The Innovation Challenge is returning to routeone for 2023

Discover the best new products and services driving the sector forward 

Following debuts at Coach & Bus UK 2019 and Euro Bus Expo 2022, the Innovation Challenge is returning in a new format this year.  

The Challenge highlights the most significant new initiatives shaping the coach and bus sector, and this year it will be brought to the industry by routeone magazine. 

The next wave of ideas

The Innovation Challenge will bring together the most notable product developments of the last 12 months, in a sector blessed with innovation.  

Among these, readers will discover innovations that could be the key to cutting costs, driving productivity, and unlocking future growth for their businesses. Suppliers will have the opportunity to showcase their products to thousands of coach, bus and mini-vehicle operators, local authorities and stakeholders.  

The Challenge is organised by Diversified Communications, the company behind routeone, Euro Bus Expo and Coach & Bus UK. Helen Conway, Group Director, says: “The Innovation Challenge provides a convenient way for operators to discover all the latest products. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for suppliers to showcase their work and highlight how it will help to advance our sector. I’m looking forward to discovering what’s new and next!” 

Hall of fame

Last year’s winner, Wheely-Safe, took home the Gold Award at Euro Bus Expo 2022, beating off competition from 23 entries.   

Steve Jackson, former Managing Director at Wheely-Safe, said: “It’s a huge honour to land this award, especially as the level of competition from the other entries was so high. To see so many fantastic innovations raising standards across the industry was truly inspiring.”

Andy Congrave, Sales Director at Wheely-Safe, agrees and adds: “The Challenge was an excellent way to raise awareness of our brand. I’d strongly recommend entering to other innovators!”

The show’s first-ever Innovation Challenge, staged at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, saw two winners. Fleet in Your Pocket by Freeway Fleet Systems and Kazoot by Ticketer both struck gold, while nine other finalists took home silver awards. 

John Clarfelt, former Chief Executive Officer at Ticketer, says: “I highly recommend entering if you’re looking to launch a new product or service. We were excited to be involved. It was a chance to showcase something that we’re proud of and that could really benefit the industry. Reaching the finals and winning the Gold Award was naturally a bonus.” 

Judged by the industry

Judging is a two-phase process. The first phase is judged directly by end users, with operators voting for what they consider to be the best new initiative. The entries will feature in the October issue of routeone, and on its website – where subscribers can cast their vote between noon on 11 October and noon on 26 October.   

Suppliers of innovations with the most votes will then qualify for the second round of judging, carried out by a panel of industry experts. Finalists will deliver a 90-second product pitch and answer questions from the judges in an online meeting on 2 November 2023. 

The judges will then deliberate, and decide who will receive the Bronze, Silver or the esteemed Gold Award certificate. The winners will be revealed on Friday 3 November, when the finalists’ pitches will be shared with the industry via routeone’s website.  

The Challenge winner will be awarded a £1,000 media spend with the magazine to promote their ‘most innovative’ advancement, as voted for by the industry.  

How to enter

Suppliers are invited to enter their product or service that has or will be launched between November 2022 and November 2023. Entries are also welcome from suppliers that have significantly developed an existing product which they feel deserves recognition for innovation.  

Entries can be submitted on the routeone website until 1700hrs on Monday 25 September 2023.  

To enter, visit: https://www.route-one.net/innovation-challenge  

Entries cost £265 + VAT, payable by credit or debit card.