Coastliner bus driver Billy Crute is the first winner of Transdev’s new Pride of the North trophy.
Transdev has launched the initiative to recognise a different driver every month across its seven depots in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Mystery customers made an unannounced journey on Billy’s Coastliner bus and awarded him top marks for customer care and driving style. They praised his excellent attitude and said he is “helpful, cheerful and a role model to colleagues.”
Billy was surprised by Transdev CEO Alex Hornby with the trophy and certificate at Leeds Bus Station.
Alex says: “We’ve commissioned our Pride of the North trophy to encourage the highest standards of customer service among our driving teams in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
“Skilled and safe driving combined with a friendly welcome and exceptional customer care are the qualities we’ll be looking for – and with so many excellent drivers across all our depots, it’ll be a tough task to select a winner each month to receive the coveted cup.
“The qualities which won Billy such high scores from our mystery customers are what makes him such a favourite with Coastliner regulars – his sheer enthusiasm and his polite and helpful approach to customer care.”