'He would save the day when the bus broke down' - Codsall couple who worked on buses together for decades retired together

The pair immediately felt a spark between them amongst their group of friends and quickly started dating, keeping it a secret from work for a while before making the bubbling romance public amongst colleagues and bosses.

Narinder started as a trainee mechanic in 1976, and worked as an engineer throughout his time with the former WMPTE before it was dissolved and continued at Transport for West Midlands, often 'called to the rescue' by Gail when there were issues with the buses. 

Gail went on to pass her Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) license, and from 1997 hit the road on the number one service between Dudley and Tettenhall before moving in together in 1998,  and getting married in April, 2009. 

Three months ago Narinder decided he had worked long enough, and Gail thought the same, so they both announced their retirement and their last day was on December 15.

After a combined 87 years of service to the local people, the loved-up pair now plan to travel the world together - starting in Alaska - wanting to enjoy their lives together before they get 'too old' to take trips.

Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, Gail, said: "We first met in the garage when I went back to work at the Park Lane depot when it reopped in 1993. 

"Originally, we were just part of a bigger group of friends, but then we started talking and eventually went for a coffee together, then things just grew from there really, our first date was at BHS back when they had shops. 

"Initially we had to keep it a secret and it was quite easy to be fair, we were always in each other's company but worked in different departments so we saw each other just because we would have to talk for work or what-not.

"He always used to tell me he would never marry me, but changed his mind because I was 'too good' to let go."

Narinder added: "We just really got on throughout our time together, both at work and at home we never really argued, it's been a great life to share together."

"We moved in together fives years later, married in 2009 and had our daughter Holly, and I have two kids Alex and Nicky from a previous relationship, so we've had a busy and happy family life."

Gail added: "But occasionally I would have to give him silent treatment and he wouldn't even notice!"

After their long careers, both of them decided to put a pin in their careers earlier this year, citing changes in the job and being ready to spend quality time together as the main reasons for their departure from the place they met decades ago.

Narinder, said: "I decided to call it a day a few months ago and I walked out on my last day thinking 'yeah, that was a time well spent.'

"I really enjoyed my job."

Gail, who also used to run the  Golden Black Café on Lichfield Road, added: "When he decided to, I thought yeah, I fancy that as well, we have put a lot of years in and now perhaps it's time to focus on us.

"I realise how fortunate we are to retire, especially at my age, and we plan to really make the most of it."

The pair said one of the reasons it was a bit easier to say goodbye to their careers is how much the job has 'changed' of the years.

Gail said: "Things are just different now, the job used to be exactly like that old program 'on the buses' but nowadays people are less chatty which has taken a lot of the fun out of the job.

'But that's the way of the world, life is just getting so stressful for so many people that everyone just wants to hop on and off without talking too much, especially since Covid."

The pair plan to take a trip to Alaska first and then head to Canada to visit family, before picking out some more dreamy locations to fly too over the next few years.

Narinder said: "We want to travel a lot, go to places together and just indulge in our lives, we're really excited for what's next."

Gail added: "First on the list is Alaska, we've both wanted to go there for some time, and then we're heading to Canada to visit family who live out there."