An eight-year-old bus enthusiast from Ayr has been given a behind-the-scenes look at how Stagecoach services operate after receiving a VIP tour of the company’s Kilmarnock depot.
Mack Caddis, a pupil at Kincaidston Primary School, visited the depot on August 14. During the visit, he learned more about bus operations and met members of staff working at the site.
From temporary traffic lights to a bus obsession
Mack’s interest in Stagecoach buses began when he was four. His mother, Jodi Caddis, said the fascination started outside the family home on a busy main road, where temporary traffic lights caused double-decker buses to stop nearby.
“Mack has honestly been obsessed with Stagecoach buses since he was just four.”
Since then, Mack has taught himself bus routes, fleet numbers and vehicle registrations. He regularly visits Ayr bus station to photograph and film buses, and has also visited both the Ayr and Arran Stagecoach depots.
His enthusiasm has become well known at school. Staff once adapted the school nativity play to include a Stagecoach bus, according to his mother.
Mack is already thinking about a future behind the wheel. Jodi said he hopes to become a driver when he is older, with a particular ambition to drive a double-decker on the 97 route to Craig Tara.
A special visit for an aspiring driver
The Kilmarnock depot tour gave Mack the chance to see more of the work involved in running bus services and meet the teams behind them.
“Getting that behind-the-scenes look makes him feel like a total VIP and he looks forward to it so much.”
Jodi also thanked Rachel Hart at Stagecoach for repeatedly helping to organise visits for Mack, as well as the staff who welcomed him.
“Rachel Hart at Stagecoach has been amazing for always organising those visits for him; we appreciate it more than words can say and all the staff are just so lovely to him.”
Rachel Hart, a marketing assistant at Stagecoach, said Mack’s knowledge of the company’s fleet was remarkable and that staff were pleased to help arrange opportunities for him to meet the teams behind the services.
“Mack’s enthusiasm for buses and his knowledge of our fleet is remarkable.”
The visit follows Mack’s regular trips to Ayr bus station and earlier visits to Stagecoach depots, giving the young Ayr enthusiast a closer view of the buses and people he has followed for years.