New owner replaces Plymouth Citybus managing director
THE transport giant Go-Ahead has moved swiftly after it signed the deal to buy Plymouth Citybus yesterday.
With the ink barely dry on the paper, the company announced that it was appointing a new managing director.
The move follows a vote on Monday by Plymouth City Council to approve the sale of the bus company for £20.2million.
Go-Ahead announced the appointment of Andrew Wickham as managing director with immediate effect.
He replaces John Ackroyd, who has been with the company for 22 years.
Go-Ahead said: "Andrew has more than 20 years of management experience in the bus industry. He was previously operations director for Go South Coast, incorporating Bluestar, Southern Vectis and Wilts and Dorset local bus operations."
Keith Ludeman, who is the group chief executive of Go-Ahead, said: "I am delighted to appoint Andrew as managing director for Plymouth Citybus.
"Andrew has a wealth of experience in the UK bus industry and I'm confident he will build on the strong reputation that Citybus has for delivering high-quality, locally-focused services for the community of Plymouth.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to John Ackroyd, who has helped to build Citybus into a first-class operation. I am very pleased to announce that John has accepted a group role with Go-Ahead in London."
Mr Ludeman said: "We are delighted the full council voted in favour of the sale of Citybus to Go-Ahead. We now look forward to working with Citybus and other local stakeholders."
Mark Baskerville, Citybus representative for the union Unite, said: "John Ackroyd has been with the company a long time.
"Although we have been at loggerheads on certain issues, I have always found him to be reasonable.
"If there's anything I can criticise him for, it was when he said we would need investment, which was what started this whole process."
Mr Baskerville said he had not yet had talks with Go-Ahead.
"We've had a statement from the company saying not a lot will change for the average person at the beginning. They say we're going to remain competitive by controlling costs and improving revenue and customer service.
"I'll reserve judgement until we can sit down and ask them exactly what will happen."
Mr Ackroyd joined Citybus in 1987 as a management accountant for a year.
He was made financial controller and then finance director until he was appointed acting managing director in 2003, and managing director the following year.
On August 4 around 200 people braved the rain to voice their concerns over plans to sell off the publicly-owned company, dozens taking their protest into a full council meeting.
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by tinks, plymouth
Thursday, December 03 2009, 1:20PM
“"i have read the comment made about having buses running on boxing day, i find the persons attitude very selfish, are they working on boxing day i dont think so, there on holiday spending time with there children an family, so for two days a year they cant do without a bus, so us drivers who work hard all year being polite to some rude people. can spend time with our familys and have a drink."
Oh dear Mr Bus Driver, City Bus. My dad used to work in a switching station. He used to have to work xmas day/boxing day (one or the other on allturnate years I admit ) but what would have happened if he and his mates had taken your attitude. Oh that's right. NO ELECTRICTY!!
Now wouldn't that have made your xmas unforgettable if when you got up in the morning - NO ELECTRICTY!!! No xmas dinner, no xmas tele etc!! So don't go calling others selfish for wanting you to make an effort on Boxing Day.
And while I think about it, how about no doctors or nurses - in case you or yours has an accident on that day? How about no care home workers to look after your family members and provide them with an xmas dinner cos your too busy with your home xmas to look after them! (should they be in a care home). And that does happen. I know I spent 5+ yrs working in a home and that included all bank holidays. We shared them out and all took our turn. Lucky I didn't take your attitude, isn't it? Oh! and shucks, no bar/waiting staff so you could go out and have a drink, or maybe even a meal. How will your servive?”
by The mole, a listed building!?
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 11:12PM
“This appointment was far too swift and convenient. It had to be a done deal way before any vote.”
by james, EGHD
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:18PM
“hooray this is the best thing to happen to first bus it wasnt a patch on first great western some true competion now ,this tory council is really proving itself long may it go on”
by roger, plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 8:46PM
“am i right in thinking plymouth city bus belongs to plymouth city residents will this be considered when they start spending are money on things we do not need”
by Milehouse Mike, The clue's in the name...
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 8:20PM
“Citybus Driver,
John makes very good tea.
You'd struggle to turn the tap on to fill the kettle...”
by Barry The Bus, Not Plympton
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 8:16PM
“Bob (The Uncle)
There's no one travelling in the evening. Most of the populated areas have a 30 mins service - where are the punters?
It's not about Marketing. It's about lack of punters. Plymothians don't go out as much as other city residents due to our older demographic.
Barry”
by Emma, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 6:33PM
“I know Mr Ackroyd very well and I think he has worked very hard to bring the best out of the company more thanks should be given to him and all the other staff that worked with him I wish him all the best wishes in his new job and a successful future.”
by Hermes (and Thelemia), Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 5:59PM
“Council; resign.”
by A Driver, Plant Earth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 4:31PM
“In respect to the MD going from Citybus he was in on the deal from the start and even phoned Go Ahead to tell them to raise their bid as Stagecoach had out bid them. So not really surprising he got offered a plum job in London.
Lets hope that Go Ahead look closely at the other idiots that CityBus have as management.
Mr Oliver watch out you should be next. You dont even know your way around Plymouth yet you plan routes !!!!
Lets just hope that Go Ahead can see further than the end of their noses unlike CityBus.”
by Dave, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 4:31PM
“Just take all the buses off the road at least then they wont get in my way as i drive into town.”