Three recently retired drivers with 122 years of combined service have been celebrated by Nottingham City Transport (NCT).
Allan Laird, Roger Wallace and George Carter completed 31 and a half, 42 and 48 and a half years respectively with the East Midlands operator.
Allan joined NCT in 1992, driving route 70 between Clifton and Hucknall initially, before moving to Lime and Purple Line services along Mansfield Road, which he continued until his retirement. He now plans to use his time doing more voluntary work, as well as visiting the home of Elvis Presley in Memphis and completing the North Coast 500 in a campervan with his wife.
He says: “I have enjoyed my time as a bus driver with NCT and will miss the banter and laughs with my work colleagues.”
Roger started with the company on Clifton services in 1981, when the buses were operated with a driver and conductor. He moved to Beeston and Aspley services before switching to the South Notts 1 route for his last 20 years. Such was his popularity with customers, one man waited more than an hour on Roger’s final shift so he could travel with him.
He says: “I am going to miss my colleagues and regular customers. I am now looking forward to retirement and spending time with my family.”
George started even further back, in 1974, driving rear open-platform style buses to Carlton and Gedling. He them moved to Arnold routes and the number 53 before driving Carlton services until his retirement.
One of the company’s longest-ever serving employees, he says: “I have thoroughly enjoyed nearly 50 years as a bus driver and I reckon I must have driven more than 120,000 trips in my time. I will miss seeing my passengers and colleagues. I am very proud to have achieved both my NVQ Level 2 qualification and for achieving the Diamond ROSPA award for safe driving.”
He is looking forward to spend more time in his motorhome around Europe with his wife.
David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director, says: “I’m always sorry to say goodbye to drivers of the calibre of these three true gentlemen, but they have earned their retirements. I thank them for the sterling and loyal service they have given to NCT and wish them many years of good health and happiness ahead.
“Their combined service of 122 years says a lot about them, and importantly, also reflects the culture of service and loyalty that we enjoy within our team here at NCT.”
