READING Buses has commended three colleagues for 60 years of service between them on Tuesday, August 23.Oliver Saunders, David Goorney, and Babar Kiyani are celebrating 20 years of service each with the company.
Mr Saunders, 56, whose home in Oxford Road is only a short distance from the Great Knollys Street depot, says he was looking from a job close by.
“I have found it ideal – So I tried it out and everything was fine, and it’s definitely an advantage not having far to travel to work.”Mr Saunders has two children, and said: “On early shifts I would pick up the children from school and I know a couple of months in advance of shift work so I can schedule my life around that.
“I come in and do what I need to do and it works out well.”
David Goorney has also reached the 20-year milestone with Reading Buses, and said: “The role of a bus driver has given me a good standard of living and to those looking for an interesting job I can highlight a number of reasons for considering the bus industry.”
“The role has offered me many benefits, including job satisfaction and security, a decent wage, pension, the ability to work different shifts and largely being my own boss.
“For those who no longer wish to sit at a computer screen all day, which I was previously doing before joining Reading Buses, it has provided a new career direction which has also included free on-the-job training as well as job security – it is a pretty good career path.”
Babar Kiyani has also logged two decades of service after having moved in from driving a taxi.Following 15 years of driving night-buses, Mr Kiyani was promoted to night-time network supervisor.
He moved from his native Pakistan to marry his partner, Feroza, who also started driving with Reading Buses a year ago.
He said of his time with Reading Buses: “It’s a beautiful job which I enjoy as much today as I did on day one and would recommend it.”
Caroline Anscombe, HR Director, said: “Oliver, David and Babar have been wonderful employees for the last 20 years and each show how there is truly a path for everyone here.
“They’re all from very different walks of life, but each has found a working pattern that works for them, allowing them to build their careers around their lives.
“I’m proud of all three and look forward to working with them all for many more years to come.”
