A job ‘to tide him over’ turned into a lifelong career for one bus company employee, who has now celebrated more than 25 years with the company.
John Mitchell is one of 36 Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire employees honoured in a special ceremony last Friday [22/03] at Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, in Windermere.
The event acknowledged the long service of 29 current and seven retired employees – who between them boast 985 years of combined service with the company.
John, from Haverthwaite, began his career as a driver in Kendal, subsequently working in Grange-over-Sands for five years, before returning to Kendal to work on the open top buses. For the past decade or so he has worked as a depot inspector.
“I wanted to be a driver, but when I came to Stagecoach my plan was to only be here for a couple of years and then go driving coaches,” he admitted. “I’m a bit shy at first but I come out of my shell.
“I discovered I really liked driving buses. When you’re driving the bus you’re the man, the driver.”
John says his favourite part of his career was as an open top bus driver, particularly dealing with the tourists: “Before I became a bus driver I used to work up in the Lakes doing deliveries for hospitality and knew all the hotels and places.
“On the open tops I was getting asked a lot of questions from tourists and that didn’t really bother me. I knew the answers.”
“We had a really good gang at the time, and a lot of them had been doing it for years,” he continued. “They passed some of that wisdom and information on to us, and we all had a really good time doing it.
“I loved the view from the office window (my bus) too. When it’s a cold frosty morning and the lakes are like glass, it’s spectacular.
“I still do a bit of driving when they’re short.”
And, despite marking his quarter century with Stagecoach, John insists he’s got no plans to retire any time soon.
“I’m here for the long-term,” he insisted.
Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire said: “Congratulations to John and to everyone who received their long service awards this year. It’s amazing to see just how much experience we have at Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire. I’d like to extend my personal thanks to all 36 amazing members of staff for all their hard work and dedication to both the company and to our customers over the years.”
