Jack is very hardworking and has already shown an interest in furthering his career, which I have no doubt he will be successful in.”

Metroline brought a talented team to this year’s IRTE Skills Challenge, made up of Edmund Vaughn, Murat Bargiev, Jonathan Wilson, Ian Schmidt Jr, Eduardo Cretu, Benjamin Bark, Ismaeel Jaffar, and winners Charles Burrows and Laura Darbon. The Challenge saw remarkable displays of expertise and innovation, with participants showcasing their ability to solve complex mechanical issues as well as problem solve. The challenges were tougher than ever, incorporating the latest advancements in vehicle technology and diagnostics.

This is a great result for Charles Burrows, who was a runner up for the DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award in last year’s challenge, and has now won the DVSA Inspection Technician Award. Similarly, it is a significant result for Laura Darbon, who becomes Metroline’s first female recipient of an IRTE Award, as the winner of the DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award.

In addition, Metroline was nominated across three other categories at the London Bus Awards, with Uxbridge driver Harjinder Dhamu nominated for Outstanding Customer Service, Cricklewood mentor Filip Korycinski shortlisted for Safety Champion and Edgware Garage shortlisted in the Best Vehicle Care category, whilst the IRTE Skills Challenge saw two runner ups from Metroline; Ismaeel Jaffar in the Bodywork Apprentice category and Benjamin Bark in the Electric Driveline Apprentice.

Well done to all those who won awards and were shortlisted!

 

As part of Metroline’s Employee Survey campaign, every survey that was completed would result in £1 being donated to a charitable cause. Team Metroline delivered, raising a fantastic amount for those in need.

During our company survey we raised an impressive £2102 for our designated charity, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. On 29^th May we were invited to visit their centre in Barnet to see the amazing work they do and the support they provide to children and their families.

Chief Operating Officer, Steve Harris, was accompanied by Potters Bar Garage Manager James Wright, and Potters Bar Driver Vakkas Doldur to take a tour of the facility and learn a bit more about the charity’s work. Based in Barnet, Noah’s Ark provides expert and compassionate palliative care for over 350 children a year who have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. As James puts it, “The work Noah’s Ark carry out is truly inspiring. The environment they create is one of peace and happiness in a wider context of sadness and grief. The support they provide to children and their families, words cannot describe.”

Reflecting on his visit, Steve Harris noted, “For the families and children supported by Noah’s Ark in Barnet, it’s the little things that make a difference. It was wonderful to be invited to see the centre for ourselves and observe the fantastic staff and facilities supporting so many families, it does indeed bring a lump to your throat.”

Completed in 2019, the charity built the children’s hospice building, The Ark, which is set in a 7.5-acre nature reserve and carefully designed to meet the needs of children at different stages of their lives. “Walking amongst the wild meadow with the various memorials and seeing the many private spaces was truly a memorable experience that I will never forget,” Steve recalls. James echoed those sentiments: “Seeing the facility will be something that I will never forget. The range of activities for families, the picturesque grounds, the staff filled with positive energy and resilience in the face of trauma. The services they provide are wide ranging and are all centric around care and support for children and their families.”

Running the facility is no easy task and costs over £5 million a year to run their services, which is why our donation makes such a difference. We are in communication with the foundation to find further ways we can work with them and build a lasting relationship between Metroline and the Hospice. If you would like to find out more information about the charity or how you can get involved please visit their website at https://www.noahsarkhospice.org.uk/.

The 44^th London Marathon took place on Sunday 21^st April and once again saw over 45,000 people take part in the 26.2 mile-long course around some of the capital’s most famous landmarks. Among the runners this year was Metroline Holloway’s very own Graham Hunter, an Engineer who joined the company 7 years ago.

Graham is no stranger to marathons, he ran the London marathon in 2022, but this marathon had a poignant inspiration. Speaking to Your Voice before the marathon, Graham said “I’m running for Acorns Children’s Hospice in Worcester and a family friend, Jack, who sadly passed away in 2020. He’s sort of the guiding cause behind it.” Acorns Children’s Hospice offer a network of specialist palliative nursing care and support for local children and their families.

Despite his previous experience, no two marathons are the same, and so Graham had been hard at work training.“Plenty of long runs, plenty of eating and I get to go to Seville for a training camp”, he says. Graham’s not alone in his endeavour however, with a big group of his friends all coming together to help, in addition to help from the hospice as well. “They really weren’t surprised, they said it’s pretty you at this point in life!”

Supporting Acorns Children’s Hospice is understandably a cause very close to Graham’s heart. “It’s a very good children’s hospice based in Worcester. [My friend] Jack got life ending support from them, they help throughout all children’s lives, and they really do appreciate any donations you have.”

Despite the sometimes-challenging training regime, Graham hasn’t lost sight of what it’s all for. “It’s just to honour Jack’s name,” he says. “All the training runs have been tough, but I’ve been able to remember that this is for him and dig deep in honour of him and help the hospice as much as we can as they do wonderful things.”

The training has paid off: Graham was able to complete the Marathon in 2:51:47 and has raised £2,321 for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Service Controller Brothers Matthew Stoker of Potters Bar Garage and George Stoker of Cricklewood garage also took part in this year’s London Marathon, to raise money for Age UK. Age UK provides life-enhancing services and vital support to people in later life, many of whom live alone. With the help of many volunteers, Age UK are able to offer various services to make lives easier and less lonely.

Speaking about their fundraising, George says, “It is an honour to be representing and running for this charity in the London Marathon 2024. It has been a lifetime goal to do this and one to tick off the bucket list.”

“My own experience of seeing this wonderful charity in action was when I was at University and I had a chance to visit an activity centre in Kingston for a project I was working on. I have fond memories of some individuals who had great pleasure in telling me their own stories from their younger days,” he recalls

Service Delivery’s Matt Stoker and George Stoker also successfully completed the Marathon with a time of 4:16:35 and have raised a total of £4,309 for Age UK.

Metroline has played a pivotal part in the stories of many from across the world over the years. For Engineering Mechanic Maksym, it has been a job that has helped build a new life for him and his family after escaping the devastating conflict in Ukraine.

Originally from Kherson, a city that has seen significant fighting and bombardment during the conflict, Maksym, his wife and daughter were able to leave due to the UK’s Ukrainian Sponsorship Scheme. “My wife looked online and saw about the volunteers in UK who were sponsoring Ukrainians to come the UK,” he recalls. “We found someone and wrote him a message, got acquainted with him via video and they were happy to write an invitation. First came my wife and daughter and I followed 6 months later.”

Thanks to the hospitality of the host family, they were quickly able to settle. Hs wife has been able to start a business providing manicures and pedicures whilst his daughter, now 12 goes to school. Maksym, a mechanic back home, was quickly able to find work at Metroline thanks to the help of a friend and has now already worked here for a year. ““I like this company…everyone has welcomed me really well and I like repairing cars, bus, everything!” he says.

Even so, London’s buses have taken some getting used to. “In Ukraine buses are small, not too big, no double-deckers, all buses are diesel,” explains Maksym. It’s no surprise then that he prefers working on those more traditional mechanical vehicles, rather than the newer vehicles. “I prefer Volvos, Hydrogen no good!” he jokes.

Maksym is also very thankful for the help that the garage, particularly Engineering Manager Gareth Muckett, has given him. “This garage has a good manager, an amazing man. He helped me every time, I have questions for him, he helps every time,” Maksym says.

Gareth is happy to have been able to help, “Maksym is a good guy, and works hard. I’m glad we’ve been able to give him an opportunity to get away from a war-torn country and build a new life at Metroline.”

• Experienced Bus Operator Metroline will operate the Hyde Road, Sharston, Tameside and Wythenshawe franchises commencing 5 January 2025
• Represents a significant addition to the wider ComfortDelGro Group’s growing presence across the United Kingdom, which already includes operations in 23 different towns and cities

MANCHESTER, 28 March 2024 –Metroline Limited, a member of global land-transport group ComfortDelGro has been awarded contracts to operate four franchises in Greater Manchester by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

 

Metroline is the fourth largest scheduled bus operator in London and operates about 17 percent of the city’s scheduled bus services. It is part of ComfortDelGro’s wider operations in the UK, which include; Argyle Satellite, Adventure Travel, CityFleet Networks, Computer Cab, KingKabs, Scottish Citylink Coaches, Megabus and Westbus Coach Services. These companies operate in 23 different towns and cities, offering a comprehensive range of point-to-point and public transport solutions including buses, coaches, taxis, and private hire vehicles.

 

Once part of the Bee Network, people living in Greater Manchester will benefit from a more accountable service, with passengers able to rate their journey and levels of customer feedback in a way that will impact what operators get paid to run the services. Metroline has a proven track record of pioneering green technologies on buses and providing excellent customer service, with drivers regularly receiving commendations and industry awards. Passengers in Greater Manchester can expect a community focused service on Metroline’s buses on the Bee Network, when they enter operation in January.

 

ComfortDelGro’s Chief Executive Officer, Europe Business Unit, Mr Edward Thomas said “We are grateful for the trust placed in us by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and will work closely with all our stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition of services as we work towards delivering the Bee Network vision. We look forward to serving the community in the Greater Manchester area by providing a safe and reliable service, and an elevated passenger experience. We also look forward to being considered the preferred operator of choice across England and Wales.”

 

ComfortDelGro Chairman and Chairman of Metroline holding company Braddell Limited, Mr Mark Greaves said, “We are honoured to have been chosen to operate these franchises and proud to add these new successes to what has already been achieved in the UK. This win is a testament to our commitment to service quality and operational excellence, and will significantly expand our network, deepening our Group’s presence across the United Kingdom. This aligns with our broader strategy to strengthen and strategically grow our core public transportation and point-to-point businesses and solidify our reputation as the multi-modal transport operator of choice.”

 

 

 

Glen Kelly has proven himself one of the rising stars of Metroline’s Engineering team following his exceptional success at the IRTE Skills Challenge. A Coachmaker Based at CELF, Glen won best Bodywork Technician at the 2023 skills challenge, proving himself against engineers from different operators across the country and beyond.

The IRTE Skills Challenge is an annual competition taking place in Bristol for talented engineers in the Bus and Coach sectors. Over 35 teams of engineers from around the world take part and engage in a range of challenges to establish the best of the best.

Glen was challenged with numerous tasks designed to test the entrants to their full ability, including masking a car to demonstrate masking and painting preparation, and fixing a dented vehicle wing utilising skills such as filling and spraying and fiberglass identification. Glen also had to demonstrate welding, panel making and spraying followed by a written paper.

Despite the challenges, Glen did not feel the pressure, “Welding, spraying and panel making – multiple tasks into one thing. That’s what I enjoyed the most,” Glen recalled. “I thrive on taking stuff apart and then putting it back together. That’s what gives me a sense of achievement, gives me joy.”

Glen joined Metroline 2 years ago, the culmination of an apprenticeship and work with both light and heavy-duty vehicles over 5 years. On his decision to join, Glen recalls, “I thought let me try something else, and then I came here… I think I’ve found my niche.” For Glen, working with buses is continuing the family tradition – he follows in the footsteps of his father who was an engineer, and his grandfather who worked as a Bus Driver, “The old man was happy, he was chuffed to bits, my mum was proud as well – you never expect to win’ says Glen.

Most days Glen can be found in CELF making panels and keeping a watchful eye over his apprentice as he trains the next generation of coachmakers. He is always keen to remind his apprentice to ask for help and tells them, “Be proud of your work. Always do something to the book, and always make it look the best that you can because it represents the way you work as a person, and it represents you as a whole. My advice would be if you come in, go for it, don’t be afraid and always do your best. You can’t go wrong by doing your best can you?”

Metroline is taking part in the nationwide Women in Bus and Coach initiative, launched to create a national network that encourages, represents, supports and retains women and is backed by Transport for London. Despite progress made in hiring women into bus and coach, women still only make up 10% of employees in our industry. At an inaugural meeting in 2023, women from Bus operators across London were invited to an event where senior figures from each participating company made a commitment to taking steps to improving the industry for women.

In November, a Parliamentary event took place to celebrate the launch of the initiative, attended by bus and coach industry representatives alongside MPs from all sides of the political spectrum. Speakers at the event reaffirmed the need to ensure a continuous focus on issues surrounding support and retention of women in the industry and to stop women from being pushed to the background.

There was a particular emphasis on facilities, menopause, mental health, flexibility in working times and how women can be better attracted to the industry. Metroline has already started taking positive steps, launching a survey for female employees and trialing free sanitary products in female bathrooms at pilot sites across the business. Work has also begun on a recruitment campaign aimed at engaging women who are thinking of joining the industry and dispelling myths by speaking to women from across Metroline.

Deputy Head of Transport Safety Anna Tkaczyk, who is leading the Women in Bus and Coach project for Metroline, said: “This is a significant step towards improving gender equality and inclusivity across the whole industry, and I’m pleased to say that Metroline is taking a proactive role. As a woman who has been in the bus industry for over a decade, it has not always been an easy ride, and it’s encouraging to see that action is being taken to help to create a better working experience for women.”

 

Having paved the way for zero emissions with 2 electrified garages, the first double deck electric buses in London and end-to-end electric routes, this year saw the electrification of Edgware and the commencement of works at Willesden Junction. With Cricklewood and Perivale set to follow in the near future, landmark electric vehicle orders from Volvo, and the launch of London’s 1000^th Electric Vehicle on a Metroline route, 2023 was a big year for electrification at Metroline.

 

The road to electrification at Edgware was a challenging one, but the power was finally switched on in April, with 28 chargers standing ready to power Edgware’s new fleet of electric buses, made up of the familiar Enviro400EVs which have already proven themselves at Holloway, as well as the Wright StreetDeck Electroliner. The Route 142 between Brent Cross and Watford was the first electric route from Edgware on the road, followed by the Route 204 several months later.

 

At Willesden Junction, the installation of infrastructure for use of electric vehicles is progressing with the first 12 chargers in place, and work planned to connect the main power grid to the transformers in the near future. Once works are complete in the first few months of 2024, Willesden Junction will see a number electric routes operating from the garage, with vehicles already beginning to arrive.

 

Elsewhere, improvements are being made to existing garages, with new chargers for Potters Bar for the new electric Route 384 buses activated this month, and future works to further improve capacity at both Potters Bar and Holloway set to take place next year. Finally works at Perivale and Cricklewood are set to begin next year, bringing the number of electric garages to 6 by the end of 2024.

 

With 164 electric buses in the fleet and counting, Metroline is fast becoming the operator of choice for electric and zero-emissions vehicles. 2024 is set to bring even more milestones for Metroline in bringing greener travel to our customers.

 

Find out more about Sustainability at Metroline.

Since 2004 Brentford Bus Garage has been a key part of Metroline, being the launchpad for buses serving Central London via Hammersmith as well as Heathrow, Hounslow. The aging site dating back to the 1960s has long been in need of modernisation to meet the demands of London’s modern bus network.

 

In 2022, that modernisation commenced with an ambitious project to build a brand new bus garage fit for the 21^st century whilst maintaining operation of bus services at a temporary site next door. The significance of the project is not lost on Alix Butler, Zero Emission Transformation Manager, who also oversaw the electrification of Edgware and Willesden Junction Garages. “This project has been on the table for 10 years,” Alix notes. “There’s a huge residential and commercial drive in the Brentford Lock West area, and we want our transportation services to complement this growth.”

 

Despite the logistical obstacles that such a project entails, Alix had nothing but praise for the Brentford Garage team who rose to the challenge during the move to the temporary facilities; “Moving over to the temporary site wasn’t easy. It’s the team behind us, the operations team, the engineering team, and the drivers have done a great job in keeping it all running. They’ve worked together and really brought this to life.”

 

The new Brentford Garage is set to be a fantastic place to work, poised to house over 100 vehicles, and seven routes, including the iconic Route 9 from January—a direct link to Central London. This continued investment in infrastructure is part of our ongoing commitment to both our people, passengers and the local community that we serve.

Metroline is home to one of the largest and most successful engineering apprenticeship schemes in London, with apprentices going on to become Master Technicians and even Engineering Managers. It’s a success story that it is hoped to be replicated in other areas such as IT and administration.

The engineering apprenticeship is a five-year program that leads to a Level 3 NVQ qualification in bus and coach engineering. Wayne Ellis, Metroline’s Training and Development Manager oversees the scheme and the future plans for it, “I oversee apprenticeships across the business. We’re expanding into various fields, not just engineering. My role ensures our apprenticeship programs run smoothly, supporting managers and apprentices throughout.”

Metroline’s college partnerships are pivotal. “Most colleges offer some bus and coach apprenticeships, but it’s a niche. We work with Total People and have recently finalised a partnership with Uxbridge College,” Wayne revealed.

The rigorous training process puts apprentices at the fast-moving centre of Metroline’s day-to-day engineering activity. This gives them the skills and experience they need to keep London moving, and puts them in the company of the best in the country early in their careers. A recent example of engineering excellence created by the apprenticeship scheme was seen at this year’s IRTE Skills Challenge in Birmingham. “Our apprentices and technicians face practical scenarios, online tests, and theoretical assessments. Joe David a former apprentice, clinched victory this year, showcasing our program’s success,” Wayne proudly stated.

Fifth year apprentice Ashley Foster shares the positive impact the scheme has had on him: “It’s a great experience. You meet a lot of people in different garages and work with all sorts of people. It is great for developing people’s skills. For somebody that is considering an apprenticeship here, I’d say go for it. Once you’re open to learning, you’ll enjoy it.”

Metroline is committed to shaping the future, and the apprenticeship scheme plays a crucial role.

 

 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Edgware Garage earlier to celebrate London’s 1000th Electric Bus.

He met with CEO Sean O’Shea, Garage Manager Leroy Webley and the Edgware Team and was shown around the specially wrapped 1000th bus by London Bus Awards nominee Raluca Tilihoi. Speaking about the success of electric buses, the Mayor said, “London has a world-class public transport network and our zero emission bus fleet is setting the standard for others to follow.”

Before the event started, Driver Tilihoi commented on how nervous she was having to demonstrate the bus for the Mayor, TV camera crews and almost 50 journalists, saying, “it’s really a bit nerve wracking, but I’m ready.” However, our driver did a cracking job and it was clear that all of the invited guests had a great time.

Sean O’Shea, CEO, Metroline, said: “The 1000th electric bus is a significant milestone in the decarbonisation of London and the bus network. Metroline is proud to operate more than 100 electric vehicles across a number of routes with more to follow, transporting tens of thousands of Londoners each day on zero emission vehicles.”

A special thanks and well done to the Edgware team for their hard work in getting the garage ready for the visit.