Giles Fearnley Joins First

[Guest bus man]

Routeone Live News, In association with the Transport Benevolent

Fund (http://www.tbf.org.uk)

Giles Fearnley joins First

Giles Fearnley has been appointed Managing Director First UK Bus with

effect from next Tuesday (1 February).

He takes over from Mary Grant, currently Managing Director Rail

division and Interim Managing Director Bus division, who has decided

to leave the Company at the end of March.

Giles Fearnley has a strong track record in both bus and rail.

In 1991 he led the management buy-out of Blazefield Holdings which

operated bus networks principally across Yorkshire and Lancashire. He

remained as Chief Executive for two years following the Group’s

sale to Transdev plc in 2006.

As one of the founders of Prism Rail PLC, which operated four

passenger rail franchises in the UK, he was appointed Chief Executive

in 1997 and led the Group prior to its sale in 2000. Most recently he

served as Chairman of Grand Central, the open access rail operator

running trains from Sunderland to London.

He is currently Chairman of the Confederation of Passenger Transport,

and is a past President. He is also past Chairman of the Association

of Train Operating Companies.

Since 2001 he has chaired Journey Solutions, the bus and rail industry

initiative to promote integration and also chairs Greener Journeys,

the UK bus and coach industry’s campaign to promote modal shift

from cars to buses and coaches.

FirstGroup Chief Executive Tim O’Toole says: “I am

delighted to welcome Giles to the Group where his extensive background

and experience in passenger transport will be of great benefit to our

UK Bus division and its continued successful development.”

Iam sure some else will tell you why this is relevant !

(que for transit to wake up)

[Guest transit]

Thanks for the intro Busman !

yes , the relevance is that Giles Fearnley's grandad was the General Manager of Sheffield Transport / Tramways from 1904 to 1936 .

Lets hope Giles can instill some more pride into First as his grandad did with the Sheffield fleet ! ;-)

[Guest bus man]

One of Mr Fearnelys regular jobs was to go on trams in the evening's and run his white gloves (he wore white gloves, top have and carried a cane) along the hand rail if the glove was dirty the crew were told to take it back to depot and the relevant people would explain why it was dirty to the GM the following day

[Guest transit]

One of Mr Fearnelys regular jobs was to go on trams in the evening's and run his white gloves (he wore white gloves, top have and carried a cane) along the hand rail if the glove was dirty the crew were told to take it back to depot and the relevant people would explain why it was dirty to the GM the following day

....somehow , i cant see that ritual being carried out by his grandson !!!!!!

[Bayleaf]

Someone with a background in transport running buses? Whatever next, railwaymen running train companies? What will all the accountants do then?:o

[andyrad]

Thanks for the intro Busman !

yes , the relevance is that Giles Fearnley's grandad was the General Manager of Sheffield Transport / Tramways from 1904 to 1936 .

Lets hope Giles can instill some more pride into First as his grandad did with the Sheffield fleet !

I wonder if Mr Fearnley would be able to arrange to have the FSY fleet painted Cream and Blue again?

somehow I think not... lol

[Guest transit]

......better still , ALL the companies swallowed up by First nationwide !!!!

At least we would know when we were in a different city !! he he