Arriva makes prom dream come true for neurdivergent schoolboy in Milton Keynes
When the mother of a 16-year-old autistic boy tried to make his prom dreams come true by hiring his own private bus, she was disappointed to learn it was out of her price range.
Step forward Arriva bus driver Fernando Rial who saw mum Dalila Debazzi’s appeal on Facebook and asked his bosses how they could help.
It was a done deal.
It meant Zac, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of buses and boards them so often he knows the drivers by name, could go to the ball – free of charge.
Milton Keynes general manager Charlie Costin said lots of drivers in the city know Zac and were quick to get behind the idea, with many volunteering to drive the teenager to his school prom.
Charlie planned to give Zac an extra special ride by using a brand new E200 bus, which runs in Leighton Buzzard, but bus expert Zac had already been on it.
Nevertheless Charlie and his colleague Barbara McLaughlin arranged a meeting with Zac’s mum, Dalila, in Newton Leys and the special route was planned – starting at a bus stop, of course.
Zac, who’s just finished his GCSEs has one more ambition – to become general manager of an Arriva bus depot.
Charlie, who’s worked for Arriva for 19 years said: “It was amazing to see the sheer joy on Zac’s face and his mum’s happiness when we told them we’d be able to take Zac to the prom.
“After breaking the good news to Zac, he then told me about improvements I could make to the bus network in an around Milton Keynes and some of his ideas match plans we already have – he really knows what he’s talking about.

“Barbara drove the bus on the day and she said he was really excited and would have quite happily stayed on the bus instead of going to his prom.

“It has been such a boost making Zac’s day like this. It’s had a huge impact, not only on him, but also the staff at Milton Keynes.
“The drivers really wanted to do this and they’ve said it’s made them so proud to work at a depot that would do this for Zac.
“At Arriva, we care passionately about our passengers and we’re always striving to make a difference and I’m sure that’s one thing we’ve done to make a difference that Zac will never forget – and nor will we.”