A BIGHEARTED bus driver has been hailed for his efforts after going out of his way to help a stranded passenger.

 

When student Mo Macmillan fell asleep on the nightbus and missed her stop she panicked that she would be unable to get home.

But driver Derek Shields was determined not to leave his unlucky passenger stuck so gave her a lift - straight to her door.

Mo, 25, said: "I really appreciate everything he did. He showed real concern for my well-being and made sure I got home safe."

Mo, who is studying City and Guilds diploma level 1 and 2 in carpentry and joinery at South Lanarkshire College, boarded the bus on Union Street.

She had been at a gig in Audio, in the city centre, and fell asleep on board while listening to music through headphones.

When she woke up she realised she had missed her stop at East Kilbride and instead was travelling in the opposite direction back towards Glasgow.

The 25-year-old said: "I didn't know how I was going to get home. I went into a bit of a panic. I explained to the driver that I had no money to get home as I wasn't due to get paid for another two days and didn't know how I was going to get back. I was quite distressed."

She continued: "He offered to take me to the police station but I said that would be no use because I'm not a minor."

Bus driver Derek Shields, 31, called Controller Gavin Edgar, at First Glasgow's new Caledonia depot on Cathcart Road, and was given the go-ahead to turn around and provide Mo with her very own chauffeur bus service direct to her door.

Derek, who has worked for First Glasgow for seven years, said: "I didn't want to abandon one of my customers - I wanted to make sure she got home safely.

"I just did what anyone would have done."

Mo contacted First Glasgow through its online Superstars reward and recognition programme to express her gratitude and nominated Derek as a Superstar.

She added: "Derek was genuinely concerned and I felt really grateful. He's a local hero in my eyes.

"I was embarrassed that I'd fallen asleep with my headphones in.

"I insisted he gave me his name and driver number so I could nominate him as a Superstar."

Commenting on dad-of-two Derek's actions Fiona Kerr, First Glasgow's managing director, said: "Ms Macmillan was obviously very worried about getting home after missing her stop.

"We're delighted that our driver's instincts and common sense ensured Ms Macmillan got home safe and sound."

Derek Shields will be put forward with other nominees for First Glasgow's Superstar of the Month for February.