Finalists in the 2026 routeone Awards have been named by organiser Diversified UK and Europe as work towards crowning the coach and bus industry’s best people and operators at the presentation evening on Wednesday 4 November progresses.
This year sees 79 finalists across 15 competitive categories. Each has successfully progressed within a rigorous independent judging process, with the eight-strong panel of senior former industry leaders having met on 8 June to reach decisions on the shortlist.
In August, they will come together again for a two-day session where interviews in people categories will be held and final decisions made across the board, including on the Special Award winner.
The journey to being named a finalist starts with nomination. Nominees are invited to make a detailed entry demonstrating their achievements, impact, and how they meet the criteria for their category. Each submission is carefully assessed by the judges.
In 2026, the panel grew with the arrival of former Alpine Travel Managing Director Chris Owens and former Newport Transport Managing Director Scott Pearson. They have joined six established members:
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- Joan Aitken, former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland
- Richard Delahoy, former Transport Consultant
- Nigel Eggleton, former First Bus Midlands and South Yorkshire Managing Director
- Gary Nolan, former Stagecoach Regional Director
- Graham Russell, former senior engineering leader in the bus industry
- Norman Thomas, former Product Engineering Manager at Volvo Bus.
The presentation evening on 4 November at The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham will sit alongside Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham from 3-5 November. Combined, the Awards and Euro Bus Expo promise three days of excellent networking, business development and celebration for the coach and bus industry.
The 2026 routeone Awards finalists are:
Rising Star, partnered by PPG
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- Aakil Vali, Atlantic Travel GB
- Ben Randles, Metroline Manchester
- Daniel Weston, Country Lion (Northampton)
- David Newton, Salisbury Reds
- Diana Bednika, The Big Lemon
- Lily Farrow-Tillett, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Louis Cannon, Go North West
- Lucy Harris, Transdev Blazefield.
Manager of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by IntSol Recruitment
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- Alex Niemczyk, Roberts Travel Group
- Andrew Church, Peter Godward Coaches
- Cerianne Cullen, Adventure Travel
- David Burrows, Ipswich Buses
- Jemma Familton, Sleafordian Coaches
- Luke Bush, South Wales Transport.
Manager of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Freeway Fleet Systems
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- Dan O’Donovan, Go South West
- Daniel Cutts, Go-Ahead London
- Josh Devlin, Go North East
- Louise King, Transdev Blazefield
- Matt Hobbs, The Coach Travel Group.
Outstanding Customer Experience, partnered by Arthur Spriggs Busworld Tewkesbury
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- Edwards Coaches
- Grant Palmer
- Keighley Bus Company
- Reading Buses
- Roberts Travel Group
- Tomorrows Travel.
Engineer of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by Pelican Bus and Coach
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- Christopher Keepings, Adventure Travel
- Jack Asquith, Preston Bus
- Paul George, Bennetts Coaches
- Peran Bennetts, South Wales Transport
- Phill Kerr, Sleafordian Coaches.
Engineer of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Weightmans
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- Chris Parry, Stagecoach London
- Chris Stringer, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus
- Darren Bell-Walker, Transdev Blazefield
- Karl Steadman, Go North East
- Pasquale Balzano, Edwards Coaches.
Coach Tourism Programme of the Year, partnered by GTG Engineering Services
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- Bakers Dolphin
- Eastons Holidays
- Edwards Coaches
- Johnsons Coaches
- Roberts Travel Group
- Skills Holidays.
Innovation in Coach, partnered by JMW
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- Sleafordian Coaches
- The Coach Travel Group
- Tomorrows Travel
- Watts Way Travel.
Innovation in Bus, partnered by Backhouse Jones
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- Go Ahead Group
- Go-Ahead London
- Grant Palmer
- Reading Buses
- Rotala.
Sustainability Award, partnered by Zenobē
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- Diamond Bus East Midlands
- Llew Jones
- Metroline
- Warrington’s Own Buses.
Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches), partnered by Harris Higer
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- A & P Travel (Tours)
- Eastons Holidays
- Galloway European Coachlines
- Jones International Travel
- NK Holidays
- Zen Travels West Midlands.
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-40 coaches), partnered by Daimler Buses UK
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- Bennetts Coaches
- Roberts Travel Group
- Simonds Coach and Travel
- Sleafordian Coaches
- Stanley Travel (North East).
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses), partnered by Ridango
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- Edwards Coaches
- Falcon Coaches
- Grant Palmer
- Keighley Bus Company
- LibertyBus.
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 40 coaches), partnered by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland
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- Alfa Holidays
- Bakers Dolphin
- Edwards Coaches
- Maynes Coaches.
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses), partnered by C9 Recruitment
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- Brighton and Hove Buses
- Go South Coast
- Lothian Buses
- Reading Buses
- Specialist Passenger Solutions.
Special Award, partnered by Ticketer
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- Alongside 15 competitive categories, the event will have a 16th category: the Special Award. Chosen solely by the judges, it recognises an individual whose exceptional contribution to the industry deserves special recognition.
Speaking about release of the 2026 finalists’ list, Event Director Helen Conway says: “Reaching the routeone Awards shortlist is an achievement in itself. Every finalist has impressed our independent judges with the strength of their work and the contribution that they are making to the coach and bus industry.
“This year is particularly special as we celebrate the 20th edition of the routeone Awards. We are looking forward to bringing the industry together in November to recognise our finalists and reveal the winners.”
