Nominations for the 2026 routeone Awards have opened ahead of judging in the coach and bus industry’s premier recognition of excellence and achievement starting in the spring.
Receipt of those nominations in people and operator categories is the first step on the road to the presentation evening, where winners will be named. It will be held on Wednesday 4 November at The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham on the NEC campus, where the 2026 routeone Awards will sit alongside the Euro Bus Expo trade show on 3-5 November.
To nominate, interested parties should visit the Awards website. Nominations are taken in the following categories:
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- Rising Star
- Manager of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles)
- Manager of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles)
- Outstanding Customer Experience
- Engineer of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles]
- Engineer of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles)
- Coach Tourism Programme of the Year
- Innovation in Coach
- Innovation in Bus
- Sustainability Award
- Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches)
- Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-40 coaches)
- Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses)
- Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 40 coaches)
- Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses).
In addition, the Special Award will be presented to a member of the industry in recognition of their contribution, as decided at the judges’ discretion.
Innovation in Coach and Innovation in Bus debut in 2026. They recognise operators in each segment that have displayed innovation in one part or multiple parts of their businesses. That work can capture any combination of technology-based platforms or services, physical items or workplace strategies that have brought improvement and efficiency.
Alongside that, entry criteria in all categories have gained a strengthened consideration of the participant’s work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Nominations can be made by manufacturers, dealers and suppliers. In people categories, they are additionally invited by third-party recommendation or from individuals directly if endorsed by the business proprietor, CEO, or Managing Director.
Once nominations close on 1 April, entries will open. That process will run until 26 May, following which the judges will begin their work. They will conclude on 2 and 3 September, where finalists in people categories will invited to interview and decisions in all 16 categories will be made.
Six members of the established judging panel return for 2026: Joan Aitken, Richard Delahoy, Nigel Eggleton, Gary Nolan, Graham Russell, and Norman Thomas. Work to add two more industry names to the roster is ongoing, with those parties expected to be revealed over coming weeks.
A return to The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham follows two successful presentation evenings at that venue in 2024 and 2025. Each attracted around 900 guests, with the same expected this year.
Organiser Diversified UK and Europe has already seen strong commercial support for the 2026 routeone Awards, with Award Partner, Event Partner and Event Supporter packages in demand from suppliers across the industry.
Speaking about the call for nominations, Group Director Helen Conway says: “With last year’s acclaimed presentation evening having brought the coach and bus industry together to celebrate its best people and operators, we are pleased to set out on the road towards doing the same in 2026.
“Receipt of nominations is a critical first step in the judges’ identification of the winners. If you know an individual or an operator that is doing great things, now is your chance to put them forward for recognition.
“It is through the support of those who make nominations that the routeone Awards have such credibility and serve as the ultimate acknowledgement of those at the forefront of our sector. We look forward to seeing the industry come together again on 4 November as we name the winners.”
In recognition of those who make nominations, all such parties will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win a £750 media spend with routeone. Full terms and conditions can be found on the event website.
For all Awards partnership and sponsorship enquiries, please contact Commercial Manager Martin Laverton via email.
