Bennetts Coaches of Gloucester (pictured, above) has continued its success at the National Express Operator Partnership Awards in 2024 by claiming victory in the Network Operator of the Year category for the third consecutive year among several other accolades.
Now in their 16th year, the Awards recognise the role played by partner operators in delivery of the National Express scheduled coach network. For 2024 the presentation evening was held at the Best Western Plus Windmill Village Hotel in Coventry.
Recognised as Driver of the Year was Loris Wharton (pictured, below, second from left), of Parks of Hamilton at its Plymouth base. He received a cheque for £1,000 in recognition of his performance.
Travelstar European of Walsall was named Best Fleet for a second year, while National Express Start Hill gained victory in the Most Improved Operator category.
Among representatives of National Express present were CEO Alex Jensen and Network Director Ed Rickard. They were joined by Caetano Key Account Manager Alice Rodrigues.
Each operator is measured via an evaluation table, with winners determined by performance in areas including driver excellence, coach cleanliness, and quality and customer service.
Mr Rickard notes that partner operators “play an essential role in our network, and we are delighted to recognise their hard work, dedication and outstanding service through our annual awards.
“We are proud to have them on board and extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all the winners.” The business continues to seek more partner operators to join the ranks, it adds.
The full list of winners is:
Overall Network Operator of the Year: Bennetts Coaches
Driver of the Year: Loris Wharton, Parks of Hamilton (Plymouth depot)
Best Fleet: Travelstar European
Driving Our Harm (Safety Excellence): Travelstar European
Go Green Award: Llew Jones Coaches
Most Improved Operator: National Express Start Hill
Customer Experience Excellence: Bennetts Coaches
Engineer of the Year: John Bruce Jr, Bruce Coaches
Operational Manager of the Year: Simon Alderton, Bennetts Coaches
Best Network Operator of the Year, one to five vehicles: E Stott and Sons
Best Network Operator of the Year, six to 10 vehicles: Worthing Coaches
Best Network Operator of the Year, 11 to 20 vehicles: Bennetts Coaches
Best Network Operator of the Year, over 20 vehicles: Edwards Coaches Wales
Gold Standard Operators: Bennetts Coaches, E Stott and Sons, Edwards Coaches, Parks of Hamilton (Plymouth depot), Travelstar European.
Golden Spanner Awards were presented to operators that have consistently met and exceeded expectations and introduced best practice across engineering.
Those recipients are: Ambassador Travel, Bennetts Coaches, Bruce Coaches, E Stott and Sons, Edwards Coaches, Galloway European, Go North East, Llew Jones Coaches, Lucketts Travel (Bournemouth depot), National Express Start Hill, National Express Transport Solutions Aston, National Express Wandsworth, Oxford Bus Company, Parks of Hamilton (Plymouth depot), Selwyns Travel (Runcorn depot), Stagecoach Chesterfield, Kings Ferry (Dover depot), Travelstar European, and Yeomans Canyon Travel.
Meanwhile, Sustained High Achievement Awards were presented to the following operators in recognition of their respective years of that recognition: Travelstar European and E Stott and Sons (both 14); Bennetts Coaches and Edwards Coaches Wales (both 13); Bruce Coaches, National Express Transport Solutions Aston and Parks of Hamilton (Plymouth depot) (each 10); Edwards Coaches Bristol and Yeomans Canyon Travel (both six); Galloway European (five); and Kavanagh (one).
