Bus drivers join ranks of the elite
More than 250 Stagecoach North East employees have joined the ranks of the elite and are leading the way in a prestigious global performance scheme which measures safe and fuel-efficient driving. A total of 255 drivers from the local bus operator’s six depots across the North East have been awarded Fleet Elite status and a special badge under the driving safety measurement programme. The programme is managed by GreenRoad, whose telematics system serves professional drivers in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, America, Australia and New Zealand. Nineteen drivers from Hartlepool, 118 drivers from Newcastle’s Slatyford and Walkergate depots, 45 drivers from South Shields, 27 drivers from Teesside and 46 drivers from Sunderland have received the Fleet Elite standard. Of these, 163 Fleet Elite drivers have achieved the Gold badge for maintaining the Fleet Elite safe and fuel-efficient driving standard for three consecutive years. One hundred and forty-three have achieved the Master Fleet Elite status for maintaining the rating for four or more consecutive years, reflecting the success of Stagecoach’s uncompromising approach to safety. Fleet Elite standard drivers must clock 500 driving hours in a year and achieve an average of five or less events, such as harsh braking or acceleration, per 10 hours of driving over the year. Steve Walker, Managing Director, Stagecoach North East, said: “Our drivers continue to deliver impressive results under the Fleet Elite scheme. This year’s achievements once again reflect the thorough training our drivers receive and the professional driving behaviours our people display every single day. “