Nominations are now open for the 2020 routeone Awards. The industry is invited to put forward the best of the best: Who it thinks are worthy winners at this most prestigious recognition of talent and achievement
It’s time for the wheels to start turning for the coach and bus industry’s foremost celebration of excellence in the operating sphere: The routeone Awards. Nominations are now open in 15 of the 16 categories.
2020’s presentation evening will be held on Wednesday 4 November at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. It is timed to coincide with the UK’s premier industry trade show, Euro Bus Expo.
Once again, this year’s routeone Awards will capture achievement by operators and individuals alike. Using the online form at www.routeoneawards.com, the industry may put forward those who it believes are worthy winners.
One category – the Special Award – is entirely down to the judges’ discretion. It recognises and rewards the lifetime industry contribution made by one individual.
The deadline for nominations is Friday 10 April. To be victorious, the nominee must then be shortlisted, and finally, must convince the judges that they are indeed the best in the business.
Why nominate?
The routeone Awards are the only event to recognise achievement across the coach and bus sectors. Success on the presentation evening has become an undisputable mark of being the best.
Operator nominations are invited in categories that recognise overall excellence in their size and/or vehicle type category; achievements in environmental awareness; staff training; and the use of technology.
People nominations are invited in categories that recognise overall achievements by managers and by engineers.
The Special Award has already been described, while coming back for a third year is the ever-popular Rising Star category. It will reward a talented manager who is aged below 30 on the day that entries close, which is Friday 15 May.
For an operator, it is only via nomination by the supply side of the industry that they can become a finalist.
Nominations in people categories, except for the Special Award, can additionally come via third-party recommendation, or when endorsed by the nominee’s Chief Executive, Managing Director or business proprietor. Names may also emerge via a company’s submission for an operator category.
Wider celebration
While not every entrant to the routeone Awards can be victorious, those that are shortlisted can be justifiably proud of that fact.
2019’s presentation evening was a great success. It was hailed by guests, partners and supporters alike. It was jointly hosted by routeone Editor Tim Deakin and Hugh Dennis, who ensured that all present were entertained by his acclaimed stand-up routine.
This year’s celebrity joint host will be announced in due course. Once again, the presentation evening promises to be a highlight of the industry calendar.
Winners receive the kudos of being acknowledged as leaders in their fields. They receive a trophy and a certificate, helping them to achieve maximum exposure. Many previous victors continue to see benefits from their triumph.
The marketing opportunities for winners are almost endless. In people categories, a victory at the routeone Awards is a major boost to any CV and a significant career milestone. For winners in the operator categories, they can help with year-round promotion of businesses.
Maximising that may include promotion via brochures, corporate communications, letterheads, social media, on-vehicle vinyls and many other channels.
As an indication of the interest in the routeone Awards, 2020 is the first year that all Award partnerships have been in place before the event is launched.
On your marks…
The judging panel, this year made up of seven highly-experienced industry figures with extensive knowledge in a wide variety of disciplines, will evaluate all entries and decide upon the winners.
That process is extensive through a desire on the part of routeone to ensure that it is meticulous and beyond reproach. It is also to ensure that the results are entirely credible.
Once nominations close on Friday 10 April, all nominees will be contacted and asked to complete an entry form with information that will permit the judges to determine the shortlist when they meet in June. All entry information is submitted via an online platform.
All the categories are listed on p9. Some of the criteria have been changed for 2020, with a greater focus now placed on achievements over the 12 months to the date that entries close, Friday 15 May.
When the shortlist has been created, those finalists in the people categories will be invited to interview at the routeone offices in Peterborough on Wednesday 29 or Thursday 30 July. Once that process has been completed, the winners in all categories will be decided upon.
The judging panel
The judging panel is made up of Joan Aitken, Richard Delahoy, Steve Dewhurst, Kevin Middleton, Peter Nash, Norman Thomas and Kevin Wood.
Joan Aitken was Traffic Commissioner for Scotland until February 2019. She is now a Trustee of the charity Transaid.
Richard Delahoy has for over 20 years managed a training and consultancy business that advises coach and bus operators.
Steve Dewhurst was Managing Director of Volvo Bus for eight years until he retired in 2013.
Kevin Middleton has enjoyed over 40 years in the industry, including senior engineering roles with two of the large groups. Since 2015 he has acted in a consultancy role.
Peter Nash was formerly Commercial Director of Busways Travel Services, which was sold to Stagecoach in 1994. In 1999 he became Head of Commercial Policy for Stagecoach UK Bus.
Norman Thomas joins the judging panel for 2020. He began his industry career in 1984 as a Regional Service Engineer with Leyland Bus, moving to Volvo Bus when it purchased Leyland Bus in 1989. He retired in 2017 from the position of Product Engineering Manager.
Kevin Wood spent his working life in coach sales, including 27 years with Plaxton. He was part of the management team that saved the Scarborough coachbuilder when parent company Mayflower entered administration in 2004.
NOMINATE NOW
AWARD CATEGORIES AND HOW THEY ARE APPLIED
Operator Training Award
In partnership with DriveTech (UK)
For the operator that demonstrates ways in which targeted and relevant employee training on all levels has produced measurable results for its business, and how its commitment and approach to training has improved over the last year.
Manager of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles)
In partnership with Omnibus
For a manager who has shown commitment and enthusiasm and an excellent ability to motivate, and how they have made a personal contribution to growth, innovation and results.
*Finalists will be required to attend an interview with the judges in July.
Manager of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles)
In partnership with Freeway Fleet Systems
For a manager who has shown commitment and enthusiasm and an excellent ability to motivate, and how they have made a personal contribution to growth, innovation and results.
*Finalists will be required to attend an interview with the judges in July.
Engineer of the Year, small/medium operator (up to 150 vehicles)
In partnership with Pelican Yutong
Recognises the talents of a skilled engineer within a small- or medium-sized operator. Entrants must demonstrate how they have managed complex tasks and processes, met specified targets and shown effective communication skills.
*Finalists will be required to attend an interview with the judges in July.
Engineer of the Year, large operator (over 150 vehicles)
In partnership with Knorr-Bremse
Recognises the talents of a skilled engineer within a large operator. Entrants must demonstrate how they have managed complex tasks and processes, met specified targets and shown effective communication skills.
*Finalists will be required to attend an interview with the judges in July.
Best Use of Technology (up to 150 vehicles)
In partnership with Siemens Financial Services
Recognises high-level success where the introduction of the latest technology or technology-related products has delivered quantifiable and significant benefits for the business and its customers.
Best Use of Technology (over 150 vehicles)
In partnership with Alfatronix
Recognises high-level success where the introduction of the latest technology or technology-related products has delivered quantifiable and significant benefits for the business and its customers.
Environment Award
In partnership with Optare
For the operator with an exceptional commitment to a green agenda. It will provide evidence that will show the nature of the project, idea or innovation that has been introduced and a report on its benefits, including how they have been achieved.
Rising Star
In partnership with PPG
Focuses on managers within the industry who are below the age of 30 on the deadline for entries, 15 May. Finalists must show clear evidence of their progress to date, and how their skills will be used in the future to take on the most senior roles within the business.
*Finalists will be required to attend an interview with the judges in July. Although previous entrants are eligible for nomination, previous winners of this category are not.
Excellence in Minicoach or Minibus Operation
In partnership with Arthur Spriggs BusWorld
For the minicoach or minibus operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation, training and customer service.
*Eligibility for this category is solely dependent on the entrant operating mini vehicles of 27 or fewer seats.
Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches)
In partnership with MAN Truck and Bus
For the small coach operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service.
*Eligibility for this category is strictly dependent on the total number of coaches operated, not overall fleet size.
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-50 coaches)
In partnership with Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches
For the medium-sized coach operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service.
*Eligibility for this category is strictly dependent on the total number of coaches operated, not overall fleet size.
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses)
In partnership with Ticketer
Focusing on exceptional performance of small/medium bus operators, with evidence to show exemplary service in every respect.
*Eligibility for this category is strictly dependent on the total number of buses operated, not overall fleet size.
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 50 coaches)
In partnership with Volvo Buses
For the large coach operator that demonstrates a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service.
*Eligibility for this category is strictly dependent on the total number of coaches operated, not overall fleet size.
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses)
In partnership with Ticketer
Focusing on exceptional performance of large bus operators, with evidence to show exemplary service in every respect.
*Eligibility for this category is strictly dependent on the total number of buses operated, not overall fleet size.
Special Award
In partnership with Allison Transmission
For the individual who is judged to have made a very special contribution to the industry.
