At Arc Monitoring, the Bristol-based NSI Gold-approved CCTV and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), one control room operator is a regular commuter by bus. Due to changes in the bus timetable due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that commute to work had doubled in time. The cuts in service also meant no buses were around at the end of his shift.
As the man doesn’t hold a driving license, he had no other option than to try and get a taxi back home. Not only was his working day getting longer, but his bank balance was getting lighter. As a ‘key worker’ under the UK Government definition, he and fellow operators cover premises across the UK, and facilitating police response to incidents.
As soon as they became aware of the staffer’s plight, Arc acted by providing him with an electric bike; pictured. Not only does it mean that he now gets enough rest between shifts and is a healthy way the travel, but the electric bike also sticks to Arc Monitoring’s green credentials, as energy efficient and emission free.
The new cyclist said: “I take two buses into work and since the pandemic started their timetables changed to roughly every hour, but with no exact times available, I never knew when they’d come. Since Covid-19 started I couldn’t get a bus home, so I have paid taxi’s a lot of money. Having the bike is really good as I’m now getting home in 25 minutes and I’m really enjoying the exercise to and from work.”
As Arc adds, there’s a strong appreciation that staff are working hard under challenging circumstances to ensure service is continued to customers.
