After starting in the coach sector, he worked for Stagecoach and its predecessor Devon General for 47 years
Stagecoach has celebrated the retirement of Graham Bailey after 50 years in various roles in the coach and bus industry – from driver to Commercial Manager.
The South Devon-based man began working life as an Excursion Manager in the coach sector in 1976 and then joined bus operator Devon General as a driver in 1979.
Mr Bailey began at the Torquay depot and then moved to Brixham, where he also worked as a conductor.
He moved into scheduling and route planning and, in 1988, became Commercial Manager.
After Stagecoach took over Devon General in 1996, one of his main achievements was championing the restoration of the Brixham to Newton Abbot service, the operator says. Service 12 continues to operate to this day.
Mr Bailey initially retired in 2020 but returned to Stagecoach in role of Commercial Advisor, in which he oversaw route development, tendering, scheduling, and driver rostering.
He later became Chairman of the Devon General Omnibus Trust, helping to bring restored vintage buses to community events.
His retirement was marked along with colleagues by the appearance of a 1959 Leyland Atlantean, which was recently donated by Stagecoach South West to the Trust.
It originally operated on the Brixham to Newton Abbot service and was even driven by Mr Bailey in 1982.
He says: “It feels quite strange knowing it’s coming to an end. When I look back, I’m proud of the things I’ve achieved and that are still part of the network today. The industry has changed so much, and I’m proud to have been part of that journey.”
He now plans to focus on his interests of bus preservation, travel, and photography.
