Albert McCarthy receives National GEM Safety Award from Aled Williams, Bus Éireann Senior Operations Manager (south).

Bualadh bus!

A Cork bus driver is being heralded as a true hero after leaving the wheel to help a queuing passenger who was having a heart attack.

Life saver Martin Saul was awarded the National GEM Hero Award after performing CPR on a passenger who had collapsed at Parnell Place bus station.

The Carrigaline native received his award at the annual GEM (Go the Extra Mile) Awards which recognise excellence in customer service, community impact, performance and forward-thinking.

Another Bus Éireann worker, Albert McCarthy from Ballincollig, was awarded for his outstanding contribution to the safety culture at Bus Éireann’s Capwell depot in Cork city, where he was recognised as being incredibly attentive to the wellbeing of both drivers and passengers.

Congratulating the winners, Bus Éireann Chief Executive Officer Stephen Kent said: ‘’2021 has been a landmark year for Bus Éireann and I am proud of our team of dedicated employees.

“I would especially like to recognise Martin and Albert, who have been awarded specifically for their demonstration of Bus Éireann’s core values. Martin for his heroism in responding quickly to an emergency incident and Albert for prioritising the safety of our customers and colleagues.”

Other award winners in Bus Éireann’s southern region included Kieran Calnan from Clonakilty who was named Apprentice of the Year and Daniel O’Regan from Monkstown who was awarded Craftworker of the Year.

Bus Éireann’s Cork employees also won the prestigious Team of the Year award for the southern region.