Xplore Dundee boss Elsie Turbyne is to step down next month after 36 years of service with the operator.
She joined the bus company when it was owned by Tayside Regional Council in an admin role in January 1982.
With a background in finance and IT, Elsie progressed into the finance department and was the operator’s finance manager prior to taking up the post of managing director in March 2015.
During her time as part of the senior team, Elsie has overseen the company’s move into smart ticketing.
A partnership with Dundee and Angus College and Dundee City Council made student bursary tickets available as smart products on their matriculation/NEC cards in 2013.
The bus operator developed its own smartcard, MyXplore, and this year introduced mTicketing, providing a range of discounted fares available for purchase through an app.
Elsie said. “Another of the highlights of recent years has been rebranding the company from National Express Dundee to Xplore Dundee.
“We are proud of our place in National Express Group but it was great to develop a fresh outlook and to reclaim some of the spirit of exploration within our heritage.
“We really enjoyed working alongside the staff and students of Dundee and Angus College to create and develop the Xplore brand and I feel it’s given us a strong identity in this city and a vision for the future.
“The bus industry is interesting and challenging and I hope I’ve helped to pave the way for more women to enter it, whether they’re behind the wheel or behind a desk — we need more female voices in transport.”
Ms Turbyne will retire from the company on April 19.
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