The Road Operators Safety Council (ROSCO) has announced Go North West, Diamond Bus North West, and Preston Bus have signed up to its national safe driving scheme.
As a result of the enrolments announced this week, more than 1,600 further drivers will be registered onto the ROSCO Safe Driving Awards scheme.
The Council, which was launched in 1955, recognises and rewards professional, collision-free driving, and supports around 30,000 drivers in the UK.
ROSCO works with more than 80 operators nationwide and hands out around 15,000 awards annually.
Go North West, which operates franchised bus services in Greater Manchester and has depots in Bolton, Wigan, Denton and Heywood, will roll out the scheme to its almost 1,000 drivers gradually.
Nigel Featham, Managing Director at Go North West, says: “Road safety is one of our biggest responsibilities as a bus operator. Joining ROSCO and enrolling almost 1,000 Go North West drivers is a practical way to recognise the professionalism of our people and to keep safe driving front of mind every day, on every route.
“The ROSCO scheme reinforces the behaviours we expect, celebrates the drivers who consistently do the right thing, and supports a positive safety culture that benefits passengers, colleagues and other road users alike.”
John Burch, Chair of ROSCO, adds: “Enrolling almost 1,000 drivers is a significant milestone and demonstrates Go North West’s clear commitment to recognising professional, safe driving. As public transport continues to evolve under franchising, strong partnerships and consistent safety standards are more important than ever.”
The addition of Rotala-owned operators Diamond Bus North West and Preston Bus, who will collectively enrol 769 drivers into the scheme, further enhances bus driving standards in the North West region.
Matt Rawlinson, Managing Director, Diamond Bus North West and Preston Bus, says: “We’re proud that Diamond Bus North West and Preston Bus are members of ROSCO, with 450 of our drivers recognised through the scheme.
“Safety and professional driving standards sit at the heart of what we do, and ROSCO plays an important role in reinforcing a positive safety culture across our business.
“The scheme recognises the skill, judgement and responsibility our drivers show every day, helping to keep passengers, colleagues and other road users safe. Being part of ROSCO is not just about awards; it’s about valuing our people and continually raising standards in safe driving.”
