Talented Tom takes the 599 to the Final!

Stagecoach Cumbria’s famous 599 open top bus from Grasmere to Bowness has made it through to the Final of the UK Open Top Bus 2024 sponsored by Blink. It’s an absolute cracker of a route in the heart of the Lake District and has gained plaudits across the UK and far beyond.

In advance of the big match against Needles Breezer, from the Isle of Wight, we caught up with Stagecoach Cumbria’s supremo, Tom Waterhouse, who heads up the 599 route. Tom’s one of the most talented customer service professionals of his generation and is hot property in the transport sector, so no surprise to see the 599, under his stewardship, building on the legacy of his predecessor Rob Jones, and continue to entrance scenic thrill seekers, with not just the view from the bus window but the brand and service per se! The odds are shortening on Waterhouse walking on water in the Lakes come Saturday night, though the West Wight faithful down south will be having other ideas.

We posed a few quickfire questions to Tom below, whilst he was hard at work on the training ground with his team talking tactics and going through their pre-match warm-ups.

How do you feel about making it to the Final?

“We’re really excited and thrilled to make it through to the Final, as we have been up against some really strong competition in each of the rounds. Open Top services often represent the best of their respective operators, so to make it through to the Final is an achievement in itself!” 

The 599 gets great plaudits from customers – what’s the secret of success for it?

“The staff at Kendal depot! The Lakes is such a unique and beautiful part of the world, but it’s the staff that make every journey on a 599 a real experience to remember”. 

How has patronage been on the route this year?

“So far we’ve had a good summer. Like many operators, we’ve seen challenges due to wider factors affecting footfall in tourism heavy areas, and we’re up against some stiff competition in terms of other attractions in the Lakes, but we’re happy with how the season has gone so far”. 

What’s your favourite part of the route?

“I really love the section down past the Low Wood Hotel. We use that hotel every year to celebrate our long serving employees, but it’s also home to what we would argue is the best view from any bus stop in the country!” 

Tell us a bit about your background and how you made it to the hotseat, overseeing the 599?

“I originally joined Stagecoach in 2009 (I celebrate my 15 year anniversary on 1st September) and am a career busman. Originally joining as a Graduate Trainee, I have spent time in or running our operations in Cambridge, North East, Winchester & Bedford before joining Cumbria & North Lancashire as Operations Director in 2018. I was made permanent Managing Director in January of this year”. 

Finally what do you know about your opposition, the Needles Breezer and are you confident about winning?

“I don’t think you can ever be confident in winning when you are up against such good opposition! They, like us, have some operate through some incredibly scenery and feedback from friends and colleagues who have travelled on it have been as equally complimentary about the staff who operate it! May the best route win”! 

Keep your eyes peeled on the Great Scenic Journeys socials for further pre-match previews and to vote. Make sure you plan your trip on the 599, by going to 599 Open Top Bus Windermere – Grasmere – Great Scenic Journeys