Stagecoach Carlisle employees recognised at annual Champions Awards

• Winners from Stagecoach Carlisle scoop Gold Award in Customer Services category in response to Storm Desmond

Stagecoach Carlisle employees were among the winners at the annual Stagecoach Group Champions Awards.

The awards – now in their seventh year – recognise excellence over six areas including Safety, Health, Community, Customer Service, Environment and Innovation.

At this year’s ceremony Stagecoach Carlisle employees based in Operations, Engineering and Commercial departments were awarded Gold in the Customer Service Champion award in response to their efforts during and after Storm Desmond..

Winners at the event represented Stagecoach Group’s bus and rail businesses in the UK and North America . All received a trophy, cash prize and a two night stay in London incorporating the award ceremony.

In late 2015, Cumbria was one of the areas worst hit by Storm Desmond, with significant flooding and infrastructure damage across the region. For Stagecoach, it resulted in the company’s Carlisle depot being flooded for a second time in 10 years. Many of the roads and bridges used by Stagecoach services were no longer accessible. But the planning beforehand and the efforts of staff and management during and after the crisis meant lifeline bus services remained on the road for customers in hugely challenging circumstances. There were numerous stories of personal commitment, with many staff working extra hours despite their own homes being amongst those flooded.

The tireless efforts of the operations, engineering and commercial teams over many weeks ensured Stagecoach provided the best level of service and information for passengers during one of the most challenging periods for the company, earning huge praise from customers

The event was also attended by TV personality Ferne McCann, who presented winners with their awards. Earlier this year Ferne successfully obtained her bus driving licence after training with Stagecoach London as part of a recruitment project to encourage more female drivers.

Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire Managing Director Matthew Cranwell said: “I am delighted for every member of the Stagecoach Carlisle team and would like to congratulate them on this award which is thoroughly deserved. 

“They make a real difference to our business and to our customers every day and I would like to thank them, and our many other hard-working staff, for the part they played during this particularly difficult period in delivering high-quality services to our passengers”. 

More than 150 Stagecoach employees have been presented with Champions Awards over the past seven years. 

For further information on Stagecoach Group visit www.stagecoach.com