Stagecoach West played host to a special guest on 15 February, hosting a visit by 12-year-old Kodi Hobbs who was invited along to redeem a ‘day in the life of a bus driver’ experience voucher the Stagecoach team had given him for Christmas. The visit was arranged by Assistant Operations Manager Justin Lee, who said he was struck by Kodi’s passion for buses after meeting him last year.
It was an early start for Kodi with an introduction to Justin and driving instructors Helen Wellbelove and Kevin Woodfield at Gloucester depot where Kodi was able to drive a training bus within the confines of the depot. Justin then took to the wheel and took Kodi for a drive around Gloucester where, with help from instructor Kevin, he was taught about driving styles and manoeuvres.
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After a tour of Gloucester depot, Kodi enjoyed seeing his favourite bus – Alexander Dennis Trident 18180 – on the brake test machine and was shown around the body shop where he was taken down a pit so he could see the workings of a bus from below.
Justin said: “It was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with Kodi and to show him everything we do here at Stagecoach West. His passion and knowledge of our industry is incredible and he is a real advocate for buses and bus travel which is encouraging to see in the younger generation.”
Nextup was a stop at Gloucester Transport Hub where Kodi met Controller Mike Beard, who showed him how buses are dispatched and monitored on the roads, and then it was on to the company’s head office where he was introduced to members of the marketing and commercial team and shown how to programme a new bus destination display.
Kodi’s bus experience continued with a trip over to Stagecoach’s Cheltenham depot where he was given a tour including seeing the company’s Bristol VR heritage bus, dating from 1976, before finishing at Cheltenham depot’s traffic office.
Kodi’s mum Sarah Hobbs commented: “We can’t thank Stagecoach enough for giving Kodi the chance to experience a day in the life of a bus driver. Kodi has loved buses since he was a toddler. It was so lovely to see him in his world and being able to share his passion and knowledge of buses. The Stagecoach staff, from the depot to the office, made the day what it was. It was an experience he will never forget. Thank you all.”
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