Yorkshire Tiger has made many changes, from a new management team, a new depot and new uniforms– there’s plenty happening at the operator
Becoming a subsidiary of Arriva group in 2013, with its bright orange livery and tiger stripes, Yorkshire Tiger stands out under the umbrella of its parent company.
Described as a “lean and flexible local bus company” by Managing Director Simon Finnie, Yorkshire Tiger is not only sharing some of the changes it has made recently, but also how it’s using its size to its advantage, and the benefits of being a smaller contract focussed company within a large organisation.
“Tiger can operate as a free spirited, flexible local bus company and have the backing of a larger group which, for example, helps with securing new vehicles and for bidding,” says Simon.
Yorkshire Tiger takes flight with LBA
After a successful bid for Leeds Bradford Airport contract, Yorkshire Tiger runs an airport service called Flying Tiger, which operates from a depot in Idle, dedicated for the airport services.
This month will see the operator receive a delivery of six new ADL E200’s for the depot, but the new vehicles are just one of the changes pending for the airport service.
Simon explains it’s not only about new buses, “we’re going to completely refresh the service with better uniforms, updated website, better publicity along with better information in bus stops, the airport and Leeds railway station,” he says.
Tiger revealed it will be working with Northern Rail, one of its sister companies, to have an integrated ticket system, whereby the rail network and bus services will combine to provide a more easily accessible transfer to the airport.
Says Simon: “This forms part of our group approach.  Arriva has a strategy – One Arriva, where we leverage the benefits of working together with different parts of the organisation.”
Yorkshire Tiger operates the airport services on behalf of Leeds Bradford Airport and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
“We have a really good relationship with WYCA that we work together as one to really drive forward improvements, drive up passenger numbers and the quality of the service,” says Simon.
“Having a small, flexible depot and a small team experienced at handling specialist contracts dedicated to one service really helps us to deliver in that area, and the airport service is an example of how we can come together.”
Tiger put in a bid in for that contract based on new vehicles, based on enhancements made to the service, and where it could demonstrate a good business sense. For this, it could bid for capital expenditure money from its parent company.
Small but beautiful for new operation
Yorkshire Tiger’s depots are small compared to others.  Simon believes the company’s ability to operate from smaller bases enables the company to win and retain contracts and focus on delivering quality customer service and allows good potential for growth
There are five depots in total: Elland, Honley, Huddersfield, Idle and Barnsley, with Barnsley being the latest to open. Idle, Barnsley and Honley are the smaller business units, but it’s said that Tiger operates best in smaller locations.
Barnsley depot was opened in January with a very quick turnaround. The team needed to identify the sights and purchase the vehicles, as well as training drivers with routes. “We had no operation in Barnsley, so we had to start that from scratch,” says Simon.
The depot was running within eight weeks, and Simon puts the quick timing down to the size and focus of the business. “It was really quick, which I think is testament to being a nimble business – we could react a bit quicker.
“It’s a small team of drivers who really want that business to work, and all the feedback we’ve had from South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) – who we operate the services on behalf of – has been positive.
Yorkshire Tiger is currently going through a refurbishment programme for its fleet. Moving forward, Tiger wants to standardise the fleet with repaints and re-trims on Yorkshire Tiger and Flying Tiger’s vehicles.
“This is really going to bring the standard of the fleet up to a good level, and the new vehicles which are coming in for the airport services will be re-branded slightly,” says Simon.
Team work delivers for Yorkshire Tiger
Yorkshire Tiger has invested in its supervisory and management teams in each depot. Meaning now that each depot has a dedicated manager and an operations manager who take ownership for that business, and who takes ownership of the service delivery, operations delivery and the well-being of the staff.
“We’ve invested in supervisor training and off the back of that, we saw an increase in our employee engagement score in the most recent survey at the end of last year,” says Simon.
“I really believe that’s a result of the training development we give managers and supervisors, there’s better communication to staff. I think it’s really recognised now, that employee engagement is critical for keeping staff switched on and motivated, and there is a passion from those within the business – they really want Tiger to succeed,” he adds.
It was said there is real family atmosphere within the depots, and with them being smaller there’s very much that sense of comradery and willingness to help each other.
It’s clear that Yorkshire Tiger, despite being smaller than other operators, has a team dedicated to making this operation a roaring success.
