The Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) competition has opened entries to its 2024 National Final, which will be held on Sunday 1 September in Blackpool.
Operators wishing to participate have been invited by organisers to register online, with requirements at this stage to decide upon the number of drivers that they wish to enter, and to pay the entry fee. An information pack will then be supplied to enable those businesses to select the staff members that will compete.
Deadline for applications is mid-May. However, strong fields in both 2022 and 2023 have led organisers to urge operators not to dally in making applications. All drivers that participate in the National Final must work at least three full shifts per week.
Separately, Traffic Commissioner (TC) for North West England Gerallt Evans has joined BDoY as a Director. Mr Evans retires from the role of TC on 31 January, although he will continue to serve as a Deputy Traffic Commissioner.
Mr Evans has worked with BDoY for some time. His ongoing involvement will maintain a longstanding link between current or former TCs and the competition. As a Director, Mr Evans will succeed Chris Heaps, who is likewise a former TC and served on the BDoY board since 2007.
Commenting on the decision to elevate his support of BDoY, Mr Evans says: “During my four years as a Traffic Commissioner, and previously with the Crown Prosecution Service, I have been acutely aware of road safety and the importance of encouraging high standards among professional drivers.
“I am, therefore, more than happy to support BDoY in its aims, while it is a happy coincidence that the National Final is held in the North West region.”
Speaking about entries, BDoY Chairman Joe Mackie points out that despite well-publicised challenges to driver availability, the bus industry grew its support of the contest in both 2022 and 2023.
“Last year we were at 119 entrants,” he adds. “Some were hoping to regain the top spot, others with the objective of doing better than previously, and all hoping to win the coveted title.”
As in previous years, the 2024 Bus Driver of the Year national final will be based at the Imperial Hotel. It will again offer the chance to be crowned UK Bus Driver of the Year, a title that was claimed in 2023 by Lee Grantham of National Express West Midlands.
Further details on how to enter at the competition website.
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