The art of being a bus driver
Bus drivers from Arriva Yorkshire stepped out of their cabs this week and dipped their toes into the world of fine art.
Welcome to Yorkshire, Wakefield Council and Arriva joined forces in order to give drivers the knowledge to advise visitors and residents boarding their buses about the exciting new developments in Wakefield.
12 drivers spent the day learning about The Hepworth Wakefield and the great county of Yorkshire. The exercise is all part of the Yorkshire Pride customer service training offered to tourism organisations by Welcome to Yorkshire, ensuring visitors leave Yorkshire enthused and wanting to come back for more.
Tracey Holt, a driver from Arriva’s Wakefield Depot, said: “This is something so different. I’m really looking forward to passing on my new found knowledge about Barbara Hepworth to my passengers, friends and colleagues…and it’s great to feel a part of these exciting times in Wakefield too!”
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Gary Verity, Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive, said: “When we all show our pride in Yorkshire, it has a really positive effect on visitors and it’s one of the things they love about visiting here – it’s part of the famous warm Yorkshire welcome.
He added: “To be the best means we have to be better than the rest, and we want visitors to be impressed and visit again. That’s why we are delighted that Arriva’s drivers are getting onboard our courses to learn more about The Hepworth, Wakefield and Yorkshire – and help extend that warm Yorkshire welcome even further.”
Andy Wallhead, Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economic Growth at Wakefield Council said: " We are delighted that Arriva Yorkshire is working with us over the next few months to welcome visitors to the area. The opening of The Hepworth and Trinity Walk will attract many people to Wakefield and we are working with organisations like Arriva to make sure those visitors have a fantastic experience, so they return to see what else the area has to offer."
The Hepworth Gallery and opens its doors to the public on the 21 May 2011.