As the country prepares to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III bus operator, Stagecoach Manchester, has unveiled a Coronation themed bus to mark the occasion.
The Coronation bus is now in service across Greater Manchester and will be switching up the routes operated so that the entire region has a chance to see it.
Cornel Grant, one of the drivers at the wheel of the Coronation bus, will also be attending the King’s Coronation. Cornel received his invitation after being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2022 for his extensive work within the community.
After serving in the Royal Fusiliers for six years and completing three tours in Northern Ireland, Cornel, known to his friends and colleagues as Junior, began work at Princess Road Depot in 1982 as a bus driver. Junior has played an active role in his local community for over 40 years, bringing people together through events as well as extensive fundraising.
Stagecoach has also launched a Coronation themed competition that gives its customers a chance to win free travel for a year. From 1 May to 9 May 2023, customers are encouraged to take a photograph of a specially designed poster and share it on their social media accounts. The poster, which features a large crown and the hashtag #KingOfTheBus, will be situated on buses across the UK, giving as many people as possible the opportunity to take part in the competition.
In line with the operator’s commitment to sustainability and serving its local community, customers travelling on the day of the Coronation will receive a memento that ties in with His Majesty, King Charles’ love of gardening. While stocks last, Stagecoach employees will hand out biodegradable cards embedded with wildflower seeds, with the flowers to be enjoyed for weeks following the Coronation.
Stagecoach Manchester’s six depots will also be hosting afternoon teas and lunches to enable colleagues who are working over the Coronation weekend to join in with the celebrations.
Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester said: “It’s a true pleasure to be celebrating such a momentous event with our customers and employees this month. This is an exciting time for us as a proud British company and we want to help make the Coronation weekend one to remember.
“Junior is a huge credit to Stagecoach – he is a true legend who has helped make Manchester a better place, we are very proud of him, and are thrilled to see him attending the King’s Coronation.”
