2022 marks the beginning of a new journey for Waverley hoppa Community Transport with general manager Steve Forward handing over the keys for the driving seat to his successor Richard Davies.
Steve Forward joined hoppa in 2005 when the fleet consisted of eight buses and when passenger journeys totalled around 46,000 per year. Today, there are 25 buses and hoppa will soon carry its one millionth passenger.
Under Steve’s management, hoppa has reduced its dependency on grants from the public purse by introducing new income generating services such as school transport for children with special needs and non-urgent hospital transport.
Reflecting on his time at hoppa, Steve Forward says: “What started out as what I thought would be a temporary role, turned into a 17-year career. What has kept it interesting is; no two days were ever the same, every day was a different challenge and going home at the end of the day with the feeling of immense satisfaction knowing that you have made a difference to those who use our services. Working with a team of dedicated and committed employees and trustees, who have also played a massive part in hoppa’s success, was another very positive aspect of my role. I wish hoppa continued success for the future.”
Rob Stansbury, chairman of trustees says: “hoppa has been extremely fortunate to have had Steve Forward to lead it through the challenges of its development for such an extended and successful tenure. Without him, hoppa would not have been what it is today.
“Under Steve’s leadership hoppa has created its reputation for reliable, friendly, safe and secure transport for every customer whom it serves, throughout the borough of Waverley. We are so grateful to Steve for all his hard years of service to us and the community. I and the trustees are looking forward very much to working with Richard as the new general manager, who will lead hoppa forward to meet the challenges that the future holds, so that we can continue to serve the communities in and around Farnham, Godalming, Haslemere and Cranleigh.”
Richard Davies started at hoppa on 10 January and is no stranger to the transport sector. He worked his way up from a customer service representative on the front desk at Heathrow Hertz UK to UK country manager. After leaving Hertz, Richard took on a new challenge as the director of a company offering specialised cleaning services.
Stepping into his new role, Richard says: “I am delighted to join hoppa and am really looking forward to working with the team to further develop our core services within Waverley Borough. I am very proud and excited to be leading the hoppa team, a team who are passionate and dedicated to delivering the highest level of service across the borough.”
As general manager, Richard will be responsible for leading hoppa towards a more sustainable future while continuing to provide a first class and accessible transport service for people living in Waverley.
