Young Bus Fan Wins Competition to Get a Glimpse Behind the Scenes at Stagecoach’s Barnsley Depot: A Look into Daily Depot Operations

Ever had a passion for something a bit different? Maybe it’s collecting old stamps, knowing everything about a specific video game, or being able to name every single train that passes your local station. For one fifteen-year-old from South Yorkshire, that passion is buses. And not just any buses, but the ones that get people around his local area every single day. A young bus enthusiast named Igor just had a dream come true, thanks to a fantastic competition run by Stagecoach to celebrate a big milestone in the region. He swapped his usual view from the passenger seat for an exclusive look at everything that makes the wheels on the bus go round.

A competition with a poetic twist

It all started with an anniversary. Stagecoach has been a familiar sight on the roads of South Yorkshire for two whole decades. Think about that – 20 years of school runs, trips to the shops, journeys to work, and days out. To mark their 20th Anniversary, Stagecoach Yorkshire decided to do something special for the people who use their services. They launched the South Yorkshire Superfan Competition, looking for the biggest bus fan in the area. And how did they find their winner? Through poetry, of all things. It wasn't about the longest journey or the most tickets bought; it was about creativity and passion.

Young Igor, aged 15, put pen to paper and wrote a poem all about Stagecoach buses. His words clearly struck a chord, because he was crowned the winner. The prize wasn't just a certificate or a goody bag; it was something far more exciting for a true bus enthusiast. He won a special ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the Stagecoach depot in Barnsley. As soon as he was announced as the winner, Cheryl Green, the Operations Manager at Barnsley, and her team got straight to work planning an unforgettable day for Igor and his Dad. It’s one thing to ride a bus, but it's another thing entirely to see where they live and how they're kept running smoothly.

Behind the scenes at the Barnsley depot

So, what does a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of a busy bus depot actually look like? It's a whole world that passengers never get to see. For Igor, this was a chance to witness the full scale of the operation. It's not just a big garage; it’s the nerve centre for a whole fleet of vehicles that thousands of people rely on. Cheryl Green wanted to make sure Igor saw everything. She said, “We were able to let Igor see the full operations of Barnsley depot - from engineering to the day-to-day running of our fleet.”

The tour gave Igor a proper look at all the different parts of the depot and the modern technology needed to keep today’s bus network moving. A visit like this might include:

• The Engineering Bay: This is where the magic happens. Imagine massive vehicle lifts hoisting double-decker buses into the air for checks and repairs. It's a place filled with the sounds of tools and the smell of engine oil, where skilled mechanics make sure every single bus is safe and ready for the road.

• The Control Room: The brain of the whole operation. Here, a team monitors the entire fleet of buses in real-time, using GPS and clever software to track every journey. They deal with traffic jams, diversions, and make sure the service is as punctual as possible. It's a bit like air traffic control, but for buses.

• The Bus Wash: Think of a car wash, but on a massive scale. Every bus in the fleet needs to be kept clean, and they go through a gigantic automated washer to get them looking their best for passengers.

• Driver Training Area: This is where new drivers learn the ropes and experienced ones brush up on their skills. It showcases the high level of training needed to safely handle such a large vehicle in all kinds of weather and traffic.

It’s this complex mix of engineering, planning, and technology that ensures the bus network functions every day. For a young fan like Igor, getting to see it all up close must have been brilliant. It's a side of public transport that's rarely seen but is absolutely essential.

Inspiring the next generation

The team at the Barnsley depot were just as thrilled to host the visit. It’s not every day they get to show someone around who is so genuinely excited about what they do. Cheryl Green added, “It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm at such a young age, and we hope Igor enjoyed his visit. Maybe in a few years’ time we’ll be welcoming his application to join the team!” And why not? A passion like Igor's is exactly what the industry needs to keep moving forward. The visit showed that there are so many different careers involved in running a bus service, from hands-on engineering to high-tech logistics.

This sentiment was echoed by Matt Kitchin, the Managing Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire. He was clearly delighted that the depot visit, which was announced on 20th February 2026, could be arranged as part of the 20th Anniversary celebrations. Matt Kitchin said, “We were delighted to have Igor visit our operations, and I am grateful to Cheryl and the team at Barnsley for making this happen. At Stagecoach, we always say that we ‘plan for the future’ and young people, like Igor, could certainly be the future of the bus industry.”

He also highlighted the importance of celebrating with the local community. “The 20th Anniversary of Stagecoach in South Yorkshire is a proud time for everyone connected with the operation. Over the years, we have developed so many loyal customers and fans, and we really wanted to include them in the celebration.” The Superfan competition was the perfect way to do just that, creating a memorable experience for a dedicated young bus fan and showing appreciation for two decades of support from local communities. It's a great reminder that behind every bus journey, there's a huge team of dedicated people making it happen.