Games athletes are in the bus lane

ATHLETES at the Commonwealth Games could be given a steer to success by a pair of Rotherham bus drivers.

Christopher Ward and Jed Spellman have headed to Glasgow this week as part of a 700-strong pool of drivers brought in to the city to provide transport for competitors and fans.

The driving duo will be swapping the streets of South Yorkshire for Hampden Park, The Emirates Arena, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Celtic Park, Ibrox Stadium and George Square as part of their operation.

First Scotrail will also be providing train travel as part of an deal which sees the operator positioned as an “official supporter” of the 12-day event which runs until this weekend.

Ben Gilligan, Managing Director of First South Yorkshire, said: “FirstGroup’s bus and rail services will play an integral part in the success of Glasgow 2014.

“I’m delighted that a number of our drivers are to be part of the First team this summer and I’ve no doubt they will act as fine ambassadors for First South Yorkshire.”

Jed is a supervisor within First’s operations team and has been working for First and it's predecessors since 1988.

Chris works for First’s engineering team as a body maker and has been with the company for nine years.

Two other First drivers in Glasgow are Adam Bennett and Darren Tingay, both from Sheffield.

Darren said: “The Games are the talk of the canteen. I’m hoping to be fortunate enough to transport some athletes, maybe even Usain Bolt.”