Derry driver heads for ‘Destination Retirement’
28th October 2004
Translink colleagues and customers in Derry will bid a fond farewell to Tony McDaid, who retires this week after spending almost 50 years ‘on board’.
Tony, who has been the Derry District Manager for the past 10 years, began his career way back in 1958 with Great Northern Railways (GNR) working in the engine shed before moving to the parcels office. He then transferred to the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA) in 1962 as a bus conductor and quickly progressed through a number of positions including driver, driving instructor and inspector, working his way up the career ladder.
With a thorough knowledge of every aspect of the bus operations in Derry, Tony has become a familiar face among colleagues and passengers around the city. Based in Derry where he now lives, Tony has worked right across the greater Derry area and witnessed considerable changes in public transport and the city itself over the years.
“It’s amazing just thinking back and realising how much public transport and technology has advanced over the past 50 years. I can remember when buses were fitted with the old manual gear boxes which demanded an enormous amount of strength to drive, and double de-clutching was a necessity! Today, all buses are either fully or semi-automatic – luxuries that weren’t even thought of when I first started.
“I also remember when buses were double-manned with both a driver and conductor. Passengers would hop on at the back of the bus and the driver cabin was a completely separate entity to the rest of the carriage. Nowadays, the driver plays both roles and bus technology has evolved to become more accessible and secure for its passengers and driver. It’s also much better craic getting to meet and know your customers.
“Originally all bus operations in Derry were managed in the old car park at Victoria Market on Strand Road,” he recalls. “But as the city expanded and population grew, the demand for public transport increased.
“We moved to a larger purpose built facility on Foyle Street and introduced more services with greater bus frequencies to cater for our customer needs. Today the city alone demands over 200 drivers to commandeer the fleet, employing more people than ever before.”
Having worked for the past 46 years on the bus side of the company, Tony is looking forward to putting his feet up and enjoying his retirement.
“I plan to spend as much time with my wife and family as possible and enjoy looking after my garden, which is in need of some tender loving care after the years of neglect.
“I was asked what I would miss most about my job, that’s easy, my colleagues! I have made life long friends during my career; people I have worked almost everyday with and thoroughly enjoyed their company and good humour. Perhaps they will be kind enough to offer me a ride home when they next pass me in town!”
Translink’s Area Manager, William Telford was on hand to wish Tony well, and to thank and congratulate him on a successful career.
“Tony’s wealth of experience in the job and his dedication to customers and colleagues make him stand out as an extremely trusted and valued member of staff. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Translink, his colleagues and customers to congratulate Tony and wish him a very happy and healthy retirement. He will be missed in many ways, but I’m sure we’ll still see a lot of him in the future – especially when he gets round to collecting his senior smartpass!”
Ends.
For further information, please contact Sarah Stanczyk Public Relations Officer 028 90 899 455
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