Stagecoach drivers have completed a one, two, three at the 2022 Bus Driver of the Year (BDoY) National Final, held in Blackpool over the weekend of 1-2 October.
The 54th National Final attracted 89 entrants representing 35 large and small bus operators. Stagecoach South Wales driver Michael Evans (pictured) claimed the top accolade of Bus Driver of the Year. He has spent five years at the operator’s Porth depot, having changed career from being a car salesman.
In addition to the Bus Driver of the Year trophy, Mr Evans took away a total of £4,600 in prize money. Other silverware making its way home with him were the Coventry Trophy, donated by Coventry Road Accident Prevention Council; the Road Operators Safety Council (ROSCO) Award; the Unite Trophy; and the John Boxall Medallion, donated by the Bus Driver of the Year Council.
In second place was Anthony Quinn of Stagecoach West. He received £2,100 in total and a trophy for his runner-up position. In third was Ian Field of Stagecoach East Scotland, who also gained a trophy and £1,100 of prize money altogether.
Fourth place and a cheque for £750 was claimed by Michael Leech of First West Yorkshire, while Brian MacKie of Stagecoach East Scotland completed the top five with a cheque for £500.
Presentations were made at the Imperial Hotel by Transport for London Head of Business Development Tom Cunnington. 300 family members and supporters joined entrants to hear the results.
BDoY Chairman Joe Mackie has congratulated all of the 2022 winners and thanked the volunteers whose efforts make the competition possible, along with industry sponsors for their financial support.
Other awards were won by:
Best theory test result: Brian MacKie, Stagecoach East Scotland
Best competitor from a depot in England: Anthony Quinn, Stagecoach West
Best competitor from a depot in Scotland: Ian Field, Stagecoach East Scotland
Best competitor from a depot in Wales: Michael Evans, Stagecoach South Wales
Highest placed competitor from an ALBUM member: Kevin Chalmers, Lothian
Highest placed competitor from a ROSCO member: Michael Evans, Stagecoach South Wales
Highest placed competitor from an independent company: Andrew Cawley, Peoplesbus.
Highest placed FirstGroup competitor: Michael Leech, First West Yorkshire
Second-highest placed FirstGroup competitor: Paul Leppington, First West Yorkshire
Highest placed Go-Ahead competitor: Kyly Summerfield, Plymouth Citybus
Second-highest placed Go-Ahead competitor: Stephan Appiah, Go-Ahead London
Highest placed National Express competitor: Chris Neal, National Express West Midlands
Second-highest placed National Express competitor: Lee Grantham, National Express West Midlands
Highest-placed RATP Dev competitor: Kastriot Lika, RATP Dev Transit London
Second-highest placed RATP Dev competitor: Nimish Jamnadas, RATP Dev Transit London
Highest placed Stagecoach competitor: Michael Evans, Stagecoach South Wales
Second-highest placed Stagecoach competitor: Anthony Quinn, Stagecoach West.
In the recognition for best-presented buses, the category for newly delivered vehicles was won by Arriva Northumbria and First West Yorkshire; for those between one and five years old by Stagecoach West; and for those over five years old by First Potteries and Stagecoach Cumberland.
Annual trophies will be held by the successful finalist or sponsoring company until the National Final is staged in 2023. All award winners will also receive a trophy to keep, upon which their name will be displayed.
