SERVICE 17 - A NEW BUS SERVICE FOR CHAPELFORD

Network Warrington is pleased to announce that the long awaited bus service serving the new and expanding Chapelford development, commenced operation on Monday 21 July 2008.

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The New Route
Buses depart from Warrington Interchange (Bay 17) and operate via the Service 13/14/15 route to Hood Lane North, then via Burtonwood Road, Sunset Boulevard, Boston Boulevard, Whittle Avenue, and Westbrook Crescent to terminate at Westbrook Centre, near ASDA.
A route map is available on line as a PDF (click here)

Bus Stops on Service 17
Buses will stop at the existing Service 13/14/15 bus stops to Hood Lane North, then at Sunset Boulevard, near Denver Drive, near Virginia Gardens, Portland Road (East) and The Boulevard, then at existing bus stops from Thatch Cottage to Westbrook Centre.

Bus Times (Monday to Saturday except Public Holidays)
From Warrington Interchange (Bay 17) to Westbrook Centre at 07:05, 07:25, 07:45 and every 30 minutes until 17:45, then 18:30.
(Buses pass Virginia Gardens 10/11 minutes later)
From Westbrook Centre (lay-by), opposite ASDA, to Warrington at 07:20, 07:49 and every 30 minutes until 18:19, then 18:50.
(Buses pass Virginia Gardens 4/5 minutes later)
A timetable is available on line as a PDF (click here)

July 2008

NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Network Warrington is pleased to announce the appointment of John Bannister as the new Managing Director.

John has worked for WBT for over 20 years as Financial Director and Company Secretary and has been instrumental in WBT's success to date. WBT's Chairman, Les Hoyle, said "John has been such an influential figure in shaping the company to date and we are looking for his continued dedication in leading WBT through forthcoming exciting changes."

John added "I am excited to manage such a strong and successful local company. I am fully committed to continue the and build on the foundations laid over recent years, working closely with the local community and strategic partners to develop transport policies and infrastructure in Warrington to further reduce congestion, improve the environment and continue to provide a high quality customer service for the people of Warrington."

John is dedicated to both the industry, being treasurer and executive committee member of ALBUM (the national association for independent bus operators); and the local community; spearheading key campaigns with local partners to deliver a high quality public service strongly focussed on public needs.

May 2008

WBT DRIVES LOCAL PRIDE

Warrington Borough Transport (WBT) celebrated a group of well-known local Warrington heroes this week by honouring them with the rare tribute of naming a bus after them.

The local bus operator launched ‘The Pride of Warrington’ campaign to celebrate community pride and local heroes last year and invited the community to nominate people they believed to be committed Warringtonians. Several local residents were awarded the initial honour last summer and now a group of some of Warrington’s most respected leaders have been credited for their dedication to the community and attended a naming ceremony on 18th April 2008.

Warrington Borough Transport’s Managing Director, Nigel Featham, said: “Warrington’s bus service is locally owned and an integral part of every day community life; and with recent investment in the new bus interchange and new vehicles, I would like to think it is something we can all be proud of. We are certainly proud of the community we serve.

“To build on this community pride we would like our buses to carry the names of people who make a positive contribution to local life. These ‘living heroes’ whose names now adorn our buses will remind everyone of their amazing work for the community.”

The esteemed individuals recognised this time are;

• Steven Broomhead (Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and former Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council),
• Paul Cullen (former player and now head coach of Warrington Wolves),
• Lord Hoyle (former Warrington MP and now Chairman of Warrington Wolves),
• The Reverend Stephen Kingsnorth (of Warrington Borough Ministry who has worked tirelessly on behalf of local faiths and voluntary groups),
• Michael Hancock (Managing Director of Warrington's Independent Department Store and Chairman of Warrington Town Centre Partnership),
• Paul Hafren (Principal of Warrington Collegiate).

Mr Broomhead said, "I have a long association with Warrington, not only with the NWDA but with the Council, Warrington Collegiate and Warrington Wolves, and I also take a keen interest in the town's affairs. I am honoured that my name is being recognised alongside esteemed Warringtonians on our vital public transport system. A vibrant economy is supported by excellent transport links and the bus network is a key part of this, providing not only an efficient form of transport, but one which limits environmental damage.”

The tradition of naming vehicles stems from the steam engine era and even today new trains receive a naming ceremony before their first journey.

If anyone would like to nominate friends or family, young or old, to be acknowledged for their local commitment to the community, from youth support to charity work, please contact Warrington Guardian with their name and a summary of why they are proud of them.

April 2008

WBT IS FIRST UK BUS OPERATOR TO WIN INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE ACCREDITATION FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

Warrington Borough Transport (WBT) has just become the first UK bus operator to achieve OHSAS 18001 accreditation, the internationally recognised standard of best practice for the management of Health and Safety at work.

OHSAS 18001 is an international assessment specification developed by a number of the world’s leading national standards bodies, certification bodies, and specialist consultancies. It has been developed in response to the need for companies to meet their health and safety obligations

The local operator’s management and staff had to undergo intensive preparation for the assessment, including reviewing all existing health and safety practices to ensure a strong and consistent health and safety culture exists throughout the organisation. OHS assessors conducted a rigorous ten-day evaluation of the company and reviewed management practices, systems and documentation to guarantee health and safety was paramount at all levels of the organisation.

Managing Director Nigel Featham commented, “Our commitment to safety goes hand in hand with our aim of providing the best possible bus service for everyone who lives, visits and does business in Warrington”.

“Undergoing external assessment, though demanding, gives us the assurance that we are managing safety in accordance with best practice standards. It also reassures our workforce and customers that we take their well being seriously”.

“Put alongside our existing Investors in People and Chartermark accreditations, achieving 18001 standard demonstrates our all round commitment to good practice management and brings real business benefits”.

April 2008

NIGEL FEATHAM BIDS FAREWELL TO WARRINGTON

Warrington Borough Transport (WBT) has announced that Nigel Featham, Managing Director for almost nine years, will be leaving the company in May after accepting the role of Managing Director at Arriva Yorkshire.

The company will be sad to see the highly regarded Managing Director leave after driving the company through an exciting period of change and development, which has seen it establish itself as a top class bus operator.

During Nigel Featham’s tenure, WBT has been transformed; with major investment in the bus fleet, the opening of Warrington’s new Bus Interchange, the installation of the popular real time passenger information system, sustained growth in bus passenger numbers and record-breaking passenger satisfaction levels. 

WBT’s Chairman Les Hoyle, said: “Nigel will be sorely missed by the whole of the Warrington community, not just WBT, and he will be a hard act follow. Not only did he help build the company’s reputation for innovation and customer service excellence, but his passion and motivation for working in partnership with the town and its people was a key asset for the community”.

“He has actively supported the local area with many initiatives, including the local strategic partnership and the Town Centre Partnership.  We wish him the very best in his new role.”

Diana Terris, chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, says: “The council wishes Nigel every success in his new role at Arriva. Throughout his time at WBT, Nigel has been a real force for growth and development, with the result that Warrington is proud to have one of the most successful bus operations in the country. I’d like to thank Nigel for his outstanding personal contribution to the town and the community, and for all his hard work and dedication in leading WBT to such a prestigious position. We look forward to working with his successor in maintaining WBT's standing at the top of the public transport league."

Nigel Featham said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a dedicated team of people; from the staff, to the wider community and in particular the excellent support received from a local authority that is genuinely committed to local public transport services”.

“I am delighted to have been offered this new role at Europe’s leading transport group. The opportunity to work with the industry leader and its outstanding management team is not one to be missed. The foundations and progress we made at WBT have undoubtedly contributed to my own personal development and I shall always be proud of my time with the company.”

Arriva is one of the largest transport services organisations in Europe, employing more than 37,000 people and delivering more than one billion passenger journeys across 10 European countries every year. Nigel Featham’s new role, based in Wakefield, will be to head up Arriva Yorkshire. He will report directly to Mike Cooper, managing director of Arriva UK Regions, and will assume full accountability for Arriva Yorkshire’s operations, including its five depots, and will lead the strategic direction of the business.

“I am anticipating a hugely enjoyable challenge at Arriva and the decision to leave has been made easier with the knowledge that I shall be leaving the company in good hands. The board members and staff are passionate about WBT’s continued success and will continue to provide the very best bus service for the community,” Nigel Featham concludes.

WBT will be recruiting for a successor who will be able to maintain the company’s strong focus on customer service and continue to build upon its reputation for innovation and marketing excellence.

March 2008

WBT ROUTES GROW TREES

Bus operator Warrington Borough Transport (WBT) is actively seeking local residents to support its launch of a dynamic industry-leading environmental tree-planting programme, ‘Our roots grow trees’.

For every annual Savercard sold throughout March, April and May, WBT will plant and maintain a tree in India, Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda.

In conjunction with Carbon Clear Ltd, WBT has introduced this initiative to help reverse the devastating effects of deforestation, drought and famine in these areas. The work of Carbon Clear helps combat poverty in developing countries and the trees that are planted will have a wide variety of nutritional, medicinal and agricultural uses for the local population.

Bus travel is already acknowledged as an environmentally friendly way to travel – a single bus can do the work of up to 35 cars. WBT is committed to the environment and believes this shouldn’t stop at simply providing an eco-friendly means of travel. The company has recently invested over £8 million in new low-emission buses and the innovative tree plantingtree-planting scheme will help to further offset the impact local WBT buses have on the environment.

Les Hoyle, Cchairman of WBT, said: "Through this initiative, we are demonstrating our long-term commitment to improving the environment in which we operate. Bus travel is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport and we want to contribute further by identifying new opportunities to minimise our carbon footprint.”

"In the longer-term, we hope this project will also help to incentivise even more people to travel by bus, enabling all of us to responsibly confront the problem of climate change and help to offset the impacts of pollution."

“So now by buying a Savercard you’ll help the environment, help communities around the world and help your local community by keeping another car off the road”.

March 2008