The 2023 Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) national final is approaching maximum capacity ahead of its staging in Blackpool on Sunday 3 September, organisers have said.
84 entries are confirmed thus far, which at four and a half months out is only a very short way behind the number of drivers that participated in the 2022 event. Those entering this year are from a mixture of small and large operators and more of both are welcome, says UK Bus Driver of the Year Association Chair Joe Mackie.
“The 2023 national final marks 55 years of BDoY, which was first run in 1967 as a local contest in Coventry and subsequently grew into a national event,” he explains.
“We are particularly keen to have more entries from all sectors of the industry, as the national final is a fantastic pace for operators of all sizes to showcase their drivers’ skills and especially their commitment to excellent customer service.”
In 2022, Stagecoach South Wales driver Michael Evans claimed the Bus Driver of the Year title. He led a one, two, three of Stagecoach drivers that was completed by Stagecoach West’s Anthony Quinn in second and Ian Field of Stagecoach East Scotland in third.
As previously, the 2023 Bus Driver of the Year contest will be based at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. Details of how to enter are listed online.
Operators that participate are also asked to consider making a bus available for use in the driving tests. Meanwhile, manufacturers and suppliers have been invited to take advantage of the various sponsorship opportunities that are available.
