Young graduate trainee Rachel Perkins, 23, has taken over responsibility of the day-to-day running of Unilink, the official bus service for the University of Southampton.
The appointment comes after Rachel joined parent company the Go-Ahead Group as a Graduate Management Trainee in 2019. After a 24-month training programme she joined Go East Anglia before being seconded to Go South Coast operator and Unilink’s sister operator, Swindon’s Bus Company.
“My enthusiasm for public transport began when I was at college,” she says. “I regularly travelled on the same bus, and got to know the driver, who encouraged me to seek a career in the industry. I’m interested in the human aspect – those who provide the services and those who use them.”
At University, Rachel’s final dissertation centred on local bus services.
“When I completed my dissertation at university, I got to know all the local stakeholders, and this just fuelled my interest,” she adds. “It was a no-brainer to apply for Go-Ahead’s graduate management trainee programme, and I haven’t looked back. I spent most of my time at Go East Anglia, learning about engineering, operations and, of course, driving.
“In the past five years, Unilink has invested in a new fleet of low emissions vehicles, and I love the drive the company has in terms of innovation. As a graduate myself, I know how important these services are – but I want to spread the word that these buses are for everyone to use.”
Adds Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Bluestar and Unilink: “We are delighted Rachel has agreed to take charge here at Unilink. Her enthusiasm for sustainable transport, and her determination to provide the best service possible for our local community here in Southampton, make her a perfect match.”
Unilink is a partnership between Go South Coast’s Bluestar service and the University of Southampton, initially to transport staff and students between teaching sites and halls of residence.
