A VIP tour of a bus depot was just the ticket for 10-year-old Lewis Harper.
Lewis, of Dewsbury Moor, who wants to be a bus driver when he grows up, has forged a special friendship with staff at the Arriva garage in Heckmondwike.
He visits with his mum Sara almost every afternoon, Monday to Friday, and, of course, travels there by bus.
He gives biscuits and cola to the bus drivers and other station staff and also takes food for the station’s black and white cat, Belle.
“He has always loved buses,” said Sara.
Lewis, who attends Ravensthorpe Special Needs School, Dewsbury, and has learning difficulties, is sometimes treated to rides to Cleckheaton on one of the buses during his visits.
Sara said he also went to see the buses being repaired. “We tell him they are being taken to hospital and are being given some medicine because they are poorly.”
He likes to see them being washed and sometimes sits inside the bus while this happens.
He has a favourite seat on the top deck at the front, and knows how to honk the horn and open and shut the bus doors. He also knows all the local bus numbers.
Sara said he had lots of toy buses at home and that Lewis liked to create his own little depot.
During his VIP tour he was given a miniature Arriva bus and a framed photograph of him on a bus by general manager, Mark Fenwick.
He has Arriva orange and yellow high visibility jackets, and has also been given an Arriva bag with key rings and pens inside.
Sara said she was going to create an Arriva wall for Lewis in his bedroom for his photographs, and buy him a small cabinet to put all his other Arriva things in.
Lee Watson, relief inspector at Heckmondwike, said: “Lewis is the depot’s ray of sunshine! He is loved by everyone and we always look forward to his visits!”
Nigel Featham, regional managing director for Arriva Yorkshire, said: “Everyone at Arriva Yorkshire recognises the kindness of this young boy and his friendship with the Heckmondwike depot team.
“We want to thank him for being such a loyal customer, and what better way to do this than by presenting him with his very own Arriva model bus, along with a free week’s travel for two, so he can continue to explore Yorkshire on our Arriva buses!”
Sara said she now called Lewis Arriva’s little mascot.
“I can’t thank Arriva enough for organising the special tour for him. It was truly magical.”
