Praise where praise is due

 

A Stagecoach bus to Heysham that wasn't cancelled!

It is part of the role of a group that represents the interests of bus passengers to be critical of operators and councils when they get things wrong, but Lancaster Bus Users' Group also makes a point of letting them know when they get it right.

Many passengers have been inconvenienced by the cancellation of journeys on services between Lancaster and Heysham due to Stagecoach's inability to recruit and retain sufficient drivers and people are right to complain. However, we feel its important to acknowledge that such cancellations are not the fault of the local staff in the bus station or behind the wheel. Indeed sometimes such people go the extra mile to help passengers affected by the staff shortage.  The following comment was posted on our Facebook page recently and illustrates the point:

 I HAVE TO GIVE A GREAT SHOUT OUT TO THE DRIVERS AND INSPECTORS AT LANCASTER BUS STATION. Lancaster District Bus Users' Group I live in Heysham requiring the Heysham Towers bus.

 The past 2 nights after I have finished work, Stagecoach had cancelled all 3 buses between 8pm and 9pm. On both evenings, when my usual 20.19 to Heysham was cancelled, an inspector sorted a willing driver to take a Heysham Towers bus so we all could get home.

 Thanks to the Inspectors and the drivers concerned, who on the first evening had just arrived from Preston and on the second evening the driver who came off his break to take us home. 

The work colleagues are a credit to you Stagecoach and I think you need to remember who pays you the big bucks. The passengers and your work colleagues who go above and beyond their roles. 

The Bus Users' Group felt that this comment deserved a wider audience so that the work of the staff concerned was recognised.