The Transdev Spirit

We call it ‘The Transdev Spirit’ – but what is it?

We call it ‘The Transdev Spirit’ – but what is it?

The Transdev Spirit sums up our way of working together within and across all our teams, as we accelerate business growth beyond the pandemic.

And an independent judging panel at the 2022 UK Bus Awards – the Oscars of the nation’s bus industry – selected The Transdev Spirit for a coveted Gold prize in the closely-contested Culture Change category.

Alan Millar, Chair of the UK Bus Awards, commented: “We’re honoured to recognise and celebrate the UK bus industry’s successes, achievements, innovations, dedication and sheer brilliance, in helping to deliver a first-class experience for customers.”

Its aims are summed up in three simple ways:

1. We talk
2. We listen
3. We make it happen

And it’s more than just a conversation. The Transdev Spirit brings together our full range of new and enhanced schemes to build and develop our skills base, including The Academy, our network of people development centres, alongside StepUp, our opportunity programme leading to more senior roles; our apprenticeships; and G23 – our in-person gathering of over 40 managers learning more about our business plans, and hearing from bus industry personalities (in 2022, renowned transport commentator Roger French), local authority leaders and bus manufacturers. G23 also helps our managers to embed The Transdev Spirit within their teams.

We value inter-personal relationships alongside informal warmth within our teams, supported by award-winning in-house communications channels, including:

• Transdev Talk – our in-house magazine profiling our amazing teams and individuals and updating on key business projects. In 2022, we increased publication from quarterly to bi-monthly and expanded fresh and engaging content. The magazine is mailed to all 1,400 colleagues’ homes, and is downloadable via our website, here: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/corporate/media-centre.
• Small Talk – a three-page PDF colour document emailed fortnightly across the organisation; plus, printed copies displayed at all our 10 operating centres. Small Talk features concise content to fit between issues of Transdev Talk – ensuring our internal communication remains timely and relevant.
• Talk Shop – our programme of visits by our senior leadership team to our operating centres. We listen and exchange information in a relaxed style to encourage everyone to contribute thoughts and ideas. To keep everyone informed and involved during pandemic travel restrictions, we developed Talk Shop TV – a monthly YouTube video update featuring our CEO and Operations Director, with contributions from our senior team, sharing business information and thanking our people for their commitment in challenging times.

Transdev’s amazing Academy is the only joined-up training and development brand in the UK bus industry, encompassing four completely overhauled training centres (in Burnley, Elland, Keighley, and Harrogate), dedicated learning buses, course work and more. In 2022, we welcomed over 200 new recruits, compared with 42 in all of 2021. Drivers are recognised as delivering the best customer service in the most recent Transport Focus survey – with results showing 93% satisfaction levels, against the regional average of 85%.

We have 12 driving instructors compared with five as 2021 began: two new administrators will join soon to further accelerate recruitment. Specialist training for mentors helps them to support newcomers, while renovated rest areas are benefiting 470 colleagues in Harrogate, Keighley, and Elland. Overall investment in colleague facilities totals £1.2m since the beginning of 2020.

Our StepUp programme has kick-started many successful careers, including:

• Phil Harris, Rochdale – from training examiner to General Manager, and now, Customer Services Manager
• Frank Stanisauskis, Harrogate – from senior supervisor to General Manager
• Jim Craven, Keighley, and Jason Asquith, Harrogate – from bus driver to Service Delivery Manager
• Tracey Appleyard, Burnley - from bus driver to Driving Instructor
• Kashif Mughal, Huddersfield – from duty manager to Service Delivery Manager
• Vicky Harris, Rawtenstall - from bus driver to Bus Station Supervisor
• Alex Spencer – from scheduler to Network Manager
• Lee Wardle, Rochdale - from duty manager to Operations Manager
• Matt Burley – from bus driver to Ticketing and Systems Manager, and now, Commercial Manager

We celebrate our high performing people every year at our Amazing Awards: our 2022 event at the National Science & Media Museum was hosted by former Heavyweight Champion boxer Frank Bruno, saluting nine winners chosen from over 100 nominees.

It’s The Transdev Spirit – we talk, we listen, we make it happen!