The coach and bus industry’s great and good were out in force on Wednesday 2 October 2019 for the 15th routeone Awards.
Long hailed as the industry’s Oscars night, the presentation ceremony coincided with Coach & Bus UK and it saw the winners of 16 categories recognised for their achievements in front of a packed house at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel.
As ever, the event saw operators and people from across the operator and supplier sectors in attendance.
From small family-owned coach operators to the largest groups, and from the industry’s most senior figures to those whose careers are in their infancy: All were represented, both within the room and among the winners.
This year the judges had their work cut out to decide upon the victors through several days of deliberation. A record number of nominations and entries were received. That ensured that the competition was tougher than ever.
routeone Awards: The winners
Awards in the 16 categories were presented by routeone Editor Tim Deakin and well-known TV celebrity Hugh Dennis, who put his 34 years’ experience in showbusiness to good use during the after-dinner entertainment in a well-received set.
The winners of each of the categories are:
Operator Training Award: Arriva Yorkshire
Manager of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles): Raj Chander, Arriva Derby
Manager of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles): Linsey Frostick, Arriva Luton and Arriva Milton Keynes
Engineer of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles): Jason Jackson, Ensignbus Co
Engineer of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles): Colin Barnes, Go North East
Rising Star: Emily Bainbridge, Arriva Yorkshire and Katie McGrath, National Express West Midlands
Best use of Technology, up to 150 vehicles: Passenger Plus
Best use of Technology, over 150 vehicles: Abellio London
Environment Award: Bluestar
Excellence in Minibus Operation: Passenger Plus
Small Coach Operator of the Year (1-15 vehicles): Woods Travel
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-50 vehicles): Greys of Ely
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (1-150 vehicles): Warrington’s Own Buses
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 50 vehicles): The Kings Ferry
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 vehicles): Oxford Bus Company
Special Award: David Luckett MBE, Chairman, Lucketts Group.
Changing judges
The judging panel for the 2019 routeone Awards grew to eight industry experts, including two former Traffic Commissioners and specialists in coach sales, commercial policy, engineering, operations and training.
Regrettably it was necessary to bid farewell to two judges after the conclusion of 2019’s Awards. Chris Heaps and Tony Kennan both elected to stand down from the panel. Each received a small token of appreciation from event organiser Diversified Communications.
For 2019 the chosen charity partner of the routeone Awards was again the Association of Air Ambulances. Guests dug deep and raised no less than £4,725 for the Association in a charity draw.
One entrant was drawn from a hat by Confederation of Passenger Transport President Martin Dean and received a £500 Red Letter Day, kindly donated by Headline Partner Siemens Financial Services. The luck winner was Liam Fellows.
Best in class
The routeone Awards would not be possible without the backing of numerous partners and supporters, who helped to make the evening a success.
Headline Partner: Siemens Financial Services
Award Partners: Alfatronix, Allison Transmission, Drivetech (UK), Knorr-Bremse, Lytx, MAN Truck and Bus UK, Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches, Optare, Optibus, Pelican Yutong, Siemens Financial Services, Ticketer, Trusted Travel Reviews, Volvo Bus and Wrightsure Insurance Group
Event Partners: Irizar UK, John Hill Coach Sales and Services, Paul Clark Services, Snap, uTrack Software and Zeelo
Event Supporters: Arthur Spriggs, Coach Drivers’ Club, Datik, Euro Bus Expo, Freeway Fleet Systems, Growth Partners, Roadgas, TruTac, Venatu Contracting Services, Voith Turbo and ZF Services UK.
Nominations for the 2020 routeone Awards will open in the spring of next year. Competition is expected to be strong once again.
If you or your company are put forward, don’t miss out: It will once again be a valuable opportunity to take your place among the best in the business.
