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Special treat for Billy

Special treat for BillyFifteen-year-old bus enthusiast Billy Birkett, from Dagenham, was given the present of a lifetime thanks to the team at Arriva London’s Clapton garage.

In an email to the company the Robert Clack school pupil, told the company of his great passion for anything and everything relating to buses, especially the route 38.

Recognising his efforts the company replied inviting him and his Nan, to an extra special visit to the newly re-opened Clapton garage.

Staff at the garage gave the youngster a personal tour of the latest buses along with the engineering workshop at the garage, which was re-opened recently.

Paul Taylor, operating manager, said: “We were really impressed by Billy’s knowledge and enthusiasm so thought it would be a great idea to offer him a tour around a working bus garage.”

Engineering manager, Colin Moore was also on hand to see that the Billy got the best out of his visit and had this to say: “It’s not something we can do every day, but his keenness and love for buses really caught our attention and we were able to make arrangements to be able to offer him this special treat.  It was a real pleasure to have him join us and we hope he continues his passion for Arriva’s buses.”

Special treat for BillyDuring his visit Billy got the opportunity to sit in the cab of a bus and particularly enjoyed a ride through the bus wash. Billy has already visited West Ham, Barking and Upton Park garages but said that Clapton was his favourite.

As well as spending time seeing the facilities and the buses Arriva presented Billy with his very own collection of goodies, as well as Arriva memorabilia fit for the very best enthusiast there were some special items courtesy of bus manufactures Wrights and VDL.

Published: Tue 23 Feb 2010Modified: Wed 24 Feb 2010Archived: Tue 23 Mar 2010

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