Ex-FirstBus MD back driving

The former MD of FirstBus (South West) is back behind the wheel, driving buses around Winchester, Hampshire.

James Freeman retired as managing director of the company in March after almost 47 years in the industry.

Mr Freeman, however, has now joined rival Stagecoach — which has seen thousands of weekly services cut this year — as it battles against a nationwide bus-driver shortage.

Mr Freeman, who is at operator Stagecoach South, said buses make a ‘huge difference’ to people’s lives and provide a ‘really important social service’.