Bus drivers just the ticket

The 407 bus drivers, Scott Hampson, Cliff Taylor and Walter Gartside

A FRIENDLY face and caring attitude has earned a group of bus drivers a Pride in Oldham award nomination.

Sheila Murphy (67), from Carlton Avenue, Watersheddings, decided to nominate drivers from the 407 service to Denshaw for going above and beyond the call of duty.

She said: “A couple of years ago my husband had to stop driving because of glaucoma, and I suffer from balance problems after suffering a brain tumour. We like to go out for our lunch in Denshaw and as we no longer have a car we use the 407 bus about once a week.

“The drivers are so helpful and kind. They are quite concerned I get on and off the bus well, and are very jovial.

“It is an experience going on the bus because everyone knows everyone else, it’s like a day trip. It’s almost like a personal service and they seem to care for their passengers.”

Steven Stott, co-owner of Stotts Tours (Oldham) Ltd, said the company had run the service, whose drivers have been nominated before, since May.

He said: “We have about five drivers that run the 407 service seven days a week.

“We get a lot of praise for our drivers. They are a friendly bunch, but they give the same service as on the other bus routes we run.”