Home Business Awards & Achievements EYMS celebrates its long-standing team members at commemorative ceremony

EYMS celebrates its long-standing team members at commemorative ceremony

Clocking up an impressive 260+ years’ service are nine team members from East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS), with one driver from Withernsea commemorating 45 years with the company, at a recent awards ceremony.

Starting his career in 1973 as an apprentice fitter at the Anlaby Road and Withernsea depots, Stephen Smith was later promoted to shift supervisor and fitter. After 32 years in the engineering department, Stephen transferred to the Withernsea depot as a driver – being behind the wheel for the past 13 years.

The 61-year-old, grandfather of nine, has watched the bus industry evolve dramatically over the past four and a half decades, as he recalls: “I’ve seen pretty much every change there’s been as I have worked as a mechanic, a supervisor and as a driver. The improvement in the vehicles particularly is outstanding. The team is also second to none – I have worked in all the EYMS depots and have met countless staff members and they are all wonderful. I am due to retire in three years and I know that I am doing so with a smile on my face.”

Although he was unable to attend the annual awards ceremony, which celebrates people who have long-standing careers with the bus and coach operator, driver Paul Furniss celebrated reaching his 40-year milestone.


Paul initially joined EYMS in 1970 as a junior clerk in the schedules department, before a short spell out of the business after two years. Returning to Anlaby Road in 1978 as a driver, Paul retired this summer after 40 years’ service.
Proud of a career filled with historic firsts and lasts, Paul was one of the first drivers to operate service 350 over the Humber Bridge and one of the last to operate out of the old bus station in 2004. He was also the first ever to drive the EYMS service out of the current Interchange – the 0735 service 34 Hull to Willerby Square on Sunday 16 September 2007.

Stephen and five team members all celebrating a quarter of a century with EYMS, joined an intimate reception at the Hallmark Hotel in North Ferriby. EYMS’ managing director Martijn Gilbert along with the company’s senior management team, presented the team members with awards and commemorative gifts to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

Martijn said: “My heartfelt congratulations and thanks go to the nine team members who celebrated outstanding career milestones this year. Our people are what make EYMS a great bus company – driven by passion for delivering exemplary services for our passengers and partners and it was great to celebrate the Long Service Awards with those who have shown such loyalty over the last 25, 40 and 45 years.”