Teesside Stagecoach bus drivers celebrating a massive 40 years service each

This dedicated foursome are celebrating a shared anniversary at a Teesside bus depot after achieving a massive 40 years service each.

Ian Jameson, John Bacon, Ken Smith and Alfie Morgan are raising a glass to 40 years on the buses after joining Cleveland Transit, now Stagecoach North East, in 1974.

And all four drivers feel tremendously proud of their achievement and say they still enjoy the job just as much as when they started.

Alfie Morgan, 59, from Thornaby, said: “To do this job for so long you really need to enjoy helping people and dealing with the public, which we all do. Especially meeting the regulars, it’s getting them to work every day that makes the job special.”

John Bacon, 62, from Middlesbrough, said: “Working on the buses you get to know a lot of people, who support you and use the bus service all the time.

“We all love driving and it gets in your blood, although we didn’t expect to make 40 years. It really is one big happy family here at Stagecoach in Stockton.”

With their combined experience of 160 years, the drivers have seen some changes over the years.

Ian Jameson, 60, from Guisborough said: “Over the past 40 years the driving routes have extended much further and there is much more traffic and parking on the road, plus there are more larger vehicles now, so it is a lot more challenging to drive a bus.

"There certainly weren’t as many high kerbs or posts in 1974 when we first started.”

Ken Smith, 67, from Middlesbrough has a lot of happy memories driving on the buses.

“Most recently a young gentleman who got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend in front of the packed bus, which was lovely to watch and be part of,” he said.

“We are all fit and healthy and still up to the job, so long may that continue,” added Alfie.

Abbey Pettigrew, Operations Manager at the Teesside depot in Stockton, said: “These guys are the backbone of the business and a credit to the company.

“We are very proud of them, as they drive in all conditions in an ever changing environment, and for them all to have reached 40 years in the job is amazing and a real achievement.”