Greater Glasgow

First Says Farewell to 83 Years of Experience

First in Glasgow bid a fond farewell to two long-serving bus drivers from Parkhead depot this week when they retired from the company with an impressive 83 years service between them.

George Blain (64) and John O'Gorman (64), both from Springboig, accrued 44 years and 39 years service respectively and have enjoyed driving for First so much that they both plan to come back part-time!

During their time in the bus industry, George and John have seen many changes in the numbers and types of vehicles on the road as well as changes in the people travelling by bus.

George said: "The quality and standard of the buses we drive these days is just incredible and I've really enjoyed driving the new vehicles, you can really see the difference they make for passengers with features such as low-floors and air-conditioning.'


John added: "The passengers are the people who make this job and you get to know many of them when you drive on the same route day in and day out, its great to see so many people travelling by bus these days.'

One of John's favourite memories of driving a bus is from the days of conductors on buses, and he remembers his conductor getting all the passengers to sing on a Saturday night! "It felt like a night out with friends", he says, "not like work at all!"

George also remembers passengers with fondness, particularly one elderly passenger who gave him a Christmas parcel containing a miniature of whisky, a can of export, five cigars, a mince pie and a Christmas cracker! "The funny thing is', he recalls, "I dont like whisky or export and I dont smoke. It was such a nice feeling to receive such a gift though, and I did enjoy the mince pie!'

George and John have made plenty of friends in First and both cite their workmates as one of the things they will miss most, along with the "banter' they enjoyed with them.

They would thoroughly recommend bus driving as a career and suggest that key qualities include an even temperament and good timekeeping. George said: "Ive had a good life out of bus driving, its definitely about what you make of it yourself.'

While they are both keen to continue driving on a part-time basis, and also take up bowling in Georges case, they are looking forward to spending more time with their wives, children and grandchildren, giving them the perfect balance of work, rest and play!

Parkhead Depot Operations Manager, Frank McCann, said: "These are two terrific guys who will be missed by staff and passengers alike. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with and I wish them both a very happy and enjoyable retirement.'

To mark George and Johns length of service, First in Glasgow presented George and John with commemorative decanters at a special ceremony at Parkhead depot.