A First West of England platform inspector has hung up his uniform after 46 years of continuous service on the buses across Bath.
Mike Newman, who has worked with buses in Bath for more than 45 years | Photo © First West of England
Mike Newman, who lives with his wife Pat in Peasedown St John, joined what was then The Bristol Omnibus Company in 1975 as a temporary conductor, aged 19, at the bus station which was based in Manvers Street.
Just over a year later, aged 21, he sat and passed his PSV test, gained his licence and was given a permanent job as a driver which he did until 15 years ago. when he was promoted to platform inspector.
His first ever route was the Larkhall service, number 201.
During his long service, Mike has seen the old double de-clutch buses with ticket conductors, tiny wing mirrors and inefficient heating slowly replaced by vehicles driven by technology, with today’s buses being mainly ultra-clean diesel to Euro VI standard and with fully automated ticketing systems.
He witnessed the opening of Bath College of Higher Education (now Bath Spa University) in 1975, the start of the Bath Half Marathon (1981), the opening of Thermae Bath Spa (2006) and the building of the Southgate Shopping Centre and the current Bus Station (2009).
He has also seen Bristol Omnibus progress to become Badgerline, then First Somerset and Avon and finally First West of England.
Mike Newman and James Freeman | Photo © First West of England
Football fan Mike was also a loyal supporter of the Bath Tramways Football Club where he played centre half for the team and went on to become its manager.
The Club went on to once win the Bath and District Football League. Today, he is an avid supporter of Manchester United, Celtic and Bristol Rovers.
He has also been instrumental in raising several thousand pounds for local and national charities with his colleagues over the years.
Mike has just celebrated his 66th birthday and 45th wedding anniversary with Pat.
They have two daughters and a son, Debbie, Emma, a housing manager for Curo and Gary, who has followed in his father’s footsteps and is also a driver based at the Bath depot.
Mike said: “The biggest changes I have seen are the technological advances and the increase in traffic congestion.
“When I started pretty much all you had was an engine, a gearbox and these tiny little wing mirrors. You had to be very good at reversing because we had to navigate a lot of narrow country lanes and would often meet something coming the other way, like a tractor.
“If you broke down you might have to walk miles to find the nearest phone box and call for help, or sit and wait for the next bus to come along on the route which could be some time.
“I’ll certainly miss all my colleagues – I have made so many great friends over the years and been rewarded with a lot of loyalty. But now it’s time to start enjoying a bit more time with Pat and the family.”
James Freeman, First West of England Managing Director, added: “These days it is quite unusual for someone to work for the same company for as long as Mike – he has certainly seen some changes over the years and we have been lucky to have him.
“He’s become very much a fixture of the Bath depot and he will indeed be missed by colleagues and customers. We hope he enjoys a very well-earned retirement.”
On his final day, Mike was presented with a cake, a film of his ‘best moments’ and a Manchester United football shirt with the number 46 on the back.
