Joel Mitchell MD @StagecoachSE and Katy Taylor CEO @wightlinkferry now offer a range of leadership lessons from across bus, ferry and rail. Always good to get insights from both inside and outside our industry.

Thanks to highly respected journalist @PaulClifton_ and our very own delegates Richard Windley of @reading_buses and Isobel Hedley-Jones of Go Ahead Fastrack for presenting to us this morning.

Perspectives from the South Coast from a local authority and a bus operator - partnership & collaboration as themes featuring strongly on both sides. Thanks Paul Walker @portsmouthtoday and Richard Tyldsley @BluestarHQ.

We said about a packed agenda - @DavidLeeKong of Go South Coast introduces the day’s events!

The @youngbuspros conference is on in Southampton this week. Our 90+ attendees gathered first at Hants & Dorset Trim in Eastleigh to see all the great work here behind the scenes. Another packed agenda and great opportunity for networking across our sector.

Our final speaker today is Anna Courtier speaking about the hugely important topic of improving the gender balance in the industry.

Our afternoon programme begins with Dan Graham telling us about his exciting career development of setting up his own bus company Northstar last year.

Inter-active workshop time. An hour for eight groups to produce a two-minute video giving advice to Mayor McGuinness on the things she needs to take into account as franchising approaches.

Andrew McGuinness is taking the helm now telling us about @CPT_UK as well as introducing the inter-active session workshop.

Six years from a graduate trainee to company director. George Sloan, Operations Director Stagecoach West (and Young Bus Manager of the Year 2024) shares his successful and impressive career experience with Stagecoach with us.

A touch of engineering as our next speaker is Phil Cummins, Engineering Director at Arriva.

‘Exciting times for bus in the North East’ kicks off our second Conference day here in Newcastle with Nexus managing director Cathy Massarella.

We’re privileged to have as our speaker tonight …. Mayor of the North East Combined Authority ….. Kim McGuinness.

We’ve moved on to visit @StagecoachNE Sunderland depot and its electric infrastructure. And interestingly an autonomous bus ready for a trial operation.

Some photos from our fascinating behind the scenes visit to Metro.