A2B Bus and Coach is raising awareness for NHS Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) by applying special vinyls to three of its buses. routeone speaks to MD Brian Clifford about the work it is doing to support the charity
A2B Bus and Coach, a community transport operator in Cambridge, has recognised the hard work of the NHS in keeping the nation safe by applying special vinyls to three of its buses.
The business’ Managing Director, Brian Clifford, is as close as can be to the NHS without actually working for it. His daughter, a 20-year-old NHS worker, lives inside the family’s motorhome while doing long shifts in the fight against the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Like many, Brian was keen to help in any way possible and part of that has been to raise awareness of the efforts the NHS is making. But he says he was shocked at just how low awareness was to begin with – particularly at NHS Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where his daughter works.
A2B: Community focus
“Some of the stuff she told me about what is happening is harrowing,” Brian says. “The message that we are getting across with what we’ve put on the buses is that, although the NHS is being recognised for working superbly hard and doing its best to keep us safe, it has been doing that for a long time – and has never had the proper recognition its workers deserve.”
A2B uses its position as a community operator to be an isolation lifeline in connecting villages and communities with Cambridge. The vinyls were initially meant to reflect a tribute to NHS care workers – though soon became a necessary means of spreading awareness and raising funds for ACT to provide tangible support for the hospital’s NHS workers.
“Putting the vinyls on the buses is getting the message out there that everybody is working together to tackle the virus,” Brian says.
“The original plan was just to have NHS rainbows on the vehicles. But I found out about the ACT charity and it surprised me how few people knew that it existed. We decided to have three of our buses written up in order to promote its work.
“It’s important that people know – we need to help one another to get out of this pandemic situation together.”
ACT is the charity arm of NHS Addenbrooke’s hospital. Social distancing restrictions mean the hospital cannot take physical donations, and so while it has reduced contact with hospital staff, ACT is working off site to raise money. Described as a ‘lifeline charity’ by Brian, donations aid the wellbeing of staff, provide equipment to support its intensive care unit, and further enable research into diagnostics and treatments. At time of writing, the charity has raised over £600,000 since the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis began.
But Brian says it’s important that more people learn about its work. “The awareness of the charity was really low,” Brian explains. “the number of people who have asked me what it is since the buses have been out there has been surprising. As we are part of the community, and Addenbrooke’s is part of our community, we want to support it from the ground up.”
Tall oaks from little acorns
The idea was spawned when a pair of A2B drivers had shown an interest in doing more to help with the wider effort against coronavirus COVID-19. Create Signs, A2B’s signwriter in Cambridge, was promoting ACT on its website, and alongside a rainbow vinyl provided free graphics to promote the trust on A2B’s buses.
“I just hope that, if this dies away in a few months’ time, people do not forget all the good work the NHS has done for them,” Brian adds.
A2B has been operating for four years now, beginning with one route and a 2001 Dennis Dart. Brian is proud to now operate a fleet of vehicles on 10 routes, primarily made up of ADL Enviro200s, as well as a three-bay workshop which undertakes contract maintenance. The A2B routes are run for social inclusion, not profit. 80% of its fleet is Euro V compliant.
“The majority of our passengers are elderly and come from outlying villages. We have a regular driver and regular bus policy, so users are familiar with drivers.”
To that end, the role of community transport provider has made A2B’s efforts in social inclusion easier during the pandemic. A community focused ethos is at the heart of the business. Drivers even undertake shopping trips for the vulnerable.
On top of allowing NHS staff and care workers to travel free, key workers are free to travel to and from their place is work. This is bolstered by all routes being fully maintained as before.
“Cambridge has seen its bus services slashed, but we have not altered any of our timetables,” Brian says. “Each is still operating at 100%.”
Drivers are provided with PPE, and Brian says they are happy to keep working, despite closer contact with passengers than some other operators.
Every gesture counts
As well as their role in supporting vulnerable communities, A2B vehicles are being used to carry medical equipment between hospitals. “We’re using the vehicles for everything they can be used for,” Brian adds. An arrangement allows the NHS to contact A2B and ask for help when transferring staff and equipment.
A2B has further promoted its involvement in the community by providing pictures of its Enviro200 buses to parents for their children to colour in. Those are now returning and are being displayed in the fleet.
“It’s just another small way of saying we are here – as a bus operator, we are the community, and if it needs us, we will be there.”
