A Cockermouth bus driver is celebrating 30 years of service behind the wheel.
Andrew Stewart, 62, from Cockermouth, joined Stagecoach on 24 August 1996 with the intention of staying for just two years.
Three decades later, he remains a familiar and friendly face on routes across the region.
Mr Stewart said: "I only came here as a stop-gap for two years and I'm still here 30 years later.
"I've met some great friends over the years and many of them are still friends 30 years on.
"I'm still learning every day, and I've had the privilege of driving everything from Routemasters and old Nationals to B10s and B12s.
"Buses have changed enormously.
"The older buses were harder to operate but, in my experience, they were a lot more reliable.
"I do miss the old Whitehaven bus station, though."
During his career, Mr Stewart has twice won the North West Bus Driver of the Year competition and twice claimed the Cumbria and Lancashire regional title.
He finished ninth in the UK finals held in Blackpool in 2010.
His achievements extend beyond competitions, with one of his most memorable experiences being selected to work at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
There, he was responsible for transporting the Angolan women’s Olympic team to and from their training facilities.
During the Games, he also met athletes Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.
Mr Stewart said: "I told them I was from Cockermouth and they thought I was joking, so I showed them where it was on Google Maps.
"Once they realised I was telling the truth, we had a good chat.
"They were both true gentlemen and very down to earth.
"It was a great experience and something I'll never forget."
Throughout his 30 years with Stagecoach, Mr Stewart has driven a variety of routes and vehicles, including Route 505 between Windermere and Coniston and the 517 between Ambleside and Little Langdale.
He has also driven National Express services from Whitehaven to London and from London to Aberdeen.
His career has included work at depots across the UK, and he once led a group of 15 drivers from West Cumbria to Dartford and back.
In addition to driving, Mr Stewart has taken on several other roles within the company, including mentoring colleagues, serving as a union and health and safety official, and supporting publicity events and timetable changes.
He is also known by the nickname 'Flatpack,' given to him early in his career by a colleague in Whitehaven.
He said: "He said I must have a screw missing doing the hours I was doing, and the name Flatpack stuck – like the furniture you used to get from MFI and B&Q where there was always a screw missing."
Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and Lancashire, praised Mr Stewart’s dedication and professionalism.
Mr Waterhouse said: "Andrew’s 30 years of service is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to his commitment to our customers, his colleagues and the communities he has served over such a long period.
"From competitive driving and mentoring colleagues to his work at the London Olympics, Andrew has made a huge contribution to Stagecoach and has plenty of stories to tell.
"His passion for driving and willingness to take on new challenges over three decades is something we are incredibly proud of.
"We would like to thank Andrew for everything he has contributed and congratulate him on this fantastic milestone."
Mr Stewart remains as enthusiastic about his work as ever, and shows no signs of slowing down.
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