Three Nottingham City Transport bus drivers who drove for a combined 122 years have retired. Allan Laird, Roger Wallace and George Carter retired from the city’s largest transport operator recently, after completing 31.5 years, 42 years and 48.5 years respectively with NCT.
The trio have enjoyed successful careers at Nottingham City Transport, building great rapport with their customers and colleagues, which all three say they will miss. Allan joined NCT in 1992, starting on route 70, which then operated between Clifton and Hucknall with midi-buses.
Allan later moved to the Lime and Purple Line services along Mansfield Road, where he remained until his retirement. In retirement, Allan plans to do voluntary work in his community as well as visiting the home of Elvis in Memphis and completing the North Coast 500 in a campervan with his wife.
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Allan said: “I have enjoyed my time as a bus driver with NCT and will miss the banter and laughs with my work colleagues”. Roger joined NCT in March 1981 on Clifton services, which at the time were operated with a driver and conductor.
After then driving Beeston and Aspley services, Roger transferred to the South Notts 1 route in 2003, which he drove for two decades years until his retirement. NCT said Roger was a very popular driver with colleagues and regular customers on the route, with one passenger waiting more than an hour so that they could travel on his last shift.
Roger said: “After 42 years with NCT including twenty years on South Notts, I am going to miss my colleagues and regular customers. I am now looking forward to retirement and spending time with my family”.
George started his career with NCT in 1974, driving the old type, rear open platform buses on routes to Carlton and Gedling. He then moved to Arnold routes and the 53 before driving Carlton services until his retirement, with the 27 his favourite route.
George, who is one of NCT’s longest ever serving employees, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed nearly 50 years as a bus driver and I reckon I must have driven more than 120,000 trips in my time. I will miss seeing my passengers and colleagues. I am very proud to have achieved both my NVQ Level 2 qualification and for achieving the Diamond ROSPA award for safe driving”.
In retirement, George plans to carry on driving, but in his motorhome with his wife as they tour Europe. David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director said: “I’m always sorry to say goodbye to drivers of the calibre of these three true gentlemen, but they have earned their retirements.
"I thank them for the sterling and loyal service they have given to NCT and wish them many years of good health and happiness ahead. Their combined service of 122 years says a lot about them, and importantly, also reflects the culture of service and loyalty that we enjoy within our team here at NCT.”
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