Newport has ‘best bus drivers in the world’ (From South Wales Argus)
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Newport has ‘best bus drivers in the world’
3:27pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in Gwent news
WORLD BEATING: Newport bus drivers Harmesh Chand at the wheel
NEWPORT is home to some of the best bus drivers in the world according to a review by driver behaviour specialists GreenRoad.
Ten Newport bus drivers have been recognised among the world’s very best following an assessment of more than 71,000 drivers across the globe.
GreenRoad assessed drivers on the scores they achieved for driving over the last 12 months.
The assessment included all types of HGV and PCV drivers from countries including America, Germany, Belgium and Canada.
GreenRoad is an eco-driving system, which allows drivers to monitor how they are performing through special sensors fitted to their vehicles. These sensors report on each of the driver’s manoeuvres and through a red, amber and green light system on their dashboard tell them whether they are driving too harsh or too quickly.
The system has allowed Newport Bus to reduce the amount of fuel it uses through more economical driving.
Hundreds of companies across the world use GreenRoad and each year it measures how more than 71,000 participating drivers have performed, with the top 5 per cent joining its prestigious Fleet Elite.
Newport Bus drivers Andy Watt, Royston Moon, Harmesh Chand, Kevin Smith, Paul Orum, Mark Howells, Krzysztof Kwarcianny, David Daniell, Raymond Steven and Gary Wong have all been recognised as being in the elite group.
Managing director, of Newport Transport Scott Pearson said: "This is such a fantastic achievement for all the drivers concerned. To be recognised amongst the world’s best is something very special indeed.
"We introduced GreenRoad technology to our buses so that we could reduce our CO2 emissions and make our buses even more enjoyable to travel in. The fact our bus drivers have been recognised in this way is a privilege we are very proud of."
Andy Cozens, GreenRoad Senior Consultant, said: "It really is a tremendous achievement for the drivers who achieved the fleet Elite status at Newport Bus.
"It’s been just over 12 months since the launch of the system at the company and to maintain the incredibly demanding scores required to achieve the Fleet Elite standard, in what is one of the most demanding types of driving environments, demonstrates how skilled these drivers are.
"They are amongst the very best, which is something they should be very proud of."
Comments(28)
lowandhardandinthecorner
says...
4:04pm Tue 26 Feb 13
It's always fun to see the look on non - locals faces when us Newportonians say " thanks drive' " when we get off, they are amazed that we bother to thank the driver.
Keep up the good work lads.
jonathan25
says...
4:57pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Teacher1977
says...
5:57pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Dave on his Soapbox
says...
6:37pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Regularly their buses get in the left hand lane marked for Lyne Road (McDonalds)……yet come around in the outside lane that is there for traffic coming from the direction of the M4…..towards the Old Green roundabout….headin
g back to the bus depot.
sugar2002ukuk
says...
6:39pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Mr Bump. wrote:Wow such a sweeping statement for such a large amount of drivers you must use the bus a lot.
They are the most miserable group of people i have to endure, as i go about my daily buisness. Cheer up Newport Bus Drivers, please.
pwharley
says...
7:54pm Tue 26 Feb 13
He was always willing to assist passengers with their bags when they got on or off the bus.
You can now find him on the City Circular routes 4 and 5!
mark656
says...
8:03pm Tue 26 Feb 13
mvaone
says...
9:25pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Severn40
says...
9:19am Wed 27 Feb 13
One major grumble, if any, is that services drop off after 6pm. This is a pain if you are working and don't leave work before 6pm.
Llanmartinangel
says...
9:55am Wed 27 Feb 13
jonathan25 wrote:Indeed. Until someone organises a contest for councillor's with the lowest IQ but still able to breathe unsupervised. We'd be front runner for that too.
I think Newport would take being the best at anything right now!
smokintheweed
says...
10:11am Wed 27 Feb 13
Severn40 wrote:They are a business. Demand drops after rush-hour so they would be losing money ferrying you around whenever you want.
All in all, I do think Newport Bus provides a very good service. The new double deckers are particularly nicely finished. Compare that with the standard Stagecoach offering.
One major grumble, if any, is that services drop off after 6pm. This is a pain if you are working and don't leave work before 6pm.
On the whole though the service offered is more than adequate.
Lliswerry Man
says...
10:41am Wed 27 Feb 13
I do however disagree with smokeintheweed, they are a business yes to provide a service for the residents of the CITY, but not all residents are fortunate to have the same services provided by them, in a time when Governments and Local Councils are telling us to use Public Transport its a bit of a farce comment in certain parts of Newport, whose last bus is 6pm, so for a LOT of us who live in these areas we just add to the daily congestion, as we have no choice but to take a car or car share as some of us do. The Buses need to "recheck" their routes and test how many people would use the services... when was the last time they checked, especially now when Newport is becoming an almost 24/7 set up... the buses are lacking and not keeping up with the demand. Maybe an opportunity for some private enterprise here.
smokintheweed
says...
10:53am Wed 27 Feb 13
Lliswerry Man wrote:They are a business and their business is making money. They do not owe you anything. They will do you no favours and nor do I expect them to.
Agree with the poster above who says we say Cheers Driver or Thanks,and in the whole they are a great bunch of drivers.
I do however disagree with smokeintheweed, they are a business yes to provide a service for the residents of the CITY, but not all residents are fortunate to have the same services provided by them, in a time when Governments and Local Councils are telling us to use Public Transport its a bit of a farce comment in certain parts of Newport, whose last bus is 6pm, so for a LOT of us who live in these areas we just add to the daily congestion, as we have no choice but to take a car or car share as some of us do. The Buses need to "recheck" their routes and test how many people would use the services... when was the last time they checked, especially now when Newport is becoming an almost 24/7 set up... the buses are lacking and not keeping up with the demand. Maybe an opportunity for some private enterprise here.
displayed
says...
1:51pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Cant say I've noticed!!
KarmaSuitsYa
says...
3:27pm Wed 27 Feb 13
I reverted back to being a car user last year because I couldn't run my life around one of the worst services I've ever come across in the whole of the uk.
Goldy_Lookin_Clart
says...
3:43pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Anyhows if you had to drive our nippers and workshy around town , you wouldnt be all smiles like.
All in all , well done boyz and girls
heresphil
says...
5:12pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Well done to the drivers who I always find friendly and helpful.
Although if NCC contemplate selling off the bus company (which may be a financial necessity in the next two or three years) it remains to be seen how long this state of affairs lasts.
Severn40
says...
5:19pm Wed 27 Feb 13
smokintheweed wrote:I fully understand the fact they are a business and run services in the evening and on Sunday when companies such as Stagecoach wouldn't even think about it without public subsidy. My point is that if you finish at 5-30pm (which is quite common), the 6pm threshold makes the bus less convenient. I think a 6-30pm threshold would work for those on standard employment hours.
Severn40 wrote: All in all, I do think Newport Bus provides a very good service. The new double deckers are particularly nicely finished. Compare that with the standard Stagecoach offering. One major grumble, if any, is that services drop off after 6pm. This is a pain if you are working and don't leave work before 6pm.They are a business. Demand drops after rush-hour so they would be losing money ferrying you around whenever you want. On the whole though the service offered is more than adequate.
Winston0909
says...
6:45pm Wed 27 Feb 13
lowandhardandinthecoLowandhardandintheco
rner wrote:
Rubbish Mr Bump, I've always found them an ok bunch.
It's always fun to see the look on non - locals faces when us Newportonians say " thanks drive' " when we get off, they are amazed that we bother to thank the driver.
Keep up the good work lads.
rner, spot on. I moved to london a few years back from newport and still say 'thanks drive' when getting off the bus, i get some strange looks mind
Serpent_terror
says...
2:20pm Thu 28 Feb 13
philgwent
says...
8:52pm Fri 1 Mar 13
hpj123
says...
8:10am Sun 3 Mar 13
Llanmartinangel
says...
11:13am Sun 3 Mar 13
Winston0909 wrote:'Thanks drive'? How the long winter evenings must simply fly by.
lowandhardandinthecoLowandhardandintheco
rner wrote:
Rubbish Mr Bump, I've always found them an ok bunch.
It's always fun to see the look on non - locals faces when us Newportonians say " thanks drive' " when we get off, they are amazed that we bother to thank the driver.
Keep up the good work lads.
rner, spot on. I moved to london a few years back from newport and still say 'thanks drive' when getting off the bus, i get some strange looks mind
LouisHumphrey
says...
7:58pm Sun 3 Mar 13
Carrot's
says...
5:56pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Big Bus Driver
says...
7:22pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Carrot's wrote:It would be a lot worse for us drivers if you did use the service, having you on a bus would wipe the smile from any driver.
Thank goodness I don't have cause to use public transport - it sounds absolutely ghastly.
Llanmartinangel
says...
11:58am Tue 5 Mar 13
Carrot's wrote:I tried one once in Oxford when my car got locked in a car park. Did you know there is no first class?
Thank goodness I don't have cause to use public transport - it sounds absolutely ghastly.
Mr Bump. says...
3:56pm Tue 26 Feb 13