30 May 2008

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday I went to Dungannon to meet Mr. Gordon Hazelton who is General Inspector at our bus depot. He reached 40 years of service with us on 25th March this year and I wanted to recognise his long service.  

To have served your local community for 40 years as he has is a truly remarkable and inspiring achievement and one to be greatly admired.  It shows commitment, professionalism and pride.  
 
Whilst at Dungannon I was also very happy to meet two other colleagues who had already reached 40 years of service; Mr. Noel Henderson a Bus Driver (40 years service on 3rd January 2006) and Mr. Wesley Ross, also a Bus Driver (40 years service on 18th December 2007).  
 
To each of these three gentlemen I extend my congratulations and thanks.  The bus and rail industry is one of the few remaining where this level of lifelong commitment and service can be found.  It really is something special about what we do.  
 
I intend to visit all colleagues as they reach 40 years of service as this is an important anniversary and well worth celebrating.  To those of you who have already reached 40 years of service I look forward to meeting you as I visit our stations, offices and works through the year.
 
On Wednesday I also attended a regular function we host to mark the retirement of colleagues after long service on the buses and trains. Retirees attend with their partners and these are very enjoyable events, especially listening to some of the stories that are told.  
 
It is not only a pleasure but also very important to say thank you for the professionalism, commitment and care which these colleagues have shown over their years working with us and for all they have given to their communities, often through difficult years.   We wish them and their families good health and a long and happy retirement.

Catherine Mason,

Group Chief Executive