By Joshua Robinson –
Matt Burley and Alex Spencer, two of Yorkshire bus firm Transdev’s rising stars, are celebrating their New Year with promotions to more senior roles.
Transdev says both appointments demonstrate the firm’s continuing commitment to developing the best talent within its ranks – including through its ‘Step Up’ programme, supporting colleagues in gaining vital experience.
Matt, 29, is the bus operator’s newly appointed Commercial Manager and aims to provide current and potential customers with up-to-the-minute information to help them make more informed travel decisions.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Alex plans to build on Transdev’s success in winning people back to its buses as its new Network Manager, using his experience matching people and buses together on regional routes.
Matt Burley
Before joining Transdev, Matt worked for the East Midlands bus firm Trent Barton, where he worked as a systems analyst.
Matt said: “I joined Transdev as a bus driver to gain experience in that area of the business, and in that first year I drove routes run from every one of our depots across the North.”
“By the end of that same year, I became commercial assistant, a varied role which helped to build my understanding of the processes that help us thrive in a competitive market.”
Matt added: “I also focused on improving on-bus audio announcements and grew them from just four routes to most of our network – and I led on the introduction of our current ticket machines in 2018.”
That rollout of improved on-bus audio and ticket machines saw Matt progress to Ticketing and Systems Manager.
Matt said: “With the £2 price drop now in place for any single journey with us over the next three months, we’ll be looking to make the most of this exciting opportunity to attract more people to try the bus, and then to keep them on board with us.”
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Alex Spencer
Alex Spencer joined Transdev straight from university in 2014 as a commercial assistant.
Alex said: “When I came here, we had a small team working with five companies in our network – half what we have now. I took on more responsibility as a scheduler and was able to show potential with a keen eye for designing bus networks.
“I also worked on staff rostering – during the pandemic we faced unprecedented times with constant changes to keep our buses on the road. Using real-time data, we stayed on top of it and as a result, I know what works.”
Alex added: “We’ve already attracted 90 per cent of pre-pandemic customers back on many routes, and higher still on some.”
“We have a strong presence on social media and well-established brands. People know what they’re coming back to – we never settle for less than the best.”
Alex Hornby (CEO)
Transdev CEO, Alex Hornby, says: “Both promotions show our continuing commitment to develop the best talent within our team – including via our industry-leading ‘Step Up’ programme which supports colleagues in gaining vital experience beyond their personal comfort zone.
“Alex and Matt share a clear passion for making bus travel amazing for our customers, and a desire to grow their experience with us.”
Alex Hornby finished with: “I have no doubt that both have the skills, experience, and focus on achieving further success as we look to grow in 2023 and beyond.”
Transdev in Yorkshire has operating centres in: Harrogate, York, Malton, Bradford, Keighley, Halifax, and Huddersfield.
The company also has Lancashire and Greater Manchester operations based in Blackburn, Rochdale, and Burnley.
Its subsidiary companies provide many of the region’s most successful bus services, with branded services recognised as household names in the communities they serve.
For more details about Transdev bus services across the North please visit: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/
For details about Transdev’s bus services in the UK and Europe please visit: https://www.transdev.com/
For full details about career opportunities with Transdev across the North of England please visit: http://transdevbus.co.uk/work-for-us