Some passengers who use the bus station get treated like royalty! Scotland’s premier coach operator, Scottish Citylink, has rewarded one loyal passenger for 18 years continued patronage, on its Inverness to Glasgow service.
Anne McDougal, aged 56 from Culloden, Inverness, first began using their services in February 1990 and has been delighted with the value for money and the level of customer care that she has received from Citylink over the years.
Mrs McDougal, said: “When I first secured a position as a nurse in Glasgow one of the first things that crossed my mind was how to get to and from my place of work. I began by using the train but the cost kept rising so I was in a real dilemma as to what to do.”
But fortunately for Anne, even back in the 1980s, Scottish Citylink was providing a reliable and affordable alternative to the car or the train. Convinced that the job was a good career move, and comforted by Citylink’s regular timetable between the two cities, Anne changed from the train to the coach and never looked back.
“Citylink made it easy for me. The flexibility of the services, the guaranteed seating, the affordable price, and the pleasant nature of the drivers kept me going. And what’s more the coach was just as quick as the train.”
Anne made the journey south once a week, or a fortnight, staying in digs, for up to ten days at a time, before travelling back home.
“I got to know many of the drivers, who were really nice people, and it’s been great to chat to them over the years. It’s been like having a large extended family.”
After nearly two decades of work in Glasgow, Anne has finally decided to hang up her nurses apron, at the Beatson Oncology Centre at Gartnavel, in the city’s West End, with the aim of undertaking voluntary work with animals.
Margaret Stewart, Bus Station manager at Inverness said: “Anne has been a familiar and friendly face around the bus station and we hope that she continues to visit us after her retirement.”
And to celebrate Ann’s retirement the managers and staff at Inverness bus station presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne, on Tuesday 14 April in the Inverness bus station on Margaret Street, whilst Citylinks head office in Glasgow are treating Anne and her husband to a 5-course meal at their expense.
Tom Wileman, MD of Scottish Citylink said: “It’s always nice to be appreciated and Mrs McDougal has complimented us on our services many times, over the past 18 years. We’re delighted that she has continued to use us, year in, year out, and it’s only fitting that we recognise this loyalty and I’m hoping that Mrs McDougal will now use Citylink’s services for more pleasurable purposes!”
