Essex

One Of The East's Longest Serving Busmen Retires

ONE OF THE EASTS LONGEST SERVING BUSMEN RETIRES AFTER 50 YEARS


After almost 50 years in the bus industry, Eric Carter has finally called time and retired from his position as Planning Manager with First East England Buses.
When he first started work on 8 August 1960, Eric Carter was just 15 years old. He thought his position as a Junior Clerk with bus company Eastern National Buses was a temporary one which would last no more than a year until he took up a role as a junior reporter on the local newspaper.
However, after almost 50 years of impeccable service and a variety of positions, with the company having the new name of First East England Buses, Eric has finally decided to hang up his busmans hat and retire.
From his first role as Junior Clerk, Eric was then promoted to Schedules Clerk in 1961. Further promotions followed as Traffic Assistant for Southend, Hadleigh and Canvey, then, in his penultimate role as Planning and Schedules Officer for Chelmsford to his final position as Planning Manager.
Says Eric:
"The last 50 years have seen enormous changes in the bus industry; todays vehicles are sleek and luxurious compared to buses when I first started work in 1960. I feel privileged to have worked for such a great company and my colleagues throughout the years have been fantastic. However, Im very much looking forward to my retirement and spending even more time on the golf course.'
Commenting on Erics retirement, Alan Pilbeam, Managing Director of First East England says:
"Eric should be enormously proud of his input to bus services in the East over the last 50 years. He has been a huge asset to the company and is an inspiration to others. I wish him a long and happy retirement.'