Two Birmingham bus mechanics have finally put the brakes on their careers after more than 100 years of combined service. Rob Embley and Lal Chand were honoured by colleagues at National Express Bus's Perry Barr depot after achieving an amazing combined 105 years of service.
Mr Chand's journey began on August 29, 1973, when he started as a garage youth with West Midlands Passenger Transport, while Mr Embley's journey began on November 12, 1973, when he joined West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive as a young mechanic on a four-week temporary trial.
A Lifetime of Contribution
Nick Sorrill, Engineering Director at National Express, said: “On behalf of everyone at National Express Bus we offer our heartfelt thanks to Rob and Lal for their incredible contribution to delivering the bus network in the West Midlands. Such loyalty and longevity within a single organisation is rare. Over 50 years is more than just a length of service — it’s a lifetime of contribution.”
Spanning an incredible 52 years and 7 months, Lal Chand became synonymous with commitment and reliability. Beyond his technical skills, his outstanding consistency, dedication, and dependability made him a cornerstone of the team.
Rob Embley's career was also full of commitment, reliability, and pride in his work. Those qualities were recognised again in 2011 when he took on the important role of Shift Safety Officer, helping to ensure the wellbeing of colleagues and maintaining the high standards colleagues and customers rely on.
