Transport fan Alex enjoys a National Express West Midlands bus visit
Alex (front - white tshirt) accompanied by Scott Lyons and Dicky Dodd from Signal 107 Radio (far left), Alex's family and Mark Wood from National Express West Midlands (far right)
Alex Boughey from Halesowen was treated to a very special visit to a National Express West Midlands garage - but not before a VIP ride on his very own bus.
Dicky Dodd and Scott Lyons from Signal 107 Radio picked up 11-year-old Alex and his family in a Platinum bus with his very own destination blind saying “Welcome to Pensnett Alex”.
Young Alex has autism and learning difficulties and recently suffered a loss in the family. He’s a massive transport fan so to help put a smile on his face he was invited into the sunny Pensnett garage to see all the different buses in the local fleet.
When Alex and his family arrived at the garage, they were also surprised with a vintage member of the National Express family that had been brought over to Pensnett for the special occasion: a 1954 Crossley bodied Daimler in Birmingham City Transport livery.
During the visit Alex enjoyed a ride through the bus wash and sat in the drivers’ cab, learning about all the switches that operate the passenger doors, lights and indicators. He was also presented with a bag containing various goodies including a model bus.
Alex’s mum Sarah Boughey said:
“It was an amazing day enjoyed by all the family and the delight on Alex’s face was wonderful. I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising such a special experience.”
Dicky Dodd, Breakfast Presenter on Signal 107, said:
"It was a pleasure to meet Alex and his family and be able to drive them to Pensnett garage. To see Alex's face light up was priceless! I get to do some pretty cool things and meet lots of famous people in my job but being able to be part of such a special day was incredible.”
Mark Wood, Senior Admin Assistant for National Express West Midlands, said:
“When we got the call telling us about young Alex we were more than happy to arrange a special bus for him to come in and see us. We’re looking forward to seeing him again on our 9 service the next time he travels into Birmingham with his grandparents.”