First Bus Aberdeen backs message of difference in Living Wage campaign

First Bus in Aberdeen is lending its support as a real Living Wage (RLW) employer at the start of a week focusing on how accredited businesses can improve the workplace and lives of employees.

Ten buses in its fleet will be seen in the city carrying banners during Living Wage Week (10-16 November) and beyond to highlight the message of campaigners operating across Aberdeen and the wider region.

This year’s theme for Living Wage Week is ‘the difference it makes’.

First Bus Scotland Managing Director, Duncan Cameron, said: “Becoming a real Living Wage employer had an immediate positive impact for colleagues and new apprentices who have joined us in the past year.”

Martin Barry, Chair of the Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire real Living Wage action group, said: “This is a fantastic gesture from First Bus to promote the real Living Wage and recognise the difference it makes. 

“With around 16,000 children living in poverty across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and the vast majority from a household where at least one adult works, the impact of low pay is real. 

“We’d encourage employers from all sectors to look at the benefits being an accredited real Living Wage employer can bring to both their business and workers, helping us make the region one where everyone can prosper and have the best quality of life.” 

First Bus has been an accredited real Living Wage (RLW) employer since April 2024 and is the UK’s largest national bus operator to make this commitment. Some 80 colleagues in Scotland have benefitted with pay in line with the RLW as part of 1,300 colleagues across the UK. 

This demonstrates the importance of its colleagues to the business; ensuring no colleague ever gets left behind.   

First year apprentices Dan McIntosh and Yurri Shakhrai both said earning the real Living Wage makes them feel valued at work. Yurri added: “I’m really happy to work at First Bus. For me it’s not just a job it’s a chance to be a part of something bigger and to also contribute to our community.”

Garage labourer, Darren Cable said: “I’m proud that First Bus is a real living wage employer. Valuing our people is just as important as serving our passengers because when our team thrives our communities move forward together.”

Duncan Cameron added: “Our commitment to the wage is helping to get colleagues more engaged, which in turn can encourage customers to travel more often and achieve our mission to get people out of their cars and onto the bus.”   

Living Wage Scotland Manager, Lynn Anderson said: “This Living Wage Week, we celebrate the growing number of employers choosing to pay at least the real Living Wage – which is the only UK wage rate based solely on the cost of living. Living Wage accreditation is a well-recognised symbol of responsible pay, and we hope more employers will join the movement, because everyone deserves a decent standard of living.”

Picture captions:

First Bus Aberdeen 1,2 & 3: Duncan Cameron (second left) with Martin Barry, Aberdeen depot Engineering Manager Marcus Montgomery and (from left) Darren Cable, Dan Mcintosh and Yurri Shakhrai with one of the fleet carrying the message in Living Wage Week and beyond.

First Bus Aberdeen 4 & 5: (L-R) Duncan Cameron, Martin Barry and Aberdeen depot Engineering Manager Marcus Montgomery inspect one of the fleet.

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