Part time bus driver Trevor Best has now gone from six wheels to two as he drives off into the sunset on his new bike and retires from service at Stagecoach in Hartlepool.
The 65-year-old from Seaton Carew took a step back from full time service in November last year and for the last six months, he has been working two days a week but all for a great purpose.
“After spending some time on my son’s bike, I decided that I wanted one too but not a big, powerful bike, just a small scooter to take me on some trips around the local coast and countryside. So I decided to go back to work part time to save some money for my new bike, as I didn’t want to spend my retirement fund for me and the wife.
“I am now the proud owner of a Honda Forza 300 and after 41 years and 1 month, I am now retiring for good! I am really looking forward to getting on the roads, and not in a bus, but on my super scooter, which has storage, charger and everything I need for my journeys to Whitby, Scarborough and up north to Newcastle and the Borders.”
“However, I will miss driving my bus and my passengers such a lot, as it has been my whole life, and I have loved coming back for this short time. When Jason, the operations manager, asked me to do extra shifts, it was never a problem as I loved it so much, so I sometimes did three or four days a week. Now I am retired, I am still waking up at 4am ready for work, so will need to get into a new routine but the bike will help.”
An avid bike fan since he was a child, Trevor has previously owned the iconic Vespa and Lambretta bikes so this is a dream come true for him after working hard all his life. While Trevor’s wife won’t be joining him on the bike, he will be hitting the roads to visit his son in Manchester and his grandchildren, all part of the plan to enjoy retired life.
Trevor will certainly be missed by the passengers and the team at the depot on Brenda Road. Just recently, Trevor was commended for his generous actions when he stopped to help a partially sighted couple who were waiting at the wrong stop to travel to Durham, and he kindly collected them and transferred them to the correct bus and the couple then wrote in to head office to thank Trevor for his kindness.
Jason Astley, Operations Manager for Stagecoach North East’s Hartlepool dept, said: “Trevor has been a huge asset to the team over the years and will be sorely missed by his colleagues, passengers, and me personally. His friendly nature and warm personality made him perfectly suited for the role as a bus driver, as he excelled at customer service. I get so many comments from the public, telling me what a lovely man Trevor is and complimenting him! We wish him all the very best on his proper, permanent retirement and hope he enjoys his bike to the full.”
Trevor celebrated his retirement with a gathering of work colleagues and family at the Stag and Monkey pub just down the road from the depot. Following his retirement, when not riding, he will be relaxing with his family at his home in Seaton Carew.
For further information about Stagecoach North East please visit www.stagecoachbus.com