As well as being a great opportunity to learn about RATP Dev's two stage project to launch its electrified bus fleet, our visit to Shepherd's Bush Bus Depot also gave us a great insight into the running of the depot and the people who make it all happen.

We were warmly welcomed by Charlie Barnes, the Zero Emission Vehicles Project Manager at RATP Dev and also a member of our Women in Transport Bus group, who had very kindly organised our visit.

Charlie, who joined RATP four years ago as an engineering graduate, talked to us about her current exciting role and the electrification project involving 65 vehicles. The first stage has seen the electrification of 36 single decker buses on Routes C1 and 70 and the next stage of the project has just been reached with the electrification of 29 double deckers on route 94. Charlie also took us on a guided tour of the depot where we could see first hand the changes that this has brought to the depot.

AC chargers are used to charge the electric bus fleet (DC conversion is within the bus vehicle). Each charger has two ‘guns’ that provide a combined 80 kWh of electricity and can charge a single decker in two to three hours and a double decker in three to four hours. London buses can be on the road for up to 23 hours a day.

Much of the work in the electrification project is around how to accommodate the new technology in existing infrastructure while balancing the needs of the incumbent fleet.

Installing 37 chargers in the first stage resulted in a loss of nearly 20 per cent of vital parking space. Lessons were learned, and careful placement of equipment meant that no parking capacity was lost in the second phase.

A dedicated electrical sub-station has been installed at the depot. One of the key constraints of the chargers is that cables can only be three or five metres long so spatial planning is a crucial element of the project.

There is also significant contingency planning required for every eventuality to ensure continuity in what is a 24 hour service.

In the maintenance area we saw the seven pits used to service and maintain the depot's 119 vehicles on a regular 28 day cycle.

Charlie noted that the transition from diesel to hybrid to electric has eased the step change in terms of training engineers to maintain the electric fleet. It’s been particularly important to get apprentices in early and familiarise them on the job, working with the vehicles alongside experienced engineers.

Stephane Ivic, who is the Service Delivery Manager, took us to the iBus room where the controllers patiently answered our questions and where we could see for ourselves how they deal with incidents and communicate with drivers as well as learning about the action they take when the system goes down.

What made this visit particularly valuable for our members was the opportunity to meet and hear from some very inspiring women in a variety of roles at RATP Dev.

We were very privileged that Catherine Chardon, the UK Managing Director, took time out of her busy schedule to spend an hour with us, talking about her 27 year career with RATP where she was HR Director in a bus garage at the age of 23. She progressed through various operational roles to become CEO of North America before taking on her current role in the UK.

Her talk was hugely entertaining and full of amusing anecdotes and excellent advice. Catherine’s top tip for young women beginning a career in transport is to start 'in the real world' in frontline operations and not in HQ.

She explained much about the RATP Group, of which RATP Dev is a subsidiary, that was established to learn about competition and to create value outside of its Paris headquarters. It operates in 14 countries and has over 17,000 employees.

The company has been operating in London since 2011 and runs 75 of the 700 bus routes in the capital under the governance of Transport for London (TfL). It is one of eight operating companies, accounting for 12 per cent of bus operations on the London network.

Catherine gave a very honest overview of the challenges of delivering against the high performance targets and standards set by TfL. A major one is that, currently, buses don’t have priority, although there is a project underway within TfL focused on this issue.

We were also joined by Kelly Rahman, General Manager at Stamford Bridge Depot. She spoke openly of the challenges she has met since starting her career as an eighteen year old in a traditionally male dominated environment. Her journey included becoming a manager at 25 while sharing the care of her two young children with her husband, a bus driver, working opposite shifts. Despite setbacks and difficulties she went on to gain a degree in management before eventually progressing to her current role.

Viva Aikins, a bus driver since 2014, had a fascinating story to tell. She was previously a special effects make up artist but sacrificed this demanding career as she couldn't commit to international travel with small children. Viva became a bus driver because she wanted a new challenge, to work outside and to be able to balance work and childcare. Voted the Top London Bus Driver 2015, Viva clearly loves her job and certainly goes the extra mile for her passengers. She has taught herself the basics of several different languages and sign language to help her communicate better with customers.

There are, unsurprisingly, negative aspects to her role such as a lack of toilet facilities for women on shared routes and aggressive behaviour by some passengers. However, she brushed these off saying, “With abuse, I keep my cool and let the moment pass. You are never alone in the cab and I can call for help if I feel scared or vulnerable. I’ve had the most amazing time, learning how to deal with all types of people. I would urge any woman to do this.”

The last speaker of the afternoon was 19 year old Tayahna Duncan, a second year, engineering apprentice who had been inspired by her mother, a mechanic. Tayahna also loves her job but spoke about some of the physical challenges she faces, such as being short. She has devised ways to overcome this when working in the pit and uses different tools. She described her male colleagues as being very helpful and supportive.

As the bus sector is a very male dominated environment, it was great to hear from women working across RATP Dev in a variety of interesting roles. The RATP Dev CEO and the Group CEO are women and, in Paris, 50 per cent of managers are female.

All in all, it was a fascinating afternoon and so much was learnt on so many levels. Here are a few comments from our members.

“I loved the mix of the highly topical industry spotlight on electric, and the talks from director level, apprentice engineers, drivers and general managers. Great mix and very interesting and engaging.”

“Really enjoyable day out, very well organised in including speakers from different levels of the company to give different perspectives and fascinating stories. Would highly recommend if there is a Round 2.”

“A very engaging and interesting tour of the bus depot. I really enjoyed how it covered all aspects of how the garage operates and their main challenges. Charlie was very attentive and helpful in answering all questions.”

"The event was highly engaging, a fantastic mix of individuals all with a story to tell. Loved learning about the electric buses too, and how they overcame the challenges around infrastructure. Great event!”

“I have learnt a lot about electric buses and found it very interesting to hear the different testimonials of people working on the operational side.”

Our thanks to everyone from RATP Dev who gave their time to talk to us and for the warm welcome and hospitality. Special thanks to Charlie Barnes for co-ordinating such a great site visit and giving us the opportunity to hear such a variety of speakers.

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