Peter McKenzie Harte  M.B.E.

(This honour was awarded for services to the bus industry in Scotland.)

Well, what a shock it was when I opened the letter from 10 Downing St. informing me that the Prime Minister “had it in mind” to put me forward to be awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire.) After some wild times in my youth, most people expected that the only letters they would see after my name were H.M.P!

Times and people change. We not only amassed the smartest fleet of 100% low floor, accessible buses, we also hired a team of drivers to compliment them. Together we provided a service second to none, at the time and our achievement was recognised.

What a magnificent day I had with my family at Holyrood Palace with all the pomp and ceremony. My daughters said that the queen spoke to me for ages and they noticed that I had her laughing as you can see on the photographs.

The years have moved on but we still have 70% of the drivers we had 10 years ago. This year we celebrate 25 years of service since our first bus took to the road. (Yip there’s a book in there somewhere!) We don’t and never will claim to be perfect but we all enjoy our jobs and responsibilities at Harte Buses where the smiles are genuine ones!