Local man appointed head of Lothian Buses...

[Ship called Dignity]

From the Scotsman..

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=798472006

New bus chief pledges better service despite trams threat

TRANSPORT REPORTER
THE new head of Lothian Buses today promised to improve services for passengers despite the threat from Edinburgh's proposed tram network.

The city's largest public transport operator has announced the appointment of a managing director, who will oversee day-to-day running of the firm's 670 buses.

The move paves the way for existing chief executive Neil Renilson to devote most of his time to the "integration" of trams and buses on Edinburgh's streets.

Ian Craig, who is only 36, has been poached from Renfrewshire-based Arriva Scotland West.

A native of Campbeltown, he will take up his post on August 1, at which point Mr Renilson will concentrate on his other role as chief executive of Transport Edinburgh Limited (TEL) - a body similar to Transport For London that will eventually be in charge of both Lothian Buses and the city's trams.

Up to two-thirds of bus services will be axed from key routes through the city if trams get the go-ahead, but the firm intends to continue expanding at least until the end of the decade.

The operator has plans to increase services over the coming years, especially at weekends and night time, as well as introducing new low-floor vehicles to ensure it has one of the youngest fleets in the country.

Mr Craig today said he was "tremendously excited" to be taking charge of Lothian Buses.

"I feel very privileged to be appointed to this position," he said. "This is one of those inspirational jobs that doesn't come along very often.

"Lothian Buses is market-leading and is one of the best firms in the UK, so I am starting from a very strong base.

"It will be my job to ensure the business develops in a manner that builds from a position of strength and is well equipped to face the future challenges.

"That includes new technology that can be brought on board to enhance passengers' experience.

"And the trams are a very exciting prospect for the city. They should complement buses and the challenge is to make sure the two systems are properly integrated."

Mr Craig was educated at Edinburgh's Napier University, where he studied accountancy, and he began his career in the public transport industry working for West Coast Motors in Campbeltown.

Since then, he has held senior positions with a number of major bus companies - including stints as operations director of Scottish Citylink and commercial director of Arriva Yorkshire - and since 2003 he has been director and general manager of Arriva Scotland West, which runs around 170 buses from two depots.

Mr Craig will report directly to Neil Renilson, who today praised his new appointee.

"Ian is a well-known figure in the Scottish bus industry," he said.

"He will be able to hit the ground running when he takes up his post in August.

"He is enthusiastic and energetic and will bring fresh ideas with him to help continue the growth and expansion of Lothian Buses."

Councillor Andrew Burns, the city's transport leader, said: "Edinburgh's bus service is second in the UK only to the superb London network, with a third of residents taking the bus to work and 310,000 passenger journeys each day.

"This new appointment will further strengthen an already excellent bus company."

[Tom B]

Nice one Ian, well done!

[RichardH]

Hi, would anyone on the board have an opinion of West Coast Motors as an employer?