National Express Bus Drivers Have Tea With Prime Minister
Two National Express bus drivers have been to Downing Street to have tea with the Prime Minister.
Sharon Smith from Wolverhampton and Anne-Marie Fearon from Birmingham were invited to a Number 10 reception to celebrate “Keeping Britain Moving”. David Cameron thanked them in person “for all the hard work you do, day in, day out”. They were also praised for their dedication by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
Sharon Smith has been with National Express for nine years. Her passengers call her “an amazing driver” who is always helpful and caring, particularly with her elderly customers and people in wheelchairs.
Anne-Marie Fearon has been driving National Express buses for two years, out of Birmingham’s Yardley Wood garage. Her commendation from her passengers begins: “This driver was like a ray of sunshine, greeting everyone with a big smile and a good morning.”
Anne-Marie says her family were “absolutely over the moon” when they heard where she was going.
“They couldn’t believe it!” she said. “It was surreal. But absolutely fantastic. The Prime Minister was so welcoming. We are mere bus drivers, but he made us feel us like he really wanted us to be there.”
Sharon Smith said, “We were a bit nervous, but it was incredible - a day I’ll never forget. The Prime Minister put us at our ease - he talked about how we keep the country moving, asked us about our work and whether we like it. But for me, the best bit of the whole evening was getting in a black cab at the station and saying, Ten Downing Street, please!"
