Thousands of tourists travelling to Bristol by train this spring will be able to enjoy free onward travel to anywhere in Bristol, as part of a trial scheme designed to show that customers value integrated transport solutions.

During the three-month trial, the First SuperBus ticket will give First Great Western customers travelling to Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway, and spending more than £25 on their ticket, free return bus travel to anywhere in the city. Tickets will cover more than 20 bus routes operated by FirstGroup, and will be available from April 1 – June 30 this year.

Transport operator FirstGroup has developed SuperBus with VisitEngland, which launched its Strategic Framework for Tourism for the next decade in London earlier this week. If the Bristol trial is successful, the Group plans to develop the scheme for other cities served by its rail network.

Train Operator of the Year, First Great Western will be offering SuperBus to customers buying tickets over £25 from booking offices or through its telephone booking team on 08457 000 125. For railcard holders, who receive up to 1/3 off their rail journeys, eligibility for the ticket will be based on the full un-discounted fare, rather than the full £25.

VisitEngland Chief Executive Officer James Berresford welcomed the trial. He said: “This is an innovative solution for integrated transport that supports travel for people visiting Bristol, and the thousands of businesses and employees that rely on the £750m that tourism generates in the city each year.

“If it is successful, we hope other transport operators across the country will follow FirstGroup’s lead.”

First Great Western Managing Director, Mark Hopwood said: “Integrated transport is what our customers want, so we are testing this new offer for a three month period at two of our key stations in the region.

“We want to prove to the whole of the transport sector that tickets like SuperBus are a great deal for customers, a great deal for the cities involved and a great deal for the transport operators. We’ll be looking carefully at how customers receive this product during the trial period, and we’ll use that information to develop it further.”

First Bristol, Somerset and Avon Managing Director, Justin Davies said: “Given the reputation Bristol has of being a city of innovation with a strong interest in environmental issues the introduction of the SuperBus ticket is a great opportunity to extend and enhance its reputation further.

“The many people who travel to Bristol by train will now have an improved option to continue their journeys by the wide range of local bus services that serve all parts of the city.”

Ends

For further details please contact the First Great Western Press Office on 0845 410 4444.

Notes to editors:

The SuperBus ticket will be valid on the following services.

Bristol Temple Meads:1,8,9,20,51,54,54A,57,67,70,462,462A,500,902,903,904,U1.
Bristol Parkway: 517,518,581,312,318,319.
Services to Bristol International Airport are NOT included as part of this trial.

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FirstGroup delivers free bus travel for Bristol rail visitors this spring

Larbert man Mike Hamilton is to cycle 977 miles for a charity trying to find a cure for type 1 diabetes which strikes children and adults suddenly and lasts a lifetime.

The fundraising effort follows his six-year-old nephew Jack being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease – just days after a work colleague found out her son had the same condition.

Mike (53), of Acorn Crescent, will cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End in a tribute to the Juvenlile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for its help and support to both boys and their families since beginning their treatment.

The challenge will begin on Wednesday 5 May, with Mike cycling 70-80 miles a day – unsupported – before reaching Lands End on or around 17 May.

Mike, a ScotRail station team manager – based at Kirkcaldy, has received a boost from his company’s parent group even before even turning a wheel.

Transport giant FirstGroup has donated £1,000 over and above the £750 he has already raised.

Mike said: “Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can be traumatic – especially for young kids like Jack. The foundation has been a great support to Jack and his parents as well as many other families going through the same thing.”

He added, of his fundraising: “I just hope to raise as much money as possible – and to make people aware of the foundation’s work. The donation from FirstGroup has got me off to a brilliant start.”

The Aberdeen-based JDRF funds research to try and find a cure for type 1 diabetes – a chronic, debilitating and life threatening condition which requires sufferers to administer daily insulin injections.

Lisa McCartney, regional development manager for JDRF Scotland, said: “We are really touched that Mike has chosen to take on this incredible challenge to raise funds for the JDRF.”

She added: “The donation from First Group is a fantastic boost to his campaign. All the money raised will go towards funding the vital research needed to find the cure for type 1 diabetes and its devastating complications. We wish Mike the very best of luck!”

Avril Gill, FirstGroup‘s marketing manager, Group Brand, said: “The support offered by the JDRF is vitally important to so many families.

“We are often on the look out for opportunities to help worthy organisations like this one and are delighted to help.”

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LARBERT MAN TAKES ON CHARITY CYCLING CHALLENGE

Glasgow man Tony McLean is to run the London Marathon in aid of Bliss – the special care baby charity.

His fundraising is a special tribute to the charity after his fiancé received help from Bliss when – on a break in London – their son Alfie was born three months’ prematurely.

Alfie suffered bleeds to his brain and chronic lung disease, and nursing staff at St Thomas’ Hospital recommended Bliss to help his parents through the traumatic experience.

Tony, a 24-year-old HR administrator with train operator ScotRail, will run the marathon on Sunday 25 April.

His fundraising has already been boosted by a £2,000 donation from Aberdeen-based FirstGroup, parent company of ScotRail.

Tony, of Drumreoch Place, Toryglen, said: “Bliss was brilliant. They gave us advice and arranged accommodation in London as well as funding life saving equipment to help Alfie.”

He added: “Thanks to its help, we have a happy, healthy baby boy now 15-months-old. That’s why I’m running the marathon. I hope to raise £2,500, and the donation from FirstGroup means I’m almost there.”

Bliss provides vital support and care to premature babies as well as guidance and support to their families across the UK.

It also funds ground-breaking research into the best possible care for babies regardless of when and where they are born.

Hannah Patterson, the charity’s events officer at Bliss, was delighted that Tony has almost hit his target months before he even leaves the start line in London.

She said: “The donation from FirstGroup is very generous. It is only with the fantastic support of fundraisers like Tony that Bliss is able to ensure that more of our most vulnerable babies have the best possible start in life.”

Avril Gill, FirstGroup‘s marketing manager, Group Brand, said: “The support offered by the staff and volunteers at Bliss is vitally important to so many families across the UK.

“We are often on the look out for opportunities to help worthy organisations like this one and are delighted to help.”

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GLASGOW MAN WINS GENEROUS DONATION FOR BLISS

A team of students has been named Volunteer Group of the Year for their efforts to help improve the passenger experience at First Great Western stations in Devon and Cornwall.

First Group’s Chief Executive, Sir Moir Lockhead and First Great Western’s Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, surprised students at Liskeard station, when they presented them with a certificate to mark their efforts, including painting signal boxes, weeding and planting bulbs in time for spring.

As well as making local branch line stations more inviting to customers, First Great Western’s Regional Manager for the West of England, Julian Crow, says their work is one of the factors that has helped achieve a record 18 per cent growth on the Devon and Cornwall branch lines so far this year.

He said: “It’s wonderful to see these young people coming along to volunteer. Whatever the weather they put on their gardening gloves and arm themselves with paint brushes to help spruce up the stations. We are very grateful for all the work they have done to help improve the local rail lines.”

The University works closely with the North Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to encourage community based activities in the area.

Partnership Development Officer, Rebecca Catterall, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the students got the recognition they deserve for the amazing activities and projects they’ve been running over the past three years. They have showed dedication and commitment to improving branch line stations for the benefit of the local community.”

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Students help boost rail travel in Devon and Cornwall

The restoration has begun of a famous Scottish steam engine brought home from South Africa after more than 60 years.

The work is being carried out by Eura Conservation, renowned for its conservation of “historic and culturally-valuable metal artefacts” and by a Glasgow Museums conservation and collections’ team.

Six engineering apprentices from ScotRail, the train operator, will also work on the steam engine – and gain a unique insight into the heritage of their chosen careers.

The apprentices, based at ScotRail’s maintenance depots in Haymarket, Edinburgh and Corkerhill, Glasgow have been split into two teams of three.

Each will work for three months on the “Mountain Class” engine which was designed and built in Glasgow for South Africa’s harsh terrain and vast distance.

Their secondment is part of a sponsorship package by FirstGroup which brought Locomotive 3007 home and will see it put on display at the new Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde scheduled for opening in 2011.

The locomotive – which pulled the renowned Blue Train from Johannesburg to Cape Town until 1988 when mothballed – is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of British engineering and a pinnacle of more than 100 years or railway technology.

Its restoration is taking place at the Transport and Technology Workshop at the recently expanded Glasgow Museums Resource Centre in Nitshill, Glasgow.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “Our apprentices are delighted to be conserving part of Scotland’s proud engineering heritage. The locomotive’s return to Glasgow will give new generations the chance marvel at this wonderful example of the rail revolution Scotland gave to the world.”

He added: “Glasgow’s transport collections are of international importance and it is fitting that the Mountain Class locomotive will be at the heart of the new museum.”

Bailie Liz Cameron, Chair of Culture and Sport Glasgow, said:” The conserved locomotive will be one of the most talked about exhibits at the Riverside Museum when it opens in 2011.

“The collaboration between FirstGroup, Eura and Glasgow Museums will provide the apprentices with a unique opportunity to work on an exhibit that continues to tell the story of Glasgow’s rich industrial heritage and which will be enjoyed by visitors to the museum for decades to come.”

Eura Conservation Ltd said it was proud to have been commissioned to undertake the conservation of “one of the largest objects ever acquired by Glasgow Museums.”

Project director Richard Baister said: “The whole team is looking forward to delivering the museum’s vision for the locomotive.”

Conservator Cabe Rice said: “It will be a privilege to work on such a high-profile conservation project.”

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Scottish steam engine on track

A Renfrewshire man has been fundraising in aid of a centre for children with developmental difficulties.

And now his efforts have been boosted with a £1,500 donation from First Group, the parent company of ScotRail where he works as a driver manager.

Billy, of Hillpark Avenue, Paisley, has been raising funds – along with colleagues – for the High Valleyfield Child Development Centre in Dunfermline.

Their efforts follow a campaign started by driver Craig Ireland after his daughter contracted meningitis.

The centre provides specialist resources for young children in the Dunfermline and West Fife area with complex needs, including sensory impairment, physical and behavioural difficulties.

A much needed upgrade of the centre’s sensory room is to be carried out – and the funds will go towards equipment.

Billy said: “The centre was a tremendous help to Craig’s daughter during her recovery and many ScotRail staff have taken part in activities such as walking the West Highland Way in appreciation of its work.”

He added: “It means a lot to be able to contribute to a facility that will help more children in a similar position in the future and I’m grateful to FirstGroup for their help.”

Pat Warren, a representative of High Valleyfield, said: “We delighted to have received such a substantial donation to help us upgrade our existing sensory room.

“It is an invaluable aid for the development of the children we support and the upgrade has been on the cards for some time. Thanks to FirstGroup, we can now go ahead with the project.”

Avril Gill, FirstGroup‘s Marketing Manager, Group Brand, commented: “The work carried out by the staff at High Valleyfield provides vital support to many children and their families. We are delighted to help.  We are often on the look out for opportunities to help worthy organisations like this one.”

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Renfrewshire man’s boost for children’s centre

Wemyss Bay Station has been named as the Best Adopted Station in Scotland by Passenger Focus, the independent passenger watchdog.

The 2009 award follows the Friends of Wemyss Bay transforming three rooms for community use on the station concourse.

The rooms were surplus to station requirements. The Friends have:

• Created a second-hand bookshop that trades six days a week to raise funds to further reinvigorate the station

• Opened a gallery which now houses an exhibition called “Action Stations” on station adoption successes, and:

• Reintroduced floral displays for which the station was once so famous.

The Friends’ work – via ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme which aims to put stations at the heart of communities – has now been recognised by Passenger Focus.

The Best Adopted Station 2009 certificate will be presented on Thursday 22 October to Nancy Cameron, chairman of the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station, by Robert Samson, Passenger Focus link manager.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, will also attend as part of a week-long tour of the network on the fifth anniversary of FirstGroup being awarded the Scottish rail franchise.

He said: “ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme seeks to put stations at the heart of their communities – and the Friends have certainly taken Wemyss Bay Station to their hearts.

“They have made remarkable progress since holding their first event in April. They are returning the station to the floral magnificence for which it was once famed.

Robert Samson said: “The Friends are to be congratulated for making full use of surplus accommodation and also for reintroducing gardening.

“We have been impressed by how the group has engaged with rail industry stakeholders – for example by encouraging Network Rail to embark on its present programme of repairs which is supported by the Railway Heritage Trust.”

Earlier this year, the Friends’ work was praised in a Parliamentary motion by Stuart McMillan MSP.

It reads: “That the Parliament welcomes the work being carried out by the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station who are a newly formed group of volunteers with a keen interest in and admiration for Wemyss Bay station; notes that the group has been granted the use of the empty accommodation at the station to use as a heritage site, and further notes that the group plans to collect and display photographs of the station in its Edwardian prime and has reintroduced floral displays as a reminder of the days when the station was famous for its displays of potted plants and hanging baskets.”

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Wemyss Bay Station named Best Adopted Station

A Kilmarnock man pushed himself to the limit – and beyond – during the First Iron Monster Challenge on the shores of Loch Ness.

David Ridout, a ScotRail station team manager based at Ayr Station, was eventually forced to retire – after completing two-thirds of the 120km course and suffering two calf strains and a groin strain.

But he had two consolations.

First, he watched his sons complete the gruelling duathlon – the equivalent of running a marathon and cycling twice as far.

Second, he met Gavin Hastings, the Grand Slam winner and British Lions captain – and model Nell McAndrew.

David, 59, said: “The event was fantastic. It was disappointing to retire before the finishing line, but I gave it my best shot.

“My boys did brilliantly. We’re planning to come back next year for the team relay event but will leave the Iron Monster to others!”

David had joined 27 other superfit iron athletes – including sons Darren, 29, and Calum, 19 – for the 40km run and 80km cycle.

The family raised £700 for Save the Children, the charity partners of FirstGroup which hosted and organised the Monster Challenge.

Darren finished in 11 hours and 6 minutes and Calum completed the course in 11 hours, 48 minutes.

Darren, in fifteenth place, said of the event earlier this month: “I’m still buzzing from the event. It was the toughest challenge I’ve ever taken on.

“We didn’t appreciate the number of hills on the course and the mountain bike leg was horrendous. But it was worth it to get to the finish line.”

Calum said: “I’m pretty experienced on the bike but had never run more than 10km before and so I surprised myself by completing the entire 40km running leg.

“I had a great time – and meeting Nell McAndrew and Gavin Hastings was my highlight.”

Nell and Gavin had joined 1,100 competitors for the four-strong team relay event and their “Beauty and Beasts’” team finished ninth overall.

Nell, who was competing for the third consecutive year, said: “It was great fun, very well organised and had a tremendous atmosphere.”

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AYSHIRE FAMILY IN MONSTER CHALLENGE

TWO charities have each received £1000 – the prizes won by ScotRail’s safety team in an awards’ competition.

The donations went to Alzheimer Scotland and the Meningitis Trust.

The ScotRail team won two awards at the annual safety awards held by parent company FirstGroup, with the £1000 prizes going to the charities of its choice.

ScotRail’s head of safety, Shayne Broad, said: “We’re delighted that our success enabled us to help two worthy charities based in Scotland.

“They both do outstanding work, and were obvious choices for the team for a number of reasons.”

The Meningitis Trust was chosen, for example, following its support after the daughter of an Edinburgh-based driver took ill on contracting the virus.

Other ScotRail staff are currently raising more funds for meningitis organisations, including 10 managers climbing Ben Nevis and Ben Lomond in two days.

Robert Plant, ScotRail’s operational standards manager, nominated Alzheimer Scotland as a beneficiary as the condition has affected a member of his family.

The cheques were handed over to charity representatives at the train operator’s Glasgow headquarters.

Sarah Burgess and Isabel Kaplin, from Alzheimer Scotland, and Kerry Ross, of the Meningitis Trust, were delighted at receiving the donations.

Sarah said: “Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s leading dementia charity, we provide services and support at over 60 sites across the country. This donation will make a real difference to the lives of people with dementia and their families.

“We’re very grateful to ScotRail for their generosity in supporting our work.”

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ScotRail safety team supporting Scottish charities

HAWKS SET TO WAGE WAR ON GULLS AT FIRSTGROUP’S HEADQUARTERS

FirstGroup, the Aberdeen based transport giant, announced today that hawks it had employed to rid its King Street headquarters and bus depot of gulls have been called back for a second tour of duty.

Three hawks were previously employed by First for six weeks last spring. The construction of First’s new global headquarters and bus depot had disturbed many of the seagulls, making them an increased nuisance and potential safety hazard.

99% of the estimated 250 gulls had disappeared by the time the hawks finished their stint working for the UK’s largest transport operator. However, the migratory habits of the gulls have seen many return to their birthplace, namely First’s King Street headquarters and bus depot.

This year Rentokil’s newest employees, hawks Jack and Jill, will be visiting the site to deter the gulls.

Jayne Maclennan, Director of Property at First, said: “We were extremely pleased that our hawks were able to complete their mission so successfully last year. Unfortunately and as expected, the gulls have returned to nest again. We want our staff to be able to work in a safe environment without the nuisance of gulls and so we are unleashing our secret weapons once again!”

She added: “Given that the hawks did such a good job in 2008, I’m confident they will clear the site of gulls again. Their presence, combined with the netting that will be placed on the roofs of the new headquarters and bus depot, should provide a permanent solution to the problem.”

Pest control firm Rentokil handles the hawks. Mick McGrath, Rentokil’s Bird Development Manager for Scotland and the North of England, said: “Last year the hawks successfully displaced all of the nesting gulls at First during the breeding season and their presence helped to ensure a safer working environment for First employees, the general public and the construction workers. The hawks will be on site twice a week for an initial six week period to deter the remaining gulls.”

Jack and Jill were bred in Scotland, although South America is their native land. The Lifespan for the hawks is approximately six years in the wild, although in captivity they can expect to live for around 12 years.

Work on First’s new headquarters and bus depot will be completed later this year. Approximately 200 people will be located at the new headquarters and around 500 people based at the new bus depot. In total the site covers over eight acres.

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FirstGroup Employ Hawks to Remove Gulls