Stagecoach Manchester is a further of the group’s operating companies to unveil a bus that marks the Coronation of HM King Charles III. An Alexander Dennis Enviro has gained a red, white and blue livery and it will be used on multiple routes to maximise exposure, the business says.
Among those driving the Coronation bus will be Cornel ‘Junior’ Grant (pictured, left). Mr Grant was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2022 for his work in the community, and he has also been invited to attend the King’s Coronation in London.
Mr Grant began work as a bus driver with Stagecoach Manchester’s predecessor in 1982 at Princess Road depot. Before that he served in the Royal Fusiliers for six years, including three tours of Northern Ireland. Mr Grant has played an active community role for over four decades years through events and fundraising activities.
Other Coronation-themed activities to be carried out by Stagecoach Manchester will be the holding of lunches and afternoon teas to enable employees working over the holiday weekend to join the celebrations.
Meanwhile, a group-wide initiative has seen the launch of a competition to win free travel for a year. Between 1-9 May, customers are being encouraged to take a photograph of a specially-designed poster and share it to their social media accounts.
The poster, which includes a large crown and the hashtag #KingOfTheBus, will be mounted on Stagecoach vehicles across the UK. On the day of the Coronation, staff will be giving out biodegradable cards embedded with wildflower seeds. That will allow flowers “to be enjoyed for weeks following the Coronation,” the group states.
Speaking about the events in Manchester and further afield, Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director Lee Wasnidge (pictured, right) says: “It is a true pleasure to be celebrating such a momentous event with our customers and employees this month.
“This is an exciting time for us as a proud British company, and we want to help make the Coronation weekend one to remember.”
On Mr Grant, he continues: “Junior is a huge credit to Stagecoach. He is a true legend who has helped to make Manchester a better place. We are very proud of him and are thrilled to see him attending the King’s Coronation.”
